“The king treats you well?”
A purr erupts behind me. The tension in my back melts away and my whole body sinks into the seat.
“Very well.” I try to fight it, but a dreamy quality enters my voice. “Like a queen.”
Bestian clears his throat. The orb rises and floats backwards to display both me in the chair and the Alpha beside it.
“Your Majesty.” Ma bows her head.
“Matron Marphel. You found and cared for the king’s Omega. You are to be commended.”
Ma says nothing, but her lips purse.
“As a token of my gratitude, allow my wind servants to remain by your side. Nothing will replace Rose, but thewhispscan help you.”
“I’m honored, Your Majesty.” Ma’s voice is tart. There’s a lot she’s not saying.
I blink, but between the effect of the purr and the heat rising in my core, my thoughts are swimming backwards.
“Say goodbye, my little moonflower,” Bestian orders.
“Goodbye, Ma. I’ll see you soon,” I add.
The orb dims and Ma disappears. I lean back in the chair, too relaxed to care. I want to turn and rub myself against Bestian. His purr always calms me, but why am I now getting excited as well? A tingling warmth is spreading through my chest and belly.
“Thank you,” I manage. I don’t ask when I can speak to Ma again. Even if he says no, I’ll find a way to see her. Thewhispswill help me.
My thoughts feel very far away.
“It appears you are going into heat again, Omega.” Bestian’s purr increases in volume. The sound vibrates through my body. Goosebumps prickle over my skin and I clench my thighs. “And have no fear—I will rut you very, very soon. But first, I have one more thing to show you.”
* * *
Bestian
My little moonflower’s eyes are dark, glittering pools, signaling the onset of estrus. Her sweet, musky perfume rises in a heady could. My cock strains in my breeches as I guide her further down the hall with a heavy hand on her slender back. My purr is deepening, roughening, turning almost into a growl.
When Rose spoke to the healer who took her in, I sensed her tension. My purr was automatic; I had not anticipated its effect on her. The ancient scrolls describe how an Alpha’s scent, voice, and protective behavior can trigger an Omega’s heat. But Rose is not a typical Omega. We cannot know whether her estrus follows normal patterns.
Still, here is proof that she is attuned to me. She might deny it, but her body knows the truth.
Her willowy form sways ahead of me. At the end of the long corridor, thewhispspull open the doors.
Rose’s steps falter. “Where are you taking me?”
“You will see. It’s a surprise. I believe you will like it.”
She turns her head and blinks at me. “I’ve never felt like this before. With anyone. I didn’t think it was possible.”
“It is partly the Omega in you. But that you react so strongly tomejust proves that Ulf intended you for me. You were meant to find me. You were meant to be mine.”
“That’s ridiculous,” she mutters. “All that soulmate bullshit—people say that back home, and it’s not true.”
“You don’t believe in soul-bonded mates?”
She screws her face up, struggling to answer. I find it adorable that she’s determined to fight me, even in her blissful state. “If that’s the same thing as soulmates, then yes. It’s a lie to sell sappy greeting cards and perpetuate the myth of the perfect nuclear family.”
“Then why are you so drawn to me?”
