I speak to Feyna, the servant waiting just outside my bedchamber, ordering an array of dishes to be brought, as well as some of my specialleeberrywine. The Beta mumbles her assent and hurries away.
After what happened in the arena, I have decided to keep my Alpha guards a good distance away from Kim at all times. They remain stationed at the outer doors and have been warned on pain of death to only approach her if absolutely necessary—in other words, if she is in danger. If they think she is merely trying to escape, their orders are to stand down, and notify me immediately. I cannot risk them chasing her. There cannot be a repeat of what happened in the training pit.
As I close the door once again, I recall the way everything went black when Kim approached me on the field. It was as if a red mist had descended over my vision. I lost all control.
I always believed my self-discipline and training would help me maintain self-control even when in rut.
I was wrong.
Even now, the memory of her entering the arena, as good as naked, while dozens of Alphas were within scenting distance, makes me want to beat my chest and roar.
She is mine.
She will always be mine.
“So what will we do after we’ve eaten?” Kim asks. Her green eyes are wide and innocent. “I still want that bath. I’m so sticky.”
“With my essence.” I trail a fingertip down the back of her thigh, and she gives a little shudder. “I had to mark you. Show the other Alphas whom you belong to. As Khan did with Emma.”
“He did?”
I nod. “At our first meeting, when he returned with her. He had her bundled in a blanket, sticky with his seed. His scent was all over her—a warning to the other kings to back the hell off.”
“God. Was she really embarrassed?”
“If I recall correctly, she was more concerned about our topic of conversation—” I stop talking abruptly, realizing what I was about to mention. Kim does not need to know how we are bringing Hoo-man women to Ulfaria from Earth. How we are turning them into Omegas using the serum. Emma is still outraged by it, and is still doing her best to convince Khan to stop us. As if she has any control over such matters.
“What was your topic of conversation?”
Damn. “I do not recall,” I lie. “Truth be told, she was quite overwhelmed by it all.”
“I can imagine that,” Kim says. Letting out a little sigh, she rolls onto her side and sits up. “Do you have anything I could wear while we eat? I feel… naked.”
I chortle. “That’s because you are naked, little Omega. You do not need to hide your beautiful body from me. I have seen every inch of it.”
“I know. But the servants—”
“The servants will bring the food and then leave again,” I cut her off. “It is my desire that you remain naked.”
“Do you always get what you want?” Her plump lower lip is jutting out now. How adorable.
“Of course. I’m a king.”
She rolls her eyes. I allow it. I am beginning to enjoy her tiny acts of defiance. Not that I will tell her that.
“Tell me about your childhood.” She reaches for a nearby cushion and clutches it to her chest, effectively hiding her pointed breasts and bare sex from me. “Were you a spoiled little prince?”
“I was no prince.” Taking a seat beside her, I hesitate, wondering how much to say. Wondering why she even asked. Genuine interest? Or is she just making conversation? “I was a soldier. Fought my way up through the ranks, and was pronounced heir by the former king of Aurum.”
“Oh. So royalty isn’t hereditary here? It is on Earth. If your parents are monarchs, you become next in line. Well, first born first… and so on. In some countries, anyway. Loads of countries have done away with the monarchy altogether.”
“Who rules them?” I cannot imagine such a system.
“Presidents. Prime ministers. Chancellors. Depends on the country. People who are elected. You know, voted for. The people decide.”
“The people,” I scoff. “How would they best know who is to rule?”
She huffs and rolls her eyes again. “Never mind. I’m not going to bother explaining democracy to someone as full of himself as you are.”
