I’m well aware that with my broken heart, I’m a cancer in every room. A killjoy the moment I walk in.
At the ranger station, I don’t make eye contact. Around the park with visitors, I don’t say much. Whenever I catch a glimpse of Alena, I don’t shoot another cruel arrow into her wounded heart.
I softly smile.
But she turns away.
But when I’m with my brothers, the kings and our queens, they know my pain. It’s why I’m left out of their joy. Why I put on a brave face, trying not to piss on their parade, but they know me too well.
And on a night like this? Some of them felt it too.
“What did I tell you about resuming Operation Grovel For Alena?” Wren asks, crawling into my lap for a hug. She wraps her petite arms around my neck, trying to cheer me.
“What did I teach you about pleasing women?” Delphine adds, nudging Wren over, claiming my other thigh to perch upon.
“Alena hates groveling.” I shift on my throne, making room for our queens. “Arouse a woman, never annoy her; that’s what you taught me.”
Delphine cants her head. Schooling with her sarcasm. “Ouais.Ignore her instead. That will surely win her back.”
“I’d neverignoreher. I watch her every day. I love her, respect her; I’m giving her time.”
Am I fazed that the queens are nude and dripping with their king’s claim? No. Even wearing my suit, we’re all stripped bare in our throne room; it’s our bond.
“You’ve spent enough time being Mr. Wrong.” Ruby crawls out of Axel’s arms. “It’s time you be Mr. Right.”
Ruby’s initiation is complete. She’s glowing from her bond with Axel and Grant, her second king. She even took pity on me and gave me a moment’s release from pain tonight.
But I didn’t touch her.
I won’t be with another woman.
Still, I couldn’t deny how intoxicating it is, watching a king initiate his queen. A queen so kind, Ruby knew I was hurting without Alena, so she didn’t leave me out of our ritual. She made me tug her nipple chains, serving her while Axel claimed her ass so hard, her pleasure showered the floor. For a few minutes, I was drowning in lustandloneliness.
Now, I’m just lonely again, though the queens circle me like a pride of lionesses, taking pity on the youngest lion, licking his wounds.
“So, what are you suggesting?” I ask Ruby, not able to ignore how Axel’s collar belongs on her throat. How his ring fits her finger. How her fiery mane can’t be tamed. All that’s missing is her crown.
Scratch that: what’s missing is Alena.
She’smyqueen. She belongs in this room. She deserves to be initiated. Of course, without her father around, but our bond would heal her; I know it. Her test wasn’t enough, though I fear it’s all we’ll have—the memory.
“I’m suggesting a plan.” Ruby throws her arm over Vale’s shoulder, then Zar’s.
The kings, my brothers, relax on their thrones. In our new throne room on the third floor of Delta’s, they’re in no rush. They’ve claimed their queens.
All but me and Jace.
And the kings know better than to interfere with a queens’ plan. After all, it’s the lionesses who hunt, while the lions protect their cubs and territory.
Drowning in estrogen, I cock an eyebrow. “What kind of plan?”
Wren blurts out, “I vote for a girls’ spa getaway with Alena!”
“Ahem.” Zar smirks with his bearded lips.
“I mean aqueens’spa weekend,” Wren chirps.
“Better, darlin’.” Zar winks.
