I don’t know why, but I feel the need to test that statement, to press the issue. “What if I trip and land flat on my face in front of everyone?”
“Would never happen,” Court scoffs, nipping at the soft flesh under my thumb, making me shiver in delight. “You’re too bloody graceful, for one. And for two, if you do trip, if you do stumble, we’ll be there to catch you.”
They all nod.
Hmm… “What if I get drunk and start spouting off about the corrupt government in front of all the nobility?”
Forsythe’s mouth twitches. “We’d probably agree with everything you say, support your views and opinions.”
“What if I claim I was abducted by aliens and they probed me? What if I show up wearing a hat made of tinfoil and start telling people they’re listening to our thoughts?”
Thay outright laughs at that. “I think we’re safe from that particular scenario, killer. Unless you’re planning on purposefully doing that?”
I shrug. “If I did?”
“Then we’d all put on aluminium hats to protect our brain waves with you,” Court tells me. The rest of them nod almost solemnly, like it’s a vow.
I giggle, imagining it. The polite and aloof prince of Bravonne in a tin foil hat, facing down his peers, the nobility, the queen.
My scent sweetens. And theirs all rise to meet it, blending into a beautiful mouthwatering mélange.
They all relax further, slumping into their chairs, like they’d been genuinely worried about my overwhelm, and they’re taking my laughter as a sign.
Grieves nuzzles into my neck before murmuring, “At the very first state dinner I attended as a member of the pack, I spilled an entire glass of wine on the table and all over the French diplomat sitting next to me.”
“You didn’t.”
I feel him nod. “I did.”
“I was caught with my pants literally around my ankles at a ball.” My head whips in Court’s direction so fast, Grieves grunts in displeasure.
“Excuse me, what?” I know it’s ridiculous to feel betrayal from hookups from before he even knew I existed, but it doesn’t stop the feeling from welling if I have to hear about it.
The alpha in question holds up his hands palms toward me. “Not like that, Pix. I wasn’t fucking someone. I was just hot… over heated from drinking too much, and I wanted to cool off in the pool.”
I slump back against Grieves who hums against my neck and starts trailing kisses over my neck.
“I almost went into a rut during a press conference,” Thayer admits, with a shrug. “We’ve all done things we’re not proud of, things that could be considered an embarrassment to the crown, or the Ashbourne name, but we’ve survived it.”
Forsythe nods slowly, eyes focused on where his pack mate is nipping at my skin, the flush rising over my chest. “Exactly. So even if you do something like stumble, like fall, we’ll be there to catch you,cor mea. No matter what.” He settles back against the seat, brown eyes warm and blazing. “We have you now, and we’re never going to let you go. Not for anything. Not for anyone. You understand?”
God, the confidence in his voice, in his gaze makes my heart flutter and my pussy ache, even as a flutter of guilt filters in.
What would they have done if they’d come home and found me gone? If the queen’s bark had worked the way she intended. If I’d packed my things and went back to the US, without a word.
“I should tell you something,” I blurt out and Grieves pauses where he’s currently pressing kisses into my shoulder.
“What’s that, omega?” Forsythe asks lazily, slouched in the seat across from us, legs spread, a clear erection pressing against his fly.
“I-I had a visitor today. This morning.”
“What?”
All five of them stiffen, sit forward, eyes intent on me. Well, Forsythe’s glaring at Grieves, who is currently shifting me on his lap, in the process of pulling out his phone.
“I’m on it,” the alpha growls, jabbing at the screen, so hard I’m worried he’s going to break it with the strength of his thumb. And I’m even more worried for the safety of whoever it is he’s calling. “Gonna rip those fucking guards limb from limb. No one should have gotten to you.”
I bat at his hand. “No, don’t. It’s… It was your grandmother, Sythe. The queen.” I stupidly add, as if there could be any question as to who I mean. “I don’t think they were given a choice in the matter.” I settle myself more firmly against his chest, reassuring him with my weight that I’m here with him, that I’m safe. When he continues to tap at his phone, carefully take it from him and he doesn’t fight me, grumbling as he wraps both arms around my waist.
