Page 63 of Dark Goodbye

My knot swells, and I pause, groaning as blood engorges the area. Once it’s thick enough, I press it against her opening, feeling her entrance clench around me. Inch by inch, I push my knot into her, drinking in her feral moans as I stretch her out even further.

Once I’m in, I grip her to me as my knot hooks behind her pubic bone, locking her to me. Reaching around, I circle my fingers around her clit, moaning at the light burn on my fingertips. I pluck at the tight nub as she continues to fall apart around me, her core pulsing around my knot, milking me of every drop of cum.

My heart thumps as I pull her to me, holding her as I bring us to our sides. Silence looms between us, but the bond hums in satisfaction. How I long to bite her now, to claim her, but I have to wait for the ceremony, whatever the hell that entails.

Wrapping my arms around my omega, I breathe in her sweet scent, holding it deep within me as I trail my fingers over her body, memorizing every curve. “I love you, my little omega,” I whisper against her hair.

“I love you too, my Alpha.

CHAPTER 28

Ladria

My fingers tremble as I stare out into the crowd below. I know King Alpha Jaxxon wants our claiming to be the first of many, an act that brings out everyone in droves, but I’m still not ready for the sea of faces that peer up at me, expectant, hopeful.

Eyes of all colors look to me, even gray ones — omegas out in the open for everyone to see. It was something I never thought would ever happen in Stanlion. Just thinking about it brings fresh tears to my eyes. Through the bond, Davix is there, his strong, warm presence shoring up my defenses.

I’m unsure of what the king and queen are saying, as my mind is not able to concentrate on any of it, but whatever it is, it brings the crowd to a roaring cheer. They must be happy with it. Taking a deep breath, I finger the soft satin gown and allow my mind to wander, one more time, back to the commune.

It would have been the same there. The entire place would be packed with betas and omegas watching me lose my virginity to a statue. At least here, I don’t have to go out there naked. And I certainly don’t have to have sex with a beta in front of everyone.

The only thing that could make this better was to know that Alexi and Karis were here, lending me their strength, cheering me on. But I can understand why I don’t see them out there when I peek out from the curtain. No doubt they are either with their mates or lost amongst the hundreds milling about.

Once more the crowd cheers, breaking me out of my reverie. I guess that means it’s time. I turn to head toward the entrance when the soft sound of shuffling meets my ears. From out of the shadows, both Karis and Alexi emerge, their faces beaming as they hold out their arms for a hug.

Am I dreaming? Is this actually real? I tear away from the curtain, racing toward them. We collapse into a pile of limbs and tears, all of us talking at once so that none of us know what the other is saying. But it doesn’t matter. The two friends I held most dear in the world are here with me, holding me, hugging me.

“Karis,” I croak out, running my fingers down her soft face. “I’m so sorry. I-.” She cuts me off by holding her finger to my lips.

“No,” she says emphatically. “We’re sorry. We should have known something was wrong. We should have forced Altris and King Alpha Jaxxon to look for you. I — Altris told me what happened. Gods, Ladria. This should have never occurred.”

“But if I never helped you escape.”

“You are not to blame for that. I should have never asked you two to lie for me. Be that as it may.” She pauses and turns to the side, holding her dress tight against her stomach, changing the subject back to something far less sad and heavy. Just the barest hint of a bump shows through, but it’s so slight, I’m worried I’m misunderstanding the gesture. “Altris has made it his mission to make it so that I never want to leave his side. This little one just happens to be along for the ride.”

“And you weren’t going to tell me? Hell, I prepared you for that lout,” Alexi teases, crossing her arms.

With a sigh, Karis turns to her and shakes her head. “You know he doesn’t like me hanging around you.”

“That doesn’t stop you,” she retorts, eyes twinkling with mischief.

“No. No it doesn’t.” Smile on her lips, Karis tilts her head and listens to what’s happening behind the curtains. “You’re up, Ladria. I think Davix is already out there waiting for you.”

The curtains part, but this time, instead of staring at the mass of faces, I only have eyes for my mate. He stands there next to Jaxxon, grinning from ear to ear as he watches me approach. Peace and love radiate through the bond, settling my nerves.

When I approach, he holds his hands out for mine, taking them in his warm grasp. “You look ravishing, my love.”

I glance down at my simple gown then over to his white robes. They stretch across his muscles in a way that makes my body throb and slick start to gather between my thighs. Davix’s eyes darken as he looks down at me, his smile transforming into a heated smirk.

Don’t tempt me, love. I might throw you down on this stage and have you in front of everyone. His lurid words zip straight to my core, forcing me to hold back a moan. As much as the visual of him claiming me in this way is enticing, I’m not sure I’m ready for Stanlion to see me like that.

“Healer Alpha Davix, is there anything you wish to say before we begin?” Jaxxon steps close to him and nods toward me.

Straightening up, my mate tightens his grip on my hands, bringing them to his lips for a quick kiss. “My love, my mate, things will not always be easy. There may be fights, quarrels, and things that don’t go our way. But know this, as long as I draw breath in these lungs, I will love you and only you. You are the other half of my soul, the one I wish to take with me into eternity. I claim you as my mate, as you have so claimed me.”

Tears prick my eyes at his words as happiness floods my heart. He didn’t have to say such nice things, but for me, he did. As Davix steps closer, a loud purr erupts from his chest. Without the pleasure of a heat to act as a buffer, all I can do is take the relief he’s offering me.

“I promise to make up for this later,” he whispers against my ear.