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“I’m not going anywhere.” He smoothed his fingertips up and down August’s spine. “Do you want to go upstairs? Would you be more comfortable in bed?”
“And you’ll stay?” Damn, he sounded as needy as he felt. Fortunately for him, the pain numbed him from any shame.
“I’ll stay.” For the third time that night, Micah lifted him into his arms, clutching him tightly as though afraid he’d disappear. “All you had to do was ask.”
August spooned against his side, his dark hair fanned over Micah’s shoulder, and his delicate hand resting lightly in the center of his chest. He’d fallen asleep quickly, but it had taken a while for the pain lines to fade from his brow.
While emotionally wrung out from the day, Micah hadn’t been able to sleep. He’d made a promise, though, and honestly, he couldn’t think of anywhere else he’d rather be. For a long time, he’d convinced himself he could never have this again. He’d accepted that he’d never hold August in his arms or kiss his lips.
And all because of the greed of one woman.
“I don’t understand, my Queen. You want me to kill him?”
“Yes.” Her voice resonated through him, striking a primal chord within his wolf. “You will ensure that he suspects nothing. You will tell him whatever lies you must to get him alone, and then you will take his heart.”
“Grandmother, please, I love him.”
He begged because he knew he couldn’t refuse her. Even as his mind and heart rebelled against the idea of killing his mate, his body felt primed, ready for battle at the Queen’s bidding.
“I know.” Amusement saturated her words as she circled him. “This will be better for you. You’ll be Alpha one day, and you’ll need a strong mate at your side, a mate who can produce heirs.” She touched his cheek and smirked. “You will thank me one day.”
“Why? What has he done to you?”
“He was born.”
“I won’t do it,” Micah spat.
“You will,” she disagreed. “Go now. You will tell no one that we spoke.” With her back turned, she spoke one last time, and he knew her words were true. “You will not defy me.”
The evil bitch had taken everything from him. Now, Micah planned to take it back.
August stirred beside him with a quiet moan, dragging Micah out of his trip down memory lane. “Shh, easy, baby. Go back to sleep.”
Stretching, he arched his back and pushed his pelvis forward, rubbing his denim-clad cock over Micah’s thigh. “What time is it?”
“Around two,” Micah answered tightly as his own dick responded to the proximity of his mate. “You didn’t sleep very long. How do you feel?”
“A little tired, but mostly back to normal.”
He stretched again, reaching both arms over his head this time and drawing Micah’s attention to the slender column of his throat. Wetting his lips, Micah shifted on the mattress, creating extra space between them.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
“Micah?” Inching closer, August levered up on his elbow and tilted his head to the side. “Are you okay?”
“No,” he admitted, blinking as his eyes shifted, throwing the room into shades of gray. “I’m trying to be honorable here, and you’re making it very difficult.”
Several seconds passed where neither of them spoke or moved. Hell, Micah didn’t even breathe, because each ragged breath filled his head with the scent of his mate. Then, just when he thought he had it under control, August’s hand landed on his thigh, and his sweet, moist breath fanned over Micah’s neck.
“Maybe I don’t want you to be honorable.”
Any semblance of control vanished, and Micah dove at his mate, rolling August beneath him and tangling his fingers in those dark, silky locks. He trailed a wet path along the curve of his throat, nipping at the sensitive flesh and then soothing the burn with a swirl of his tongue.
“Be sure,” he warned, groaning when August arched against him.
“I’m sure if you are.”
“Make no mistake,” Micah answered darkly, “I want you, and I intend to have you. Not just for tonight, but tomorrow night, and the next, and every night after that. So, tell me now, because after this, there’s no going back.”
