Braiden
Fear, lust, anger at herself—and then there, intertwining and joining everything together. Love. She loves me. I can
feel it through this strange one-sided bond that started as soon as her teeth entered my neck—seeding the tether
from her to me.
As it bursts forth, everything comes crashing through, confusing at first, and then as it settles, it becomes clearer.
Easier to navigate.
“You love me.”
Ava stares back at me, eyes wide in shock, from where she has retreated to the other side of the room.
I can’t help the slow smile stretching across my face as I approach her.
And she can’t stop her eyes from dragging across my naked body, making my dick twitch and wake up. Fuck, I
would never get enough of her.
“You love me, Ava. I can feel it. I can feel you.”
There is a long silence as I stand before her, taking her appearance in.
Unruly, beautiful, messy brown hair. Rosy red cheeks. Green eyes wild and still filled with lust. Drop of blood on
her sexy plump lip. My blood.
She did what took all of my willpower not to do. And only because I didn’t want to risk dying and leaving her.
“Say it,” I demand, gripping her chin and angling her face to look at me.
Her eyes lock with mine, and then finally, she says what I have longed to hear since I told it to her when she woke
up after being poisoned.
“I love you, Braiden. More than anyone I have ever loved.”
She looks away, and before she says it, I already know.
“I’m scared.” Glassy eyes lock with mine again.
“I will not leave you, Ava. There is no need to be afraid.”
I pull her to me, her naked body melting into mine as I kiss her senselessly, putting her back in the state she was in
just minutes ago.
Her heat oscillates, moving from extreme to bearable and then back again. This continues for hours until,
eventually, her fever from the heat starts abating.
“Oh my god, Braiden.” Ava pants under me, both of us coming down from yet another orgasm. We have lost count
of how many. The delirious nature of the heat, coupled with her bond in place, made this experience something
else. So much more intense. Her peak and the feelings accompanying her climax escalating mine.
“I’ve never been called god before, but after that display...” I jest, Ava swatting me on the arm playfully.
“My King!” Ava jumps, scrambling from under me as she pulls a blanket against her body.
I close my eyes, wishing just for this moment that I wasn’t the King.
I straighten up, not bothering with covering up.
“Samuel, this better be good.”
Samuel enters while Ava squeaks, her cheeks bright red with embarrassment.
“My King. I thought we could take this opportunity, while you are um... taking a breather, to meet with Dr.
Adams.”
“Dr. Adams is here?” Samuel seems nervous and worried. His eyes dart towards Ava before looking back at me.
His eyes drop to my neck, reminding me of the mark there.
“Yes, My King. He came as soon as we felt it.” Samuel's words are confusing.
“Felt what?” Ava asks, wrapping the blanket tightly around her before joining me.
“The mate bond. But different... He thought you might need assistance if you marked My Queen.”
“He didn’t mark me. I marked him.” Samuel physically relaxes at Ava’s words. He was worried about me.
“Samuel, I’m fine. Don’t worry. But while the doc is here, let’s have him look me over. Perhaps he can explain
how this will work until the time comes when we can complete the mating process.”
“I will tell him to meet you in the dining room. The chef has pr epared a meal. I figured you might be famished
after... your activities.” At Samuel's words, Ava’s stomach growls loudly.
We look at each other and then laugh.
“Just give us a couple of minutes to freshen up.”
Samuel leaves, and minutes turn into half an hour. The shower Ava and I took together was probably not a good
idea. By the time we arrive downstairs, we are freshly dressed. Ava is glowing, and her beautiful sparkling green
eyes are back.
“Wow. You look... like you got freshly—” Ava clamps her hand over Nick's mouth before he can complete his
sentence.
“My King!” Dr. Adams exclaims, rushing toward me like I am dying.
Quite the opposite. I feel alive and absolutely amazing.
He is followed close behind by Alpha Nial, who bows and bares his neck.
“I’m fine. Ava marked me. I didn’t mark her. Calm down.” Dr. Adams visibly relaxes. This appears to be the theme
of my encounters today.
“Alpha Nial, I trust we will have no more problems.” It is already daytime. Ava and I had been cooped up in the
room for eighteen hours without sle ep, but I felt fresher than ever.
“None, My King. I apologize for what happened. You know how primal the urge can be.” Yes. I certainly did.
“I’m starving. While Dr. Adams looks you over, I’m going to grab something to eat.” Ava smiles at me and drags
Nick away, followed by Samuel and Alpha Nial, at my insistence. I still had questions for him.
We follow and I take my place at the head of the table while Dr. Adams takes my blood pressure and vitals.
“Your vitals are good. Excellent actually. And your mark has healed nicely,” Dr. Adams says as he peers at my
neck.
“The connection is strange. With it being only one side. My Queen, can I take a look at you?” Ava nods, stuffing a
piece of toast in her mouth before gesturing to Dr. Adams.
After checking Ava’s vitals, he draws some blood.
“I will see how your blood is looking. While having a half-completed bond doesn’t seem to be doing any harm, it is
better to complete the mating process fully. Perhaps this has improved Ava’s state. She certainly appears to be
looking... rejuvenated.” Dr. Adam’s words nearly have Ava choking on the pancake she has just taken a bite of, her
cheeks ablaze at his insinuation.
“Must be all the recent physical activity,” Nick says, earning himself a kick under the table from Ava.
“My King, I must get going,” Alpha Nial says, rising from the table to leave.
“I will walk you out.”
When we are out of earshot, I finally ask him the question that has k ept him here.
“Did you find out who was in the room with My Queen?” Alpha Nial’s expression tells me the news is not good.
“He was not one of mine, My King. We are busy investigating. We sent requests to all neighboring packs, and all
members’ whereabouts were accounted for during that time. He must be a rogue or from a pack further out.”
This was not good news. A stranger alone with Ava in a room during her heat was one thing. But a stranger not
even supposed to be in this area stank of something more.
“Did you track his scent?” Alpha Nial nods, his eyebrows pulling together. I wasn’t going to like this.
“We tracked it to the abandoned Underground building in Blakely. The one you visited recently. While we were
there, that’s not all we found, My King. A message was written on one of the walls in one of the rooms. Room 313.
It was for My Queen.”
Alpha Nial's words send a shiver through my being, making me glad Ava doesn’t have access to my feelings yet.
She is so happy. The last thing I want to do right now is destroy that.
“What did it say?” I finally ask.
Alpha Nial takes out his phone, pulling up a picture before handing it to me.
“You are looking for me, but I will find you first. You are mine, Ava. Soon, we will be together again.”