Chapter 76
“I can still feel you inside me. Oh, Alexei, it was more than I ever dreamed it could be. You’re right, making love is different.”
“Let’s take a nap and we’ll wake up and go again. Did you bring the donut Kane gave you?”
“It’s in my luggage. Why?” Donal’s brows drew together.
“You’re going to need it when we go home. You will be sore. The gods restored you. This is like your first time should have been. But you will be slightly sore when the lube wears off.”
“Okay.”
“The knot has gone down. I’m moving to the side and taking you into my arms. Then we’re taking a nap. Katya will be up here at two with more fuel.”
“I’ve got to eat again?” Donal complained.
“I won’t make love to you a second time until you do. I can see your hollow stomach.”
Donal fell into a light doze and woke with his stomach growling at two. Katya brought up cream cakes and pastries while they slept. Donal dug into them like they were a dying man’s last meal and topped the cakes off with two large glasses of milk.
“Are you ready, mouse?” Alexei asked after cleaning Donal’s milk mustache with his tongue.
“Yes…yes…I want more.”
It was four when Donal finally fell asleep. They had made love three times. Alexei wasn’t so sure he should have gone the last round, but Donal had begged, and he couldn’t refuse him. There was a scratch at the door.
Alexei opened the door and looked out into the hall. Trouble wound around his legs. The cat glanced at Alexei, and jumped on the bed. He found a corner of the bed, turned around twice, and lay down, putting a paw over his nose against the chill. Alexei quietly chuckled. “Make yourself at home, but stay in your corner. Donal sleeps in my arms, not yours.” Trouble picked his head up, gave him an annoyed “Meow,” and both Trouble and Alexei settled in beside Donal to go to sleep. 16
Colorado house
Wednesday at 11
Katya knocked on the bedroom door.
Donal’s head poked out from under the covers, and he looked around like a meerkat. A large hand came around his neck and pulled him back down into the soft bed. “Stay in bed, I’ll get my robe and let Katya in with breakfast.”
“Breakfast?” Donal’s smiled brightened.
“Is my mouse hungry again?”
Donal blushed and nodded.
Trouble jumped down from the bed and waited at the door for Katya to let him out for his breakfast.
Alexei put on his robe and slippers then let Katya inside. “They’re all waiting, Alpha. They want to see the mating mark. If Alpha Mate could eat, and both of you shower quickly, that would be a good thing.”
Alexei answered, “We’ll be down in a half hour.”
Katya left the room.
Alexei walked over to the bed and pulled the covers off the protesting Donal. “Up and at ‘em…mouse. Here’s your robe and slippers. Katya brought up a snack of scrambled eggs and bacon for you. As soon as we’re showered and dressed, we need to go downstairs to show your mark and enjoy the feast.”
“Come here and kiss me.” Donal started to pout.
“As much as I’d like nothing better than to make love to you again, this is something we have to do. So, get moving.”
Donal sighed, got up, and put on his robe and slippers. Stomach rumbling, he started to eat.
* * * *
They were dressed and down the stairs in twenty minutes. Donal had his sweater and blazer on his arm, his oxford shirt parted so that his mark was clearly visible. Armand and Sean started the parade of inspectors. Sean whispered, “Are you okay?”
Donal nodded and Sean made way for Ian and Rémy, and the Alphas, Mates, and Council Alphas inspected his mark. They were followed by the pack Alphas, the Betas, and finally, the pack. Then it was time to eat.
Donal shivered with the chill, and Alexei helped him don his green cashmere sweater that he wore with charcoal dress slacks, a paisley tie, and a light gray blazer. They proceeded through the buffet in order of precedence, Donal making sure he took something from every dish. He went back for more corn on the cob, fried chicken, roast prime rib, and Katya’s cabbage rolls.
He sat down at one of the round tables set up in the lodge with the Mates. “I’m still hungry.”
“Of course you are. You’re still undernourished. Talk to Dr. Artis about a nutrition supplement. It comes in a can, and you drink it like chocolate milk. When you’re not eating, you can drink. That should pack on the pounds.” Sean took a sip of his Coke Zero.