Chapter 135

Moments later, with Eden still wanting more, Ian straightened up on top of her and the omega latched onto that solid body to draw him closer.

Then, gently, while her whole body was still vibrating deliciously from the previous caresses, Ian penetrated her, powerful, inexorable, until she was completely filled.

Eden felt as if her whole body, every part of her, was surrounding and sheathing the erect sex.

“Eden?”

Eden put her hand on the back of his neck and kissed him full on the lips as the alpha moved gently in and out of her.

Eden sensed him picking up the pace and arched her back to welcome him more, hands now gripping his muscular buttocks to enjoy the tiniest of sensations Ian was giving her.

Eden heard him growl and felt him freeze, then he cried out and the omega felt a warmth inside her as Ian freed himself.

Finally, Ian dropped on her, burning and heavy. Eden tightened her arms around him as if to prevent him from ever leaving.

Ian was awake. Eden could feel it in the slight tension in his body, as he visibly tried not to move to preserve his sleep.

And Eden smiled her cheek against her husband's chest, blinking slightly, her long eyelashes gently brushing his muscular chest.

“Awake?” Ian murmured, and Eden nodded silently, looking up at him.

“ It looks like he's calmed down now," Eden mused.

“A satisfied alpha. My alpha." She thought.

“Was it good?” Ian murmured.

“Are you asking for compliments, by any chance?" asked Eden with a smile, leaning on one elbow to get a better look.

“No, it's just that I pushed a little hard today and I wanted to know if you were comfortable with everything that's happened. I wouldn't want you to be hurt.”

“It was wonderful, I loved it and you know it, especially since I'm the one who asked you not to hold back. Ian, we need to talk about the child…”

“No, I don't think there's anything more to say.

There was a very noticeable chill as if an icy draught passed over their bare skin.”

“Eden, my angel, there's nothing you can do about it, I'll just have to get used to it.” Ian pulled her against him again.

“You're very beautiful, you know that?”

"He evades. He had to talk about it because he lost control of himself and I found out. Now he's going to try to make me forget the conversation."

But Eden had no desire to make him angry again, not after Ian had made love to her so passionately. Eden took what she hoped was a light tone.

“You're a liar! I've been told I'm not attractive.”

“You've been fooled. You're always graceful and charming. But when you're on fire in my arms, then you radiate beauty, absolutely.”

"And I've explored every inch of your skin. There isn't a piece of you that my mouth and my hands haven’t touched."

“Soon I'll be fat,” Eden lamented, "already my waist is thickening, look…”

Eden rolled onto her back and ran her hands over the curve of her belly.

"My God, why do I have to say such stupid things..."

“No," Eden protested with a smile, "you're blossoming…”

But the intimacy they had shared was already slipping away.

Eden gathered the crumpled sheets around her. It was better to change the subject.

“Tell me what the bishop said to you…”

“He was very understanding, a little tetchy when he heard about the baby, but he didn't admonish me. Nor did he seem surprised when I told him about your father's absurd fury. He'd come to the same conclusions I had, from reading his letters. In any case," he pointed out, "the fact that you're old enough to marry without having to ask his permission is indisputable. He will therefore reply that the marriage is perfectly legal and will not communicate the matter to his diocese.”

Eden let out a long sigh of relief. Heaven be praised.

The fear of the scandal and embarrassment Ian might have found himself in, had the bishop not been accommodating, had kept her awake all night.

If only her father would accept his marriage Eden wasn't asking for his forgiveness, just his indifference.

“However, the bishop has informed me of your father's wish..”

“He did? And what did he ask?”

“He'd like to visit us at the castle to make sure I'm treating you well. I don't know, he wouldn't give me a date.”

“It's so strange that he wants to see me again after everything that's happened.”

“He's still your father after all”

Eden doubted that her father's sudden visit was simply a courtesy call, but perhaps he had changed, only time would tell.

“Are you sure you don't mind his visit? I wouldn't want to impose my family on you, " she continued.

“Sweetheart, you know that's not the case. As long as he behaves well with you, I'll be respectful of him, and since we are married, your family is my family too, so you won't be imposing anything on me.”

Eden looked at Ian, his eyes full of admiration.

“Then I did your shopping," continued Ian, playing with a lock of her hair.

“I said fabric coupons, not hats, and underwear," remarked the omega, tracing his alpha's muscles with one finger.

“But it's all lovely. Thank you very much.”

“My pleasure. And what did you do?”

There was a subtle change in his voice. As if he was avoiding something.

“I went to visit the château and met the staff. I saw the head gardener, too. Did you know that your brother had had all his helpers fired and that they're forced to work in the fields, when, by chance, they find work? He told me that he'd had to do away with almost all the flowerbeds. Couldn't we re-employ these people and restore the gardens to their former glory?”

“If you like.”

Ian looked at her, nonchalantly stretched out, his head on the pillow.

“And what else did you do?”

“I went to visit the omega pavilion, and I went to church on Sunday for mass. That's when I saw Lucas. He told me he'd seen you in Worcester…”

That strange look again…

“Ian, what's wrong? I can see there's something you don't want to tell me…”

“You read me like a book," Ian sighed.

“I went to the citadel and consulted the directory of army officers. Your brother-in-law, Lieutenant Mark, is dead, Eden. He was killed at the battle of Vittoria.”

“Oh, no! Mark…”

He'd always been so dashing, so full of life, that Eden found it hard to believe this terrible news.

“But... that was two years ago. Where could Selena be?”

Eden looked at Ian with wide, worried eyes, as if he might know the answer.

“I'm sorry, I have no idea," he sighed. I've asked the garrison commander for the address of someone we can contact when we're in London since she must be on a widow's pension. We'll find her, and your other sister too, I promise.”

Ian took her in his arms and hugged her tightly.

“Thank you, Ian. You're so good to me," Eden murmured against his shoulder, tears in her eyes.

“You're my Wife now. It's only natural that I should help you. Your sisters are part of the family now. And you know, Eden, you don’t have to be formal with me when it's just the two of us?”

“I know, it's just that I don't want to get used to it and do it when we're out in public.”

“I don't care what people think, I just want you to feel comfortable.”

“Okay, got it, Ian. Thanks”

“Mmh”

Ian hadn't said, "I love you, Eden, and I'd do anything for you." Poor Ian, so kind to that wife and child he didn't want, Eden thought.