Chapter 150
Chapter 150
One Week Later
Laura stared at the pile of papers on her desk. Reports from every territory. Requests for new laws. Complaints about old ones. Her head was spinning.
"This is harder than fighting shadow wolves," she said to herself.
A knock on her door made her look up.
"Come in," she called.
Lucian walked in. He was carrying more papers. Laura groaned.
"More reports?" she asked.
"Territory disputes," he said. "The Crimson Fang pack and the Shadow fang pack are fighting over hunting grounds."
Laura rubbed her temples. "Of course they are."
She looked around her new room. It was huge. Much bigger than anything she'd ever had. The walls were covered in maps. The bed was big enough for six people. And there were four doors. One led to each of her mates' rooms.
It was supposed to make things easier. But it also made things more complicated.
"Where are the others?" she asked.
"Dante is training new recruits. Zephyr is working on trade agreements. Nikolai is meeting with pack leaders," Lucian said.
Laura nodded. They were all so busy that they barely had time to see each other anymore.
"I miss it," she said quietly.
"Miss what?" Lucian asked.
"When we were just us. Before all this," she waved at the papers. "When we were fighting together. Not running a kingdom."
Lucian sat on the edge of her desk. "It's different. But it's not bad."
"Isn't it?" Laura asked. "We barely see each other. We're always working and always busy."
"That's because it's new," Lucian said. "We're all figuring it out. Give it time."
Laura looked at him. Really looked. He had dark circles under his eyes and his clothes were wrinkled. He looked as tired as she felt.
"When did you last sleep?" she asked.
"What day is it?" he asked back.
"Friday."
"Then it's been a while," he said.
Laura shook her head. "This is not how it's supposed to be."
"How is it supposed to be?" Lucian asked.
"I don't know. But not like this. Not with us running ourselves into the ground."
Lucian was quiet for a moment. Then he stood up.
"You're right," he said. "We need to change things. Make time for us."
"How?" Laura asked.
"I don't know. But we'll figure it out. Together."
Laura smiled. "Together."
"Always," Lucian said. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I have to go. But we'll talk tonight. All of us."
"Promise?" Laura asked.
"Promise," he said.
After he left, Laura tried to focus on her work. But her mind kept wandering. To her mates. To the time they used to have. To the way things were before.
She was so deep in thought that she didn't notice the sun setting. Or the door opening.
"My Queen," a voice said softly.
Laura looked up. It was Dante. He was leaning against the doorframe, grinning.
"I'm not your Queen in here," she said. "I'm just me."
"You're always my Queen," he said. "But I can call you other things if you want."
Laura laughed. "Like what?"
"Beautiful. Sexy and mine," he said, walking closer.
"Dante," she said, but she was smiling.
"You looked stressed," he said. "I thought I could help."
"How?" she asked.
"I have my ways," he said. He was standing right in front of her now. Close enough that she could smell his scent.
"I'm trying to work," she said weakly.
"Work can wait," he said. He reached out and took her hand. "Come with me."
"Where?" she asked.
"You'll see," he said.
He led her to the bathroom. It was huge. With a bathtub big enough for four people.
"You need to relax," he said. "When was the last time you took a real bath?"
Laura thought about it. "I don't remember."
"That's what I thought," he said. He started running water. Added some oils that smelled like roses.
"Dante," she said.
"Trust me," he said. "When did you last let someone take care of you?"
Laura was quiet. She couldn't remember that either.
"Get in," he said. "I'll keep you company."
"Will you behave?" she asked.
"Probably not," he said honestly. "But I'll try."
Laura laughed. "Fine. But turn around."
"I've seen you naked before, lots of time." he said.
"Turn around," she said again.
He did. Laura quickly undressed and slipped into the warm water. It felt amazing. Like her muscles were finally relaxing for the first time in weeks.
"Okay," she said. "You can turn around."
Dante turned. His eyes went wide. "Damn," he said softly.
"What?" Laura asked.
"You're beautiful," he said. "So beautiful it hurts."
Laura blushed. "Dante."
"I'm serious," he said. He sat on the edge of the tub. "I could look at you forever."
Laura sank deeper into the water. "I feel like I'm failing. As a Queen. As a mate. As everything."
"You're not failing," Dante said. "You're learning. There's a difference."
"How do you know?" she asked.
"Because I know you," he said. "And you don't give up. Ever."
Laura looked at him. At the way he was looking at her. With love and desire and something deeper.
"Come here," she said softly.
"Laura," he said. "You need your rest."
"Come here," she said again.
He stood up. Started taking off his shirt. Laura watched, feeling her heart speed up.
"If we do this," he said. "I won't be able to stop."
"Good," she said. "I don't want you to stop."
He got in the tub with her. The water splashed over the sides. Laura laughed.
"We're making a mess," she said.
"I don't care," he said. He pulled her closer. "I've been going crazy without you."
"It's only been a week," she said.
"It feels like a year," he said.
He kissed her then. Slow and deep. Laura melted into him. This was what she'd been missing. This connection. This feeling of being wanted and loved.
"I love you," she said against his lips.
"I love you too," he said. "So much it scares me."
His hands were roaming her body. Gentle but sure. Laura gasped as he touched her in all the right places.
"Dante," she said.
"I know," he said. "I know what you need."
He moved his hands lower. Laura cried out as he touched her where she needed it most.
"You are always so wet for me," he said practically growling.
Laura couldn't think. The warm water. His hands on her. The way he was looking at her like she was the most precious thing in the world.
"Dante," she said. "Fuck me."