Chapter 37
RONAN’S POV
“He’s seeking an alliance with my pack,” I told Elara, who appeared far from happy about the Lycan’s unexpected appearance. Truth be told, I shared her sentiment.
“An alliance?” A scoff slipped from her mouth, and I let out a quiet laugh at her comment. Her skepticism was truly remarkable. “Sure, like that’s believable.”
We traded words back and forth for a moment. I could grasp her perspective. She was Lycan herself, and from what I gathered, her kind… weren’t particularly admirable. Reflecting on the potential ordeals she might have endured among them made my blood simmer. But none of that was relevant anymore; she was with me now, and she always would be.
She might have caught wind of stories about Kael, but it didn’t concern me. I knew he posed no real challenge to me, nor did his forces. In a sense, I trusted his intentions—he likely genuinely required the partnership.
“Elara?” I murmured gently, encircling her waist with my arms and drawing her into an intense kiss. She pressed closer, clutching a handful of my hair, pulling a groan from me that she muffled with her lips, molding her form to mine; I could already sense my arousal building. My hands moved to her hips, holding them firmly. I eagerly parted her mouth with my tongue and intensified the kiss, drawing a sigh from her into mine. We were completely immersed in the instant, and everything else faded away.
I sensed my wolf straining to emerge… he yearned to dominate, but I had to rein him in. My gaze drifted to her throat, to the spot where she’d bear my mark; I swallowed thickly, battling fiercely to avoid any rash actions.
I shook off the thought and captured her lips once more. In one smooth action, I hooked my arms beneath her knees, lifting her effortlessly. She coiled her legs around my midsection, continuing to pull at my hair.
“We should pause,” she whispered between kisses, “What if—” She was interrupted as my tongue delved deeper into her mouth. I truly needed to divert her attention further. I advanced toward my desk, carefully setting her atop it. Our mouths separated only momentarily before reconnecting, now with greater fervor and urgency.
I paid no mind, persisting in the passionate embrace, my mouth now wandering down her throat, aiming to silence her concerns.
Right as the intensity was about to escalate further, a rap at the door broke through. This was the second occasion something similar had occurred.
With a growl, I withdrew, a scowl forming on my face as I composed myself.
“You ought to glance in a mirror,” she chuckled, eyeing me.
I laughed, then proceeded to my seat, sinking into it, as she headed for the bookshelves, acting as though deeply absorbed in a tome. I pondered why she always felt self-conscious.
“Enter,” I commanded, my tone resonant and infused with command. I observed as the door swung open, admitting a sentinel. He positioned himself in the middle of the room, head lowered in deference.
“Alpha!” He proclaimed a touch too loudly, eliciting a slight grumble from me. My hearing felt aggravated by the volume. Perhaps that, or I was frustrated from pent-up desire and fixated solely on notions about Elara.
Indecent ones, naturally.
“State it,” I urged, a note of urgency sharpening my words. It was becoming intolerable to restrain myself.
“Forgive the interruption, Sire. But Lycan Kael seeks a meeting with you; he wishes to address a crucial topic.”
At once, Elara glanced toward me; I noted her form adjusting uneasily. Gazing into her eyes, I perceived that she, too, craved some alone time for us… but it would have to hold.
Apologies, Elara.
“Is that the case?” I raised an eyebrow at the guard. “Then… summon him.”
“Of course, Alpha.” The guard inclined his head once more before leaving my office. I detected footsteps approaching from behind; before I could pivot, Elara rested her hand on my shoulder.
“Perhaps we’ll resume our earlier activities later?” She murmured seductively near my ear; instantly, my frame stiffened, the restraint growing profoundly difficult now. A gentle laugh bubbled from her as she recognized her effect.
“I’ll allow you to tend to your Alpha obligations,” she teased further.
As she moved to depart, I seized her arm firmly, though not harshly enough to mark it. “It appears I’ll be in your rooms tonight… once more.”
A grin edged onto her mouth. “Naturally.” She winked while striding away. I watched her reach the door, only for it to open and reveal Kael just as she prepared to exit. Kael brushed past her, directing himself toward me; his gaze settled on me from a distance.
“Alpha Ronan,” he greeted. The doors to my office shut, now isolating just Kael and me.
“Have a seat,” I indicated the chair across from me. He complied, folding his arms across his torso as he started.
“Excuse me for intruding so abruptly,”
“It appears to be a pattern with you,” I remarked. I was surprised when he laughed; evidently, he didn’t realize I was serious?
“My apologies,” he cleared his throat. “My situation is rather chaotic at the moment, so I’m somewhat scattered,”
Scattered was an understatement…
“You’re a monarch,” I pressed my lips together tightly. “Scattered ought to be a term distant from you or anything connected to you,”
His eyes widened briefly before returning to composure; he settled back into the chair, an inscrutable look on his features. Not that I minded if I’d offended him, but I wondered if I’d hit a sensitive spot.
“Appreciate the counsel.”
“What?” I straightened abruptly; I’d anticipated any response but gratitude.
“I mean,” he shrugged, “I’m not an exceptional leader…” He averted his gaze, seemingly remorseful, as though recalling a grave error from his past.
The atmosphere had turned awkward. Just as I parted my lips to speak, Marceline entered; a guard trailed, trying to pull her back, but I lifted my hand, instructing him to halt.
I wondered what she sought.
“What is it you need?” I inquired of Marceline, who disregarded me entirely and directed her full focus toward Kael. With a grin, she extended her hand toward him.
“Greetings, Lycan Kael. I’m Lady Marceline. Ronan’s,” her gaze shifted to me, filled with icy contempt, “Alpha Ronan’s consort,”
Kael appeared stunned; his posture betrayed him. “Ah—forgive me,” he mustered… likely the most contrived smile I’d witnessed, aimed at Marceline. “It’s a privilege to encounter you; you are indeed remarkably lovely.”
A snort nearly escaped me, but I suppressed it; I was eager to escape this setting and envelop myself in Elara. I despised how effortlessly she had me under her sway, yet she was the sole individual in this fortress who preserved my rationality.
“Oh,” Marceline covered her mouth with her hand, feigning astonishment at his praise. I rolled my eyes at the spectacle unfolding before me. “Why, I appreciate that,” she responded in a guileless manner.
“Marceline,” I reiterated, this time with clenched jaw. She turned toward me, eyebrows raised.
“Yes, Alpha?” She purred, a noise that grated on my senses.
“Why. Are. You. Here?” I demanded, my tolerance now razor-thin. If Marceline excelled at one thing, it was treading on fragile ground.
“I came to welcome the Lycan, naturally,” she beamed, a grin so artificial that it was transparent. I pondered what scheme she was devising now.
‘Clearly not to provoke jealousy,’ my inner voice noted. He might be correct, but regrettably, I’m profoundly repulsed at present.
“Fine then, you can depart now,”
Kael’s head whipped toward me, a crease on his brow. He looked thoroughly bewildered, and I, personally, loathed that Marceline had invaded my office.
“Well,” she affected a sulk, her attention now on the Lycan, “I hope we cross paths again shortly before your departure.” I observed her exit, and the sole notion that arose was severing her neck.
“I—”
“Lycan Kael,” I exhaled steadily, in measured breaths. “You mentioned you have a significant matter to address?” I questioned, attempting to concentrate on anything besides Marceline and the urge to end her.
“Ah—” he nodded, “Yes, indeed I do.”
“Let’s proceed.”