Last Supper

LIANA

Holy shit! I’m whining like a puppy.

We shouldn’t be doing this.

I’m a little ashamed I gave in so easily, but at least we’re only kissing. Slowly, I draw away, putting some space between us. Being close to him has only increased what I was feeling, and honestly, that terrifies me—because all I can think of right now is my pack, their future, and…Zeke.

“Come back,” he says quietly, and I frown.

“I’m here,” I say, confused, and he chuckles.

“I mean to the palace. Stay with me.”

I hum, thinking about it.

“You sure you really want me to?” I ask quietly, and now his brow creases. It’s a valid question. I’m a plus-sized girl. Most males steer clear of me altogether—and he’s the king.

“Why wouldn’t I? I want you. With me. Every chance I can get.”

His words flutter my heart and I nod. “Okay.”

“Mmm, good. I’m not letting you go now, Princess.”

I smile at that, even as my stomach clenches uneasily. “When do you plan on leaving?”

“Sooner rather than later, ideally. I feel for Kia, being without his mate… I can imagine what that must be like, now.” He speaks with a quiet pain that I, too, am starting to understand. The truth is, now that I’m with him, I know it won’t be easy to part from him. But I’ve always been strong in certain ways. If he isn’t right for me, I’ll be able to walk away—mate or no mate.

I need to be careful; we’re not even mated yet, and already we’ve pushed boundaries.

“I wish I was in your head,” Lucian murmurs. “What’s on your mind, little one?”

I puff out a breath. “A lot.”

“I can feel that much… If you want to talk about it and let it out, that’s what I’m here for.”

I smile. “And here I was thinking it was just my body you were after.” An image flashes in my head of him standing naked, caressing himself, in the shower. What if I had thrown off my clothes and gotten on my knees for him?

“Right now…~right~ ~now,~ I want to be in your head and know exactly what that thought was,” he says, and I tap a finger on his nose.

“Keep dreaming…for now.”

“Mmm, you little tease.” He steps in close, and without laying a hand on me, kisses me softly on the mouth.

A perfect moment.

LUCIAN

Things feel good, like they are slowly solidifying, which fills me with hope that Liana will come around soon, accept that we are mates, and let the world know I have finally found my queen.

She leaves me to take a shower in the privacy of her own bathroom, and I try to shut out the thought of her naked under the jets of water. There’s work to be done. I take the opportunity to go and speak to her father.

“Sir? I don’t mean to offend, but can I ask how long we are staying here?” Kia asks quietly, a little pain in his voice.

“Not long at all, Kia. I hope to leave tomorrow.” I can almost feel him relax as he sighs.

“Thank you, sir.”

I nod, understanding completely. My fated is only upstairs and I ache without her. I feel for what I have put him through over the years.

“It may be good for Liana to meet Charlotte…so she knows someone within the house that she can go to?” I suggest, and see the blurry movement of his nod.

“Goddess, I’m sure Char would love nothing more than to befriend a ~princess~,” he says. “Let alone the next queen. I think they’d get along well.”

I smile back at him. I hope he’s right. She’ll be leaving an awful lot behind to be with me. I want to make sure she feels as at home as possible, and nothing will accomplish that more quickly than having a friend, especially a female one.

Besides, I’m sure Charlotte will be able to clue Liana in on the details of her own change after she met and mated with Kia. It would be good for Liana to have a confidant on the matter.

Kia knocks on the alpha’s office door, and his gruff, old voice calls, “Come in.”

Kia opens the door and I step through into the office.

“My king. I am so sorry I wasn’t expecting you,” he says.

“No need, that’s quite all right. I just came to talk to you about the princess.”

“Liana? Of course, please sit.”

I sit in the chair opposite him, and immediately command his attention. “I wish for the princess to accompany me back to my kingdom.”

“She did mention that. I do not wish to offend Your Majesty, but…what do you need my daughter for?”

“I need her help in regard to some of my females—on confidential issues that I would rather not disclose. She seems to be a young woman of excellent abilities. I’m certain her skill outstrips my own on such matters.”

~“He’s frowning,”~ Kia sends through to me, and I wait.

“My king…I don’t mean to question you, but that seems a little unusual.”

“It is—but nonetheless, I require her services. With or without your permission,” I say lightly, so as not to cause any tension. He sighs, and I think I see his head moving in a nod.

“Very well, I understand, but please, if I may…look after my daughter, Your Highness. She is also needed here, as you know.”

I nod, my jaw tensing slightly. I am no fan of lying.

“When do you go?” he asks cautiously.

“We leave tomorrow.”

“Okay. Well, now that is cleared up, I am sure Emily has prepared dinner by now, and if it’s all right with you, I would like to have a last meal with my daughter before she leaves. Alone, if you please.” I can make out that he is standing up now, and I stand too, with a gracious inclination of my head that is designed to let him know who is in charge here.

“Of course.” Turning, I follow Kia’s direction and head back upstairs. I can grant the old alpha a last meal with his daughter—even if it kills me to keep away from her for that long. But I know his game. He plans to fill her ears with warnings and precautions—about me. I can’t really fault him on that. He loves her too, and maybe some part of him already knows he’s going to lose her.