A Lie Over Easy

LIANA

I tossed and turned most of the night, anxious about what exactly the day would bring for me.

I can’t lie. After he left, I ended up touching myself to calm down the need he had sparked in me.

Touching myself is always a comforting go-to when I’m anxious or stressed, and with all the emotions I’m going through right now, between Zeke and Lucian…I had to find some kind of relief.

His deep, seductive voice played on my mind, invading it with filthy words.

“Come for me… Cream that pussy over me.” The memory still makes me shiver and, oh Goddess, didn’t my body respond. I came like never before, my orgasm turning me into a shaking mess in the bathtub. Damn… I’ve let him under my skin and I’m still hearing his voice now.

***

I grow apprehensive as I dress myself for breakfast. I know my father won’t allow me to miss another meal, but I’m so busy thinking of Lucian right now that I don’t even know if I can eat! Let alone sit across from him!

Oh Goddess, what have I agreed to…

I don’t know why I open my door with caution but I do, peeking around the edge to check the empty hallway.

I always go down to breakfast in my pj’s but I’m now nervous about my clothing choice of flannel shorts and matching vest. I bite my lip and steel myself. If he didn’t attack me last night, surely he wouldn’t do so right in front of my father? An alpha?

~I am king… I do as I please~. His words come back unbidden, but I force them out of my mind with a shake of the head, and jog downstairs to meet my father in the dining room.

“Morning,” I say in a chipper voice.

Father looks up from his newspaper with a smile, no doubt glad he didn’t have to come and get me himself. “Morning. Are you feeling better?”

Hmm, maybe he did believe me.

“Much…thank you.”

He nods, looking back down and taking a sip of his coffee.

Father sits at the head of the table, as always, and I take my usual seat to his left.

Emily brings out my scrambled eggs and medium rare steak. No judgment, I like fresh meat, no matter the time of day. I start eating straight away, getting in what I can before company joins us—but I don’t get very far.

“Good morning.” Lucian’s deep voice vibrates through me and his scent drifts straight to me. It takes me an extra second to try and swallow my mouthful.

“Good morning, Your Majesty. I hope everything was up to your standards last night?” my father says, standing up to bow.

“It was by far one of the most enjoyable evenings I’ve ever spent in someone else’s home,” he says with a hint of something in his voice.

I turn my head to look at him. He’s dressed, but very casually, considering. I don’t know what I expected—it’s not like the guy would wear a suit to bed. By his side is his beta who looks me over quickly with a small smile that I shyly return.

Lucian makes his way up my side of the table, and I expect him to go to the head where my father is preparing to move from his seat.

“I am glad to hear that, sir. Please, allow me…” My father begins to stand, but Lucian holds his hand up, stopping him.

“No need.” To my sheer shock, he pulls the chair out beside me and sits right next to me! His beta takes the seat beside him as well. My father looks at a slight loss, and I don’t blame him. Since when does a ~KING~ sit anywhere but at a table’s head?!

With trembling fingers, I reach for my glass of orange juice, taking a long sip and placing it back down as carefully as I can. I’m hyper aware of how close he is to me right now, and I don’t know whether to bolt or force myself to stay.

Emily comes in and graciously, like the professional she is, takes Lucian’s and his beta’s breakfast orders, then heads off to prepare.

I eat a whole lot slower with Lucian beside me. Chewing and swallowing are made harder when I can feel his eyes on me. I hear him breathe in and chuckle. I automatically turn my head toward the magical sound.

“Steak? In the morning?” he asks quizzically, and I blush.

“Uhm yeah…” I say quietly, and he chuckles again but gives a genuine smile.

Then he leans back in his seat and relaxes. I sigh with relief, feeling like I can eat better with that little distance between us.

His beta looks down at his phone and I can sense he’s feeling a little down. Briefly, I wonder why.

“Was everything okay for you too, Beta?” I ask and he looks up quickly at my words.

“Thank you, Princess,” he says. “‘Kia’ is fine, please. Everything was more than enough.”

“Liana,” I say with a smile.

Lucian’s hand moves discreetly to my thigh and squeezes my bare flesh, making me jump and turn cherry red.

“Are you okay?” my father asks and I nod, humming.

“Yeah just…stubbed my toe?” Oh, of all the stupid things to say! But Father just nods and looks back at his paper.

I stare down at what’s left of my food but my stomach is in knots and I don’t know if I can eat. With my father’s eyes safely averted, Lucian’s hand glides over my leg comfortably, his fingers gently tickling the inside of my thigh.

I hold my breath—for how long I don’t know, but to the point I feel faint.

“Breathe…” I hear the faintest of whispers, one that no one else will pick up on. I take a calming breath and relax a little. I can see his smile from the corner of my eye.

Lucian’s and Kia’s food is brought out and placed in front of them only a minute later.

I can see why Lucian laughed at my steak. His choice seems very traditional: a standard omelet. He reluctantly removes his hand from my thigh, but not without a final squeeze. I immediately shuffle in my seat, eager to escape. I need to breathe, his closeness is suffocating, but he seems to sense my intentions.

“Stay,” he whispers, and I reluctantly nod, remaining where I am while he and Kia go about eating their food. Thankfully, my father distracts me.

“Do you have plans today, love?”

“I have a lunch,” I answer, which gives Lucian his answer too—so, you know. Two birds.

“Oh, you do? Where is Zeke taking you?”

I freeze and I think I actually stop breathing this time. My mouth drops open and I try to wet my lips to answer my father, but, as if Lucian can sense the fact I’m about to lie, the king answers for me.

“The Princess will be accompanying me,” Lucian replies with ease, although there is an undertone of warning in his words. I try not to let my jaw drop to the floor again.

“Oh?” my father asks. Somehow he manages to raise a brow while holding onto his smile.

“I do hope that is okay,” Lucian says respectfully, but it definitely isn’t a question.

“Of course, Your Majesty. As long as Liana is okay with that…” he adds quietly. My father is fiercely protective of me. So protective that he just questioned the fucking king! Lucian’s eyes narrow ever so slightly but he says nothing.

“Of course it is, Father,” I say quickly. “I-I offered our gracious king a tour of our pack and he in turn offered to take me out for lunch as a thank you.” Lucian seems to accept that I’m hiding the truth from my father, at least for now… I just need to come to terms with everything and get my head screwed on right, and I think he understands that.

“Thank you, Your Highness. Your generosity knows no bounds,” my father says.

Lucian nods and goes back to finishing his meal.

I’m quiet for a moment before turning a little to Lucian, who looks at me.

“Lucian…would it be okay with you if I excused myself to get ready?”

His eyes flare and he shivers subtly.

“Liana!” my father scolds, angry that I haven’t used our king’s title when speaking to him, but Lucian holds up a hand to him.

“It’s quite alright, Alpha,” he says, keeping his eyes on me as he gives me a nod of dismissal.

“Thank you.” I stand up and bow my head before heading upstairs to get ready.

***

I slam my door and rush to the window, opening it wide to breathe in the air I so desperately need.

Why did I lie? I should have told my father the truth but somehow I just couldn’t…

With a sigh, I pick my phone off of my nightstand and chew on my lip as I quickly type out a message to Zeke.

Liana

I can’t meet up today. Father is making me show the king around the pack. Meet later?xx

I wait, knowing how quickly he’ll reply to me.

Zeke

King Lucian? What’s he doing here? Want me to speak to your father and get you out of it? I’ll take you out.

I smile a little at his response. At least he’s in my corner, but sadly I know what he means when he says ~take you out.~ It means we’ll go to the quarry and fuck…

Liana

I have no idea, just passing through I guess. I’ll be okay, a couple of hours tops. Meet you tonight?xx

Zeke

OK baby… xxx

I breathe a sigh of relief and toss my phone onto the bed.

A couple of hours. I can do that.