Chapter 113

Alyson

Ryan doesn't seem to notice Olivera outside, watching intently, but I grow increasingly more distracted by the rogue. I hate him to see me like this, to watch, and embarrassment fills my gut. It's hard to focus on though, Ryan working tirelessly to please me, doing so repetitively until I break at his hands. He smiles wide, proud of his work.

I glance sideways again and notice the rogue has left, turning back in time to watch Ryan undo the erection that bulges from his pants. He presses it gently to my wet sex at first, caressing it as if testing the waters. When I beg for it at last, he doesn't even let the words hardly reach my lips, sliding inward to my pelvis and causing me to gasp alive.

I tremble all over, my wolf breaking out in howls in my head, needing more.

"Ryan," I breathe, shivering. "Dammit, Ryan, please—yes—yes—"

It doesn't make sense, and it doesn't have to. He knows what I need, what I want from him, and he obliges without having a second thought. He buries his erection into my sex and then rhythmically pulses his hips in and out until I see spots line my vision. I grab for the bedframe, the sheets, anything to keep my here in this moment, but it doesn't matter. I'm thrown at the mercy of Ryan's body.

He grabs for my side, pulling me back toward him as I slip on the silk sheets. I laugh slightly, his smile forming all the way across his precious features. He tilts his head back, holding onto my thighs as his hips thump against my parted legs. I can't help but admire his beauty, his simplicity, and crave more of it.

When his pace quickens, so does my final roll of pleasure, riding out endlessly at the will of his erection slipping through my wet folds. I want to scream out. I need to.

"Ryan!" I release at last, shuddering all over.

"There you go, darling, let it go," Ryan breathes against my neck, leaning down to kiss my shoulder all over. I laugh slightly, missing the feeling of this grin on my face for the last few days. He tilts his head back once more, finally daring to release his own outcome into my sex. "Ugh, fuck, Alyson."

Feeling his release makes me smile more, happy to see my mate so pleased. He leans over, resting on my sweaty, warm chest, kissing my neck until I squirm and laugh. He finally rests, rolling over into the pillows and rests his eyes, exhaustion getting the best of my mate.

I kiss him on the cheek and retreat to the shower, scrubbing myself until my skin is bright pink, either from the rag or the temperature of the water, I'm not sure. I finally feel free at last from Olivera, from the rogues and the elders, needing to have that moment with Ryan to feel like myself again.

Having my mate back, having him hold and kiss me, it makes me feel whole.

When I get out of the shower, I throw on some clothes and spy a look at Ryan, blissfully sleeping in our bed. I was never one for sleeping at night, and that hasn't changed much, fearing the nightmares that may arrive if I try right now. I don't want to see Maddox in my dreams, or anything of the sorts, and instead I take to pacing the palace.

I shouldn't leave to the town; I've learned my lesson there.

Instead I walk the halls, finding a glass of hot tea from the kitchen staff who work to feed the warriors that patrol the village at night, and take my cup with me as I walk endlessly through the home I've come to love.

It's been awhile since I thought of my old life in the barracks here.

I'd prefer to keep it that way, too.

"Alyson," I hear a voice call, almost muffled as if behind a solid door.

I glance out a nearby window, into the courtyard, seeing Fritz outside with his hands clasped together as though in prayer.

"Please, Alyson, let me talk to you."

I swallow hard, clinging to my tea cup. "I—I can't, Fritz, it's not a good time. Things right now are a little tense with the elders and Ryan is looking to attack if the other rogues aren't free. Marshal said he couldn't free them, either, so that means war."

Fritz bows his head in shame. "I know, Alyson, that's why I need to talk to you. It's urgent. Please, just let me come in and tell you what is going to happen if this war continues. Ryan and you—you're not safe, Alyson, please. I'm trying to help!"

I keep my teacup in hand like a security blanket, unwilling to let it go as I reach forward with both hands, almost willing to open the door. I'm stopped suddenly, my arm ripped backwards and the tea burning my palms, a thick grasp on my elbow making me cringe.

Turning quick, I end up facing Olivera with a hateful look in his eyes as he stares through the glass insert of the door to the courtyard. I glance sideways, Fritz giving a similar look of hate to the rogue Alpha. It doesn't make any sense to me now, seeing these wolves and their hatred so palpable, when this could all be solved by a talk, a meeting of sorts.

I open my mouth to barter with Olivera, to tell him Fritz is a different elder, and he is kinder. But I can tell from the look passing between them both, nothing will be settled here tonight, just bloodshed, if this look continues to pass between themselves.

"You should be in bed, sweetheart," Olivera says, shoving my arm toward the hallway that leads to where my mate sleeps. "Why don't you go back there now, and I'll handle this."

My stomach drops but I nod. "Please, don't hurt him."