Chapter 49

Luka’s POV

That evening, there was dinner and dancing. All the Alphas looked handsome in their suits, with their Lunas draped beautifully around their arms. There were a few balls at Long Lake Pack which were fancy, yet never with this many Alphas.

It was a bit unsettling to think about what would happen if a disagreement broke out. I prayed that nothing would happen.

Again, I sat toward the back of the room. Emma sat beside Caleb and the Elders. I knew I should be mingling with the elders, trying to win them over. I didn’t have it in me today. I picked at the tablecloth and thought about all the things that needed to be done before tomorrow, when Noah sat down beside me.

I met his soft amber eyes and became lost in them for a moment. They were like falling into golden light, warm and loving. My wrist burned, and I swore there was a shimmer around him.

He was in a gray suit jacket and black slacks. His hair was spiked, he looked edgy and as if he was in with all the trends. He pulled out a chair, spun it around backwards and sat, folding his arms over the back.

“How are you this evening?” His voice was the perfect calming tone. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, relaxing for the first time today. It felt nice.

“I’m here,” I replied, not sounding all that enthusiastic.

His brow wrinkled. “That good, hum.”

I chuckled. “I’m sorry. It has been a long day. I should try to find some energy.”

His gaze drifted over my swept-up hair, the makeup Mia helped me with, my short blue cocktail dress, and matching heels. I wiggled under the weight of his appreciation. My entire body tingled.

He reached up and touched my cheek gently. “Absolutely beautiful.”

Heat rolled through me, gathering in my cheeks again. Man, he was smooth. It was nice to get a little attention; I didn’t have to compete for it. I glance up at Caleb. He was staring at me and Noah.

Emma saw him watching me, and she tugged at his arm, no doubt trying to get him to dance. His indifference struck me, and he stood, taking Emma’s arm and walking her to the dance floor.

A sharp pain knocked me hard in the chest, and I looked away. Noah followed my gaze.

“Sad. He could be over here with you in his arms. Instead, he has her.” Noah’s face distorted.

Noah stood holding out a hand. “Let’s dance. It isn’t every day I get to make an Alpha King jealous.”

Did Noah know Caleb was my mate? Could he feel that something was off between us? I signed, not wanting to overthink it. Dancing would be nice.

I ran a hand over my dress. Mia had worked so hard to find me the perfect dress it would be sad if no one got to see it.

“I would love to dance. But the truth is, I don’t know how.”

He pulled me up, and I wrapped my arm around his. When my body touched his, the world quieted, and all I saw and felt was him. I melted into him. He guided me to the dance floor, and I was bespelled.

He took my hand, wrapped the other around my waist, and we were off. I didn’t think. I only followed, allowing him to take control. All I could do was stare into his eyes. There was strength, kindness, patience, and a little mischief in them. He gave me a half grin, and we brushed past Emma and Caleb, bringing me back to the moment. I stole a glance at Caleb. His jaw was clenched, and his body was rigid, looking like a robot on the dance floor.

Noah swept me past and around the two of them. I giggled at his boldness. Liking his fearlessness to irritate a King in a room full of Alphas. It was something to watch. Many were doing so with curiosity.

I was shocked when Caleb directly exchanged dance partners and took me into his arms at just the right time, sending Emma into Noah’s. Noah grinned and nodded to Caleb, twirling Emma off in the opposite direction.

I laughed. Cabel grinned as well, looking down at me with his liquid blue eyes. I leaned into him, my hand drifting toward his neck, and I rested my cheek on his chest. He kissed the top of my head.

“Luka, I’m sorry for whatever I have done to cause you to step away from me.”

I peered at him. “Oh, Caleb. I am sorry too. I didn’t mean to get so upset about the vacation system. And call you arrogant.”

He kept me close, dancing me around the floor. I breathed him in, and my core tightened. Oh, how I wanted this man.

“You were right. I wasn’t willing to make changes. It is challenging to find balance with the packs and the elders.”

“I understand. I know you are doing your best.”

He stopped dancing and held me. “I need you in my life.”

“Are you sure you want me?” The words left my mouth before I could stop them. My doubt was showing. Caleb frowned. I cleared my throat. “If you think I am not what you want, I don’t want you to think you have to keep me out of obligation to the mate bond. I understand if you want to reject it.”

Anger flashed across Caleb’s face, grip tightening. Of course, I want you. I have wanted you since I saw you in your dirty clothes, trying to escape Declan.

I bit my lip, not sure what to say.

He walked me down the hall and out of the building. I glanced back at Noah. He had an expression hiding any feeling. He nodded his goodbye.

Everyone had rooms in the hotel across the road.

When we entered the elevator, the door closed. Caleb pressed me to the wall, hands running up my legs and dipping his fingers behind the silly panties I wore. I gasped, then moaned, pressing into his touch. Gods, I missed this.

His lips were on mine, hunger taking. Need pulse through the bond and sex heated.

When the doors slid open, he lifted me up, and I wrapped my legs and arms around him. He smiled against my lips. I miss that smile.

He walked to his room, kissing my neck and lips. He spun his backside toward the door lock and pressed his butt to it. The door beeped, and he quickly opened it.

“Keys in my back pocket.”

I laughed as he hurried toward the bed and gently laid me down. He brushed my hair back, “You are so beautiful.”

I took his face in both my hands. “And you are so handsome.” I kissed him long and deep.

He stripped off his tie and shirt, not breaking our kiss. Suddenly, he flipped me over to my stomach at the edge of the bed. My feet touched the floor. He unzipped my dress. His fingers ran down my back, leaving a fiery trail of need.

He shimmied the dress off and then my panties. I excitedly waited, hearing his pants unzip. A moment later, his shaft was pressed against my sex. He leaned over me, placing kisses down my back and up to my neck. He nudged my legs apart with his knee. I opened happily for him. Needing his inside me. It had been weeks since we had been together.

He whispered in my ear. “You’re mine.” Sinking his shaft into my wet core with a thrust. My head dropped back with a moan. Reaching up, he kneaded a breast, thrusting harder.

I climbed to my knees at the edge of the bed, wanting him to take me harder. He held my hips hard, pulling me against him. He filled every inch of me. I thought of all the time I wasted these past weeks being upset with him. With every thrust, I let my hurt go wanting to start again. He pulled my shoulders up, taking bout my breasts.

“You’re mine. No other will have you.” He drove harder and harder, pushing me to the edge of my release, core curling tighter and wetter. On the edge of desire, he spun me to my back and drove his hips between mine.

My nails dug into his back now as he sucked my nipples. As my desire gripped his shaft hard. He bit my breast, mixing pleasure with pain. He licked and sucked and pounded until he drifted over the edge behind me and poured himself into me. I cried out his name, and he captured it with a kiss.

“You’re mine.” He kissed and licked my breasts. I looked down, filled with awe and devotion. He marked me. I rose up and bit his shoulder, marking him.