Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“I knew she would be human,” I say as we linger outside the closed doors of the dining room.
Cassius is leaning casually against the stone fireplace with a cup of bitter mead in his hand. He is looking as calm as he does before every battle, but I can smell the anticipation beneath the mead and smoke.
His wolf is pacing just as violently as mine.
“You were right about that,” he says as he takes a long sip. “Was it just me or did she look like a goddess?”
I haven’t been able to get the beautiful image of her out of my mind. The magical vision of the princess is burned into my brain where it will stay forever. I can’t stop obsessing over that image of her standing there helplessly in that gorgeous pink dress. Her silky blonde hair with all those ribbons. I’ve never seen anything so breathtaking.
I would have marched down on the spot, thrown her over my shoulder, and brought her back to our room if Cassius wasn’t there to stop me. I didn’t like all those eyes on her, watching what’s ours. I wanted her all to ourselves, but Cassius said we would make a better impression on her at dinnertime. He said a shower would work wonders on swaying her opinion.
Now that the dinner bell is about to ring and I’m all dressed up in these ridiculous clothes, I’m having doubts about that.
My wolf growls, not caring what we’re wearing. He just wants to see her, scent her, touch her, mark her. He wants it all.
The bell rings and Cassius takes one last sip before placing his cup on the stone mantel. “It’s time, Tovik.”
I take a deep breath and follow him out.
My mind is racing as we step into the royal dining room. The long table is empty. My wolf snarls in impatience. Where is she?
Suddenly, on the other side of the room, the door opens, and she’s there.
Our Vaela. Our Queen.
“Gods alive,” Cassius whispers under his breath when she walks in.
My eyes are locked on her. My lungs forget how to breathe.
Our mate has changed into a pale blue dress that wraps tightly around her waist and then flows over her delectable hips. Her golden hair hangs loose around her shoulders in soft waves, without the ribbons she wore earlier, but somehow, just as beautiful. There are tiny jewels sparkling on her earlobes as if this beauty needs any additional decoration. She is perfect as is.
Her gaze lands on Cassius first.
Then, she looks at me.
My chest squeezes with those lovely hazel eyes on my face.
Her sweet scent fills the room, tangled with perfume and the faintest trace of fear. Her scent fills me with warmth, but that trace of fear sets off a protective blaze within me. The need to protect her takes over, blooming into an inferno. All I want is to keep my mate safe and secure.
My wolf snarls inside, feeling the same intensity. She’s ours to protect now.
“Princess Vaela,” Cassius says, stepping forward with a sly grin. “Thank you for joining us.”
He marches right up to her, gently takes her hand, and kisses it softly.
I watch his lips touch her fair skin and there’s no jealousy from me. There can’t be. We’re all connected. We’re all in this together. We’re Blood Alphas and she’s his mate as much as she is mine.
Her adorable cheeks blush as she thanks him for the hospitality in the most angelic voice I’ve ever heard.
“Tovik,” Cassius says, waving me over. “Come introduce yourself.”
I’m just staring in awe. I forget to move.
Finally, something in me snaps and I cross the room, taking her hand. Her eyes are sparkling as I lean down and kiss her soft skin. It’s only her hand, but the feeling of touching my mate for the first time sets off a lustful need inside my body that shocks me to the core. I want to devour her. I want to tear off that gorgeous dress and get to the true treasure underneath.
“I’m Tovik.”
“Hello, Tovik,” she says sweetly. The sound of my name coming out of that sexy mouth is enough to make me rock hard. I suck in a breath when I feel my member lengthening and hardening beyond my control. I hope she doesn’t notice.
We move to the table and Cassius pulls out her chair at the head.
“Thank you,” she says as she sits down, tucking her dress under her thighs.
We sit on either side of her as the servants begin bringing in food and wine. It’s a long table, suitable for a whole delegation, but tonight, it’s only set for us three.
A fire is burning in the fireplace, warming the room. Torches line the dark stone walls and candles flicker on the table, washing the princess in a beautiful golden glow. I find it extremely challenging to keep my eyes off her, even for a moment. It’s like looking at a goddess.