Chapter 4

I wake to the sensation of slow, seductive kisses being pressed against my shoulder blade. The fire has died down to embers, casting a soft, golden glow across the room, but the heat radiating from the man beside me is far more intense. I’m sore in places I never knew existed, a deep, pleasant ache that speaks to a night of thorough claiming.

“Morning, little omega,” Magnus murmurs against my skin, his voice thick with sleep and something else—something that makes my body hum with renewed interest. His hand, which had been resting possessively on my hip, begins to move, tracing lazy circles on my stomach before drifting lower.

I arch into his touch with a soft sigh, my body already responding to his nearness. “Morning,” I whisper, my voice husky from use.

His fingers find my core, already slick with desire, and he chuckles, a low, predatory sound. “Already so wet for me,” he observes, sliding one finger inside me, then another. “Did you sleep well?”

“Barely,” I admit, pushing back against him as he slowly strokes me from within. “You kept waking me up.”

“Can’t help it,” he grunts, his erection pressing against my buttocks, hard and insistent. “My mate is too tempting.” He removes his fingers, replacing them with the thick head of his cock, teasing my entrance. “Ready for round... what are we on now? Six? Seven?”

I’ve lost count. “Ready,” I breathe, pushing back to take him in.

He enters me slowly this morning, a stark contrast to the urgent claiming of the night before. The pace is leisurely, almost reverent, as if he’s memorizing every inch of me. His hands roam my body, cupping my breasts, thumbing my nipples, stroking my clit as he moves inside me with a deliberate rhythm that builds pleasure slowly, exquisitely.

“Like this,” he murmurs, adjusting my hips slightly. “Feel how deep I can go like this?” He demonstrates, and I gasp as he hits a spot inside me that makes my toes curl. “That’s the spot, isn’t it? The one that makes you tremble?”

I can only nod, words beyond me as pleasure washes over me in waves. He keeps me on the edge for what feels like an eternity, bringing me to the brink of release again and again, only to back off at the last moment.

“Please,” I finally beg, my voice desperate. “Magnus, please...”

“Please what?” he demands, his rhythm never faltering. “Tell me what you need, baby.”

“Let me come,” I whimper. “Please, let me come.”

“With pleasure,” he growls, reaching around to stroke my clit in time with his thrusts. “Come for me, little omega. Show me how much you enjoy your alpha’s cock.”

The command is all it takes. I shatter around him, crying out his name as waves of ecstasy crash over me. He follows me over the edge moments later, his release hot and deep inside me, his arms tightening around me as if he never wants to let go.

We stay joined like that for long moments, our bodies slick with sweat, our breathing gradually returning to normal. When he finally pulls out, I feel a momentary sense of loss, which he immediately remedies by pulling me into his arms for a deep, possessive kiss.

“As much as I’d love to keep you in my bed all day,” he murmurs against my lips, “the pack will be expecting us at breakfast.”

The thought of facing the pack after our night of passion sends a nervous thrill through me. “What will they say?”

Magnus’s smile is predatory, proud. “They’ll say what I want them to say.” He kisses me again, quick and hard. “Now go get cleaned up. I want everyone to see how well-satisfied my mate is.”

I slip from the bed, my legs trembling so much I can barely stand. Every muscle in my body protests as I make my way to the bathing chamber, a deep, pleasant ache that speaks to a night of thorough claiming. I soak in the massive tub, the hot water soothing my sore muscles as I think about the night we’ve shared.

By the time I emerge, wrapped in a soft robe, Magnus is already dressed, looking every bit the powerful alpha in dark leather and fur. His eyes rake over me, hot and possessive, making my body hum with renewed interest.

“Much better,” he approves, crossing the room to pull me into his arms for another kiss. “Now let’s go show them what a real alpha’s mate looks like.”

The Great Hall is buzzing with conversation when we enter, but it falls silent the moment we’re spotted. All eyes turn to us, a mixture of shock, curiosity, and outright disbelief on their faces. I can feel their judgments like physical touches, their whispers following us as we make our way to the head table.

“Is that really her?” someone mutters. “I thought for sure he’d reject her by morning.”

“Look at her walking,” another voice says, dripping with venom. “She can barely stand. Probably couldn’t handle him.”

I feel a momentary surge of insecurity, but it’s quickly replaced by pride as Magnus’s arm tightens around my waist, pulling me closer to his side. He leans down to whisper in my ear, “Let them talk. Their jealousy is the highest compliment.”

He seats me at his right hand, a position of honor usually reserved for his beta or the pack elders. The murmurs intensify, but Magnus ignores them completely, his attention focused entirely on me.

“Sleep well?” he asks, his voice carrying just enough to make sure everyone hears.

I meet his gaze, a slow smile spreading across my face. “Very well,” I reply, my voice clear and steady. “Though I didn’t get much sleep.”

His laugh is loud and genuine, drawing even more attention. “My mate has a healthy appetite,” he announces to the room at large. “I find that... admirable.”

The shock on their faces is almost comical. The she-wolves who were so confident I’d be rejected by morning look like they’ve swallowed poison, their expressions sour with disbelief. The men just stare, their respect for Magnus clearly warring with their disbelief that an omega could satisfy their legendary alpha.

As breakfast is served, Magnus feeds me small bites from his plate, his fingers lingering against my lips, his eyes burning with possessiveness. It’s a public claiming, a declaration to the entire pack that I am his, that he is satisfied with his mate, that their opinions mean nothing.

By the time we rise to leave, the atmosphere in the hall has shifted completely. The whispers have changed from speculation to grudging respect, from pity to envy. As we walk out, I hear someone say, “Well, I’ll be damned. The omega survived. And the Alpha looks happier than I’ve seen him in years.”

Magnus squeezes my hand, a silent acknowledgment of the truth in their words. “Proud of yourself?” he asks as we step into the bright morning sunlight.

“Very,” I admit, and I am. I faced their judgment, their doubt, their outright hostility, and I emerged victorious. I satisfied my alpha, claimed my place at his side, and proved them all wrong.

“Good,” he says, stopping to pull me into his arms for a deep, possessive kiss. “Because this is just the beginning, little omega. We have a lifetime of proving them wrong ahead of us.”

I smile against his lips, already looking forward to it.