Page 83 of The Princess and the Pack

“Cheeky omega,” he huffs, then kisses me again—slow, chaste presses of his lips on mine.

When Sloan pulls away, he places a last peck to my forehead, smiling bright. “It’s a good thing you’re well because I’m here to fetch you.”

“Fetch me? What for?”

Sloan nods. “Well, little omega, your timing is impeccable.”

My brow furrows—it’s always riddles with him. “How so?”

“It so happens that your heat broke just in time for your coronation day.”

I sputter, alarmed that he is so casual even now. My coronation? We haven’t even addressed the court as a pack. “What?I thought we’d have another day, surely?”

Sloan laughs, rubbing soft circles on the apples of my cheeks with his thumbs. “Unfortunately, no. Ciaran will lose his mind if we even consider postponing. He’s had much to deal with after delivering the news of our pack in Cillian’s place. I’d rather not push him. Besides, it’s better not to leave any more time for dissent to grow. You and Cillian need to assert your rightful place so the court can fall in line.”

A realization dawns on me amidst the mild panicking. Something Cillian mentioned before I feel deep into the throes of my heat. It seems Sloan is unaware of all that today entails.

I smile at him—devious. “I see Cillian never informed you of his plans before my heat started.”

Uncertainty flares in our bond as Sloan’s forehead crinkles. “What’s that, now?”

“Cillian and I aren’t the only ones being crowned today...Prince.”

Sloan’s brows shoot up in surprise, shock flaring in our connection “Prince?”

My mate is so handsome when he’s shaken—rarely have I seen his easy façade slip. I wrap my arms around his neck to hold him close and send reassurance down our bond.

“Prince consort, to be precise,” I say with a proud grin. “Loyal to his queen for all eternity.”

My alpha groans, resting his forehead against mine. I can sense his amusement, through the wave of nerves swimming in our connection. Though I know this was never something he intended for himself, he will do this—do anything—for his pack. “You royals and your scheming...”

“Usroyals,” I correct him, kissing the frown from his lips.

* * *

Sloan wokeCillian and Oran soon after, rushing the three of us through the morning. He made sure I was bathed and fed before sending me off to prepare for the festivities.

I still can’t believe the timing—fresh off a heat and expected to face my court with three new bond marks, and two prince consorts in tow.

I wonder if the nobility will even attend. Or perhaps they’ll come so they can jeer and throw produce at me for corrupting their beloved king.

No—I can’t think like that. If problems arose that would precipitate violence after Ciaran announced our pack, someone would have told me by now. At least, I would hope so.

I haven’t gotten the chance to spend much time with either of Cillian’s brothers, but I'm certain they couldn’t hate me so much as to let me walk into the lion’s den.

These nerves are likely stemming from the unrest I’m experiencing after being separated from my alphas. We’ve gone through such an intense few days together and our bonds are so new.

While I’m settled in my feelings for them, I’d rather spend weeks learning, laughing, and growing our love, before facing such a feat as this.

Regardless of my selfish desires, today marks the true beginning of my responsibility to our kingdom—to our people. Their needs will always come before mine.

I only hope our rule will help give a voice to all—bringing Namara into a new era that values the lives of its citizens over the vain notion of legacy.

As I’m lost in my dreams for the future, a knock rings out. I can sense Sloan tugging at our bond just before he enters.

“You again,” I say with a smile. “You’re quite the taskmaster today.”

Teasing my alpha has swiftly become my new favorite activity—simply for the way it makes heat flare in his eyes.

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