Page 84 of The Princess and the Pack

“Well, petal. Someone has to keep this pack in line. If not me, then who?”

He’s right, of course. Were it not for Sloan, I don’t know that our pack would have come together as swiftly as we did. He was there, every step of the way, giving assurances and pushing us out of our comfort zones when needed. He’s truly well-suited as our prime alpha.

Speaking of, I realize for the first time that he is quite spectacularly dressed. While I love him in all fashions—be it for work in the garden or his very own coronation—he is exceedingly handsome.

But today, Sloan isregaldressed in fine emerald cloth with gold patterns. His hair, while usually tied up, cascades over his broad shoulders in the most tantalizing way. I may insist he wear it this way more often. It looks so soft, so silken that I want to wrap my fingers in it while I?—

“Fuck’s sake, petal, your perfume.” Sloan laughs, coming to sweep me up in his arms and kiss me hard on the mouth. “Just had your heat and you’re already eager again?”

I flush. “For you? Always.”

Sloan’s chest rumbles, pleased with the praise. He kisses my bond mark—just a whisper of a touch—leaving me breathless.

“I have something for you,” he says, a smile on his lips.

“More courting gifts?” I ask, hopeful.

I do love gifts. I suppose that’s natural though, as an omega.

“Not quite.”

I swat at his arm. Always so mischievous, so cryptic. “Well! What is it?”

Sloan retreats, not turning his back on me—just as he did in the garden. Another attempt to appear mysterious. When he reaches the door, he opens it wide, leaving me with a rather unsettling, “I think you meanwhois it?” before he disappears from view.

My brother fills the threshold, his familiar blue eyes gleaming with pride. I rush into his embrace, holding back tears that threaten to spill. He’s only been gone a week, but so much has happened.

I’m sure he’s heard about the bonding by now, and I’m nervous for his response. His calm demeanor should clue me in to his feelings, as should the fact that neither Aspen nor Lily have come to warn me. Still, Hawthorn’s been so much like a father to me. His approval means more to me than I can articulate.

“Don’t cry, Ivy dear.” He wraps his arms around me and hugs me tightly—just long enough to let the overwhelming emotions settle.

“You’re here,” is all I manage, pulling back to look him in the eye.

“We arrived yesterday.” My brother sweeps an arm out, motioning us back to the settee. When we sit, he nods toward my neck—to the three magnificent, silvery bond marks adorning my throat. “I see much has changed in my absence.”

“Are you angry?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Thorn chuckles, running his hand through his hair and exhaling deeply. “I’ll be honest—when Aspen told me what happened, I nearly throttled him for allowing our little sister to be taken advantage of by three alphas.”

“No. Not taken advantage of,” I interject. “We’re Fate-blessed.”

“I know, dear. Let me finish.” My brother pats my hand, amused by my eager defense of my alphas. “Aspen told me everything about the scent matches, your husband’s decree, and…your heat.”

Thorn clears his throat, uncomfortable with having to bring up that last bit. Some things never change.

“And?”I press.

“And at first, I didn’t understand, Ivy. How could I have left my little sister in the care of her Fate-blessed mate and return to find she’d done something so unthinkable?”

I deflate, but I should have expected this. Perhaps in time he’ll see how beautiful a pack can be—how it’s the only way forward for me, my sisters, and Oleander. I don’t want any of us to experience what our mother went through.

“But,” he chimes, renewing my hope.

“But?”

“Then he told me what your king had learned about packs, and I couldn’t believe I’d been so dense. I knew the common folk lived much longer than us, but I never asked why. Instead, I perpetuated long held ideals that set my siblings up for a life of pain and suffering. I swore I’d do better for you than our parents did and here, I failed.”

My heart seizes. Of course he would blame himself for the ways of the world despite the fact that this tradition has long been established. He didn’t know because no one’s ever told him. No one’s ever asked. We simply accepted the status quo.

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