Page 66 of Dragon's Revenge

“Youarethe only one who can take care of me,” Erwan whispered.

Rhene’s heart swelled with love and protectiveness. He kissed Erwan deeply, pouring all his devotion into the gesture. “And I always will, my darling. In every way imaginable.”

He began to move again, slowly, gently, his strokes more about connection than passion. Erwan sighed into the kiss, melting into Rhene’s embrace as they rocked together. It wasn’t about chasing another orgasm but about affirming their bond, about Rhene giving Erwan what he needed.

Erwan’s body welcomed him, drawing him in deeper as if trying to merge their very souls. Rhene peppered soft kisses over Erwan’s face, neck, and shoulders, worshipping every inch of his mate’s skin. He whispered words of adoration against Erwan’s flesh, a litany of love and devotion. “You’re everything to me. My beautiful mate. My heart. My whole world.”

Erwan clung to him, his fingers tangled in Rhene’s hair, holding him close as if he never wanted to let go. They stayed like that for a long time, trading soft kisses and gentle caresses as Rhene moved inside Erwan with tender reverence.

Eventually, Rhene felt Erwan fully relax beneath him, the last vestiges of tension draining away. He pressed one last kiss to Erwan’s lips before carefully withdrawing, gathering his mate close. “Thank you,” Erwan whispered, tucking his head under Rhene’s chin.

And Rhene thanked the moon and the earth again, for he was truly blessed.

ChapterTwenty-Six

Well, this was a meeting he hadn’t seen coming. With a last kiss for Rhene, Erwan left the Hightower pack lands and headed for Jawon’s House, the house on the Hayes lands where Lidon and his family lived.

The temperature had plummeted overnight, leaving a delicate layer of frost blanketing the earth. The ground glistened under the early morning light, each blade of grass and fallen leaf coated in a dull layer of frosty glaze. The air was crisp and biting, and the once vibrant landscape was muted, creating a serene and ethereal winter tableau.

Erwan didn’t mind. He’d always loved the winter more than the summer. One could bundle up against the cold. Staying cool when it was a hundred degrees out was far more of a challenge, especially in a castle without air conditioning.

What would Duff Bás ask them? Erwan had expected the man to come to him with questions, but he hadn’t counted on a joint meeting with Lidon…and Vieno, of all people. What on earth did Duff want with Vieno? Erwan liked the sweet omega, who was so well-loved by his men and his pack, but why would Duff be interested in talking to him? It made little sense.

Then again, nothing the man had done so far had made sense. Rhene had given him freedom, but every pack member had dutifully reported what they observed from the dragon slayer. So far, he’d spent a couple of hours shadowing Wilmer as he took care of the animals, had hung around Sivney for two days to observe every interaction the omega had with pack members, and had quietly found a spot in the kitchen as Yitro and the others made food for everyone.

None of them were dragons, and neither was Delton, who Duff had spent two sessions with as well, with Adar present to protect Delton, which Erwan found sweet. If Duff’s focus was supposed to be the dragons, why was he only engaging with wolves? Was he scared? Intimidated? Or did he have some secret strategy, some underlying reasons they couldn’t see yet?

The only way to find out was to go along with it, so when Duff requested this meeting, Erwan had agreed. Even when Duff had insisted—he’d been polite but had made clear he wouldn’t accept any other outcome—it had to take place on Hayes land, not Hightower. What was that about? Erwan pondered it on the walk over, but no matter how he looked at it, he couldn’t figure it out.

When he arrived at Jawon’s House, he was no closer to answers. He’d have to find out during the conversation then. Or maybe not even then. Maybe Duff was determined to be mysterious on purpose as some kind of strategy to throw them off their game? Whatever.

He walked into the kitchen, immediately coming to a full stop. Lidon was fervently kissing Vieno. The omega’s legs were tightly wrapped around Lidon’s waist, his back pressed firmly against the fridge. Well, “kissing” seemed too mild a term for the intensity they shared. It was more akin to devouring, a kiss so fervent and passionate that it sent a flush of heat to Erwan’s cheeks, leaving him blushing and slightly breathless from witnessing it.

What did he do now? Lidon’s sexual appetite was well-known in both packs, but Erwan had never encountered it himself. Talk about awkward.

He cleared his throat, but Lidon didn’t suddenly let go of Vieno. No, he kissed him for a few seconds more, then slowly lowered him to his feet. “We’ll finish this afterward,” Lidon said in that deep voice of his.

Vieno wavered for a moment until he found his footing. “Yes, alpha.”

Only then did Lidon turn around and face Erwan. “Morning, Erwan.”

“Good morning.” Erwan shuffled his feet. “Sorry for interrupting.”

Lidon sighed. “Story of my life. Can’t remember the last time I fucked one of my mates without anyone needing me for something.”

“Well, it would help if you initiated these things at night in our bedroom,” Palani said, walking in and apparently having overheard that last line. “Instead of, you know, in the kitchen where anyone can come in at any time.”

Lidon quirked an eyebrow. “Is that so? I didn’t hear you complaining yesterday when I had you bent over the kitchen counter and half the pack walked in on us.”

Palani snickered. “Fair point. Then again, it’s damn hard to think when you’re balls deep inside me…alpha.”

Lidon shot him a grin. “You’re such a sweet talker.”

Palani took a little bow. “I do try.” He then focused on Erwan and gave his shoulder a little squeeze. “Good to see you. How’s Rhene doing?”

“He’s good.”

“Yeah? No lingering effects from his involuntary stay in Sweden?”

---