Page 30 of Claimed By the King's Gamma

“Hmm.I’d rather spend time with you,” I say, grinning as her cheeks flush.

“Why?”she asks, grabbing cleaning supplies.

“You’re prettier than Liam,” I tease, snickering.

She raises an eyebrow at me.“Where is Liam, anyway?You two are usually inseparable,” she says as we head upstairs.

“Probably harassing someone while working.Or maybe he’s with Dustin,” I say with a shrug.

We spend the next couple of hours completing her chores together.When we finish, I tell her to grab a bag for her clothes while I go clear things with Clarice.I find her in the kitchens and before I can even ask, she speaks.

“You like her, don’t you?”Clarice teases, a knowing smile on her face.

I roll my eyes but sigh.“Maybe.”

Clarice chuckles and waves me off.“Go on, then.I’ll get Ester to cover for her.Have fun,” she says.

Once done, I inform the guards of our plans and let Damian know before heading upstairs to shift and pack a change of clothes.Once I’m ready, I knock on Abbie’s bedroom door.

“What did Clarice say?”she asks, nibbling her lip nervously as she peeks out.She startles when she realizes I am already shifted.

“Gannon?”she asks, sniffing the air slightly.

“Are you expecting another Lycan in your room?”I ask her.She sighs in relief.

“My sense of smell isn’t as strong in this form.”she reminds me.

“Clarice got someone to cover for you, so we’re free to go,” I tell her, stepping inside to grab the small bag sitting on her bed.I take her hand, leading her downstairs and out into the woods.

Abbie wanders toward a tree, then shifts, carrying her uniform in her mouth as she pads over to me.I crouch down, stuffing the clothes into the bag before running my claws through her fur.She purrs, zipping in and out between my legs as I stand.

I laugh as she jumps up, placing her paws on my stomach and rubbing her face against my chest.Pressing my wolfish head against hers, I whisper, “I’ll race you.”

Before she realizes what I’m doing, I lick her face and take off into the woods.Her surprised growl quickly turns into the sound of her paws thundering after me.

Abbie’s excitement is contagious as we run together.This time, I bring her clothes, knowing how quickly her wolf gets caught up in the moment and exhausts her.

After running, we go for a swim.Despite her initial hesitation, she seems to enjoy herself.Out here, away from the castle, it’s like the weight of the world melts off her shoulders.She looks carefree, unburdened by the role she’s forced to play at the castle.But I’ve noticed the moment we’re back on those grounds, she retreats into the servant role she’s grown accustomed to.

I hate seeing her stuck in that position.Earlier, I spoke to Damian about making her my personal servant, a role that would give her more freedom.He told me I’d need to speak with the king, though I doubt the king would object—if Abbie agrees.I plan to raise it to him when we visit the Landeena castle.

“Turn around,” Abbie squeals as she paddles toward the water’s edge.I laugh, turning my back to her.

She has her bra and panties on this time, so I don’t know why she’s so self-conscious.Besides, I’ve already seen her naked—not that she knows that.When I hear her grunt, struggling to climb the embankment, I turn back and grip her hips to help her.

“Gannon!”she squeals as I lift her up and settle her on my lap at the edge of the water, our feet dangling.Her pale skin stands out starkly against my dark fur, yet she doesn’t seem to fear me in this form.

“Why don’t you shift back?”she asks.

I nuzzle her neck, and she drops her chin, but staying in place on my lap.My hands rest on her waist, and as I glance down, I notice her bra is completely see-through.Her pink nipples peek through the damp fabric, and I realize just how scarred her body truly is.Deep claw marks mar her breasts, the angry lines vibrant against her pale skin.

I’ve seen the lashings on her back before, counted them when she wasn’t looking in the water, but I didn’t notice these marks until now.Resting my chin on her shoulder, I glance at her thighs and hips, where similar scars are etched into her flesh, as though someone had gripped her too tightly and lost control.

“Did Mrs.Daley do these?”I ask without thinking, brushing my clawed thumb over one of the scars on her breast.

Her entire body stiffens on my lap.Realizing her bra is see-through, she scrambles off me, her arms wrapping around herself as she rushes to grab her uniform from the bag.I internally curse, knowing I’ve upset her.

She pulls on her uniform hastily, buttoning it up as I get to my feet.

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