Page 37 of Claimed By the King's Gamma

“I’m sorry, Ivy, but I can’t let you wear that uniform unless the king allows it.Those here would treat you like a servant in that uniform, and I don’t want any staff killed for that mistake,” Clarice explains.Ivy looks at me, and her shoulders sag.

“It’s fine; I can just wear this, I guess.I will speak with the king later,” Ivy tells her.Clarice glances at the guard nervously, clearly thinking she will get into trouble.Dustin shrugs, and Clarice sighs, wiping a hand down her face.

“Very well, but you make sure you tell the king you want to help.I don’t want to be scolded for making you work,” Clarice tells her, and Ivy rocks on her back heels excitedly.My heart gives a flutter of excitement, knowing I can spend the day with her.

“But what else is there to do except work?”Ivy asks, and she is right.It would be damn boring sitting in my room all day.I would rather work, and I know Ivy feels the same.

“Live,” Clarice answers, squeezing her shoulder gently and strolling off.

Ivy and I stare after her.

It’s late by the time Ivy’s guard finally speaks.“Ivy, the king, is looking for you; we really must go; he wants you back to your chambers,” he says.Ivy’s shoulders drop, and she presses her lips together, wanting to stay but I shoo her away.

“Go, maybe the king will let you hang out with me while I work tomorrow,” I tell her, and she sighs.

“I will ask.Hopefully, he will say yes.He did say he had to go away tomorrow, so I don’t see the harm in it,” she says, a glimmer of hope in her eyes as she glances at Dustin.

As Ivy leaves, I feel a pang of sadness, but it’s quickly overshadowed by the anticipation of what she told me.I turn back to my chores, determined to finish them quickly.

I’m nearly done when Gannon appears, sticking his head into the sitting room in the guard quarters where I’m dusting.

“Abbie?”he says, his voice deep and rough.I turn to face him, my heart racing as I wonder what he wants.He waggles his finger at me to come to him, and I wander over, my stomach fluttering with nerves, wondering if I did something wrong or if he wanted me to clean something.

As I approach him, I notice the way the light from the room casts a soft glow on his features, highlighting the strong lines on his face and the intensity in his eyes.He reaches out, gently taking my hand in his.

“You didn’t take your presents,” he states, his voice gentle yet firm as he walks me to his room.The air between us is heavy with anticipation, and I can’t help but chew my lip nervously.I glance up at him, and I’m met with his piercing gaze.He sighs, his breath warm against my skin as he pushes his door open, revealing the gifts he bought me, still sitting untouched in the center of his bed.

“Did you not like them?Are they the wrong ones?”he asks me, his eyes filled with concern.I’m struck by the earnestness in his voice, and I quickly shake my head.

“I can change them,” he offers, his tone gentle and reassuring.

“No, no, it’s not that, I just…you shouldn’t.”I suck in a breath when Liam waltzes into the room, his footsteps light and graceful as he falls onto Gannon’s bed.He props his arm behind his head and smiles slyly, an impish glint in his eyes.Gannon shakes his head at him but turns back to face me.

“What is it, Abbie?”Gannon asks, his eyes searching mine for the answer.I tear my gaze from Liam, my heart racing as I try to find the words.

“You shouldn’t buy gifts for a servant, Gamma,” I tell him, using his title since Liam is around.

“Gannon, not Gamma.You don’t address me by title.We have been over this.And why can’t I, Abbie?”

“Because it is wrong,” I tell him, feeling the weight of their stares on me.He looks at me as if I am absurd, his brow furrowing in confusion.

“Wrong, how?”he asks, his voice soft and patient.I feel Liam’s eyes on the side of my face, his presence adding to the tension in the room, making me even more nervous as he watches us.

“It’s just a gift,” Liam chimes in, his voice light and teasing.

“Yes, but servants don’t get gifts, not for free,” I tell him, my voice wavering slightly.

“What do you mean?That is what a gift is, or have I been doing gifts wrong all this time?Gannon?I don’t understand this one; I bought Dustin some boxers with my face on them the other day.Maybe I should have asked for something in return,” he chuckles, his laughter filling the room like a warm embrace.

“Liam, give me a moment, geez, go annoy Dustin,” Gannon says, his voice firm but not unkind.

“Gladly, I might be able to con him into sucking my dick,” Liam says, sending me a wink.I cringe at his vulgar words, feeling warth creep up my cheeks.Liam gets up and pats Gannon on the back as he passes.

“Don’t forget you leave early tomorrow,” Liam reminds him.

“And yes, I can cover your shift if you want to spend time with Abbie,” he calls over his shoulder as he walks out, leaving Gannon and me alone in the room.

Gannon turns his attention back to the presents he bought, sitting on the edge of the bed.The soft rustling of the bags seems to fill the room, and I can’t help but watch him, his every movement deliberate and graceful.He reaches over and grips my hand, his touch warm and comforting.“Dustin told me earlier that Ivy told you the king wants to change her and make her his mate?”Gannon says, his voice low and serious.I nod, my stomach twisting with a mixture of fear and excitement at the thought.

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