"No!" I said quickly, hoping I hadn't offended him. "I would never tell you what to do with your work. I really was just curious. Summer and I were talking about it."
I tried to force happiness through our bond. The fake emotion made me feel a bit nauseous, but it was all I could do to hide the fear washing over me. Months. It might takemonthsfor Luca to get the job, and until then, he would be watching me and maybe even Rowan.
"You promised," Rowan's deep voice broke through my thoughts. He narrowed his eyes. "What's going on in that beautiful brain of yours."
I hesitated for only a moment, then I cracked—just a bit. "I heard Luca was trying for the position. A lot of power comes with being so close to the Pack Alpha, and if he gets it—"
"No," Rowan's voice was harsh and loud, making me flinch. He placed a long finger under my chin, forcing me to look up at him. "I forbid you from ever thinking about that fucker ever again."
I opened my mouth to argue, but I could sense him warring with his wolf, so I closed it, saying nothing.
"Omega," he cleared his throat, trying to calm down, "I cannot change what happened to you, but I can protect you going forward. Luca is not your problem anymore. He's mine. And right now, the best thing for us is for him to get that job."
I jerked at his words, not understanding. "How can you say that?"
"Luca has spent his whole life protected by his father's status. I guarantee Caz has no idea of the shit he's pulled. But working so closely with him, Caz will see through Luca's bullshit. It'll only be a matter of time before he's branded a rogue and out on his ass."
"But," I whispered, "what if he doesn't get the job?"
"Does it matter?"
I shook my head, twisting my fingers together. "No, I was just curious."
"No more thinking about that fucker." He picked me up, locking my ankles around his hips. "I need to fuck you again. Maybe spank this ass for being too unruly with your thoughts." He smacked my bare bottom, making me squeal, before laying me in my nest.
TWO MONTHS LATER
ROWAN
Idippedmyfingersdeep into Lily's tight cunt, humming at the drenched feel of her. "Look at all that cum inside you," I growled, watching it squish up around my fingers. She nodded, still delirious from the force of her last orgasm. "Do you need more?"
She bucked her hips in response. "Please," she whined.
I chucked, thrilled at her insatiable appetite. Her craving for my seed had been out of control lately. She needed me near her, beside her, inside her at all times. And I allowed the change in my mate to feed my hopes. Even my mother noticed the changes in Lily, pointing out her increased appetite and sleepy demeanor.
"Rowan," Lily groaned, digging her fingernails into my shoulders. "Your cock. Give me your cock."
I growled deep in my chest, eager to give her what she needed. Gripping her hips, I rutted forward, filling her in one fierce thrust. She gasped, then moaned, exposing her neck to me.
"Fuck," I gritted out, already on the verge of coming. The things this little omega did to me.
Looking down at her flushed body, I stared at where we were connected, moving my hand between us. I rubbed Lily's swollen clit, then moved lower to where my cock was stuffed inside her. I traced her stretched flesh, feeling both her and my shaft at the same time.
I snapped my hips hard, and her pussy clenched tight around me. Her sweet scent heightened as she screamed, coming apart almost instantly. Slick gushed, pushing out around my expanding knot and dripping over my balls.
"Look at you coming so sweetly for me," I growled, pounding into her. My knot pulsed, and my balls tightened, ready to come. I let out a vicious roar, then sank my fangs deep into my mate's soft throat, reclaiming her.
Her body tensed beneath me, shaking hard. "Rowan," she whispered, a soft whimper leaving her throat.
I removed my fangs, lapping at her skin. "What is it, my love?" I asked as I continued to pump my orgasm inside her wet heat, filling her to bursting.
"I'm hungry."
I chuckled, and my cock flexed inside her, making her hiss. "I promise I will feed you the second my knot goes down." I kissed her cheek, unable to help the pure bliss thrumming in my veins.
"What?" Lily whispered, her eyes finally focusing on my face. "Why are you smiling like that?"
"I think before we head to the festival, we should go to the infirmary first."