Taken, Lane L.V. [free novels to read .TXT] 📗

conversation was not broached at first, but of late, with increasing frequency.

Although a small mountain of soft things an Omega might like have been placed inside the room, she has never ventured to make a nest. Then there is her propensity for flight . . .

The castle scholar, Ubold, has been tasked with reading on this delicate subject, although we all instinctively suspect what it means even before Ubold has the chance to confirm it. As Caden says, we are not enough for her.

There will be another mate.

Priya

They think me asleep as they ease the door to the bedroom closed.

I’m not asleep, and despite feeling worse than the time Posey took a bad jump and I ended up in the ditch, I drag myself out of bed to listen at the door.

I can hear absolutely nothing of what they say, just the changing tone that indicates a disagreement of some kind is taking place. There is an unmistakable thud and grunt. Although I doubt it is funny, I smirk, for I’m sure someone, probably Brook, has been thumped for some perceived misdeed.

I press my ear tighter and wonder at my bad luck in our chambers having such a sturdy door. Another dull thud signifies the main entrance is being closed. But wait . . . Is that . . . footsteps?

I fling myself from the door just as it’s yanked open. Hawthorn is standing in the opening, nostrils flared, radiating all the joy of an angry bull. “I was not sleepy,” I say, feeling disadvantaged at being both naked and bedraggled after their enthusiastic attention.

“You won’t really put it in my bottom, will you?” I ask, wringing my hands. Ever since Caden mentioned this whilst rutting me a short time ago, I’ve been worrying. Caden is not well known for offering ‘vague’ threats, and I suffer a great dread that they have been discussing this, and further, that Caden’s taking of my bottom is a precursor to Hawthorn doing the same.

I’m naked; he is fully dressed and bestowing me with the sternest of expressions. Now does not seem like a good time to broach the subject, given I’ve just been caught listening at the door.

“Yes,” he says without even cursory hesitation.

“Oh!” I wail, but before I can divulge a list of reasons in defense of further ravishing, I’m turned around, and three firm spanks are applied to my bottom. They are not hard, but I’m sore, and I squeal as I dance about.

“Go and get yourself cleaned up and dressed,” he says. “I will escort you to your mother’s day room since you’re not sleepy. She is taking tea with Belle.”

“I don’t want to go to my mother’s day room,” I say. I would much rather take a nap or see Posey, but I’ve foolishly gotten out of bed, and further, announced that I’m not sleepy, and now I’m paying the price. But I don’t go and get ready. Instead, I turn back and fling myself at him, wrapping my arms around his big, powerful body and pressing my cheek to his chest. “Purr for me,” I say.

He draws a ragged breath. There is a brief wait before he scoops me up. Three swift strides, and he takes a seat on the wingback chair where he puts me on his lap.

Tears fall as I rest there, and I don’t know what they mean. I’m sad despite his beautiful rumbly purr under my cheek. When I’m on Hawthorn’s lap, I’m safe and content, but I know he will soon leave, for he has duties that never stop. I cling tighter, pressing closer.

He strokes my hair. “There now, Priya. Your mother’s day room is not so bad.” I hear the smile in his voice. “Belle is with her, and I’m sure the little imp will have a few new cursing words to divulge for you to rail us with when next we spank your bottom.”

I giggle through the tears. I love all my mates dearly. But I also like it when I’m with each of them alone, for it feels like a special time.

My lips tremble suddenly, for I am very sad inside. “I don’t want another mate,” I say.

His hands tighten, drawing me against him, so close I’m sure we are now one. I have never once broached the subject, but I’m not stupid, and I’ve heard enough snippets of conversation to realize what my unchanged scent means.

“I do not want that either,” he says. His lips press against my temple. There is a broken edge to his voice. “But we are not enough, and the Goddess has other plans.”

I cling in earnest, weeping with the enormity of his acknowledgment. He does not put me aside, and we stay like that for many moments, both of us lost in our own misery. Both of us taking comfort in the touch that can only ease the pain a little bit.

“We will always be with you, Priya,” he says. “And I will always be your first Alpha.” His words are a promise, threat, and prayer, one that I share. “Whoever it may be, they will not harm you. It is an Omega’s choice, remember that. It was the same when you accepted Caden, Brook, and me. It is the natural way between Alphas and Omegas. You have my word; this time will be no different.”

I believe him, and it eases some of the turbulence and pain. Hawthorn is the sternest, most dominant Alpha I have ever met, and I feel better knowing that he will be there.

Then the moment is over for a guard is knocking politely upon the bedroom door, even though it’s wide open. With face averted, he tells Hawthorn of an urgent matter.

I clean up and dress quickly, and although I would rather lounge in bed, I’m taken to my mother’s day room.

CHAPTER FIVE

Priya

I’M QUIET AS Hawthorn escorts me to my mother’s day room. It is