Chapter 15

15

KILLIAN

S he doesn't want me.

I should be pleased. It will make breaking our bond that much easier if she's willing to go along with it, but why does it feel like such a sucker punch?

The fact she doesn't want me to claim her is all I can think of, over and over again, as my paws hit the dirt. Pushing harder and harder, I plunge through the trees, needing to tire my wolf out before I see Charlotte later. He's not a fan of my plans, and I need to make sure he doesn't deviate from what has to be done.

As if to prove what an idiot I'm being, he torments me with flashbacks of her tanned skin, rosy after a hot shower, water dripping down her slender neck. Her dark hair was silky and wet, and the one strand that clung to her cheek was begging me to touch it.

Those eyes, the deepest green I've even seen, with emerald flecks, call to me. Whenever I see her, I get lost in them. Until she speaks, that is. Because then, the spitfire inside her comes out, through the spark in her eyes and the lash of her tongue.

Zane and Theo hang back a respectful distance, flanking me on each side. Or maybe, they're just struggling to keep up. Either way, I'm glad they're not crowding me. I need some space to think.

Chase, Rex, Blake and Cooper are coming this evening, along with their mates. I need to discuss the ramifications of my abdication with them. As next in line for the throne, Chase, who up until recently didn't even know what shifters were, let alone that he was one, needs to be prepared. I won't leave until I'm certain nothing I do will put their mates in danger, but they need to be aware of what's coming.

And they need to decide whether any of the Walkers wants to take my place after I return home.

Without my mate.

Gritting my teeth, I plough on, crashing through branches and charging straight across the stream without breaking stride. Running from the bone-deep longing I can't give in to and the gnawing guilt I feel at hurting her. That lone, perfect tear that fell from her eyes slayed me. It felt like someone was clawing my heart from my chest.

I can't even imagine what rejection will feel like.

Which is why I don't think we should do it right now. It's cruel, especially to our wolves, but neither of us will be able to do our jobs once we break the bond. At least, not for a while. Which defeats the entire purpose of keeping our connection secret.

I skid around a tight bend in the trail I've been following, but a sharp bark takes me out of my head and back to the present.

Zane and Theo turn their heads back toward the palace and slow down. We're reaching the edge of the territory.

My wolf wants to explore, but he doesn't like being far from our mate, so he turns in a wide arc, falling into step beside them, as we make our way back at a much more leisurely pace.

Standing in the mud room at the hidden rear entrance, we put back on the clothes we discarded earlier, the other's in combat wear, and me getting back into my smart, casual attire.

My father always made sure I'd know how to act if this time ever came, but it doesn't mean I enjoy it. I just want to put on some sweatpants and lounge around in my room, watching some mindless television or reading a good book.

"You could open a connection with all of your security team and palace staff if you wanted. It'd be like your own little pack." Theo's suggestion is a good one.

It would be easier to be able to communicate via mind-link, but then, I'd be connected to Charlotte, and I'm not sure I could trust myself not to abuse the privilege.

"I'll think about it," I say noncommittally as I do the buttons up on my shirt.

"Your wolf is fast." Zane comments. "You looked like you were just loping along while we were flat out. I think if we have any trouble, you just run. Nobody will catch you." His expression is deadpan, but Theo grins beside him. The two men from the same pack are obviously close.

"So, that's your master plan. Run away?" I drag a hand back through my hair and narrow my eyes at the two men. "And what happens to you guys when I leave you for dust?"

Theo's features crack into a grin. "Hopefully, the threat will be following you."

Zane smirks, maintaining his more professional air, but still enjoying the banter. When I look at him in mock horror, he nods. "Sounds good to me."

"Very reassuring to hear when my life rests in your hands." I roll my eyes, then the two men go still, unsure whether I'm still joking or not.

"Please relax. I'm not used to this either, but you don't need to walk on eggshells around me. I think this will work better if you treat me like you would anyone else." I don't have anyone else here.

Sad as it is, my security detail is the closest thing to friends that I have. Isolated in this palace, I don't even have my family nearby.

"We can do that. In private," Zane agrees, but when I look at Theo, he's scrutinising me, lips pressed into a thin line. He has something on his mind, and I have a feeling it's about Charlotte.

I'm glad he's decided not to say anything in front of their boss.

"Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a dinner to attend, with some people I actually like, for once."

The minute I step into the main house, two more wolves step from the shadows and follow me through the never-ending corridors and up the elegant stairs.

My irritation spikes, even though I know they're just doing their job. I'm used to being alone. I crave some solitude.

When I turn the next corner and spot Charlotte stationed outside my bedroom, waiting to relieve the guards who've been trailing me most of the day, I grit my teeth.

"Ryker. Charlotte."

"Your Majesty." Charlotte stares straight ahead, her long hair pulled into a sleek updo once more. Her shiny locks are so long, I bet they'd wrap around my fist twice. I imagine tugging them hard, keeping her in place, as I smooth a hand down her spine right before I line up… fuck!

I can't speak to her now. The run hasn't done enough to take the edge off. My wolf wants to walk up to her and get right in her face, to demand she either kisses me or explains why she doesn't want this.

I'm a fucking hypocrite, but I can't help it.

"Stop with the Your Majesty bullshit," I mutter as I walk by, getting a blast of her addictive scent and an instant hard on. Enraged by how she's able to just stand there, I blow past, angrily shoving open my door and storming inside.

Pacing up and down, I dig my hands into my hair and pull hard, swallowing a silent scream as my skin crawls with the urge to yank open the door and drag her inside. Bursting with anxious energy, I charge into the bathroom and turn on the shower, only to be assaulted by images of her under the spray. First with me, then infuriatingly, with Theo.

Those intimate little glances have me green with envy. Why does he get to know her, spend time with her, hear her voice, and I don't? She's mine, for god's sake.

Slamming my fist down on the table beside me, I curse when an expensive looking vase falls onto the thick carpet with a thud. It doesn't smash, thankfully. The damn thing is probably priceless.

"Fuck!" I shout, tipping my head back and staring at the ceiling.

A growl, a low steady rumble starts low in my gut and builds until my entire body is practically vibrating.

It's her. I can't deal with having her so close. I need to do something about it. Fast.

I can't mark her—I have to go back to Ireland, and she'd be an easy target for anyone who wants to hurt me. And I can't have her family trailing her back there, either.

I can't reject her yet—the two of us will be in agony, I won't be able to work, and everyone will figure out what's happened.

So, there's only one thing to do , my wolf whispers, his poisonous words infiltrating my brain and telling me what I want to hear.

Scratch that itch.

This is a fucking terrible idea. The worst. Never, in the history of itch scratching, has it ever improved things.

You don't have to claim her. Just a taste. Then we'll be able to concentrate again.

Maybe. Maybe it'd work? There's only one way to find out.

No.

Yes.

No.

Charlotte jumps when I yank open the door.

"Charlotte, inside please. I need you to look over those drawings for the security updates that your sister prepared." My tone is cool and distant.

She blinks, surprised at my sudden reappearance, clearly hoping her snarky attitude would make me leave her alone.

I turn and head back inside before she can refuse, blinking back the wolf I'm sure is shining through my eyes.

Ryker doesn't bat an eyelid as Charlotte slips inside the door. Even if he can tell I'm lying, it'll look like it's part of our ruse.

She closes it gently as I stalk away, but by the time she turns back to face the room, shoulders slumped, I'm walking back toward her, fast. She thinks I called her into my room to argue again, but that's the last thing on my mind.

"Woah," is all she says before I crowd her, entering her personal space before forcing her to walk back until her ass hits the door. I bury my face in her neck, breathing her in, letting her scent permeate every cell in my body. It's like taking a hit, but instead of calming my wolf, it drives him even crazier.

Pressing my body tight to her, I drag my nose up the column of her throat, licking across the pulse pounding in her veins.

"What do you think you're doing?" She breathes out, her fingers digging into the wood behind her, while my hands skim over her hips and shapely ass. She feels so good. I knew she would. Greedily, I explore every dip and curve.

"I can't concentrate. You're all I can think about." Confessing that feels so good. She's always on my mind. I can't do what I need to with her here, but I definitely won't be able to cope without her. "I think we should get comfortable together. We are supposed to convince everyone we're courting, aren't we? How will we do that if you don't smell like me? If you can't touch me?"

A despicable part of me is looking forward to having her on my arm, in pretending, at least for a while, that she's going to be mine.

"You think we need to practise acting like mates?" Charlotte asks breathlessly, moaning when I lean into her, letting her feel exactly how much I want that.

My hard shaft rests against her stomach, but that's not where I want it to be nestled.

"You want to take me, Your Majesty? Hard?"

Nodding against her neck, I kiss and lick her sensitive skin, enjoying each tiny shiver I elicit from her.

"You want to slide your big, royal cock into my tight, warm sex?"

Even though her words are taunting me, I don't deny it. That's exactly what I want.

"Fuck. Yes."

Charlotte rolls her hips, creating the friction she needs as she grinds against my rock-hard length.

I can scent her arousal as my hands slide under her uniform, skimming her slim waist. I can almost taste her. My mind imagines how good it would feel to be sheathed inside her warm, tight body.

"Do you want to taste me? Let me sit on your face while you drown in my juicy cunt."

Goddess help me, a smart, beautiful woman with a dirty mouth. She really was made for me.

I rub against her, helping her find the pleasure that she needs. She can have whatever she wants if she just gives me this, just lets me keep her in my arms.

"Well, you're not going to. Not as part of some show we're putting on."

What? Her smile is sickeningly sweet, but her words pack a devastating punch.

I feel like the rug's been pulled out from underneath me. While my brain is still trying to catch up, she gives me a hard shove.

I stagger back, cursing.

I took it too far. I'm completely out of control. "I'm sorry. I… fuck… I normally have some control…" But not where Charlotte's concerned. That's becoming abundantly clear.

"This is hard enough already. I don't think we should complicate things." As she puts me in my place, her gaze falls to the tent in my trousers.

I can scent her arousal, and she looks as frustrated as I feel, but my mate has some willpower.

She storms outside, not realising it just makes me want her even more.