Chapter 48

48

CHARLOTTE

N one of this feels real. Sensing my nerves, Killian reaches over and takes my hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

I keep the serene smile Elodie has been coaching me on plastered on my face and stare out unseeing at the hundreds of guests, speaking in hushed voices as they wait for the ceremony to begin.

Killian: You look stunning

Charlotte: You don't look too bad yourself

Dressed in a black tuxedo, Killian looks ridiculously good. I've already stripped him out of it once, and I can't wait to get my hands on him again.

Killian: Focus

When I look at him innocently, his eyes flash. The honeymoon period of our mating isn't over yet, and hauling myself out of bed every day to end etiquette classes and dress fittings got old very quickly. Hopefully, once the coronation is over, we can steal a few days away to ourselves and shut out the world.

I startle when Killian reaches over and sweeps my hair back from my shoulder, putting my mark on view.

"You're ridiculous," I whisper, ignoring the knowing laughter from the mated pairs in the front row.

The Walkers are here in force, to support their uncle on his coronation day. Their mother Michelle, Killian's sister, opted to fly straight to Ireland to spend as much time with her father as she could before he became too ill for visitors, and I don't blame her for that. We'll be making the trip as soon as we can.

"And you're mine."

The temptation to roll my eyes at his over-the-top possessiveness is strong, but I'm guessing mocking the king is not proper behaviour.

I can see Elodie watching me like a hawk. She'd kill me if I couldn't keep it in for just one hour.

Charlotte: I'm sitting beside you on a throne, and I reek of you. Do you really think anyone here is going to shoot their shot?

Killian doesn't answer, just glares at any of the males who are giving me admiring glances.

Charlotte: I think all this power is going to your head

Since our mating, Killian has thrown himself into forcing the former council members to make reparations for their dodgy dealings and the self-serving arrangements they've put in place. The council itself has been disbanded, and voting will take place over the coming months to form a shifter government of sorts, where position holders are chosen by the shifter population, and not by blood.

There's enough of that within the packs.

Killian: That dress is going to my head

Charlotte: I thought we were supposed to be focussing

Killian forces an image of him bending me over and slapping my ass down the bond, and I gasp, covering the sound with a hasty cough when a few guests hone in on my flushed face.

Charlotte: What are you trying to do to me? If I get aroused, and everyone here can scent it, it's your own fault

Killian frowns at that and glares out at the room, like it's their fault.

Supernaturals of all sorts are filling the room, all coming together to get a good look at the new king and a sense of the man he is. So far, the reception he's gotten has been good, probably because he's been more inwardly focussed on the issues within the wolf community.

"All rise."

It looks like the business end of today's celebrations are about to kick off.

Killian gives me a nod as he steps forward and receives his crown, promising to do all he can to protect and honour the wolf shifter community under his rule. When everyone claps and cheers, I blink back tears of pride.

Even though he looks slightly absurd with a cloak draped over his shoulders, and an ornate gold crown, decorated with colourful gemstones, on his head, I can feel a new intensity and power in him. He turns, smokey-grey eyes boring into mine, as he extends a hand to me.

"My king," I say, managing a shallow curtsy, even on shaky legs.

His growl is low and deep, and I practically swoon when he kisses the back of my hand and leads me forward to accept my own crown.

As his consort, my vows are to support him in his work and dedicate myself to public service. I couldn't be more honoured to accept the role.

The crown feels heavy on my head, like the weight of responsibility we now carry to everyone who's born witness to our promises today.

Dazed and overwhelmed, I sag in relief when Killian stands behind me and wraps his arms around me. His strength gives me the courage to smile and wave, before he leads the way back to our makeshift thrones. The guests filter out, leaving us alone, while the room gets turned around for dinner.

"We have some time. Let's go outside."

Nodding, I'm grateful to get some fresh air before the next part of the day begins.

Killian leads me out onto the wide veranda, and over to the stone railing that I vaulted over that first night.

"It's nice to have you in my arms instead of watching you race into the distance," he mumbles, positioning me in front of him and caging me in with a hand on either side of me, resting on the stone plinth.

"I was scared. You were a prince. I kind of assumed you'd be a stuck-up twat, like all of my mother's friends." I admit.

Killian doesn't seem too offended as he presses himself to my back and kisses my mating mark.

"You're not scared now." As he sucks on the sensitive spot, his hands cradle my waist, and his scent overwhelms me.

I stifle a moan.

"We're outside, Killian," I murmur. It was supposed to be a rebuke but comes out all breathless and sultry.

"And?" Killian's hands skim over my curves and around to rest on my soft stomach. Slowly, he gathers up the front of my dress, the circle design allowing enough material to remain at the back, that it doesn't hitch up that much.

"And you are the king now. You should have more class than to feel up your mate on the balcony."

His fingers tease me through the thin, lacy material of my panties, which are already soaked.

"My queen, you mean. I'm feeling up the queen ." He slides one finger underneath the edge and slowly strokes me.

I'm a quivering mess, and he's barely touched me. I arch my back to give him better access.

He kicks my foot out, so my stance is a little wider, and he has better access. "You're too tense. I want to help you relax."

I let my eyes fall shut as he skims across my entrance and swipes his fingertip through my cream. My knees wobble, threatening to buckle when he presses inside me, just an inch, then pumps in and out.

The frustration is unbearable. I want it all. I want him, not his, albeit very talented fingers. I can't move my hips forward with his finger sliding deeper inside me, but a ferocious need for him wells up, so I wrench myself free, turning in his arms.

Looking up at him, I stroke my hands up his broad chest then grab onto his impressive biceps.

"Killian. More. I need more." I beg.

Hearing the desperation in my voice, he growls, his own building hunger clear. Smashing his lips down on mine, he matches my desire, devouring my mouth with his.

Light-headed and needing something to ground me, I almost cry out with relief when Killian lifts me in his arms and wraps my legs around his waist. Spinning with ease to the wall beside the exit, he leans me against the cool stone, and using his foot, he shoves a nearby plant pot across to stop the door from opening.

I grin at his cunning.

"That won't stop Theo busting his way out here." A plant pot won't stop a determined shifter, but it would buy us a few seconds to get decent.

"Don't talk about Theo when I'm about to make you come." Killian demands, his belt clinking as he loosens his trousers.

"So cocky." I tease, but the moment's no longer funny when he impales me on his thick cock in one brutal stroke.

He holds me steady, using his grip on my waist to control my movements, as he drives up into me, pulling me down hard against him, on each rough stroke.

His eyes are glued to the spot where our bodies are joined, and he growls in satisfaction with each breathy moan and pleasure-filled gasp that passes my lips.

"Yes, Killian yes."

One palm flat against the wall beside my head, he leans in to kiss me before nuzzling my neck, kissing and licking his way back to my marking spot.

I buck against him as he sucks and nibbles at the raised bumps that seem to be directly connected to my core. My walls quiver as he pulls against my skin.

"Don't give me a hickey!" I try to pull away, but he won't be deterred as he drives me higher and higher, each suck sending a jolt of electricity through me, as if he had his lips wrapped around my clit instead. "Oh fuck."

I'm close, so close, and from his ragged breathing and hard thrusts, Killian is too.

"You're going to come with me, and that pretty pussy is going to take all my seed and give me a pup."

My head spins with his words, my wolf howling with delight, that he's eager to breed. We've talked about children in a light-hearted way, but now when he's deep inside me, threatening to impregnate me, I realise how much I want that.

"And you're going to sit beside me at this dinner, with all these stuffy alphas, with my cum painted all over your thighs.

Holy shit.

"Fuck, Killian. Yes, yes!"

His hand slips between us, and he strokes my clit each time he thrusts up into me, and I claw at his shoulders, rolling my hips forward to get extra friction on each pass.

Inside, I hear chairs being dragged across the floor and tables being moved into position.

Someone's going to find us, but I can't bear the thought of not finding my release. I won't make it through the night if I don't get to finish.

Killian's hot breath on my cheek makes me shiver as he nips my earlobe and kisses along my jaw. "I love you, Charlotte. I love you so much."

Forcing my bleary eyes open, our gazes lock and time stands still.

I whimper, my mouth falling open on a silent scream, as he presses down on my clit, right as he rams his hard length all the way inside me.

Killian slams a hand over my mouth as I fall apart, my walls clamping down around him, milking him with each wave that passes through my shaking body. My climax triggers his, and he buries his face in my shoulder as he tenses up, jerking as he shoots his load into my welcoming core.

"I love you too." I stroke the back of his neck, clinging on as he sags a little, his hips pulsing with each jet of cum he paints my insides with.

He sets me down gently and kisses me, a tidal wave of love and adoration pouring down the bond toward me.

I smile at him goofily as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

Holding my shoulders gently, he turns me around and attempts to fix my hair. "I'll create a distraction while you go and clean yourself. I don't think I'd make a good hairdresser."

Leaning back against his chest, I sigh, contentedly. "Do I have to come back? I could sneak back to our room and wait for you. Maybe nobody will notice."

His chuckle vibrates through me, not doing anything to help ease my need for him. "I'd notice."

Heart melting at his cuteness, I spin back and pull him down for another kiss.

"Go. Do your thing. Let me make myself respectable." My thighs are slippery, and my nipples are pressing against the bodice of my dress. I need a minute to gather myself before I have to face hundreds of people again.

Killian takes my hand, moving the plant pot back where it was with ease, and then opens the door to the function room, whispering, "Until I make you less than respectable again later tonight."