Chapter 20

Some time passed, and the afternoon sky from earlier held pink, blue, orange, and red streaks as the sun began to set a while ago. I was happy to spend the time training Chaos and Nova after getting their collars on, teaching the two their names right away, and teaching them to come to me when I call their names, allowing the pups to roam around the deck and grass nearby. At first, I called them at the same time, and I rewarded the pups with a treat as soon as they arrived at my feet. Eventually, I started calling them one by one, calling out to Chaos first and rewarding him when he came, before doing the same to Nova.

A chilly gust of wind has me shivering, and I call out to the pups one last time, Nova in the lead, while I slowly walk back to the doors and wait for Chaos, who joins us soon after, a stick clutched in his mouth. I chuckle, holding out a treat to both pups. Chaos quickly trades the stick for the treat before I pick the two up and bring them inside, placing them on their bed before rushing to close the doors. I did not need these two running out without being trained.

My stomach makes itself known then, growling from hunger as I take a look at the time—seven o’clock in the evening. The meeting should be done soon, but I decide to snack on what was left behind by Elisa, rolling the cart to the couch. I promptly plop onto the cushion, exhausted from the exciting day, and reach for the platter of fruits waiting to be eaten. Deciding to pass the rest of the time waiting by reading, I pick up the book I left on the side table and curl up, the book in one hand while the other reaches for the fruit I happily munch on.

…

“Good book, Lyra?” I jump in surprise at the voice, just as the clock on the wall finishes chiming eight times. I had gotten absorbed in the romance novel, not hearing the door open. But the door that opened was not the main door, but the one leading outside. I quickly stand and turn to face the voice, noticing Nole standing there with a smirk on his face.

“Sorry for my intrusion and rude behaviour earlier, Lyra.” Nole begins, walking towards me. I quickly walk towards the table, keeping furniture between Nole and I. His presence here is suspicious. From the corner of my eye, I see Chaos and Nova watching Nole intently, the two staying silent but reminding me of their presence and that wolfdogs are incredibly loyal to their owners.

“Thank you for your apology, Nole, but the one you should apologize to is Prince Alekai, who is on his way back from the meeting,” I state, focusing on the man as he slowly creeps towards me, his smirk growing.

“I know he is in the meeting. My father is the one who requested it.” Nole states, and I nod. The meeting most likely has to do with Alekai not marrying Linnate like her family wants.

“Well then, you should know you are trespassing in the Prince’s study and should not be here. Leave this instant before the guards come.” I continue, backing towards the shelf on the right. The second time I came to his study, Alekai taught me where the emergency button is to call the guards. Everyone would think it is on the desk, but it is actually the crest on the bookshelf, Alekai’s crest.

“No can do, Lyra. I am here to send a message to Alekai. The first message is to kill you, of course, after having my way and enjoying Alekai’s whore. Then, with you out of the way, Alekai will have no choice but to marry my sister as planned,” Nole lets out a dark chuckle, pushing the furniture to the side and lunging at me. I quickly turn and sprint to the bookshelf, pressing down on the crest and feeling relieved when the wolf's eyes turn red. Two minutes and help will be here, I think, turning just in time to dodge Nole as he slams into the bookshelf, objects and books falling over and onto the floor. But my escape is short-lived as he grabs my hair from behind me, pulling me back into his body, with his left hand wrapping around my neck.

“Now, now, Lyra. You’re a sex slave and should be doing your job properly.” He whispers into my ear, his tongue licking the flesh. I shiver in disgust but do my best to free myself by elbowing Nole in the stomach. He winces, and his grip loosens enough for me to turn and punch him in the face, dazing the man and taking the chance to run to the main entrance of the room. But whelps of pain cause me to turn around to see Chaos being kicked away while Nova bites into Nole’s ankle, blood already dripping from the wound.

“So the rumour is true. He bought you pets of your own.” Nole chuckles darkly, shaking off Nova, who growls at Nole. I quickly run towards Chaos, the puppy lying on the floor by the table growling at Nole, but I am grabbed, this time being pushed into the table and falling onto the floor, Nole pressed on top of me.

“You are such a handful.” He seethes, pinning my hands above my hand with his right hand while his left hand slides under my shirt to grope my breast. I can feel the bulge in his pants as he grinds against me, his hand moving from my breasts to tug my skirt up, his fingers pushing past my thong and into my pussy.

“See, you want it. You’re already wet, you filthy whore.” He states, his finger working inside me, causing the serums to work and making my body burn for more. But I wanted none of it.

“Someone help!” I scream, tears falling from my eyes while I focus hard on resisting the effects of the serum and fighting to escape.

"Shut the hell up." He barks out, punching the side of my face and causing my vision to blur, but I ignore him and scream as if I am being murdered, screaming at the top of my lungs, waiting for someone to hear.

“I SAID SHUT-“ a loud crash is heard behind us, guards rushing into the room surrounding Nole and I.

“Hands in the air!” Someone yells, Noel quickly obliging as his hands leave me. A guard holsters his gun before pulling Nole off of me, another covering me in a blanket and helping me sit up. My throat is sore from screaming, my head pounding from the punch earlier, but knowing the guards came on time has relief filling me.

“Lyra!” I hear his voice before his warm arms wrap around me, Alekai’s scent filling my nose. I sob into his chest, finally feeling safe as his hand runs through my hair.

“I am so sorry, Songbird.” He whispers, pulling me closer, his apology causing me to sob harder. He has nothing to apologize for. It wasn’t Alekai’s fault for me being attacked. But still, I had just missed the narrow reach of being raped and killed by a man who would do anything to see his sister become the next Queen. My sobs turn to whimpers as I catch my breath, Alekai sitting on the floor and shifting me to his lap.

“What do I do with the pups?” Someone calls out, a guard holding Chaos and Nova in his arms.

“Are they injured?” I ask quietly, slowly pulling away from Alekai and reaching out to them.

“Thankfully, no. They might be bruised but no broken bones and no other injuries.” The guard answers, and I nod, Alekai allowing the man to place my puppies in my lap. I gently pet them.

“They attacked Nole for me. Nova even drew blood.” I state, happy to know my pets were okay.

“That’s why I got them for you. Maybe we should get a few more and have a small army of wolfdogs to protect you.” Alekai chuckles, petting Chaos gently. I think about his words and agree, but only on the condition that I get the runts and outcasts of the litters. We watch as the guards search Nole, two holding him down while two ruffle through his clothes. A pile of knives is already forming on the ground beside them. Meanwhile, disgust is filling me because that vile man touched me.

“Miss Lyra, I hate to say this, but you have a black eye forming.” The guard that brought my puppies to me states sheepishly, looking towards Alekai wearily,

“He hit you?!” Alekai shouts in alarm, gently turning my face to see the damage done.

“He was going to rape and kill me, Kai, so you can marry Linnate with me out of the picture,” I state, shivering while I lean into him more, his arms tightening protectively around me.

“Adam,” Alekai growls, his body shaking.

“Yes, Your Highness?” Adam, the guard who handed me Chaos and Nova, answers obediently.

“You will be assigned to guard Lyra from now on when I am not with her.” Alekai orders. I smile, looking up to see the rage in his eyes, but the concern for my well-being trumps the rage.

“Understood. Besides, she gave us a reason to arrest this bastard.” Adam answers, chuckling as he turns to watch the search. It seems to be over as the two guards holding Nole down have now hauled him to his feet, putting handcuffs around his wrists while another collects the weapons Nole hid on him. Each small knife would have been used on me if I hadn’t pressed the emergency button.

“Adam, can you carry the pups to our room while I carry Lyra?”

“Of course, Prince Alekai.” With that, Alekai passes Nova and Chaos to Adam, scooping me into his arms before standing. A guard informs us that they will take Nole to the dungeon and deal with him accordingly, and Alekai just nods before exiting the room, me in his arms and Adam trailing behind us.

“Is it safe to say our picnic is cancelled?” I ask quietly, trying to break the tense silence.

“For now, yes. We can have one tomorrow.” Alekai answers. I nod, allowing him to be protective and hoping his anger will dissipate. I know his anger is directed at Nole for attacking me, but being near an angry man causes my nerves to be frazzled. Reaching our room, Adam sets the pups on their bed in the living room before excusing himself. Alekai carries me straight into the bathroom. Settled on the edge of the tub, Alekai helps me to remove my clothes before guiding me into the warm water, the scent of roses and mint filling my nose before he climbs in after me.

“Tonight, we can just relax. I’ll make a brief appearance at the party being hosted tomorrow and then come home to you.” He says after sitting in silence for a while, his hands slowly helping me clean.

“I want you,” I state, turning to face Alekai, ignoring his suggestion of relaxing.

“Lyra, you were nearly raped and killed!” He argues, the loofah in his hand dropping into the water as his arms pull me back against him. His body starts to shake, and something wet falls onto my shoulders, making me turn around and see that Alekai is crying. Instantly, I wrap my arms around him, holding Alekai tight.

“I’m here, though, Kai. You and the guards saved me.”

“You could have died. I could have lost you!”

“But I am here, and right now, I need you, need some normalcy.” I retort, kissing his cheek. He pulls away, his tear-filled eyes taking me in before his lips claim mine in a passionate kiss, one I relish while his hands slowly skim across my body, memorizing every inch and curve, causing me to moan. The kiss ends all too soon with Alekai climbing out of the bathtub before scooping me into his arms, the both of us dripping wet without a care for the mess. He carries me to the bedroom, gently laying me on the bed and climbing between my legs, his lips hungrily leaving trails of kisses and bite marks, the stress from earlier melting away with his touch. I needed him, wanted him, and I would get him. Without warning, I shove Alekai off of me and onto his back, taking the time to straddle him as my lips start their own assault. I kiss every inch I can, leaving a trail of hickeys and bite marks on every visible part that clothes can’t hide as well as ones that only we will know, like his stomach and thighs, all the while my hand slowly caressing his thick, hard cock. Alekai is mine, just like I am his, and I would be dammed if I let another woman touch him.

“Do you want to try something different?” His voice is husky, a low moan ending the question. I smile, happy to see the effect I have on him.

“Good, move closer to my cock, Lyra.” He orders. I oblige, trailing my kisses back up his body until I claim his lips. His hands are on either side of my hips, his tongue battling with mine while he continues to guide me to a better position until the tip of his cock is pressed against my soaking pussy.

“Slowly lower yourself onto me.” He grunts, one hand leaving my hip to hold his shaft in place.

“Are you sure I won't hurt you?” I ask, a little unsure.

“Trust me, Songbird, I’ll be feeling amazing.” He laughs, causing me to blush. I decide to take things slow, carefully lowering myself where only the tip of his cock enters me before grinding slowly.

“Fuck!” He groans out in a shaky whisper under his breath. I smirk, continuing to lower myself onto him with his guidance, letting out my own moan as I realize just how deep inside he is while straddling him. I continue to grind against him, his cock moving slowly inside me, making my walls twitch.

“Now, slowly move up.” He orders, his hands back on my hips, digging into the skin. It takes everything in me to move, lifting my body slowly off of him as his cock glides out, more moans escaping the both of us until just the tip is in. And then I repeat, slowly riding his cock as every time he fills me brings me closer to the edge. He suddenly thrusts up, causing me to gasp and fall onto his chest as my walls contract around his cock, and I cum, calling out his name in ecstasy.

“Now it's my turn to have fun.” Alekai chuckles, and within a blink of an eye, I find myself on my back, legs wrapped around Alekai as he devours my body, reminding me that I belong to him.