Three Alpha Princes for an Unwanted Omega

AYLA

I opened my eyes to a dark room.

For a moment, I just lay there staring up at the ceiling before a slow smile spread across my lips.

The memories came rushing back all at once, making warmth bloom beneath my skin. My cheeks heated as I buried my face into the pillow that still carried his scent.

Everything about him lingered around me. His smell, his warmth. I had never imagined it could feel like that. Not simply being with him but belonging to him.

I reached up, my fingers tracing the mark on my neck that the shape of his canines had left behind.

The skin was tender beneath my touch.

I had mated with Ares... the bond was in place. I could feel it pulsing beneath my skin.

I closed my eyes again, unable to stop smiling. My wolf stirred happily inside me. I rolled onto my side stopping short when I realized it was empty.

I frowned.

"Ares?" I called out.

He must have gotten up already and that wasn’t surprising. He had duties so he could not simply stay in bed all morning because I wanted him to.

Another smile tugged at my lips. I stretched lazily beneath the blankets before finally sitting up.

The movement made me wince. A pleasant soreness settled between my thighs, reminding me exactly how little sleep either of us had gotten.

We had gone at it multiple times till the potion’s effect wore off. I did not think I had been capable of the things that Ares and I did.

My gaze wandered around the mess that was his room.

The floor was littered with discarded clothing or and there was also the remains of my dress I had worn for the party. The very same one that Ares had torn off me.

I climbed carefully from the bed, my legs felt very unsteady beneath me.

I picked up the torn dress, looking down at it.

There was no saving it after what had happened and so I crossed the room to Ares’ wardrobe.

He wouldn’t mind me borrowing one of his clothes.

I opened the doors to rows of neatly folded shirts and I reached for one made of soft white linen.

The moment I lifted it from the shelf, his scent surrounded me. I closed my eyes and brought the shirt to my face, inhaling deeply until my lungs were full to bursting.

Was this what the bond felt like? Wanting to be surrounded by him always? To take and be taken until there was nothing left?

I smiled foolishly at the thought before slipping the oversized shirt over my head.

It hung almost to my knees.

I made my way back to his bed and climbed in.

He would return soon surely. I rested my head against his pillow and before I even realized it, I drifted back to sleep.

...

When I opened my eyes again, sunlight streamed through the windows and the room was still empty.

I sat up and pulled the sheets aside, rising to my feet, a knot already forming inside my stomach.

I padded to the door and pulled it open. The hallway was relatively empty, except a few guards loitering about and they did not seem to look in my general direction. I walked quickly, pulling the shirt tighter around myself.

I had barely taken a dozen steps when a familiar voice stopped me.

"Ayla."

I froze and turned to see Cassian standing in the middle of the corridor. He was dressed in his usual attire with a leather satchel slung across his chest. He must have been heading to the healing chambers.

His eyes took in my state of undress and I saw the exact moment he registered the mark against my throat.

His jaw tightened.

"If you are looking for my brother, he is gone."

The words hit me like a physical blow.

"Gone?" I echoed. "What do you mean gone?"

Cassian took a step toward me. His hand lifted and his fingers brushed against the mark on my neck. The touch was feather-light, but I felt the tremor in his hand.

"Did he do this to you?" he asked, his voice low.

I stepped back, my hand flying to cover the mark.

"Cassian..."

"Did he force you?"

"No...no, he did not force me."

Something flickered in Cassian’s eyes.

"I thought you knew better," he said quietly.

The words stung.

He straightened and his face became expressionless, cold. I had never seen him look at me like that before... like I was a stranger to him.

"If you will excuse me, Ayla." He said, walking past me.

I stood frozen, watching him disappear around the corner.

What did he mean Ares was gone? Why? Where to and without saying goodbye?

My chest tightened.

No. There had to be an explanation... there simply had to.

I barely remembered the walk back to my room.

I pushed open the door and Astrid rounded on me immediately I walked in.

"Where have you been? I have been worried sick. I came to check on you last night after the party but you were not here and then this morning when..." her voice trailed off as her eyes fixed on my neck.

"Is that?..." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Did you... Oh, moon goddess, you did. I can see it all over you." She grabbed my hands, her eyes searching my face. "Was it Prince Ares?"

I nodded.

A smile broke across her face. "That is wonderful. That is..."

"He is gone." The words tumbled out. "He was not there when I woke."

Astrid’s smile faltered.

"He said nothing to you before he left?"

I looked at her. She looked suddenly uncomfortable.

"Astrid?"

She avoided my eyes. My stomach twisted.

"Do you know something?"

She sighed then reached for my hands again.

"Oh, Ayla." Astrid murmured.

"What is it? Tell me."

"Prince Ares and a couple of other warriors left the pack at dawn for the borders."