do not ever disrespect 33
866 Words
Chapter 33
Ivory POV
I woke to soft kisses brushing against my lips and forehead. For a moment, I was lost in the warmth of it, forgetting where I was. Then I opened my eyes and saw Axel hovering over me, smiling like I was the greatest treasure he’d ever found.
Heat rushed to my cheeks as memories of last night flooded back. We had come so close to crossing that final line, but he had stopped himself. Even though every part of him wanted me, he had chosen restraint. That alone meant more than he probably realized.
He had taken care of me first, patient and thorough, as if my pleasure was the only thing that mattered. I had been nervous, inexperienced, unsure..but he never made me feel foolish. When it was my turn, I did my best to return the affection, learning him the way he had learned me. It hadn’t taken long before we were both breathless and satisfied.
Afterward, we showered and fell asleep wrapped around each other.
Now, as I stretched, I felt the faint soreness from the marks we had left on each other..hidden reminders of who we belonged to. They weren’t visible to the world, but we both knew they were there. A silent claim. A promise..Today wasn’t about us, though.
Today, we were going to Alpha Ceder’s pack.
Axel and I dressed, and soon, his Beta and Gamma joined us. When they shifted, their dragons were breathtaking. Berry’s dragon shimmered in silver and brown, while Nick’s was a striking blend of purple and gold. Ladon lowered himself so I could climb onto his back.
I gripped his scales confidently, settling in as if I had done this my entire life. Maybe I had, in another existence. The wind whipped through my hair as we soared higher and higher, the air thinning around us. It didn’t frighten me. It exhilarated me.
“Are you alright, my dear?”
Ladon’s deep voice echoed in my mind.
“I’m more than alright,” I replied softly. “I love it up here.”
He rumbled in amusement, and even Kelly purred in approval inside me.
An hour later, we descended onto Alpha Ceder’s territory. Ladon bent to let me down, but instead of sliding off carefully, I flipped from his back and landed smoothly on my feet.
When Axel shifted back into his human form, his eyes were wide.
“I didn’t know you could do that.”
I smiled shyly. “I taught myself. I just wanted to see if I could.”
“And if you missed?”
“I would’ve gotten hurt,” I admitted calmly. “But I would heal. That’s one reason I want to become a doctor. I understand healing.”
He studied me for a moment before taking my hand, pride shining in his eyes. At the gates stood Alpha Ceder and his mate. She was beautiful, her brown eyes observant, her posture tense.
“Welcome, King Axel. Beta Berry. Gamma Nick. Welcome to the Red Howl Pack.”.
I felt the slight immediately.
He hadn’t acknowledged me.. Not even a glance.
I inhaled slowly. If I was going to be queen, I needed to act like one.
“Ceder,” I said evenly, my voice cutting through the air. “Did you not see me standing beside my king? Or are you disrespecting me again? If so, perhaps you don’t need our help as badly as you claim.”
His eyes widened.. He had expected silence.. He had expected fear.
“You misunderstand, my queen, I did not see…”
“Do not lie,” I interrupted calmly. “You saw me. Now try again. Or we will leave.”..He swallowed hard.
“My apologies, my queen. I am not used to seeing the king with a mate. I meant no disrespect.”
Before I could respond further, Axel stepped forward. His patience had ended.
“Open the gates.”
Ceder obeyed immediately…As soon as they stepped inside, Axel moved with terrifying speed, grabbing Ceder by the throat and lifting him slightly off the ground.
“If you ever disrespect my mate again,” Axel growled, eyes flashing dangerously, “I will kill you. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes…yes, my king,” Ceder choked.
Axel released him, and Ceder stumbled back, coughing.
“This is my mate, Tory,” he said quickly. “And my daughter is inside. She found her mate recently and is spending time with him.”
Something in his tone felt off…I turned my attention to Tory. She had lowered her head at his words, tension radiating from her body before she forced a polite expression…He’s lying.
I stepped forward.
“Ceder,” I said quietly but firmly, “where is your daughter? If she has found her mate, then bring them to greet us. If you are lying, this will not end well for you.”..Silence stretched between us.
The air grew heavier.
“Bring her out. Now.”
And this time, I did not look away..If you'd like, I can continue with the confrontation or shift to the daughter's perspective next.
- Writer
