I Will Save You, My Princess

Heirs

Rhiannon

I didn't register it at first, that he finished inside me. We had never talked about pulling out, but that's what I assumed he would do . . .

To be fair to him, in the throes of my ecstasy, I did not push him away. In fact, my legs were wrapped tightly around him, holding him in place. I'm not sure he could've pulled out if he'd wanted to.

Keia was happy at this turn of events. Now we may have his pups!

I winced. That would not be ideal. The timing is wayyy off. Now I was starting to sound like Luca talking about timing, and just like Alaric, I knew Keia wouldn't really understand it either.

Luca must have seen me wince because he rolled off me immediately, looking concerned. "I'm so sorry, Rhia!" he said emphatically. "I didn't mean to . . . I mean . . ."

I cut him off, "It is what it is." I tried to smile. "Hopefully nothing will come of it."

He nodded, seeming glad to avoid the conversation. "Let me clean you up, at least." He got up and went to the bathroom, coming back with a wet washcloth. He gently wiped my still-sensitive flesh with a care and tenderness that made my heart melt even more.

He finished and went to rinse the washcloth in the sink before returning and cuddling up next to me, spooning me from behind.

Shit, I was falling in love with him.

~o0o~

Luca

I was falling in love with her. Rhia, my princess. I didn't know how it happened, but suddenly, she became everything to me.

"I will save you, my princess," I whispered in her ear.

She hummed, and I could tell she was on the verge of sleep.

"I will," I repeated.

Alaric howled his agreement.

Eventually, I knew I had to return. I needed to get out before sunrise, when the pack would be returning from the run. In fact, I should probably circle around outside a few times in wolf form so people could see me coming back, solidifying my alibi.

Rhiannon was curled up in my arms, sleeping peacefully, and everything in me screamed to not move, to let her sleep, to hold her in my arms forever.

I couldn't do that, though, so I reluctantly brushed a hand across her face. "Rhia," I whispered, "My princess, I have to go."

She stirred, opening her eyes. She turned in my arms to look at me. "Thank you," she leaned in and kissed my cheek. "Thank you for this."

I felt a lump in my throat. "Of course." My voice sounded strangled.

She smiled sadly. "Go. But come back soon if you can."

"I promise," I leaned down and kissed her softly.

I gently detangled myself from her and left quietly. I looked back once when I reached the door. Rhiannon was watching me, looking like an angel naked on the bed. It was so hard to leave.

I was completely and utterly in love with her.

Of course you are, Alaric quipped. She's our mate AND the most superior woman in the world.

I just hoped I could keep her safe.

Twenty minutes later, I was jogging back toward the packhouse with a few other pack members after sneaking back out and pretending to finish running.

I felt someone run up on me from behind and practically tackle me, throwing an arm around my shoulders and almost knocking me off my feet. I knew immediately that it was my dad.

"What'dya think, son?" he pounded my shoulder with his hand. "How'd you like your old man's speech? Pretty inspiring stuff, huh?"

I just nodded, but thankfully, my dad was too wrapped up in himself to expect a verbal response from me.

"You're one of the lucky few to know the secret about my fiance--" he continued. I hated that he called Rhiannon that. "--so don't be surprised if you're swarmed by people wanting to know the gossip." His jovial tone fell away for a moment as he leaned closer to add, "And don't you dare tell them, boy."

"Yes, sir," I said because that's what he expected. I did my best to appear meek, though Alaric was doing his best to convince me to rip my dad's head off right there in front of half the pack.

My dad leaned back, returning to his carefree voice, "I think I'll pay her a visit soon, what'dya think?" he mused, not really looking for an answer, which was good because panic was washing over me at his words. My dad, thankfully, did not notice my distress. "Maybe it's time to get my dynasty started and put a few pups in her."

I almost choked on my own breath at the thought. So much for the careful stoicism I had cultivated around my father for my entire life.

He took my response differently, though. "Oh, it's nothing personal, son." He patted my back. This was the most reassuring I'd ever seen my father. "It's just a fact that my kids with her will be stronger than you in every way. They'll be much better leaders of the pack." He shrugged like it was out of his hands.

I realized then that he truly didn't intend for me to ever take over as Alpha. His obsession with bloodlines meant that he wanted an heir with royal blood. I thought I'd be upset, but instead, I was relieved. It was strange being told that the future I'd always planned on would never happen, but none of that mattered now that I had my princess. Besides, I'd never let my father mate with Rhiannon anyway, so those supposed better heirs would never exist anyway.

"But don't worry," Dad patty my back again. "When I'm Alpha King, I'll give you a small pack to rule over. Just not Bloodwater."

I smiled at that, and it wasn't even forced. I knew something he didn't: I was far more likely to be Alpha King than he ever was.

He took my smile as a sign that I was rightfully grateful for his generosity and finally let go of my shoulder.

"Oh, by the way." He started to walk away, speaking over his shoulder at me, "Have fun, drink, get laid, but tomorrow at 10 am, I need you in the conference room with your wits about you, got it?"

I hid a smile at the irony of his 'get laid' comment and nodded dutifully. "Yes, sir."

I just hoped whatever he wanted tomorrow had nothing to do with Rhiannon.