The Bride Games

The Beta

“I’m glad you were able to get some rest, Ember. I came to check in and see how you were feeling.” I felt the bed dip at

his weight next to me, my cheeks heating when I thought of him being so close to me in his intimate space. “I’m okay, thank you, Beta Lucas,” I tell him, feeling a bit embarrassed to have fallen asleep in his bed. “You can just call me Lucas. I’m glad you decided to take the pills. They will help with the swelling and pain. I know you must be hurting.”

“Lucas...” I said, trying out his name and smiling warmly at him. My heart skipped a beat when I saw his full lips arch up, making little wrinkles next to his stunning eyes in response. “Thank you, ...for stopping him. I don’t even want to think of what would have happened if you didn’t.” “James is taking care of him outside. I don’t want you to worry anymore. You and the other women are safe. We did not bring you here to be abused...May I look?”

Lucas said softly as he cupped my chin, lifting it up gently so that he could examine my neck. I still had no idea why I was captured and brought here, but I said nothing. “That f*****g asshole. I wish we were just killing him instead of whipping him, but James wants the others to see his suffering so they won’t think he got off easily. He wants to make an example out of him. When he heard that Ian attacked you, he tore the interview room to pieces; I haven’t seen him that mad in a long time. I want you to understand James is taking this very seriously.” Hearing about the alpha’s rage is both comforting and frightening, I will just have to make sure that I am never the recipient of this wrath.

“How would killing him be getting off easily? Not that I’m asking for him to be put to death; I just am confused. I’m glad that the other women will be safe from him and hopefully, any other attacks.” “You will understand when you see him tied up in front of the lodge. He was sentenced to one hundred lashes and then must sit with his open wounds for everyone to see until the sun rises tomorrow. He will be displayed along with his crimes for the pack to witness his shame. He is also disqualified from participating in the games. James will make sure every man knows the price if they abuse our women.” “He will live through one hundred lashes?” I ask, not quite able to gather the courage to ask what he meant by “our women.”

“Yes, unfortunately, but not without great pain, especially since he will not receive treatment for those wounds. He will be made to re-live his shame each time he moves until he is fully healed. Although our healing is accelerated, he will still bear the marks for some time with that many lashes. They will surely scar and serve as a beacon of his crimes. He will not be welcomed by the pack's other members for some time, if ever. We are built stronger than your average man, but he will be made to suffer. James himself will dole out his punishment.” He shook his head as if trying to get control of his anger and reached out, grabbing my hand. I definitely did not overlook his comment, “average man,” and had my theories of what that could mean with what I had witnessed yesterday. I decided to keep that to myself for now.

“Ember, I want to check your side to make sure none of your ribs are broken. To do that I need to take off your dress. Is that okay? If you’d rather, I can call our pack doctor to examine you.” I nodded at him and dropped my eyes to the floor. “It’s

okay, you can take it off. I feel safe with you.” He helped me stand up and slowly removed my robe, making eye contact with me. I can’t explain why, but I trusted him not to hurt me. A small voice screams out from inside my bones that I am safe with this man. I feel crazy and know it’s foolish, but I listen and trust this feeling welling inside me. Lucas’s rough hands rest on my shoulders before they slowly pull the straps of the night dress gently off my body, his eyes moving from mine.

I was exposed to him fully, but it felt nothing like the interview when I had been humiliated. This was a whole new, liberating, and sensual experience. “Ember, the timing is probably poor, but I have to say you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, even with these marks on your body. I’m going to enjoy hearing Ian’s screams; he deserves to die for touching you. No one will ever hurt you like that again.” Lucas’s hands were gentle as he touched my side, checking my ribs and stomach. Having him touch me brought comfort, which I desperately needed after being attacked. He makes me feel cared for, and like I am something precious. I was surprised when he gently picked me up and carried me to the bathroom.

He started filling the tub and poured oils into the water that filled the space with their relaxing scent. Lucas stripped himself down to nothing, and although everything in my mind told me to turn around and close my eyes, I couldn’t. His body is perfection, even with his scars. I have never seen a naked man before; his body is enormous and strong. I, without even thinking, reached out to trace the large scar that ran from his shoulder down his arm. Seeing his breath catch gave me a twisted sort of pride that I held some power over his body. It made me feel better to know I was not the only one being affected.

I wonder if he got this wound at the same time as the one that marks his face. Lucas’s breathing became heavy, and he pulled me into his chest. I could feel his girthy manhood poking into my stomach. He picked me up and lowered us both into the bath so that I was sitting in his lap, facing him with my hands clinging onto his broad shoulders for support. “The hot water and oils will help soothe your sore muscles, but we will have to bandage your side. You have a cracked rib and some significant bruising. It won’t take long to heal, but it is painful. You’ll have to be careful and apply salve each day. With care, it should heal quickly.” His large, calloused hands gently stroked my side and brushed against my bare breast, making me blush. “I want to touch you, to replace the pain with pleasure.” “I uh...I...don’t know how.”

My heart started racing. I shouldn’t be doing this, but I desperately wanted his hands on my body. I wanted the pleasure he promised. “Close your eyes. You don’t have to do anything; just tell me if something I do doesn’t feel good. Or if you’re not sure, I won’t touch you.” I closed my eyes and whispered, “Please touch me.” I felt Lucas’s lips covering my own. They were surprisingly soft, in such contrast to the rest of him. Plump and full, soft and wet. He kissed me slowly, his lips caressing and possessing mine, and then, using his tongue, pushed my mouth open. He tasted and explored every inch of my mouth with his own. I loved feeling his rough hands run down my neck to my heavy breasts.

His touch was lighting me on fire. His lips were the first to be on mine, and the intimacy I was feeling with him was a fog I wanted to get lost in. My n*****s began hardening under his gentle touch, making me moan into his mouth as he rolled the peaks between his thumb and finger. He gently kneaded and palmed my breast, pulling on my n*****s making them stand at attention. Lucas moved his mouth from mine, making me whimper at the loss of his lips on mine. He started laying wet kisses down my neck sucking on the space below my ear, earning him a satisfied hum.

His mouth moved down to my chest, taking a n****e into its wet warmth, alternating between sucking and licking, paying ample attention to each one. His hand moved, traveling down my stomach to my wet slit, spreading the lips with his fingers stroking and rubbing my c**t. My moans became desperate and louder as he quickened his pace. Lucas moved back to my mouth, kissing me hard and sucking on my tongue as I rocked against his hand. He slipped a finger into my tight channel, and I gasped at the intrusion. “You feel so amazing, and I want every piece of you. Ember, I want you to be mine. I knew when I first saw you that you were the one for me.”

I was moaning wildly as he added another finger, pushing them in and out of me. Curling them and rubbing my walls, all while using his thumb to massage my sensitive c**t. I felt like my body would explode from pleasure at any moment. “I’m yours, Lucas. Every piece of me belongs to you.” I cried out, growing desperate as my release neared. Seeing me build up, Lucas continued his pace as he took my n****e back in his mouth. My back arched, and my body shook as I clamped down on his fingers, my juices coating him. I laid my head on his chest, trying to even out my erratic breathing. I should be in pain, but I only feel pure bliss right now. I cannot believe that I just gave myself over to him like that, but it felt incredible, and I want more. “I’ve never felt that way before. I’ve never been touched like that.” I panted, still in his arms.

“Did you like it?” Lucas asked as he laid sweet kisses along my face. “Yes,” I replied softly, my body turning pink with embarrassment. “Then we will do it again, that and much more when I win you.” Lucas turned me around and washed my body and hair, peppering me with gentle kisses. “Does it hurt?” I asked, looking at his throbbing, veined manhood. “It aches with a need to claim you, but I know that is a need that will be alleviated soon. Then it will be a need that will have to be stated daily.” He took my mouth with fierce possession, and his words made me melt into him. The thought of him claiming me turned my insides to mush. I also felt that growing need to be claimed and filled by him.

“Lucas, what do you mean win me? Why did you bring the women here?” Lucas stood up and pulled me from the bath carefully, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around me before taking one for himself. He set me back on the bed and brought out some bandages from the bathroom. I could tell he felt uncomfortable and changed the subject. “We need to wrap your side. In a few weeks, you should be good as new. I have more salve and medication for you to take back with you. It will keep the swelling down and help with the pain.” Without making eye contact, Lucas began bandaging me up, his hands carefully tending to my wounds. I cupped his cheek, rubbing his handsome face with my thumb as he leaned into my hand.

“Please tell me, Lucas. I need to know why I’m here.” He sighed deeply, making me tense up. “We have been ordered by our alpha not to speak to any of you about it. He will address all the women tomorrow morning.” I nodded, clearly seeing that he wanted to disobey and hoping he would. I heard a knock at the door and suddenly felt very self-conscious in nothing but a towel, alone with a man. A man who wants me to be his.