Chapter 71

LLOYD

I watched Misty run up the stairs, sensing she hadn’t been entirely honest.

“Is it urgent?” I asked Tanner.

“Well, not super urgent, but now that you’re back, I wanted to ask you about the fourth floor, especially now that Chelsea is pregnant.”

“Congratulations,” I said, thumping him on the back. I knew Misty needed some time, but fear and worry came through the bond, and my ears tuned into her voice. She was on the phone.

“No offense, but make it quick. Misty needs me.”

Tanner nodded. “There are four wings, and the east wing belonged to Axel. I took the liberty of removing everything, so the entire floor is now empty. Each wing is like a house, and I would like to request one for Chelsea and me,” he rattled off nervously.

I couldn’t help grinning. “As my beta, you are entitled to one. Let’s view them after dinner so Misty can choose which one she wants,” I agreed.

That was perfect. They were best friends, and this would make the transition easier for Misty.

“Thank you, Alpha. I can’t tell you how happy I am. It’s like my life has had a complete turnaround. Never expected to be so happy.”

“You and me both,” I said, already moving toward the stairs.

“Thanks again,” he called after me.

I waved and headed for the bedroom. Misty was talking on the phone, and I froze when I heard her say, “What if I take after you and can’t carry a pup to full term?”

So that’s what she was worried about—the realization hit me hard.

~“Charlotte has that problem, and it could be hereditary,”~ Vetus added gravely.

~“I know. We don’t even know if Misty will miscarry or if Yamika’s essence can prevent it.”~

~“So you want to wait?”~ Vetus asked, his tone skeptical.

~“Yes, for now.”~

I slipped into the room just as Misty finished her call with Charlotte and sat beside her.

“Ready for dinner?” she asked with a smile, reaching for my hand as she stood up.

“Not so fast,” I said, gently pulling her onto my lap. “I overheard what you asked your mother…”

Her face fell, and her shoulders slumped. “Oh.”

“I suppose I could have put two and two together,” I said, my tone soft but firm. “But it would have been nice if you’d told me about your fears. That’s all they are right now—fears. You don’t know if the same thing will happen, and you’re worrying about something that might never come to pass.”

She sniffled and looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. “And if it does?”

“Then we’ll face it together, just like your parents did,” I assured her.

“As alpha king, you need an heir,” she pressed, her voice tinged with concern.

“Fate has been kind to us so far. If that’s what’s in store, we’ll deal with it. We’ll be okay.”

She stared at me in astonishment. “Are you saying you don’t mind if we don’t have pups?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Whatever happens, happens.”

Her tears flowed freely as she threw her arms around me, her face buried in my neck. I held her close. I’d already been given far more than I ever expected—and that was enough for me.

“Let’s eat before I eat you.” I grinned, lifting her as I stood up. “You want me to carry you. I like doing that…”

“No, I’m good. Let me just wash my face.”

She ran to the bathroom, and I followed her, watching her bend over the basin. She was wearing a tight dress that came to mid-thigh, and I couldn’t resist sliding my hands up her thighs and under the skirt. She pushed me away and turned.

“Wait,” she said, closing the toilet cover and sitting down. She pulled me closer, and I immediately knew what she intended.

My cock was already at half-mast, and when she cupped it, I groaned appreciatively. Undoing the button, she pulled the jeans down and grasped the base of my cock and looked up at me.

“First one. Don’t forget about our little bargain.”

Little did she know I would never deny her anything.

She licked my shaft from base to tip, and all coherent thought disappeared as her mouth fastened around the tip, her tongue swirling.

“Fuck,” I grunted. That soft tongue and the heat of her mouth were addictive. Why hadn’t I let her do this while we were in the Shadow Moon Pack territory?

Bracing my palm against the wall, I watched as she took me deeper, her hot stare meeting mine.

I inched back and pushed in slowly, establishing a gentle rhythm while her tongue swept over the pinnacle repeatedly.

“Goddess, Misty, that feels so good.”

Tilting her head back slightly, she took me deeper still. Grabbing my ass, she maintained a rhythm as I slipped even deeper and worried for a second that she couldn’t breathe, her nose only an inch from my stomach.

The feeling was indescribable, and just watching her was so erotic that my balls drew up and my stomach muscles tightened. One hand found its way between my legs, her nails grazing gently over my balls.

“Misty,” I grunted urgently, her eyes tilted up and cheeks hollowed as she sucked me hard. I tried to pull back, not sure if she wanted to swallow my seed.

Her fingernails dug into my butt, pulling me closer and leaving me no doubt. I couldn’t hold back, ejaculating an unending stream into her hot mouth.

“Baby, you didn’t have to,” I whispered hoarsely, breathing heavily and weak in the knees, but her mouth was still fastened around me, licking me clean.

She let go with a plop and gave me a brilliant smile. “So, was that good?”

“I think you may have swallowed my brains,” I replied hoarsely, pulling her into my arms.

She grinned like the cat that stole the cream. “Oh good, does that mean I’m in charge of finances?”

I kissed her gently. “You know you can have all my money, don’t you?”

She slapped my ass playfully. “Get dressed. I’m starving.”

“Okay, my little she-witch.” Pulling up my jeans while she brushed her teeth. “I’m ready.” I slid my fingers between her legs, the fabric soaking wet. “What about you?”

“I’ll just change my panties, so don’t even think about it,” she warned.

“Does this mean no sex?” I asked.

She sighed. “Well, first, I have to see whether I am pregnant, and if I’m not, then I can take the pill. I suppose we’ll have to buy condoms.”

“Condoms?” What the hell was that?

“Oh, um, they are things you slide over your cock.”

“What?” I wasn’t sliding anything over my cock.

Placing her hands on my chest, she sighed. “Look, I’ll buy some, and you can see what they look like and how they work, okay?”

“Okay,” I agreed, but I couldn’t picture anything like that.

We finally made it to the dining room, where everyone was already seated and waiting. Chelsea glanced anxiously at Misty, her eyes briefly glazing over as they connected in silent communication.

Initially, the conversation revolved around history, with David enthusiastically telling us that he had compiled a manuscript and would love to interview Yamika.

I noticed Misty and Chelsea’s silent exchange and wondered if Tanner would step in to reprimand his mate, but he didn’t. Their bond was special, a friendship that spanned a lifetime, and I knew nothing should come between them.

As the meal concluded, Tanner pulled out a set of keys and dropped them on the table with a loud clatter.

“What are those for?” Misty asked, her eyebrows arching in curiosity. She seemed much happier now, her earlier turmoil finally at ease.

Tanner’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “It’s a surprise for the two most beautiful she-wolves at this table.”

Chelsea beamed, playfully cupping Tanner’s face. “You think Misty’s beautiful, huh?”

David burst into laughter. “You better watch what you say…”

Tanner chuckled, glancing at Misty. “She is, but not my type.”

Misty shot back with a grin. “Good, because you’re not mine either.”

“Good thing there aren’t any other she-wolves present because you would have a riot on your hands,” David added.

“So where are we going?” Misty asked.

“The fourth floor.” Tanner got to his feet, grinning broadly.

Misty stiffened for a second but then relaxed.

We followed Tanner, and when he bypassed the stairs, Chelsea stopped. “Where are you going?” she asked, pointing at the stairs.

“You’ll see,” he said mysteriously.

I already knew. Tanner had shown me the elevator before I departed for Knox, but you could only gain access if you had a key.

He unlocked a door beside the restrooms, which led to a lift lobby.

The elevator was large, but even so, I didn’t like the idea of being encased in a metal cage; I preferred the stairs. But this elevator had the advantage of leading directly to the fourth floor.

“Wow. That’s pretty well hidden,” Chelsea exclaimed, pushing the button. The door opened immediately, and we all piled in.

“No one besides Axel and the serving staff was allowed to use it,” Tanner explained.

“And Chef Petros, I bet,” Chelsea added.

Tanner nodded. “Yeah, him too. It doesn’t go to any other floor, so keys will only be handed out at Lloyd’s discretion.”

It only took a few seconds, but I held my breath until it pinged and the doors hummed open, revealing a large foyer.

The space was expansive, a square with a glass ceiling that let in the soft glow of moonlight.

Water walls flanked each wing, their gentle cascades adding to the tranquil ambiance. Large potted plants lined the area at regular intervals, their fresh, earthy scent filling the air.

“Wow, talk about luxury,” Misty remarked, spinning around to take it all in. “So, which suite did Axel have?”

“East,” I confirmed.

“Okay, then we should check out the west wing,” she said, heading confidently toward the north wing.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Really, Misty? I thought by now you’d be able to tell directions,” I teased.

“Oops, just got turned around.” She grinned.

“She’s dreadful, right?” Chelsea teased.

“Better than you…” Misty shot back, but the mood was good, and I could feel a little excitement through the bond.

Tanner unlocked the double doors in the west wing, and the girls immediately darted inside, their voices filled with awe as they explored.

“This is bigger than a house!” Misty exclaimed as she opened the door to the primary bedroom, which featured spacious dressing rooms and a luxurious bathroom complete with a hot tub.

When she discovered the kitchen, she turned to me with a look of surprise. “Oh, I didn’t realize it ~is~ a house. I like the idea of cooking—maybe not every day—but this is cool,” she said, her fingers trailing over the sleek marble countertops.

Chelsea wrinkled her nose in distaste. “Meh, I’m not a fan.”

Misty shot her a teasing grin. “You don’t have to be. It’s probably safer if you steer clear of the kitchen anyway.”

Chelsea huffed, crossing her arms. “I can make pancakes!”

Tanner tried and failed to suppress a laugh. Chelsea’s eyes narrowed as she playfully smacked his arm. “Hey!”

Misty opened the balcony door and stared at the lawn where so many wolves had lost their lives. “Let’s have it out there and honor the dead,” she suggested.

I slipped in behind her, resting my chin on her head and wrapping my arms around her. “I think that’s a brilliant idea. In fact, I’d also like to have the throne chopped up and tossed out. We could repurpose the throne room for something else.”

Chelsea looked at me, surprised. “You don’t want to sit on a throne?”

I shook my head. “Not really. It feels too pretentious.”

Tanner gazed at me with open admiration. “From the moment I met you, I just knew you were different,” he said.

Misty tilted her head up to look at me. “What do you want to do with the throne room then?”

I shrugged, turning her to face me. “Maybe you and Chelsea can come up with something together.”

Misty’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I’ve got an idea! And it won’t cost much, but what about furnishing this place? There’s not a stick of furniture here.”

“This is palace property,” I clarified, “so whatever we buy stays here, and the expense will come out of the palace account. If we buy a house for ourselves, that’s a different story. But I trust you both not to go on a major shopping spree.”

“Oh my god,” Chelsea squealed, “this is so exciting! Are you choosing this place?”

“Yes,” Misty said, her smile widening.

She grabbed Tanner by the arm, dragging him along. He shot me a quick salute as an apology before following his mate.

“What’s your idea?” I asked, turning back to Misty.

“The door behind the throne room. Where does it lead?”

“There are several rooms back there,” I explained. “One is where the royal robes are kept, complete with a parlor. Another is the guards’ quarters. And there’s a hallway that leads to an alternate staircase down to the kitchen. Why?”

“Perfect! Let’s turn the throne room into a dining room, but with round tables that seat six instead of one long one. We could also divide the current dining room and use part of it as a common lounge for the staff—unless there’s already a staff den?”

Misty’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and once again, I marveled at how lucky I was to have her by my side.

“They don’t have one, and I’m sure they’d appreciate that. It is odd that the dining room is on the ground floor while the throne room is on the first, but your idea makes sense. I’ll issue the orders and put Dawn and Adam in charge. What do you think?”

Misty’s voice filled with emotion. “I think I love you.”

“I think I love you too,” I replied, feeling the warmth of her words settle deep in my heart.