by Marian Tee
He smiled sadly. “Do you really?”
“Yes.” She took a deep breath. “When they made me choose between marriage or becoming a Faerie, I could never choose the latter because by then I knew I’ve always been in love with you – I’ve never stopped. And I didn’t want to risk choosing to become a Faerie because that would have been irreversible.”
“But to belong to another man,” Domenico growled. “Did you think I would ever forget the pain---”
“Yes. You can. Because it wasn’t true. I never loved Lysander, never loved any man but you. I knew I could do something about the marriage. I wanted Lysander to be the one to back out instead and give me some time to find another way to help the Faeries without turning or marrying one of them.” She twisted her hands. “Also, by then I had a really bad feeling about Ivory. I wanted to make sure that she wouldn’t guess I was on to her. So that was why when we…”
“Fucked?”
“Domenico!”
“You didn’t want her to risk overhearing us say anything?”
Misty nodded. She closed her eyes because what she was about to say next was difficult. “When I approached Lysander, he made me promise to…to be his slave for the day and in return he would listen to me. That was when you saw me…on his lap.”
His jaw clenched.
Misty kissed him on the lips. “Please don’t be mad?” she whispered.
“Go on,” he gritted out.
“Then Jayme came and told me Lysander couldn’t be gay. I thought he was because of what Daryl said and then…” She sighed. “It turned out he was being sarcastic when he told me Lysander was gay.”
“I told you he was not fucking gay, didn’t I?” Domenico snapped.
“But I thought you were just…”
“Jealous?” he asked silkily.
“Y…yes.” She was too afraid to meet his gaze but forced herself to.
His eyes were filled with quiet exasperation. “Believe in me next time. Trust needs to go both ways, Misty.”
“I promise,” she said fervently.
He sighed. “And then?”
“Umm…”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t leave a fucking thing out, Misty. Just…don’t.”
She said in a rush, “HetriedtokissmeandIstoppedhim.”
Domenico scowled. “Did you think just by saying it so quickly I wouldn’t be able to understand that you just fucking told me another man kissed you?”
“It was very short and I totally rejected him,” she defended herself.
“And the scene that I encountered in the forest?”
She said painfully, “Ivory sent us both fake messages. And then she threatened me. If I didn’t let you catch us…like that…she would have made those traitors kill us.”
“And you think she can kill me just like that?”
Misty didn’t know if she wanted to laugh or cry at his arrogance. “Domenico, there were twenty of them.”
“There could be fifty and I still wouldn’t have let any of them take you from me,” he said simply.
She threw herself at him upon hearing those words, and Domenico laughingly caught her, lifting her up so she could wrap her legs around his waist.
“I love you,” she whispered.
Domenico’s eyes closed. “You don’t know,” he whispered back, “you just don’t know how much I had dreamt of you saying that, Misty.” He opened his eyes, saw her crying silently, and slowly licked the tears away. He said fiercely against her skin, “I don’t think love is enough to describe how I feel about you, Misty. You’re my life. You’re everything to me and trust me…trust me when I tell you that I will never, ever hurt you again.”
Chapter Sixteen
Jeering laughter and a lot of booing greeted them when they entered Lyccan Hall, where virtually every member of the race waited for them. Misty hadn’t wanted to come, feeling she would only bring him down, but Domenico had been adamant.
“If it’s not the Moretti fuck slave and his---” The Lyccan couldn’t say anything else, with Domenico knocking him down with one swift punch on the face. He did the same with three other men before the crowd realized he meant business. They fell silent, their uneasiness and confusion making the atmosphere heavy as Domenico and Misty stepped up on the platform in front with Lysander slowly following from behind.
“My name is Domenico Moretti and I am the heir apparent to the Moretti pack.”
Shock coursed through the crowd at the realization that Domenico had again taken the reins to the Moretti pack.
He stood there calmly, waiting for the furor to die down.
“I stand before you today to ask for you to vote in sealing our alliance with the Faeries with my intended mate, Misty, and one of the members of the High Circle, Lysander Allard, to represent the other race.”
“Why should we still ally ourselves with them?” a Lyccan from the back demanded. “Their race is dying. And Misty is useless!”
Chaos followed that controversial statement. Misty did her best to keep calm even though her heart twisted painfully because there was truth in those words. Domenico squeezed her hand, his tight comforting grip communicating his love for her.
“SILENCE.” The command in that voice could not be ignored, and it was as if the world somehow shifted with Domenico’s command. A shiver skittered across her spine and like the entire crowd, she found herself staring at him in awe.
Tall, dark-haired and gorgeous with the most beautiful pair of green eyes. Impeccably dressed, poised and articulate. He was the same Domenico Moretti she had fallen in love with over a year ago and yet somehow he was different, too.
This Domenico standing in front of her was a hundred times stronger, more powerful, and somehow – more human, too.
Tears stung her eyes as Misty realized that Domenico had fulfilled his destiny as the one prince to bring all Lyccan packs together.
When he spoke again, it was as if a god was speaking, the silence almost reverent. “We are Lyccans. We are true to our word – it is who we are and we are no cowards who turn tail and run, abandoning our allies at the first sign of trouble. We fight for the weak. We fight for our lives, for our heritage.”
Domenico gazed at her, and Misty choked back a sob at the emotion in his eyes.
“The woman standing next to me is the most precious thing to me. Without her, our packs would have remained divided. Without her, there would have been no alliance not only with the Faeries but also the Caros and other races.”
His tone became steel, as if daring the crowd to challenge him as he said, “You cannot win a war without heart and Misty is my heart. The heart of my pact, the heart of our race, and so now I ask you – will you stand with me when we fight side by side the Faeries and our allies to defeat those who seek to destroy our world?”
One by one, the Lyccans shifted. The very last one to shift was Domenico, and suddenly she found herself staring at thousands of Lyccans with their bright eyes fixed on hers.
Domenico howled, and the crowd responded with howls that caused the walls to shake.
Epilogue
Three Weeks Later
It was Misty’s greatest dream and nightmare come true. Her second wedding, followed by a reception ball, and the Lord knew – as well as every Lyccan in the world, and perhaps 99% of non-human races – how lucky she was when it came to balls.
Not.
Women were suddenly screeching outside her room, making Misty frown in confusion.
“Stop!” That was Estrella’s voice if she was not mistaken.
“Go!” That was Esmeralda.
“Uh-oh.” This was followed by a giggle, and that was definitely Kelly.
Her door flew open and Misty stared in open mouthed shock as Domenico came striding in.
“What---why---you can’t come here!”
But he kept moving forward, his green eyes intensely focused on her.
Domenico was dressed in a formal suit that bore the colors of the Moretti pack – bl
ack blazer and silver tie. The suit made him look taller and more powerfully built, or maybe that was just because she was even more head over heels for Domenico than she had been in their first wedding.
His hair appeared freshly showered, and Misty ached to run her hands through it just to remind herself she really had the right to touch it – for as long as she wanted to. Sometimes, she still had to pinch herself just to make sure that he really was hers. And that he truly loved her---with no ulterior motive.
When he reached her side, she froze without knowing why. “Misty.” He was scowling.
She gulped. “What?” Oh dear God, was he going to break up with her? Was he---
His scowl darkened. “I could smell your fears miles away.” Domenico’s voice softened. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
She burst into tears.
Domenico’s jaw dropped. “Misty…”
For some reason that made her cry harder.
His sisters banged at the door. “What did you do to her?” He recognized Emilia’s voice and knew that it would only be a matter of moments before his infinitely curious sister would come barging in, and he did not want that. In a blink, he had triple locked the door, hissed ‘Stay away’ to his nosey siblings, and was back at Misty’s side, hauling her in his arms so she could sob at his chest.
She pulled away. “I’m going to ruin your shirt.”
“No problem.” Using his Lyccan speed once more, he had both of them stripped out of their clothes in seconds.
Misty shrieked in surprise, taken aback to find herself naked in front an equally naked Domenico.
He opened his arms.
She rushed to him without a word, and she twirled her arms around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss just as his own arms closed around her like a steely embrace that she never wanted to be free from.
Domenico kissed her hungrily, his cock instantly springing up attention at being this close to Misty. Hell, who was he fucking kidding? He only had to think of Misty and he was instantly hard. His breathing was ragged as he asked, “What’s wrong, Misty? Tell me and I will take care of it for you.” He couldn’t help kissing her again after that, letting his lips trail down slowly so he could savor the softness of her skin.
It was impossible to think with Domenico this close and kissing her like he couldn’t get enough of her. Misty’s head fell back, and she stretched her neck further back so he would have more access. She moaned softly as he nipped her collar bone before his lips moved up and began to---
“No!” Misty beat his chest weakly, torn between desire and embarrassment, knowing that this kind of kiss would be for everyone to see.
But Domenico only chuckled just before he renewed his kiss, sucking the tender skin of her neck harder until he was sure he had marked her as his.
When he pulled away, Misty opened her mouth to get angry. But then she saw the boyish grin on Domenico’s face and her anger died. How could she get mad when he looked like that? For so long he had not found a reason to smile, and if something this small could make him smile like that, well --- Misty would let Domenico cover her entire body with hickeys if so.
His eyes laughed at her. “Really?”
Misty gasped. “I knew it! You can really read my mind, can’t you? You’ve always had that power and---oomph!” Domenico had kissed her to silence, his tongue pushing inside her mouth, and she lost her train of thought once more.
When Domenico pulled away, he said huskily, “I don’t need such powers to know how your mind works.”
She made a face. “That would make us a boring couple if I’ll never be able to surprise you.”
Domenico grimaced. “Oh, you can still surprise me.” He played with the curls of her hair. “How the fuck you managed to convince me to make those Caro boys groomsmen in our wedding is still a fucking mystery. Did I really say fucking agree to it?”
She giggled, which was exactly what he had hoped for. “Yes, you did.”
This – right here and now – with Misty standing beautiful and naked before him, a smile lighting her face – this was what Domenico wanted to see every day of his life, and it was what he would devote his entire life to ensuring. Every time he looked at Misty, his heart would feel like it was close to exploding with the sheer joy her presence in his life gave him.
Did she fucking know how much she meant to him?
Domenico doubted it, but that didn’t matter because he would prove it to her every second of their lives. “Misty.” When she looked up, there was still a shadow in her eyes that made his chest tighten. “You’re giving me a heart attack when you look like that.”
She looked at him in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“The last time you had that look in your eyes---” Domenico struggled to control the sudden rise of fears inside him. He exhaled sharply. “You cut ties.”
Her eyes welled up. “I’ll never ever leave you again,” she blubbered past her tears. “I promised you, didn’t I?”
“It doesn’t stop me from worrying,” he muttered against her hair, inhaling her scent and using it to calm himself.
“I don’t stop worrying, too,” she whispered.
Domenico closed his eyes, willing his mind to work. He was the fucking heir apparent of the Moretti pack, and if he couldn’t ease his wife-to-be’s concerns then he wasn’t worthy of leading any goddamn pack.
The concentrated look on Domenico’s handsome face was familiar. She had seen it enough to know that he was thinking, and she also knew that in a space of a few seconds---
His eyes opened, and this time they were gleaming.
---he would know the answer because he was after all Domenico Moretti. He was the most cunning man she had ever known, and though he had promised he wouldn’t manipulate anyone or anything anymore, Misty knew that it was impossible. He was so fiercely protective of those he loved that he would lie about the sky being pink if he thought it would keep them safe.
And in truth, she wouldn’t have him be anything different.
This was the man she had fallen in love with, flaws and all, and she loved him especially for it.
“I love you,” she whispered, her voice choking at the end. “I really, really love you. So much that I just can’t breathe thinking about it.”
“I feel the same way, which is why we shouldn’t delay this any longer.”
“Delay what?” She frowned up at him.
Domenico swallowed. “Misty, will you do me the honor of being my one and only mate? I swear to protect you, cherish you, and love you in all the days of my life.”
She swallowed convulsively, unable to believe he was doing this now. “But our wedding’s just two hours away!”
His shrug was typical Domenico Moretti, arrogant and sexy as hell. “It is our wedding. They can fucking wait if they have to.” He took her hand. “Once we are mated, these doubts will disappear. You will not be able to live without me, and I without you.” His hand was slightly shaking as he held her face. “So what will it be, Misty?”
She choked out, “Yes.”
In another blink, he had her on the bed, and the scent of arousal immediately sweetened the air. Outside, the triplets groaned simultaneously, their Lyccan senses alerting them to what was happening.
Emilia banged at the door. “You’re not freaking serious, are you, Domenico?”
Esmeralda shrieked, “Can’t you control your lust for just a few hours?”
Kelly asked loudly, “What’s hap---oh.” She burst into laughter before asking loudly, “Really, Misty?”
She would have blushed if she could, but right now she was too busy thrashing wildly on the bed, too deep in the throes of pleasures to think of anything except for Domenico.
Domenico pushed her legs wide apart and she moaned, just the heated touch of his hands on her skin already driving her to the brink of ecstasy. “What’s happening? I can’t…I want you so much!” she moaned.
“This is what how we mate.” He bent his head and licked he
r sex, and Misty almost flew out of the bed at the sinfully delicious feel of his tongue on her flesh.
She moaned his name, her head lolling from one side to another. Her body felt like it was literally on fire, and Misty couldn’t remember desiring Domenico this much.
“I’ll kill you for this, Domenico,” Estrella growled from outside. “After all the preparations---” The outer door of Misty’s hotel suite slammed shut with a loud bang.
“Please,” she gasped, needing something she couldn’t quite name even as she lifted her hips up to meet the exquisite thrusts of Domenico’s tongue. “Oh, God, Domenico, please.”
And then he was pounding into her, and she screamed, her nails raking his back. He pushed her legs wide open, bringing them up and holding them by the ankle so that he could pound into her harder, his hips moving fast and furious, his face clenched hard with desire.
She screamed and screamed, unable to keep silent as her desire rose to a feverish peak. “Domenico…”
“Yes,” he rasped, turning slightly to lay a gentle kiss on her sole. And then he rocked back into her, so hard that the bed began to rock with them, the steel headboard banging loudly against the wall.
“Ready, my love?” Before she could even figure out how to answer, dazed with pleasure, Domenico had pushed her legs wider and further back before sinking his cock so deeply into her that it was knocking against the walls of her womb.