His fingers wrapped around mine, warm and strong. The Alpha King leaned close, his breath tickling my ear as he whispered words that made my wolf stir restlessly beneath my skin.
"I will give you your first present soon. I want you to know that I have come to love you. What I feel for you is unquenchable."
His lips pressed against my temple, gentle despite the raw power I knew he possessed. I tried to speak, to tell him what his words meant to me, but my throat closed up. Instead, I pressed my face against his chest and wrapped my arms around him. He held me tight, his heart beating steady against my cheek. When he inhaled deeply, I knew he was breathing in my scent the way wolves did with their mates.
"Take a bath," he said, pulling back. "I have already done mine."
I nodded and started toward the bathroom.
"I do not know if you like the bodywash and toiletries I bought for you. But if you do not, I will get you another."
The bathroom was larger than my entire apartment used to be. When I saw the bodywash, I smiled. Lavender and moonflower. He had remembered what I mentioned weeks ago about my favorite scents.
After my bath, I found the bedroom empty. I opened the wardrobe and discovered a hidden dressing room behind it. The nightgown hanging there made heat rise to my cheeks. The fabric was sheer, leaving little to the imagination. This was my first night sharing his room, and he wanted me to wear this.
I pulled it on anyway.
When I stepped back into the bedroom, Jack stood before the wall with a remote in his hand. I froze, watching as the wall lit up with multiple screens showing different parts of the palace. I saw footage from earlier today, then he switched to Cody's room. Our son was already dozing while his nanny read him bedtime stories.
"Do you see everyone in their rooms as well?" I asked. "I mean, when I was still in the guest room?"
He laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "No. I only have a camera in Cody's room because he is my son and I have to check on him often."
Relief washed over me. He pressed a button and the wall slid back to normal, hiding every trace of the screens.
When he turned to look at me, his eyes darkened. I felt his gaze travel down my body, taking in the nightgown. Heat flooded my face and I turned away, embarrassed by how exposed I felt.
"You are blushing," he said, moving closer. His arms circled around me from behind. "You were going to tell me something, right?"
"Yes. Please sit."
We sat on the edge of his massive bed. I twisted my fingers together, trying to find the right words. He waited patiently, watching me with those intense eyes that seemed to see everything.
"I feel bored at home. Since I am fine now, I will be starting work tomorrow."
"That is okay. If you know you are strong enough to withstand the stress of office activities, I do not have a problem with it. But what position are you taking now? Is your previous position at the Royal Pack Holdings still vacant?"
I took a breath. "I got a job elsewhere. I have been hired. I am not coming to work at the Royal Pack Holdings."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop. His face became stone, his jaw tight. I felt his wolf rising beneath his skin, angry and possessive.
"They sent me an invitation over a week ago but because I was not able to go, I did not respond. Today I received a call that they were waiting for me to resume. They needed my skill and—"
"Which company is that?"
His voice was low, dangerous. I knew that tone. He would find out and destroy their offer before I could even walk through their doors.
"I will not tell you until I resume there. I know that you were the reason why I did not get a job for months. And this time, please do not stop me."
"I will not let you work anywhere else in this city except the Royal Pack Holdings. If you do not want me to quarrel with that company and fight with them, do not take that job."
"But why? Why can I not work wherever I want? I grew up a fighter and I fend for myself. I find it uncomfortable to stay at home all day."
"You will work in my company and not anywhere else."
My wolf snarled inside me, furious at being commanded. "I will not work at Royal Pack Holdings. And you cannot impose your decision on me. I have accepted the job and I will not say no."
"I do not like it when someone raises their voice at me. You already know that, Aurora."
I looked away, but the words poured out anyway. "You fired me for doing nothing. You said I was a crazy woman and they should not let me in. And you still expect me to come back there and work? I may be weak but I am not stupid, Jack. Even if you beg me, I will not listen to you. I have gotten a job and I will be resuming there tomorrow."
"I will not let you work anywhere else except with me. Just as I will not let you be with another man as long as I live. You should know that. Your ranting will not solve anything."
He stood and walked out, leaving me alone in his massive bedroom. I heard the door to his study slam shut.
An hour passed before he returned. I had moved to the sofa, lying down with my eyes closed. I heard his footsteps approach, felt his arms slide under me as he lifted me easily. His strength always surprised me, even though I knew what he was.
"I am crazy about you but you are stubborn," he whispered against my ear.
I bit my lip to keep from giggling. He placed me on the bed and lay behind me, pulling my back against his chest. His arm wrapped around my waist.
"I am sleeping, Jack," I said, unable to keep the smile from my voice.
"Really?" His breath was warm on my neck. "Let us see just how far you have slept."
His hand moved upward slowly, deliberately, until it rested on my breast. I shivered. He kissed my earlobe, then my neck, his hand massaging gently while he pulled me closer. Every touch sent fire through my veins. My wolf wanted more, wanted everything he could give.
"Jack," I whispered.
"Shh, you are sleeping. Just sleep, okay?"
His lips moved along my shoulder as his hand traveled across my skin. Heat built inside me, coiling tighter with each kiss.
"Stop, Jack."
"You are—"
"I am not sleeping anymore."
His hand stilled.