Page 68 of Dark Company

Tears prick my eyes as he continues to thrust inside me, bringing me just to the edge, then dragging away. I cry out, needing that feeling of release. The unmistakable sound of a zipper being dragged down reaches my ears, and my soul cries out in relief. Turning me around, Altris stares down into my eyes he as spreads my legs open.

Groaning, I let my head fall back, humping the air until the head of his cock slips into my opening. His hands grip my hips as he surges forward, filling me up, then pulling back away. It’s the same game as before, only now, with his cock pistoning in and out, it’s far more dire. The need I have explodes over my skin as heat infuses my body.

With harsh grunts, Altris pounds into me, keeping his thrusts just shallow enough to not let me go over the edge. After several moments, he pulls out and uses his hands, twisting and gripping his cock until his cum pours out, splattering my lower half. Reaching out, he smears his essence into me, further marking me as his own.

Whimpers claw at my throat as I reach down to slide my fingers through the sticky mess so that I can lick it off my fingers. With a wicked smirk, Altris pulls my hand away, shaking his head. It makes me want him all the more.

“Don’t worry, little omega. I’ll see to you soon. Just not right now. There are things we need to take care of first, then you’ll have my thick cock surging inside you, filling you up, anchoring you to me with my knot.”

My body quivers at his words, shaken by the effect he has on me. This time, however, I don’t mind it. It’s the promise of more, of us. Brushing my tears away, I let him pull up my pants, concealing his cum all over my body.

“I love you, my precious omega. Never forget that.” Bending low, he brushes his lips against mine, reawakening the nerves deep inside that cry out for him.

Altris pulls back, an enormous grin on his face as he feels my sexual need through the bond. It’s so breathtakingly beautiful. Smiling back at him, I ease my arm through his and walk back down the stairs. Everything is silent as we reach the bottom, sending a chill down my spine.

Slipping my hand into Altris’s, I allow him to lead me to a small tent at the base of the tower. When the curtains part, I watch as Annora paces about, her hands wringing in worry. It’s enough to drive any lingering arousal out of my brain. A strange, unknown Alpha sits on the throne behind her, his lips moving, but I can’t hear what he’s saying.

His broad shoulders fill the space, as if the throne was not made for him, similar to an adult sitting in a child’s chair. If this is her mate, then we’re both doomed. He could easily crush her in his hands if he wanted to, and if she’s told him anything about me…. The one bright spot in knowing that Altris is just as big and can and will protect me.

Annora stops and turns, her gaze landing on mine. With a loud cry, she races forward, ignoring the barked order from her Alpha to stay. I twist and turn, forcing myself out of Altris’s grip to run as well, colliding with her in the middle of the tent. If she smells my mate on me, she doesn’t comment.

Loud sobs burst from her lips as she holds me close, rocking back and forth with me in her arms. “Oh. Oh, gods Karis. I thought I lost you.” She pushes me back to look me over, then pulls me in again for a tight hug.

Annora murmurs words I can’t even understand, but I feel them deep in my soul. Though we were never close before, this is a first step to a new beginning. Tears pour from my eyes as we stay there, locked in a death grip. Both of us mutter our apologies, but at this point, neither of us really cares. We’re just grateful to be back in each other’s lives.

Both King Alpha Jaxxon and Altris stand beside us, talking in low tones. I don’t really care about what they’re saying, but the feeling coming off of them isn’t good. Is it because he marked me? Pulling back, I tear myself away from Annora’s arms and stand in between them, ready to do battle if need be.

Jaxxon stares down at me, his lips quirking up into a small smirk. “So, this is the little hellion? Am I to have a warrior omega as my sister? At least you’ll have someone like Altris to keep you under control.”

Confusion fills my brain as I stare up at him, looking between him and Annora. His bark of laughter only adds to the fuzziness until I look back up at Altris, hoping for some clarity.

“They know all about your antics and why I had to lose a man to come get you in Laxa.”

So that’s probably the despair I was picking up off of him. Even now, it hovers between us, vibrating the bond in that discordant way that I now despise. Reaching up, I lay my hand against his heart, my lips turning down into a frown. “How did he die?”

Altris smiles down at me, his eyes lightening a touch. “He’s not dead, love. But Laxa deals in trades. An Alpha for an Alpha with you thrown is to even the score of his unwillingness.” Looking back up to address Jaxxon, he pulls me close to him, drawing on the strength in our bond. “From what I understand, Eletransis is heading to the barracks to be trained in our ways and to see where we can incorporate some Laxian fighting styles into our own.”

Annora looks between the two of us, her lips curling into a small smile. “Is it everything you wished for?”

Glancing over at Altris’s heated stare, my cheeks go up into flames. Just because everything is settled between Annora and me doesn’t mean I’m able to talk about intimate stuff. Instead, I simply nod and let her fill in the blanks. No doubt she’s already well aware of everything since she has her own Alpha.

Jaxxon pulls Altris off to the side so they can discuss matters of war and battle, things that have no interest to me, and leaves Annora and I alone. Looking over at my sister, I note the lines around her eyes and mouth that weren’t there before. There’s a tiredness that beats at her, and I can feel it coming off of her in waves.

“I’m sorry.” It’s such a small phrase, but it’s all that I can manage without breaking down again.

I’ve cried so much over the last several days that I’m not sure I have anything left in me. Instead of answering, Annora slides her hand up to my face and rests her palm against my cheek. She leans her head down to lie on top of mine, connecting us in a way I never expected.

Not even two months ago, I would have scoffed at this show of affection, but now, I soak it in, taking everything Annora’s willing to give me and offering everything I have in return. Reaching up, I also lie my hand on her cheek and rest in the love that pours out around her.

“Ah. Basq. Please. Join us.”

I pull away, turning to see who they’re addressing, when my heart stops. The beta looks so familiar. I know I’ve seen him before. He steps up and leans towards Altris, whispering something in his ear. That’s when everything freezes. It’s the same as what I saw in my vision. Closing my eyes, riotous color floods my system as the memory slams into me full force. This is what happens before Altris gets blood on his hands.

Annora’s fingers dig into my arms, pulling me backwards. Glancing up, I stare at Altris’s hulking form as he comes barreling towards me. A handful of betas and Alphas swarm inside, racing towards Jaxxon’s side. His howls of rage as they hold him back floods the tent, sending shards of terror through my body.

The bond is like a live wire writhing in my chest. It’s all pain and agony, a blast of acid, so unlike anything I’ve ever felt from him before. It robs me of my breath and drives me into a ball at his feet.

His eyes. There’s something wrong with Altris’s eyes. Instead of the calm sea they usually look like, they’re almost black, as if he’s in a rut, only he’s not after sex. He’s after blood. My blood. It’s my death my vision tried to warn me about.