The Alpha King (Kingdom of Askara #1)(54)

“If the worst day of my life hadn’t have happened I worry I would never have met you. You are the kindest, most loving person I know. You put up with hell for seven years for me. I adore you.” Luca placed his big hand on Kit’s belly and just at that second something bumped against his skin. Luca gazed into Kit’s eyes, sharing the knowing smile. “I adore both of you. Never, ever doubt my love.” Luca’s hand slid from Kit’s bump to the side of his face where he pressed him in close and completely ravaged his mouth. He’d tiptoed around Kit for days, even before they had left, frantic that he was going to be hurt again, doubt Luca, or decide he wasn’t happy. Enough. It was driving them both nuts.

Luca broke the kiss and nibbled Kit’s bottom lip then he nudged him to lift his chin to access his neck. Kit arched his neck and tilted his head to one side. Luca needed no further invitation. He mouthed, licked, and sucked until the soft begging sounds from Kit’s throat were driving Luca mad with need. He clamped his hands on Kit’s hips and in one movement lifted him so Luca’s cock sprang upwards, hard, aching.

“Oh,” Kit cried as Luca lowered him back slowly, burying his cock in Kit’s tight wet heat, sliding straight in because Kit was slick inside and ready for him.

“Baby,” Luca panted.

“S’good,” Kit mumbled, head flung back.

Luca lifted Kit up and Kit gasped. “Luca, please. I need—” Gravity impaled Kit again and he begged Luca over and over, not to stop, never to stop. Kit’s breathy moans and little cries drove Luca to the edge quickly. He let go of Kit’s hips and reached around to grab his cock, hard. Luca could feel the slick on the end, even under the water. Kit was writhing on top of him and Luca lifted his hips at the same time as he gripped Kit’s hard length.

“I’m coming,” Kit wailed and Luca needed no further invitation. Just as Luca felt his cock pulse he bent and sank his teeth in Kit’s neck.

Kit’s scream was probably heard all over the pack house. Bliss chased through Luca as he emptied himself into Kit, and he just had the strength to lick the bite to seal it.

“You’re gonna have to carry me downstairs,” Kit whispered. Luca put his head back and laughed.

****

Kit didn’t think he had eaten so much for a month, and every mouthful was wonderful. He had never seen so much food so beautifully arranged. Luca wiped his mouth after clearing his plate for the second time and eyed Kit. “You might have to carry me back upstairs.”

Everyone at the table chuckled. Petro was one of the nicest men Kit had ever met, and his son Sascha was fascinated with him. Petro, Gabriel, and Luca started talking pack politics, particularly about the rebel group of humans causing problems in some of the outlying pack areas closer to Niandes.

“Have you heard of The Human Alliance?” Petro asked.

Luca frowned. “No, not at all, but I’m afraid we are quite sheltered having the most northern territory, and communication between territories isn’t something that has happened much.”

Petro snorted inelegantly at the understatement and put down his wine glass. “The Human Alliance is the latest group of rebels to emerge to challenge the wolves.”

“There have been plenty of others over the years, though,” Luca said.

Petro nodded and sighed. “They were responsible for the village massacre.”

Kit pricked his ears up.

“No, Father,” Sascha interrupted, “the wolves were responsible for the deaths.”

“Really?” Luca asked.

“The humans attacked a shipment of goods destined for the capital. There were fabrics, silk,” Petro continued.

“Silk?” Luca said, confused.

“Unlicensed children are often bonded to work the boiling pits,” Kit put in. That much he knew.

Luca turned a horrified look to him. “What the hell are boiling pits?”

“The only way of releasing the protein holding the strands of silk together in a cocoon is boiling them,” Sascha explained. “Because the cocoons may get damaged by anything too harsh, a stick—a spoon, for example—it is thought better if hands test the softness.”

“You’re saying,” Luca said slowly, “that children are forced to put their hands in boiling water?”

“The silk trade is one of the wealthiest in Niandes and Solonara,” Daniel, Petro’s beta-commander, added. “I am not surprised you are unaware of it in the north. Only mild temperatures are conducive to long term production and the winters in Caedra are simply too cold.”

“As they are here, but to a lesser extent,” Sascha added. “The shipment was finished silk on its way to be sold.”

Sam leaned forward. “So why was the village attacked up here, then?”

“Because the leader of The Human Alliance was born in the village. Torren is a small settlement just over the border into Niandes. It is barely a day’s ride from here,” Daniel replied.

“So it was revenge,” Luca said flatly. Kit saw him rub his head. It was one of Luca’s ways of showing he was unhappy.

“Ninety-seven men, women, and children. The youngest was eleven months,” Sascha said. Kit couldn’t help the small distressed sound that escaped his lips. He wrapped his arms around his belly protectively.

“And the trouble is that it has now started an all-out war. One of the humans’ main objections was that in the poorest villages surrounding the silk farms, the betas have been told to overlook the births of unlicensed humans, even encourage it.”