Alaric Storm was wide awake, his piercing gaze locked on Violet with an intensity that might have felt unsettling to anyone else. But between mates, that look was completely normal, and if one dared to peer deeper into those stormy blue eyes, they would see the fierce, unshakable devotion burning brightly.
He just couldn’t help it. To be honest, it still felt like a dream to him.
Although the prophecy had always said all four of them would one day be mated to Violet, doubt still crept in like a thief. Not to mention those ugly, jealous moments that gnawed at him whenever he saw the mating runes etched on Griffin and Roman’s skin. Proof that they were bonded to their girl in a way he hadn’t been yet.
To be fair, Alaric had always thought Asher would be next, and that he, Alaric, would probably be the last. Not that his love for Violet burned any less — he was crazy for her — but Asher? Asher would walk through hell and back, over and over again, for their girl. That man had fallen in love with Violet long before they’d even met.
And yet, ironically, it was clear now that Asher would be the last to claim his bond.
For the longest time, Alaric had wondered what activated the Matebond. What moved the Moon Goddess enough to intervene? Now, lying there with Violet’s scent all over him, he finally understood.
The Matebond didn’t just fall at random. It came in moments of dire trial, when their love for her was tested, when they had to prove they were worthy of her.
For Griffin, he’d had to unleash the wild alter ego he usually kept caged, break free from a suppressor bond, and rescue her from the rogues.
For Roman, it had been standing toe-to-toe with Alpha Henry — who was terrifyingly stronger — and protecting Violet from her twisted father-in-law — in Roman’s words.
As for him? 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎
He had faced his mother. And Alaric knew better than anyone, that was no small feat. He had been willing to end her life if that was what it took to protect Violet and keep her by his side.
It hit him then that each one of them had to sacrifice something to be with the Goddess’ daughter.
And that realization carried a darkness with it. It could only mean that this peace they were enjoying now was fleeting. For Asher’s bond to fall, Violet would have to face danger again.
Alaric’s chest tightened at the thought, but he forced it away. Until that day came, he was going to savor every moment. He would love, worship and remind her, over and over, that she was his.
Unable to help himself, Alaric reached out and slowly traced the mating rune on the side of her belly. Through their bond, he felt the exact moment the sharp thrilling
sensation hit her. Violet shivered, her breath catching as her body responded instinctively. His eyes darkened with intrigue as her nipples pebbled, tightening under his gaze.
A slow, dangerous smile curved Alaric’s lips.
He let a faint crackle of lightning dance across his fingertip, then dragged it along the rune’s long vertical line, branching off to one of the diagonal marks at the top left before gliding back to the second.
The reaction was instant. Violet’s back arched off the bed, a throaty, unrestrained moan spilling past her lips as her eyes fluttered open. The pleasure surged through her like a raw rush of power, the kind that blurred the line between pain and ecstasy. Alaric knew exactly how that felt — like a hit of the most addictive drug, his own personal brand of heroine.
"Good morning, my beautiful mate," Alaric murmured, his voice thick with possessiveness and pride.
Violet lay sprawled beneath him, her purplish-black hair fanning out across the sheets, a rare softness lingering on her face from sleep. With her completely naked in his bed, her skin glowing from their night together, she was sin incarnate — and she was his.
"If this is the way you intend to wake me up everyday, then I might become lazy at this rate, mate," Violet replied, satisfaction in her tone.
"Oh, that’s exactly the point," Alaric said with a sly tone, "You don’t need to lift a finger, just let me do the work."
And to punctuate his point, Alaric gently slid between her legs and lifted her hips, positioning her exactly where he wanted.
Violet’s breath caught in her throat, her body trembling in anticipation. That was exactly what Alaric desired — she was his queen, and was to be served properly.
Slowly, deliberately, he pushed into her.
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