His Hybrid Queen

Chapter 23

Victor

Today couldn’t come fast enough. Claire and I have been working non-stop since the coronation. We managed to solve the biggest issues and could finally take one day off from our duties. I figured that it would be best if we spend the day outside the pack. Because if we stayed, we would be dragged to do more work.

After the latest developments, I was a little biased against the triplets. To be honest, I doubted their intentions at first. But then they revealed how ruthless their parents were with them. Though they say the apple never falls far from the tree, I knew from personal experience that wasn’t always true.

I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt when they pledged their loyalty to their Alpha and Luna and made a blood oath. That idea gave me some peace of mind, as I drove off with my mate by my side. This was the first time we left the pack since we mated. It was only a one day trip, but it felt like a well deserved mini-vacation. Or a quick honeymoon, may I say. 

We barely had time to ourselves with all the work that has to be done. I wondered how Claire managed everything before. This pack’s problems were never ending. Though money wasn’t an issue anymore, years of mismanagement have left their dent. 

I was looking forward to taking a break from it all and spending some quality time with my woman. It would be a lie if I said we weren’t having s*x. But that’s all it was. Just s*x. I had to show her how much I needed her, wanted her and loved her. 

I drove through the winding road as I held my mate’s hand, except when I had to change gears. She didn’t notice, when I took furtive glances at her gorgeous profile. She seemed more interested in the winter scenery. The cold has settled and the snow has covered the treetops.

After a couple of hours, we made it to our destination. A small village by the lake. I pulled the car in the parking lot opposite of the inn where I booked a room. We stepped out of the car and we walked to the front desk to check in.

“Sorry Sir, we are fully booked today!” The young man said after I gave him my name.

“I made a reservation earlier this week. It was a young woman who registered my information.” I told the receptionist.

“Like I said, we are fully booked today!” He repeated with the same fake smile.

I held back from going full Alpha on him, when he was human and just doing his job. But all it needed was an intense glare for him to lose his composure.

“Let me check again!” He said after clearing his throat.

“I have a reservation under Rector Vandelli, two weeks from today?” The young man seemed to be asking himself with a frown between his brows. Then Suddenly his expression changed. I could almost see the gears working in his head.

“Oh, there must be some kind of mistake with your reservation!” He concluded. “Please take a seat while I call the manager.”

Huffing, we headed to the waiting area, but not before I threw another glare his way. We settled on the loveseat and I pulled my mate to my side. Claire could sense my temper changing and she was trying to calm me with her gentle touch. I was irritated that our day got ruined because of someone’s incompetence. If I was the owner, I wouldn’t allow such mistakes to happen.

My mate’s presence and the warmth of her body next to mine soothed me while we waited. One look at the manager and I knew he was an Alpha. The man’s brows went upward, almost touching his greyish hair, when he saw us. We were basically foreign wolves without permission on his turf. I wasn’t intending on trespassing on another pack’s land. I hoped he wouldn’t take this as an aggression and turn it into a problem. While I was just trying to take some time off from all the problems we left back home.

“Alpha Rinaldi!” The man greeted me by holding out his hand. 

“Hello.” I simply said as I shook his hand since I didn’t know his name.

“Benjamin Harris, Alpha of GreenLake Pack at your service sir!” He said before looking at Claire. “Luna, Ma’m.” He said and nodded his head respectfully. 

I wasn’t expecting so much reverence, but I guess that comes with the Royal Alpha position.

“I deeply apologize for the mistake. Our other receptionist is dyslexic and sometimes gets names and reservations mixed up. Unfortunately, because of a local event we are fully booked today.”

“Mistakes happen. Glad I had made your acquaintance.” I was tired of hearing the same thing over and over again and didn’t need to hear another useless apology. “Come on, let’s go.” I told my mate, as I grabbed her hand. She looked disappointed that our vacation ended before it even started. But we had no choice. I will make it up for her some other day.

“If you don’t mind I would like to arrange another accomodation for you.” Benjamin said as he blocked our way.

“What kind of accomodation?” I asked intrigued and hopeful.

“I have a lake house. Although, we need a couple of hours to prepare it for your stay. It is far from being a palace but it’s decent and cozy enough to spend the night.”

“I’d like that.” Claire spoke for what felt like the first time today. Her voice was barely a whisper.

“Wonderful! Why don’t you take a look around town in the meanwhile? There is a local festival with a pie contest and pie eating competition.” Our host suggested, as he took the bags from me.

With the room problem solved, I started strolling through the little town with a light heart. All I needed was my mate next to me. And that was enough for my lips to stretch in a little smile. I entwined my fingers with hers and brushed my thumb on her soft skin. She looked up to me giving a shy smile as a pink hue covered her cheeks.

I lived for these little moments where we could be like a normal couple. Two people being together without a care in the world. Or at least for a little while. It made all the pain, hardship and heartache worth it. Since we mated I knew we would be unbreakable. I didn’t need verbal reassurance. I knew her feelings through our mate bond and our hearts were beating as one. 

With each step, I felt something filling my heart and expanding in my chest. It was lifting me up as if I was weightless and might float anytime. A feeling was blossoming inside of me and I didn’t know before now what it actually meant to be happy. I needed to show the woman that made me feel like this how grateful I am to have her in my life. 

I pulled her to me and leaned in to kiss her. My lips brushing slowly against hers. It was sweet yet passionate as I pressed her body against mine. Feeling her soft curves against my taught muscles made me hot and hard. I nipped on her lower lip to let me in and deepen the kiss. But instead she surprised me by pushing me away.

“What was that about?” Claire said after taking a deep gasp of air. She looked cute with her kissed swollen lips and blushed cheeks.

“Do I need a reason?” I asked rhetorically as I pulled her back to me. “And why were you holding your breath?” I thought it was odd though. I couldn’t help but notice. 

“Don’t be silly! Why would I do that?” She said looking flustered.

I still was hungry for her, and a simple smooch wasn’t enough. Once I was on this path I was unstoppable in seeking her lips and any part of her body that I could put my hands on. Except, when she is the one stopping me. With her hand on my face she pushed me away from her.

“We’re in public!” She hissed at me and I felt a little hurt by her gesture. 

I didn’t care if people saw us. I wanted the whole world to know that she belonged to me. That she was mine. I wondered for a moment why she wouldn’t feel the same. Then I remembered how long it took her to give herself to me and admit her feelings out loud. Though I knew she loved me, maybe she wasn’t ready to show it in public yet. Maybe she just needed time. 

We kept walking toward the center of town. It was getting more crowded as we were getting close to the Pie Fest. There were several stands selling all kinds of pie. The different smells of savoury and sweet delicacies pervaded the air.

 I looked at Claire when she made a sharp turn and walked away. She had her hand over her mouth as she stifled gagging sounds. I didn’t know she had a queasy stomach, but I didn’t blame her. Humans were unbothered by it but so many people and so much food at one place were an aggression to our sensitive noses.

To make things worse, the pie eating contest was in full swing. The sight of the contestants stuffing their faces in the pies didn’t help. I’m sure it was food, but the dark brown color was suggestive of something not so appetizing. I led her away from the festivities and took her to a less crowded street.

“Feel better? Do you want to sit down or go to the doctor?” I asked her as I rubbed her back up and down. 

“No,” she shook her head. “I just need some fresh air.” 

We walked a little bit further away until we reached a small shop. If the bold letters sign wasn’t an indication enough, the large display window showed that it was an antiquary shop. It was Claire’s turn to pull me this time. Once inside, she went straight to the counter where a mature lady welcomed us. 

“Are you interested in some antique jewelry?” The woman asked.

“Are you interested in antique furniture?”Claire questioned back.

“That would be my husband’s speciality. Please wait while I call for him.” 

While the shopkeeper disappeared in the back room, I noticed that my mate’s eyes were riveted on something under the glass. She wasn’t the type to wear accessories, and the only thing she wore often was the necklace I gave her as a birthday gift. Maybe it was time I gave her something to celebrate our union and our life together.

My mate was talking business with the husband, and showing him something on her phone  a few steps away. So I needed to be as stealthy as possible to pull this off. I put my index finger on my lips as I looked at the lady across from the counter. She was confused at first, but when I pointed at the ring she gave me a wink and a knowing smile.

Our date wasn’t that great at first, but as the day went on things got better. We put the reservation incident and the offputting pie fest behind us. I was content with the feeling of the little box in my pocket while Claire was happy having closed a business deal. We were transported on a boat as we watched the sunset. Then we had dinner on a candle lit table at the lake house. Another kind gesture arranged by Alpha Benjamin. 

I woke up feeling better than ever with my lovely mate in my arms. It’s how it will be from now on. It’s how it should have been since the beginning. I was intent on making up for lost time again and again, like last night. I ravished her body with carnal desire. I reveled in watching the lewd expressions of pleasure on her face as I brought her to completion several times. 

I wanted her again and was ready to take her as soon as I opened my eyes. Her naked body was warm and her skin silky smooth as I spooned her. I didn’t mind a little repeat of last night before we took the road back home. I kissed the length of her neck toward her shoulder. The puncture wound was completely healed, but was still visible in the shape of a crescent moon. I lapped at my mark on her skin and she made a sleepy moan.

I could smell her arousal mixed with my seed. A heady and satisfying scent. If she wasn’t already with child from our mating, I'm sure I impregnated her last night. I filled her up nicely until she was dripping. Soon enough she will be round with a life growing in her belly.

Claire stirred and turned to look up at me.

“Good morning love!”

“What did you just say?”