41. Temptation

Seff’s core was pounding like a second heart. His hand was now cupping her sex between her legs—gently, but with just enough pressure to pull her flush against him so that his sex was pressed against her ass. *Oh fuck. What have I gotten myself into?!*
Kiran was kissing her neck now, purring like a satisfied cat. He knew he had her pinned. He knew she wanted him. *She* knew that she wanted him. Godsdamnit.
*“Don’t tell me you didn’t get a thrill from breaking the rules.”*
He was right about that too. Seff cursed herself a thousand times over. She had felt amazing when she was with Selene. The Luna gave her the best sex of Seff’s mortal life—*I’m so sorry, Hawthorn*, she thought miserably. Selene was forbidden, but Seff barely hesitated to hatch a plan to see her at the risk of Altan and Elio’s as well as her own to see her.
How could Kiran keep seeing right through her, as if he could sense everything about her?
*“I’ll thrill you all night long.”*
Before she could register it, Kiran’s hand slipped under her panties and his fingers were—
Seff sucked in a strange gasp. The Alpha immediately retracted and released her altogether. She whirled just in time to see him lick his first two fingers—the lewd knothead, she scoffed—before trying to fit the desk drawer back in place.
“You can stay wherever you wish while your room is put back into order. I will make any accommodations you need—new silks, food, pen and fresh paper…” He pinned her with his gold eyes just starting to clear from a daze. Her eyes flicked downward, but he was standing behind the desk.
All she could think was, *I didn’t tell you to stop*. She shook her head to clear it. “If I choose here…will you be staying…somewhere else?”
Kiran’s lips twitched. “Why, do you *want* me to stay here?” He shrugged. “There’s plenty of other places for you to stay.”
The only place I’d feel comfortable would be with Allium, she wanted to say, but not at the moment. She couldn’t face Allium after this particular encounter with the Alpha she so desperately wanted to love and be loved by. All the years Seff spent scorning the Alphas. How could she tell her best friend that she was finding herself going back on her own words?
Oh gods. Did Allium know about what happened in the courtyard?
Seff just noticed an open door. Through it, she saw for the first time Kiran’s actual bedroom—and its bed. Even by only seeing the end half, it was evident that it was built for a god, certainly. It was *massive*. Did she want to share it with that god? Or claim it like a conquering queen all to herself?
*You like the thrill.*
Seff stared down her decisions: remain defiant or surrender to toxic temptation?
A queen able to control a king’s will? He promised she could see Hawthorn. Who not milk his guilt a little more?
“I’ll stay here,” she said with a smirk of her own.
Kiran sketched a grand bow. “I am at your beck and call, my lady.”
Just like that, he turned to leave. Seff stumbled forward as if she’d been pushed. “Kiran—”
She had a feeling it took all of his strength to not spin back around; instead, he looked coolly over his shoulder. “Yes, my Seff?”
“Did you really sleep with Endine?”
He did well hiding the disappointment. “No. Just shock factor.”
Seff narrowed her eyes. “So you do like drama and attention.”
“So?” he sneered with a crinkled nose. “I’ll clear it up with the harem later. At least he’s not dead.”
Their smiles faded. Seff looked down at her injured leg. The throbbing had returned and blood leaked through the bandages. She’d probably reopened the wound. Kiran tensed. “Please don’t kill him, either.”
Kiran did turn. His finger crooked under her chin, knuckle lifting it gently so their eyes could meet. There were questions in his. “Why do you care about them still?” he whispered. “They tried to kill you.”
“It’s like you said,” Seff said just as quietly. “My pack is my family.”
Kiran considered. “Well, I suppose Sun wolves have turned on Sun wolves before. That grass *has* been cleaned of blood more than once.”
Seff’s gaze went flat despite the small rush she felt from his tender touch. “That doesn’t—”
He lifted her chin a little more so he could bend down and kiss her lips. That silenced her. Kiran smiled with soft satisfaction. “Write and rest, my Seff. Your guards will wait outside the door. Tomorrow we will have breakfast on the riverbank.”
“But—”
“First let’s take care of that wound. Oh, perfect timing. Altan, come in.”
The twin slipped inside the room with an armful of first aid. He met Seff’s eyes from over Kiran’s shoulder. *Are you okay?* he mouthed. He looked almost fearful, as if unsure if the Alpha harmed her or not. She nodded imperceptibly when Kiran looked toward the supplies.
“I hope you weren’t eavesdropping that entire time,” Kiran said too casually as he gestured for Seff to sit at his desk chair. She obeyed, gingerly lifting her leg to rest her foot on the thigh Kiran offered. He started to unwrap the bloody bandages.
“No, Lord Kiran,” Altan said without error.
“Good. Pour us each a glass of that wine. Then go fetch fresh paper.”
“Yes, Lord.”
As her friend began his tasks, Seff slapped Kiran’s wrist. “He’s not your servant, Kiran. Be nicer to him—and Elio.”
The Alpha raised an eyebrow at her. “You are unbelievably kind, Seff Bleize. No one deserves your kindness.”
His voice was deep, conveying emotion even deeper than Seff could understand. He was already finished wrapping her leg in fresh gauze, and he bent his head to kiss it. Her heart ached for the sweetness of the gesture. She reached out for the wine Altan offered without looking away from Kiran, who lifted his in a toast.
“To your recovery, my Seff.”
She dipped her head and they drank. Kiran rose to his feet; he was taller than Altan, who seemed like a pup next to him. Abruptly he patted Altan on the back rather forcefully, but Seff supposed the sentiment was there, despite Altan looking traumatized.
“I’ll—I’ll go get paper.” He hurried back out the door.
Kiran chuckled. “Pup’s got a lot to learn.”
“Who is their father?”
Kiran’s smile dropped and Seff’s heart jumped this time in dread. His jaw clenched and he turned away. “Don’t ruin our moment with a question like that.”
Seff didn’t want to ruin it, either. The energy to argue had left her. *I will find out*, she promised the twins. “Okay. Are we going to address…how you think we are mates?”
Kiran shook his head and didn’t answer until he was halfway out the door. “Not yet. Goodnight, Seff.”