Page 24

Phoenix fumed, pacing back and forth. "I apologize, brother," he said. "It was not my place to raise my voice against you."

Griffin nodded.

Lars was stunned by the display of humility he was witnessing—the way Phoenix bowed his knee and head slightly to Griffin in a show of submission. Being of a higher rank, the balance of power always seemed to flow in Phoenix’s direction, at least to Lars's observation. Then, to make things even more confusing, Phoenix turned to Lars. "I will never let anyone harm you again. Forgive me for failing to protect you."

He could only manage a nod in response.

"I'll call for someone to clean up this mess," said Phoenix. Before stepping out of the room, he paused and said, "I'm pleased that you're alright, Lars."

"My brother has a way of leaving destruction in his wake," Griffin said. "It's served him well in his career."

Griffin poured a glass of water from a steel pitcher and brought it to Lars, sitting down at his bedside. When Lars tried to drink from it, he spilled water down his front. He was flabbergasted—the Alpha had used his name.

There was a knock on the door. "Enter," Griffin said.

Lars immediately recognized the man who entered, though he didn't know his name. He was tall and lean, with a handsome angular face with a smooth, manicured appearance that suggested aristocracy. "Good day, Colonel. I heard some commotion from my room and wanted to make sure everything was alright.” He took notice of the shattered glass on the floor. Then his eyes moved up to Lars, and he brightened. "Ah! Lars. You're awake. I'm relieved to know that you're recovering well. It was bad when I brought you back here. You were in a bad state."

"Ambassador Longfang," Griffin said, nodding. "Good day."

"You stopped those soldiers," Lars said, struggling to sit further upright.

"Please," he replied, holding up his hand. "Don't exert yourself. My name is Pym Longfang. I'm an ambassador from Ete."

"Ete," Lars said repeated.

"Mm. Are you familiar with it?"

"Yes. You've come a long way. Thank you for saving my life, Mr. Longfang."

"I'm relieved that I was in the right place at the right time, I only wish I could've I'd been there sooner. I recognized you as the good Commander and Colonel's mate. You see, I'm staying in the room two doors down. I caught the tail end of your heroics with young boy. Admirable stuff, sir, for you to stick your neck out for these people."

"Well, they're my people," Lars said. He caught a flash of Griffin's eyes and wished that he'd held his tongue, but it'd just slipped out.

"Oh. You're Ekdolian?" He didn't sound surprised. "Perhaps it's not my place to ask, but where did you meet the Commander and Colonel? A dual mating is quite rare, is it not?"

"You're right," Griffin said. "It's not your place to ask."

Pym nodded. "Apologies, I meant no offense." He took Lars's hand and shook it. "I'm very pleased to see that you are alright, Lars. Good day to you both."

Lars watched the man leave. With his gregarious charisma, Pym was the complete opposite of the two brothers. He reminded Lars of the Alphas he'd read about during his younger days, the charming princes from storybooks who had occupied his fantasies during quiet evenings in the royal residence's expansive library, and in his bedroom later at night.

Could Griffin detect his straying thoughts? The Alpha stared at him, his smoldering glare capturing Lars like a magnet. He could feel his body reacting, his skin growing clammy and tingly as thoughts of Griffin's touch filled his mind. It was hypnotic, the way everything seemed to become a shade darker except for his eyes.Those eyes...Both brothers had a way of looking at him that could instantly cause the darkest, most lascivious thoughts to grip his imagination. It was happening now, like he was using some silent power to remind Lars who owned his body and soul, thattheywere his Alphas and always would be.

He felt enraptured. He couldn't look away, even if he wanted to. His heart raced, causing his breath to quicken. He felt blood rushing down below, swelling his cock and making him drip. There was nothing but pain when he tried to move his beaten body, but that didn't stop him from wanting Griffin and Phoenix to be inside of him.

Griffin looked away and his grip on Lars lifted, leaving Lars sweating.

Bright sunlight filled the room when Griffin pulled back the curtains. "Are you hungry?" he asked.

Lars swallowed the lump in his throat. The humming had begun again.

He did hunger, but not for food. How could the Alpha do that to him and then just pretend like nothing had occurred?

"No," Lars replied.

"You should eat. You need to recover."

"You know I don't want food."