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But when it was just the two of us, he treated me like a peer. We talked openly with no fear of repercussions, even if I teased or disagreed with him. To a point, of course, but I had learned where the line was by now.

The king pounded his fist, outfitted with silver knuckles, into my face over and over again. I felt my jaw crunch from the impact, and nearly bit my tongue clear off.

“You.” *punch* “Will.” *punch* “Obey.” *punch*

I shook my head to clear it from the fog that had mysteriously settled over my mind.

“Okay then, if you want my truthful advice, I need to know—how open are you to sharing Marlowe?”

I watched his hands clench into fists, slowly relaxing them, and my jaw began to mysteriously ache. “I find the idea of any other male touching Marlowe detestable. I am… possessive of my things. However, if that is the price I must pay to have her at all, I may be willing to consider it.”

I gave him a reassuring squeeze on his arm. “It’s moot if they never accumulate enough Aetherium to cross anyway, but I think being open and accepting of her pack as her lovers will move her in the right direction regardless. I am also happy to sing your praises when I’m with her, if you’d like.”

His expression perked up. “You would?”

“I mean, I’m pretty sure she hates my guts almost as much as yours right now, but yeah. I’ll help where I can.”

Alaroth grinned. “In return, you can have your pick of my omega courtesans. Moons, you could even take them all if you wished. I won’t be needing them much longer.”

I coughed nervously, heat rising to my cheeks. “Oh, I don’t know…”

“I insist! Besides, I’ve seen the way they look at you. They’d all be happy with you as their new master. In fact, I’d even let you bond to one.”

It was awkward enough talking about Alaroth wanting to sleep with my sister, but when he talked aboutmylove life, or lack thereof, I really couldn’t handle it.

It was easier to just avoid the topic of sex altogether whenever possible.

“I’ll think about it, thank you.”

32

MARLOWE

Dove had pulled out a dress like hers for me to wear, and after my bath and their omega orgy, we were back in the nest.

Florian seemed a little sad that I hadn’t wanted to fool around with him, so I asked him to cuddle with me for a bit—platonically, of course. I drifted off to sleep almost as soon as my head hit his chest, exhaustion finally catching up with me.

The sky was dark when a knock sounded at the door, waking us from our naps.

The omegas groaned, turning away from the sound and telling the visitor to go away, but a familiar voice had them perking up like meerkats.

“Is Marlowe available?”

“It’s Ezra!” Dahlia squealed, running towards the door to let him in. I watched her smile disappear as her gaze lowered from his face down. “Oh, why are you so covered up today?” She reached for the waistband of his pants, and he gently took her hand away, his face turning red.

“I’m sorry, I’m just here to see my sister, and she prefers I wear clothes.”

Dahlia huffed and stomped her foot, pouting like a child. “First the king’s attention, and now Ezra’s knot? Must she deprive us of everything?” But then she turned around and laughed, jumping back into the nest with us and nuzzling into my side. “It’s okay, Marlowe, I forgive you!”

Her playfulness was infectious, but I was too mad at mybrother to see him at the moment. “I’m not available, please leave.”

“If you need a companion for the night, I’m free,” said Dove, biting her lip and raking her eyes over Ezra’s large frame.

I nearly gagged. Objectively, yes, he was very handsome. But he was still my brother.

Ezra smiled gently, although it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He was probably used to this sort of attention from them. “Some other time, Dove. Marlowe and I have a lot to catch up on.”

“No, we don’t. So kindly fuck off.”