Page 48 of Mated To The King’s Gamma (Lycan Luna: Abbie & Gannon #3)

W armth.

That’s the first thing I feel.

A soft breeze, sunlight filtering through my hair that covers my face, the quiet babble of the river nearby. My cheek is pressed against warm, bare skin, my body sprawled half across a chest that rises and falls beneath me.

Gannon. I sweep my hair from my face.

I blink slowly, my lashes brushing his skin, and lift my head just enough to look around. We’re alone, still by the riverbank. A blanket is tossed over us, making me wonder who dared to come down here. My guess would be Liam.

I’m naked.

We’re naked.

My eyes widen as I shoot upright. “Tyson—” I gasp, panic rising in my throat. “We…we left him at camp—what if?—”

A strong hand slides up my spine.

“Liam and Dustin have him,” Gannon murmurs, his voice thick with sleep and something rougher, deeper. “He’s fine. Safe.”

My muscles relax immediately, tension melting as I lower myself back onto his chest with a soft exhale.

His fingers trace the line of my spine, and I shiver. The tenderness in his touch does something to me—softens something I don’t realize is still braced.

A pause.

Then he shifts beneath me.

Slow. Intentional.

He rolls me beneath him, bracing his weight on his arms as his mouth descends to mine.

The kiss is slow, unhurried. Exploring. My heart skips. My body still feels foreign, but the feel of him is familiar. I thread my fingers into his hair, letting the kiss deepen?—

Then I freeze.

“Wait,” I gasp against his mouth, eyes flicking to the trees. “Someone could see?—”

His body shakes with a low chuckle.

“I think they’ve seen worse,” he teases, but his mouth drops to my throat, nipping gently.

That’s when I notice.

The bite marks.

All over him.

My face flames. “Oh my—Gannon—what—did I—” I touch one on his shoulder, then another on his arm. “Did I do this?”

His smirk is sinful. “Your Lycan side can be demanding.”

My entire body goes up in flames. “Oh my God. We didn’t—I mean—did we? Is that even possible?”

His laugh is warm, amused. “It’s possible. But no. I knew you wouldn’t want that— not like that. She just tried really hard to convince me otherwise.”

I groan, covering my face with both hands. He kisses my temple. I peek at him through my fingers.

“I do need to remark you, though,” he says, brushing his thumb over the soft spot on my neck.

I frown. “It’s still there... I don’t understand.”

Gannon sighs, then cups my face gently. “Liam came to check on us during the shift… brought the blanket.”

I blink at him, heart skipping. “And?”

“You bit him too.”

My stomach plummets. “I what ?”

“Your Lycan was very confused. The bond has re-forged. And Liam was close. That’s all.”

“Oh no. No, no, no—how am I supposed to face him?” I groan, burying my face in Gannon’s chest.

He rubs soothing circles on my back. “Dustin’s already teased him about it. You’ll survive.”

“ Dustin knows ?”

“Of course he does.”

I groan louder.

“It just proves it,” Gannon says softly, “That you are sired.”

My lips press into a nervous line as I chew the inside of my cheek. “What does that mean for us?”

“It means nothing has changed,” he murmurs, brushing his lips over my forehead. “You’re still mine.”

I lift my gaze, heart stuttering at the intensity in his.

“Mine,” he repeats, voice low and sure. “No matter what.”

I nod. “And you’re mine.”

His lips curl. “Only and always. But we do need to remove the sire.”

“And marking me again will do that?”

“It should, and you also need to mark me.” He tells me when approaching footsteps have me turn my head toward the commotion.

“Hey, lovebirds!” a voice calls, casual and teasing. “Get dressed. Breakfast is ready, and we roll out soon.”

Liam.

A bag flies and lands a few feet away on the grass.

I bury my burning face in Gannon’s chest.

“Oh my God.”

He chuckles, stroking my hair.

“I didn’t mark him, right?” I mumble into his skin.

“No,” Gannon says, amused. “Liam would never allow that. And neither would I.” I let out a breath of relief.