MALIA’S POV
I opened my mouth to protest but he silenced me by covering my mouth with his own.
This kiss was sweet and gentle yet still mind-blowing. My hands found his shoulders and held on as I returned his kiss. My annoyance, a long-forgotten issue.
He broke the kiss and tilted my chin so I was looking up into his eyes. The combination of desire and adoration in them made me shiver and made my heart flutter.
“Aren’t you hot?” I think this damn shirt needs to go.”
I nodded in agreement.
“That’s my good girl,” he murmured and reached for the hem of my shirt to pull it over my head.
He murmured his appreciation at my lace-clad breasts and went ahead to cup them and place a kiss on the cleavage.
“You look better this way with no shirt on,” he said.
“You’re not saying I should start walking around the pack and going about my daily business with no shirt on, right?” I whispered.
“You can do anything you want, Malia. You can even walk around completely naked but that would mean that many of the men are going to lose their eyes because I’m going to gouge them out.”
“Please don’t be so dramatic,” I said as he bent to pull down my shorts.
He straightened. “I mean it, Malia.”
I looked into his green eyes and saw that he actually did.
“Then it’s better that I do not even think of doing it,” I murmured.
He grinned and placed his hands on my shoulders, making me face the opposite direction.
His hands went to the band of my bra and I shivered at the way his fingers lightly brushed my back.
“I love how sensitive you are to my touch. I can bet with my life that your panties are soaked,” he said, slowly slipping the hands of my bra off my shoulders. As if to prove his point, his fingers slowly moved towards my centre.
I moaned as he cupped my mound through my panties and moved my hips, letting him know that I wanted more.
He murmured in appreciation about how wet I was and after moving my panties to the side, slipped two fingers into my pussy. I clenched greedily around them and he began to slide them gently in and out.
I murmured something unintelligible and he chuckled.
“Did you say something?” He asked, quickening his pace.
I moaned and moved my hips in rhythm with the movement of his fingers. He increased his pace even more and I let out a scream as he curled his fingers inside my vagina.
I heard a knock on the door through my haze of desire and I turned my head towards the sound.
“Just ignore it,” he whispered as he continued to hit my G-spot with his fingers.
I sighed in pleasure and tried to forget whoever was at the door.
The knock sounded again, insistent this time. I sighed in frustration. I was so close.
Ryder growled in anger.
“Just go attend to whoever it is. It seems urgent,” I said, moving back to the bed and going under the sheets.
The scowl was still on his face when he yanked the door open to reveal a serious-looking Lucien.
“What now?” Ryder grumbled.
“It’s true. Your brother, some of your guards, Derek, Scott and Lila plan to get you murdered. They’re having a meeting in his chambers as we speak,” he answered, sounding pained.
Ryder turned to look at me. “Just stay here, Malia. Don’t move out of my chambers. I’ll be right back.
I nodded knowing fully well I was going to follow immediately he left.
His eyes narrowed in suspicion but he didn’t say anything.
Immediately I heard the front door slam shut, I hurriedly threw the covers off me and got dressed.
They were already far ahead by the time I stepped out of the chambers. That was good for me.
I had barely taken a few more steps when I heard the many footsteps behind me.
I turned in surprise and gasped when I saw the number of guards coming towards me. I quickly flattened myself on the wall to stay out of their way.
As expected, they were headed towards Ronan’s chambers. Suddenly, I was gripped with fear for the Beta’s life. The guards bore identical looks of grim determination.
I hurried after them but stayed at the entrance when they got to Ronan’s chambers.
The Beta and his conspirators tried to put up a fight but the guards were quick enough and had them subdued.
I stood aside as they were pushed out of the room. Ronan’s eyes met mine and I immediately felt sorry for him. He had been my very good friend after all. Perhaps I should have talked some sense into him when I found out about his plans instead of running to Ryder. Perhaps he would have listened to me and this would not be happening.
I was still deep in my thoughts and filled with guilt when Ryder spoke in a harsh tone. “I thought I told you not to leave my chambers.”
I started and looked up to find Ryder’s annoyed gaze on me.
I shook my head unsure of what to say.
He scoffed, took my hand in his and led me down the hallway.
“You need to eat dinner,” he announced as we got into his chambers and he shut the door behind us.
“I’m not hungry,” I murmured.
“You will eat, Malia,” he declared in a tone that discouraged any argument. As if on cue, two maids appeared from the kitchen.
I sighed resignedly.
He told the maids what he wanted and motioned for them to ask me too.
“Anything,” I murmured.
They looked from me to the Alpha unsure of my answer.
“Just give us the same thing,” he said and their expressions became one of relief.
They bowed and disappeared into the kitchen.
Ryder sighed and came to sit beside me.
“I know Ronan, Scott and Derek are your friends but I needed to do what I did. They’re even lucky that I’m not going to order their execution, which is actually the punishment for their actions.”
I nodded in understanding.
“I know, Ryder. You’re being most benevolent for not executing them but I can’t help but feel guilty. I could have talked him out of it, you know? He would have listened to me.”
He snorted. “If that’s why you’re all gloomy please save your emotions for someone who is worth it. Once my brother makes up his mind there’s nothing anyone can do to change that. He wouldn’t have listened to you.”
“Am I supposed to get some comfort in that knowledge?” I asked.
He sighed. “Malia, I don’t like it when you’re this way. It affects me too. I’m not saying you shouldn’t feel sad that your friends have been imprisoned but I don’t want you to feel so weighed down by it.”
I saw my opportunity and I took it.
“I’d feel less sad if you’d allow me to go visit them.”
He scowled and I saw the muscles in his jaws clench.
“I’m sorry but I cannot allow that.”
“Why?” I cried.
“They are dangerous, Malia. I don’t want you anywhere near them,” he answered.
I scoffed. “They are not dangerous. And even if they were, how are they going to hurt me from behind bars? Please, Ryder. I don’t even have to go alone. I could go with Penelope and Damien.”
He was silent for a moment and I could tell he was struggling to make a decision.
“I’ll just give you some time to think about it. You don’t have to give me an answer now,” I said to him.
He nodded and asked that we move to the dining room. We had barely sat down when the maids appeared with our meal. I tentatively took the first spoon and then decided that I was starving after all.
I dug in with gusto and heard Ryder chuckle. I looked at him and arched an eyebrow.
“I thought you said you didn’t want to eat.”
“Well, experiencing so many emotions makes me hungry,” I replied.
“Indeed,” he murmured.
We stayed silent until I was nearly done with my meal.
“Do you mind if I spend the night with Penelope?” I asked.
He set his fork down and looked at me. He looked hurt.
“I mind. I thought we agreed on spending the night together. So why the sudden change of mind?” he queried.
I sighed. “I don’t expect you to understand. But it’s just for tonight. I need my best friend.”
He scowled. “I’m not supposed to be jealous of Penelope, right?”
I giggled. “Of course not.”
“But you give her more attention. And besides, are you sure she’d want to leave her mate’s side and spend the night with you?” he quizzed.
“I am sure she’s going to understand that I need her tonight,” I answered.
“Alright then. Hope you don’t mind me spending the night with Damien?” he asked.
I burst out laughing.
“I don’t understand what’s so funny but it’s good to see you laughing,” he said with a straight face.
I giggled again and he grinned.
Penelope was already in my room when I entered. She stood up immediately to give me a hug and at that moment, I was filled with gratitude that I had a friend who wasn’t behind bars.