Defying the Rogue Alpha

Dennis didn’t need to be told twice. "Oh, thank God!" he gasped, breaking the kiss. He grabbed Zoe’s wrist and dashed off the balcony.

Ava couldn’t help it, she laughed, doubling slightly as her baby bump bounced with the movement. "He really is the romantic sort," she said, shaking her head fondly.

Lucas snorted and turned to the spiritualist. "I believe your work here is done?" Lucas said, his alpha presence making the poor man flutter.

"Ah... the... the mating ritual... they shouldn’t be..." the spiritualist stammered, gesturing vaguely at the trail of flower petals.

"They’ve been fucking since the moment they met," Lucas cut in flatly, waving a dismissive hand. "I think one quickie before tonight won’t derail the stars or whatever it is you believe in."

The spiritualist opened his mouth like he wanted to argue then promptly shut it again. You didn’t argue with a Raventhorn. Especially not this Raventhorn. Not unless you had a death wish.

"You really aren’t one for rules, are you?" Ava murmured, snuggling back into his arms, her laughter still warm in her chest.

Lucas tightened his grip around her instinctively. "Damn near killed me when Lanaya hid you from me before our wedding," he muttered, brows furrowed. "Days without seeing you, smelling you, touching you. I was out of my mind."

"What was the point?" he asked again.

Ava turned her head, pressing a kiss to his jaw. "It’s supposed to intensify the bond during the mating ritual," she explained. "Or... well... at least that’s what Lanaya said. She may have also been trying to punish you."

Lucas sighed, brushing a hand over her stomach. "We’re going home soon, love," he said. "And we’re going to be a family."