Third person POV

"It's begun, Alpha," the spy informed the haggard-looking werewolf.

"How much longer?" he demanded. His patience was wearing thin. One hundred years. He'd waited one hundred years and just as their reunion was at hand, the stupid girl had run. Then his spies finally track her to the blasted demon's kingdom. He knew he couldn't forcibly take her from the King of Thuradok, but if she left on her own, well then...

"It's difficult to say, sir. She's much stronger than I anticipated, and your mate's wolf has been dormant for so long. The upcoming full moon will help."

Caipus grabbed the creature's neck and lifted him in the air, growling, "If you double cross me or any harm comes to the vessel before the transfer, I'll rip your spine out myself."

The spy desperately clawed at the Alpha's powerful hands, "Sir, please, I am not trying to deceive you. I only wish to fulfill the oath." The werewolf dropped him to the floor with a menacing growl and headed toward the door.

"How will I know?" he demanded.

"Your mate's wolf will let you know when to arrive. Be prepared to subdue the demon, he will not let the witch go easily, sir. They have apparently become intimate from what my sources tell me," the spy rasped, still rubbing their neck.

Caipus seethed at the thought of Raiden's hands on his mate's vessel, but only nodded and stormed out of the room. Soon, my Angel. Soon you'll be back where you belong - he thought to himself.

Mira

Raiden had kept me practically secluded after the incident. Slowly he'd allowed me more freedom, but it was conditional. I have to have a guard with me at all times unless I am with him or Taj. I'd just finished my breakfast when Raiden came into the kitchens. "Good morning, little one. How are you feeling today?" he asked, placing a soft kiss on the top of my head.

"A tad claustrophobic," I admitted. "I think I've read every book in your library twice and Taj is getting a bit cranky about me invading his workspace all the time."

He laughed, "Yeah, he's a bit particular about his lab. I moved a stack of bottles one time and he chastised me for weeks." He took a bite out of a fruit that looked similar to an apple but was deep purple and suggested, "How about some time in the gardens? I haven't had a chance to show you much of the grounds and I'm out of meetings today."

I let out a relieved sigh, "That sounds perfect!" He held out his elbow to me and we headed to his personal gardens. I sucked in a breath when I saw the myriad of colorful blooms. The flowers had been arranged to create geometric patterns and designs as they bloomed, thus creating a maze-like illusion. I started running through the displays with my fingers skimming over the petals like a small child as I giggled loudly.

When he finally caught up to me, Raiden was laughing at my behavior. "You would think you'd never been in a garden before, little one," he teased, pushing my hair out of my face.

I screwed up my face and replied, "Well other than the medicinal gardens at the coven, I haven't. I've certainly never been in a garden such as this one."

He led me to a small arbor with a pergola covered in flowering vines that held a comfy seat in the shade. Pulling me down into his lap, he asked, "Tell me about the coven, about your time there, please."

I blew out a breath, "Well, it's in Killery. The coven is supposed to be dedicated to Lilith, but from what I experienced, the old crones who oversaw it were more focused on themselves. The province is beautiful and rich in crops, but it isn't run well."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, as accolades we were to train in service of the Goddess, to learn magic to honor her and the land, but the crones would send some out to surrounding kingdoms or villages to make a profit. That goes against most of our teachings. I mean, sure we can accept donations for our magical services, but we aren't supposed to demand it." I squirmed in his lap becoming irritated. "Our gifts are just that - gifts. We were given them to help all people, not just those with deep pockets," I growled.

Raiden chuckled, "I see you're very passionate about the matter." He stroked my back, playing with the edges of my hair, "Were you ever sent to help with magical needs?"

I shook my head, "No. When I turned twelve the wolves singled me out at an Equinox festival. From that time on, I was secluded from most activities. I was occasionally allowed to eat meals with the others, but most of my time was spent in the library studying or in the medicinal gardens to harvest herbs with the older witches." My body shook as I said the next piece of information. "That's how I learned what they were planning. Once I'd turned twenty, I was to be sacrificed at the Samhain ritual. Something about paying a debt to Alpha Caipus, but I don't understand all of it. I also wasn't going to stick around and find out, so I started saving scraps and coins as I could steal them, then ran away one night. That's how I ended up in the mortal realm."

"If you were hidden, then why did you reach out to me?" he asked, turning me to face him more fully.

"As I said the first night you brought me, I wasn't trying to summon you. The spell was intended to keep me hidden from the wolf who I, um, well stabbed in the pub that night." I hung my head as my cheeks reddened.

"Don't hide from me, Mira," he said softly. "Now would you kindly explain why you stabbed a werewolf?" He tried to suppress his grin but wasn't doing a good job of it.

"He was a jerk," I said defensively, "He and his friends were drunk and terrorizing two human girls and I helped them get away. Well, then he turned his attention to me and when he grabbed and sniffed me, I stabbed his hand with my pen."

Raiden threw his head back as he roared with laughter, "Oh my lands, little one, you are unbelievable." I shrank at his words but was quickly pulled closer as his lips crashed against mine. You are fearless, my love, he crooned in my mind. Every day you fascinate me more and more.

"What about you?" I asked. "How are you a king, yet still respond to summoning spells?"

He grinned, "Thuradok is a bit different than most kingdoms, as I'm sure you've already noticed. We are a collection of demons, mages, and magical beings but none have higher rights than others. That's why the dining room was set that way."

"Except you," I interjected, "Your table was above the rest."

Nodding, he continued, "True. Long ago the factions came together to stop the incessant wars. The land was dying along with most of the various inhabitants. A treaty was struck and the land finally knew peace. A council was established with representatives from all of the factions. It was then their task to choose a king." He ran his fingers gently along my jawline, then trailed down my neck as he continued to speak. "Not all factions were interested in ruling, some were too interested, so the council appointed a king - the first was a vampire and he ruled for thousands of years. Sadly, his long life drove him mad and the council had to, um, remove him."

"What a nice way to say they killed him," I snorted with a sly smirk.

Raiden chuckled, "Yes, I suppose it was. So there have been several kings and about eight hundred years ago my father took the throne. When he died unexpectedly, the council asked me to take his place. That was four hundred years ago." My eyes went wide. Holy fuck - he's ancient. His lips rose in a devilish smirk, "Seems you have a thing for older men, Mira. Should I have you call me Daddy?" I blinked rapidly then made a fake vomiting sound as he laughed, "Fine, fine, not really my thing either, dear."

"You still haven't explained why a king answers summoning spells," I reminded him.

He leaned in next to my ear, his tongue running along the lobe, and breathed, "I'm an incubus, love. We are creatures of sex and lust. I have no shame in admitting I respond for purely carnal reasons." My whole body trembled as his hand slid between my legs, the palm of his hand finding the dampness in my panties. "You were a very pleasant and wicked surprise, Mira. So confused and frightened, yet so willing to accept my punishments," he growled as his teeth nipped my skin. "Even now, you crave it, don't you?"

"Yes," I whimpered as he shifted my body. I felt his erection pressing against my core and arched toward him. "Raiden," my voice was low and needy.

His eyes darkened, "Oh the things I want to do to you, my little one. I want to spend hours devouring you, making you scream my name and beg for mercy again and again." He began moving my hips, the head of his cock rubbing against my clit through our clothes. I cried out as he increased our pace, but he locked eyes on mine, and growled, "Shh, you must be quiet, Mira. Scream in my mind if you must, but you are not allowed to make a sound."

I blinked as my body responded to his compulsion. I could feel his power and essence come off him in waves. It was strong and suppressed my own will, but felt tantalizing. I wanted him to control me - to lose myself in him. His hands cupped my ass as he pumped against me. That's it, love, give me what I crave, he commanded in my mind.

My head fell back as I felt the familiar sensation building in my stomach. Raiden, please, I begged, please let me come.

I heard him give a low laugh in my mind, Cum for me, my love, as our bodies collided once again. I screamed in my mind as my body shook with release. I felt the heat in his core as he found his release as well.

I fell against his chest panting heavily as he stood, carrying me in his arms. Once we were out from under the vines, he launched us into the air, his wings expanding. Without a word, he landed on the balcony and carried me into the shower. Once I was clean and wearing a long shirt of his, he gently laid me on the bed, tucking the blankets around me. "Rest Mira. You did so well, my love," he whispered as he placed a soft kiss on my lips. The warmth of the bed lulled me to sleep as I thought I heard him say, "I love you."

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