Chapter 230 - Coronation by the gods (2/2)

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The combination of excitement and nervousness battled within Cam's body as she waited impatiently for the servants to help her undress and prepare for the hunt. Impatience won out as she kicked the undergarments to the side and quickly wrapped the ceremonial robe around her, making a slipknot in the sash for easy undoing. A light knock sounded on the bedroom door. Before she could answer, her mother was stepping in. ”Momma!” She called out feeling the mist of building happy tears cloud her eyes as she ran to embrace her mother.

Morinne held her daughter tightly against her. ”You looked absolutely beautiful this day! I'm so proud of you my dear!” She held Cam out at arm's length, studying the young girl's face. ”You've grown so much since winter, I can barely recognize you.” Her brows knitted as her eyes fell on a slight crescent scar that was still slightly red. She brushed the robe to the side to get a better look. She snapped her fingers toward the maids and nodded for them to leave the room before turning her attention back to her daughter. ”Camilla?”

Cam's hand came up involuntarily to hide the mark from her mother. ”It happened the night Ales took on the Alpha form for the first time. He... we have planned to redo the mark tonight while on the hunt so that everyone will believe it only just happened...” She tried to explain.

Morinne held her daughter's gaze. ”Who all knows about it. Were you and the young prince involved before he transitioned?”

Cam swallowed hard. Her mother had always been the first to know whether or not she was lying. ”N...not really... He had already taken on the alpha form, and his father had already declared him heir apparent before he marked me...”

Morinne's gaze grew serious. ”Camilla, this isn't a game. If the other's find out the two of you have had a relationship before he was an alpha they may question the authenticity of his claim. They may believe the king and queen are simply saying as much to keep arrangements with our kingdom.” She hooked her fingers under Cam's chin and brought the girl's face up to face her. ”Promise me he is in fact an alpha.” When Cam nodded against her grip, she added. ”And that the two of you have not done anything more than that bite, Camilla I am the wife of an alpha I know what it means for them... and what takes place as they are claiming a mate.”

Cam could feel a deep blush spread across her cheeks as she shook her head rapidly back and forth. ”No, Mother we have only kissed a few times outside the mark.” She glanced away from her mother's gaze as she mumbled under her breath. ”He wouldn't do more...”

Morinne's eyes widened as she jerked her daughter's face back to meet hers. ”You must not! The prince must be accepted by his people as the next leader before you threw yourself at him. Do you understand! If he isn't you will not be accepted either! We can't have that, do you understand?”

Cam pulled her face away from her mother. ”Yes, momma...” She said with a huff.

Another knock brought their attention in that direction. Ales pushed it open, but his usual calm demeanor quickly shifted to nervous when he saw her mother. ”Sorry, I'll come back...”

Morinne held up her hand stopping his exit. ”Why are you in my daughter's room?”

He cleared his throat, his eyes shifting to Cam and her bared shoulder. His eyes widened as realization register. He quickly closed the door behind him as he stepped into the room. ”Father sent me in...” He met Cam's gaze as he swallowed against the building nerves. ”to... um... redo the mark... But I guess it's too late to do it before anyone else notices...”

Morinne straightened in indignation. ”I have noticed, and I would have liked to have been informed of these things.” She moved her gaze back to her daughter. ”I'm not stupid, I know there is much you're not saying.” She bowed her head slightly to the prince. ”But for now I will leave this decision to your father and pray he doesn't ruin both our clans.” She bent and gave Cam a light kiss on the cheek. Before she lifted away, she whispered. ”Do not let him do more than the mark, do you understand!?” She didn't wait for Cam's reply as she retreated from the room, glaring at Ales as she went.

Ales let out a heavy sigh as the bedroom door shut leaving them alone at last. To his surprise, the door had barely closed when Cam flung herself at him in a tight hug. He didn't waste any time wrapping his own arms around her slender shoulders. He tried hiding the nervousness from his voice as he whispered. ”I'm sorry you had to be reprimanded because of me.”

Cam buried her face into his robe more as she felt a hot blush begin to creep up her neck. ”It's not your fault. I asked you to do it, remember.” She whispered against the thin, silky material of his robe.

He leaned back to look her in the eyes. ”I could have done the right thing and said no... Now I must hurt you again because of my lack of restraint.” He stroked his index finger gently over her rosy cheek. ”And worst yet, I fear I may do something to hurt you more by having to repeat the act.” Dread reflected in his eyes as he searched hers. ”Your mother is right to warn you against me.” He said as he ran his hands through her loose, pale curls.

Cam lifted her hands to cup either side of his face. ”You're wrong... she's wrong. No matter what happens I am yours and you are mine. I love only you, Ales, and want only you regardless of others' opinions or approval. Do what you must as you mark me, I am completely yours.” She lifted onto tiptoes as she tugged his face down toward hers. She didn't release her hold on him until the tension released from his body and he returned her kiss.

”I love you.” He whispered against her lips between kisses. He ran his hand over her shoulder, across the mark. Pulling away and smiling down at her, he guided her to her bed. Though she smiled back at him, he could feel her nervous energy as they neared the beautiful four-poster. He cupped her cheek as he bent to give her another kiss. ”Sit on the edge but face away from me, alright.” Her questioning eyes held his. He forced a reassuring smile. ”It will be easier for me to maintain control... I believe.” He didn't want to admit to the sweet, innocent princess that he simply didn't want her to see him spill his seed again in another bout of uncontrollable need the act created. When she did as he had asked and even tugged down her robe, he rewarded her with a kiss to the mark.

His lips on the fading scar sent an excited chill coursing through her body. ”Ales.” She murmured as she tilted her head to the side to give him better access.

He ran his tongue over the raised flesh, feeling his teeth shift and his shaft harden with anticipation. He slid one arm around her waist tugging her against his chest as he began sinking his wolfish teeth into her tender skin directly over the scar. At the first taste of blood, the beast struggled to be freed. An animalistic growl rumbled through his throat as he held her tighter, pulling her closer as he sank his teeth in deeper. When she m.o.a.ned loudly and leaned farther back to run one hand into his hair, pulling it free of the tight band, he couldn't stop the movement of his h.i.p.s and to the utter shock of his fogged brain, a tiny hand brushed against the front of his robe and against the sensitive tip of his aching member. Another growl rumbled his throat pulling a m.o.a.n from her as her hand continued awkwardly fumbling with him. Giving another deep growl he pushed the robe open and cupped her hand around him, holding her hand in place as he stroked out his release.

Cam's breath caught as Ales went rigid and hot, thick liquid began to spill over the fingers he clung tightly to. Tingles ran through her body. ”Ales!” She exclaimed as she tightened her grip on his hair, pulling him away from her neck and forced his lips to hers.