The Selkie Prince's Fated Mate by JJ Masters
Luca wandered around the large suite feeling a little overwhelmed. He had been brought here by a beta servant right after finishing dinner. Not that he had eaten much since his stomach had been tied in knots.
How could it not be? He had sat for two long hours next to his new alpha. Imagine that! Hisfated mate turned out to be an actual prince and next in line for the throne as the King of the North.
That meant whatever heirs he produced with this prince could eventually succeed the throne. Whatever pups he bore would be princes in their own right.
But that wasn’t what made him slick with excitement. No, that wasn’t it at all. It was the alpha himself.
Being raised in a family of good breeding, Luca always knew that it could be possible he’d end up being the fated mate for an alpha of nobility. Who and where he never knew. As soon as he had become “of age,” the Selkie Seekers had summoned him time and time again to present him to royalty of all levels. From a king all the way to the lowest level of Selkie nobility, a baronet.
He couldn’t say he enjoyed any of the presentations. They were somewhat humiliating. However, over the last ten years, he’d gotten used to them. Well, as much as he could get used to being nude in a head down, ass up position in front of a crowd. Sometimes for up to an hour at a time.
Each time he was summoned he had hoped he wouldn’t get stuck with some unbearable, abusive or very unattractive alpha. Because if he did, he knew he had to do his duty no matter what and rut with whomever it was. As an omega, he didn’t have a choice to turn away the mate fates handed him.
It was his obligation and, more importantly, it was the law. If he refused, he and his family would be banished from any and all Selkie communities. They would become outcasts.
However, as soon as Prince Kai had entered the Great Hall of the North, he knew that the male was his alpha. Luca’s slick glands had started to leak just slightly, and his hole had loosened in preparation for mating. At that point, it took all that Luca had to remain in place, to stay in his submissive position as the alpha strode around them, inspecting the offering of omegas.
Of course, Luca had snuck in some peeks here and there and was pleased to find that his alpha was in his prime. Tall, broad-chested, dark-haired, and... simply handsome. When the regal prince had brought Luca to his feet, he’d lost his breath as he stared into those Caribbean blue eyes. The ones that bore straight into his soul.
Luca had been overcome with relief that his alpha was not only easy on the eyes but not much older than him. And from what he could tell over dinner, even though conversation was a bit difficult with the table being so long and the royal family being so spread out, his alpha seemed to be intelligent.
Dra’Kaedan’s Coven by Jessamyn Kingley
“Before you met me, did you ever try and imagine what your mate would be like?” Ayden asked.
“Sometimes. I’m shallow, so I wanted him to be good-looking. I like to laugh, so I hoped he’d have a good sense of humor. I dreamed of someone who’d love my family because my preference is to be with them. I consider myself very lucky because I got a mate who has everything on my shopping list,” Brogan replied. “How about you?”
“I honestly didn’t consider it. We were trapped so long, my only thoughts were about getting out of that cottage. I suppose if I had to make a list, the one thing I’d put on it would be to have someone taller than me. Life isn’t easy for us short people.”
“I know, I’ve seen your struggles with shelves, but I like your height. You fit just right in my arms.”
“Kind of cheesy,” Ayden decided.
“How about I love the delicious fit of your sexy, toned physique against the tall manliness of mine?”
“Too wordy.”
“Okay, last choice. Your body feels amazing against me.”
“Still has some cheese factor, but I’ll take it,” Ayden declared.
“Brat.”
“I have no regrets,” Ayden informed him.
His dragon grinned. “Somehow I’m not surprised.”
“We all have to be good at something. I’m learning to be excellent at saying whatever comes to mind.”
“You’re a good kisser,” Brogan countered. “You could spend more time doing that and less time being bratty.”
“Yeah, I’ve been trying, but my mate’s a pain in the ass and doesn’t give me much opportunity.”
“So, what you’re saying is that you wait for him to make all the moves?”
Ayden was dumbstruck. That was exactly what he’d been doing. He couldn’t believe he’d let Brogan dictate their progress until the previous night, when he’d finally demanded that the man give him more. If life was about embracing what he wanted, Ayden craved nothing more than Brogan.
Without a word, Ayden leaned forward and kissed his mate. It was no gentle peck—his tongue dueled with Brogan’s, and the dragon took control. He hauled Ayden close and massaged his back with his large paws as their mouths made love. Ayden wound his arms around Brogan’s neck as moans tumbled past his lips. Long before Ayden was ready, Brogan pulled away.
“I like it when you take charge,” Brogan told him.
“I wasn’t finished.”
“You keep kissing me like that, and I’m going to forget we’re in the living room.”
“Please, Madeline and Larissa make out in here all the time.”
Brogan’s brow furrowed in irritation. “Good for them. I don’t like sitting in here making out. My dick’s pressing against my zipper, and it fucking hurts.”
Ayden jumped off the couch. “Let’s go to my room then.”
“Taking it slow, remember that?” Brogan reminded him from where he still sat on the sofa.
“Damn it, why did we agree to something so stupid?” Ayden demanded and slapped his hands onto his hips.
Brogan narrowed his eyes in frustration as he stood. “Because you have no experience.”
“I’m over six centuries old. How long are you going to make me wait?”
“Long enough to make sure you’re ready.”
Tilting his head back, Ayden’s eyes met an angry set of navy ones, but he was an expert on what he was ready for, and he wasn’t going to tolerate anyone else making rules or guidelines for him. He’d had enough of that in his lifetime. “I think I know when I’m ready.”
“How? Huh? You’ve never been in a relationship, so how do you know?”
“I know myself, don’t I?” Ayden yelled.
“What the hell’s going on in here?” Aleksander asked as he stalked into the living room.
Ayden was lost in his anger and he didn’t think, he just acted. Lifting his finger, he aimed it in Brogan’s direction. “We’re both hard, and he won’t do a damn thing about it.”
“I’m out,” Aleksander responded as he turned on his heel and exited in the same direction he’d just come from. “I’ll be in my room if anyone needs me. You two can figure this one out on your own.”
There was a tense silence in the living room for several minutes; then Brogan bent over in half from the force of his laughter.
It made heat bloom in Ayden’s cheeks. “I can’t believe I said that to him.”
Brogan straightened, and their eyes met. “He’s heard worse. Don’t worry. Look, I know you want more, but we need to stick to the plan. This is too important to make mistakes.”
“I’m ready for more.”
“How about I’ll allow kissing and maybe a little more to be determined on a case-by-case basis,” Brogan offered as he took a step closer to Ayden and grinned.
Bridging the distance between them, Ayden walked forward until their toes bumped. “You’ll allow? It doesn’t work that way unless you want to be covered in oozing sores.”
“I think that’s more disgusting than the enormous damage you wanted to do to my ass earlier.”
“Give me one of those pecks you’re so fond of, and let’s go get a snack. We can talk about that little more you mentioned,” Ayden said as he held out his hand.
Brogan grabbed it and leaned down to touch their lips together. “We ate lunch less than thirty minutes ago.”
“Do you have a point?”
