Defying the Rogue Alpha
Chapter 123: Surrender

Chapter 123: Surrender

Zari held up her hands in surrender. "Calm down. It was the Alpha’s orders."

Ava’s mouth dropped. "Wait, Lucas... he sent it?"

Zari gave her a look. "Of course he did. He’s been brooding since the moment you left."

"So," Ava began as she tucked one leg under the other, settling into the soft plush of the lounge chair. "How have you been, Zari?"

Zari beamed with pride. "Fine! Actually, better than fine. I’m the kitchen manager now." She tried to say it casually, but there was a dramatic hand flourish involved and a sparkle in her eye that gave her away.

Ava raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? Running the whole kitchen? Look at you. Would you have the time to work as my maid again?"

"Are you kidding me? Time? I would quit the kitchen in a heartbeat. I’d set the entire pantry on fire if I had to. Is there any position higher than the Luna’s personal maid? That’s not a job, Ava. It’s an honor. It’s my divine calling. My destiny. I claim it in the name of all maidkind."

Ava burst out laughing, covering her mouth to muffle the giggles. "You’re ridiculous."

"But loyal," Zari pointed out smugly, placing a hand on her chest. "Despite the poisoning incident that one time. I don’t trust anyone else with you."

Ava nodded. That was the truth. After all, Zari had only been a tool used against her.

"It’s good to see you again," Ava said. "Really."

"I’ll go get your dinner ready," Zari said, already halfway to the door. "I’ll make something you’ll love. I’m so glad you’re back. The fortress feels like the fortress again."

Before she could escape, Ava’s voice pulled her back. "Did you hear about Sarah?"

Zari spun on her heels. "Oh, yes. Good for her. When you were gone, she was prancing around like she was Luna."

Ava raised an eyebrow. "You’re kidding."

"I wish I was. She had the maids running in circles, and acted like she could make or break anyone with a snap of her fingers."

"I heard she’s pregnant."

"Yeah, and it’s definitely not the alpha’s," Zari said. "He avoided her all through."

Ava snorted. "I need you to do me a favor."

"Anything," Zari said immediately.

"I need you to go to the dungeons," Ava said. "Tell Sarah that her fate is in my hands now. I don’t care that she’s pregnant. She will beg for death before I’m done."

Zari’s eyes widened, then a slow, almost dangerous smile spread across her face. "Oh. My. Goddess. You’re back-back." She gave an exaggerated twirl and mock-curtsied. "I’m honored to serve the Petty and the Powerful."

Ava smirked. "Tell her to get comfortable. Her regrets are just beginning."

Zari gave a little salute. "With pleasure."

*****

Lucas felt her before she even touched the door. It was a pull in his chest. She was like gravity. No matter where she went, he felt himself pulled in her direction. He’d tried to give her space—God, had it been hard.

He had prepared for bed, or at least tried to. The sheets were crumpled, his pillows rejected three times in frustration. Now he lay naked, blanket barely clinging to his hips, staring at the ceiling.

He heard her at the door. The soft click. The gentle whisper of fabric as she crept inside. He closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.

He could feel her movement. Every single one. She crept to the bed, slid onto it, and then—she threw off the covers. The sudden coolness of air against his bare skin was the least of his concerns.

He tensed slightly, still feigning unconsciousness. Maybe she’d curl up beside him and they’d just cuddle. Maybe she just missed his presence. His warmth.

But then—her hand wrapped around his cock.

Lucas sucked in a sharp breath, eyes flying open, pretense shattered. "My little virgin..." he managed, his voice hoarse but amused. He couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips. Trust Ava to make an entrance like this.

"Shhhh... go back to sleep. Pretend I’m not here," Ava whispered, her lips brushing his cock.

He chuckled. Oh, sure. Like that was remotely possible. Pretending she wasn’t there while she had his dignity wrapped in her hand? "Right," he murmured, biting back a groan.

Her touch was maddeningly slow, each stroke was deliberate, driving him up a wall he’d happily crash through for her. She kissed around his thighs.

Lucas growled. A warning and a plea all wrapped into one. "Ava..." he warned. "I don’t think I’m built for this level of... restraint."

But she only smirked against his skin, the wicked little tease. She flicked her tongue over the head of his now painfully erect cock and his back arched slightly, fingers twitching with the urge to grab her, flip her, claim her.

"Come here," he growled, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her up to straddle him, her knees hugging his sides. She gasped and laughed softly.

"You couldn’t even last five minutes," she teased, breathless.

"I’ve lasted weeks, Ava," he growled, sitting up, his lips brushing against her collarbone. "Weeks. Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed you here, in this bed, in my arms?" His fingers tangled in her nightdress.

"Lucas," she murmured, eyes wide as he peeled the nightdress off her with the desperation of a man reclaiming something sacred.

Without a word of warning, Lucas gripped Ava’s hips and guided her down onto him, their bodies locking together with a familiarity that still managed to feel like a jolt of something new. Her breath hitched sharply, eyes fluttering closed as her body tightened around him in a reflexive spasm of pleasure and longing. There was no barrier between them now—not emotionally, not physically, not even metaphorically. He held her still, buried to the hilt, his hands firm but reverent. He wasn’t in a hurry to move. Not yet. He needed this more than he could admit out loud.

"I slept in that damn forest on the hill," he murmured, "just to be close to you... while you were stuck in that cursed Rogue camp."

Ava tried to reply, but all she managed was a choked, "Lucas..." before he lifted her and brought her back down with a forceful, deliberate thrust.

"Uhnnn..." she gasped, digging her nails into his forearms. Every inch of her was on fire, aching in the best way.

"I ached for you every second," he said, gritting his teeth as he moved her again, slower this time but deeper. "Every damn second."

Another lift. Another crash. Ava was lost in a haze—her hair tumbling down her back, her lips parted in surrender, her body molded to his.

"I saw Dennis kiss you."

The rhythm didn’t break. Ava opened her eyes, blinking. "Wait, what?"

@Alicia_Zeigler: You are a darling!!!