My eyes slowly flutter open. I'm greeted with bright light. I quickly close my eyes, groaning as I register how sore I am everywhere, but especially between my thighs. That's when last night---well technically this morning---hits me. Memory after memory flashes until I squeeze my eyes tighter, trying to collect myself. When I have my mind in check, I look around the room.

The wall behind the bed is a deep burgundy that matches the sheets, but the rest of the walls are black, which matches the furry rug that covers most of the floor under the bed and the pillows. It isn't four poster like Alaric's, but its massive, fit for the king---or Alpha rather---that Marcus is.

There's a black, cushioned seat to my left with gold legs, but two of them are broken. I blush when I remember why. Next, I look to my right, a desk sits there, but all its contents are on the floor and the edge has hand imprints in it. My blush deepens. Everywhere I look brings back a memory, even the damn wall.

I go to run my hands through my hair, but I can't, the reason being because its tangled beyond what I thought was possible. I blow a couple stray curls out of my face then shift the blanks away. I look down, seeing that I'm still naked, but there's huge, Marcus sized handprints in my leg, along with bite marks and hickeys. I inspect my arms and breast, seeing the same.

I'm so focused on my battle scars that I don't notice Marcus has walked back into the room. "If you think that's bad you should see me. Kitty let her claw out," he teases, chuckling. My head snaps to him, only to find that he's in a towel. Water drips down his chest and I follow it as it trails lower and lower, until the towel absorbs it. I absentmindedly lick my lips.

You would think my desire was satisfied, but the way my pussy clenched said different. Clearing my throat, I meet his eyes. They were red.

Marcus tsked at me, slowly stalking closer. I gulp, then shift to sit on the edge of the bed. He stops a hair's breathe away, towering over me. His cock grows even larger, nearly poking my eye out. I lean back a little and he laughs at me. A scowl takes over my face and I stand up, walking towards what I assume is a bathroom. I sway my hips slightly, knowing he's watching my every movement.

"I was gonna give you a little assistance with that," I say turning and pointing to his boner, "but I think you can do it yourself."

He growls, approaching me fast. I yelp, slamming the door and locking it. He bangs on the door once.

"You're gonna pay for that,

Princess."

I roll my eyes, looking at my reflection. My hair is indeed a bird's nest, but what catches my attention is the berries nestled in it. After picking about ten out I give up. I turn the water on, as hot as it can go, then use the bathroom. Once I finish my business, I step into the shower, not even bothered by the extreme heat. I wash my hair a good three times, then lather up with Marcus's shampoo. Even the smell of it gets me hotter, if that's even possible...all things considered.

What are these men doing to me?

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

I throw down a draw four, making Clent mutter a curse. It turns into a smug chuckle when he too finds a draw four and slams it down. I smirk at Cas. He gives me a sexy smirk back, slide forth his draw four. Marcus does the same. Everyone then turns to Alaric expectedly. I get a little nervous that he'll have one and it'll be back to me, but he sighs. That tells us all we need to know and the room erupts into laughter.

"Drawl 16, little man," Cas taunts. To my surprise, Alaric gives him the middle finger.

"Shut up, you bastard," he says, then glances at Marcus. He gives him a thumbs up then quickly pretends to be scratching his beard when I give him a pointed glare. What has he been teaching my sweet Alaric?

Clent burst out laughing, slamming his hand against the table. Cards go flying everywhere, much to my chagrin. Marcus shoves him, but begins to laugh himself. Cas and Alaric are too engaged in a glaring match to notice. I sigh, throwing my card down.

Getting up, I walk up to Kelen. He's pretending to be reading, researching like the responsible leader he is, but I can tell he's falling asleep. Even the guy's boisterous laughter isn't shaking him. I gently pluck the book out of his hand and climb into his lap. He startles finally, glancing down at me. A sleepy smile spread across his face. I lean up and kisses him softly, then rest my head on his shoulder. He pulls me up so my legs are fully around his hips. I hiss slightly, still sore.

Kelen chuckles. "Had quite a night didn't you?"

I nodded, happy my blush is hidden. Inhaling, I get a calming whiff of his scent. He begins to rub my back, shouting something at the guys, then settles his head in my hair.

"Had fun?"

I nod again.

He hums, training a single finger up and down my spine. "Ready for round two?"

At this my head snaps up. I look into his deep gray eyes. He couldn't really mean....

"Marcus was just a warm up, Sweetheart," he informs me, face dead serious. "This prophecy isn't going to fulfill itself."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I squeak out, then remember the visions I saw. "I have to get pregnant...." I trailed off. I was planning on pushing thinking about it off, but now that Marcus had....fueled the tank it was kind of unavoidable.

He nodded. "If you don't..."

"No, I-I want to," I reassured, blushing, "I just thought you guys...what I mean to say is that it seems like we've spent an eternity together, but it really hasn't been that long. I know it's the bond, but it's all a lot to process. I guess it doesn't matter now. But yes I do want this. It's meant to be, I saw it," I rambled.

He smiles, kissing me deeply, then sets me on my feet. "Go to my room. Strip. Then wait for me on the bed."

My eyes widened, but I immediately follow his order, already pumped up.

If Marcus was just a warm up......

Yall, as the book comes to a close, which will be at around 45 chapters, I gotta get all the smut scenes out of the way, so.....