Masked Fate (Fated Love #3)

CHAPTER TWELVE

Pandora

I look smoking hot tonight.

And I’m already tipsy.

My black velvet dress hugs every curve and pushes up my breasts, and my violet eyes are dark and smoky. Things at home have been stressful, to say the least, so when Astrid mentioned that she needed someone to check on Laurel, the Shifter King’s seer, I told her I could do that for her. More than anything, though, I need this night out—a night away from my sister and all my responsibilities.

I need a distraction.

So, drink in hand, I’m mingling with the crowd, laughing at something Halia, the Mermaid Princess, said, when I feel someone standing close behind me.

“Look who walked right into my lair,” Salem rasps in his deep voice, his hand on my elbow. He spins me around to face him. I know he doesn’t like being touched, so the fact that his fingers are lingering on me right now has me feeling pretty fucking concerned.

He smirks as his light green eyes rake over my face. “Couldn’t stay away?”

“I’m not here for you,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest. His gaze drops to my breasts. “There are other people in this kingdom, you know?”

His tongue runs across his lower lip. “Last time you were here, it was because we were betrothed.”

“Still holding onto that, hey,” I mutter, and he tilts his head to the side and watches me like a wolf eying its prey. “We aren’t betrothed anymore. We aren’t mates. We don’t love or care for each other. Why—”

He laughs, and it’s dark. I scull the rest of my drink. “It’s not always about any of that. You were mine , which means you are mine . I don’t give up anything that’s mine .”

I pick up another glass of champagne from a passing waiter. I feel like I’m going to need it. “I’m going to go and wish Raiden happy birthday—”

“No, you’re not,” he growls, pulling me up against his much larger, extremely hard body. He lowers his lips to my ear. “You ever fucked a shifter, Queen Pandora? You know I’m a wolf shifter, which means I have a knot. I can bring you more pleasure than you’ve ever experienced in your life.”

“I’m not interested—”

“Look at you, fucking blushing.” He groans like it turns him on. “You aren’t a virgin, are you?”

Swallowing hard, I shake my head. “No, I’m not, but I’m not…”

I don’t know why I’m answering him.

Giving Salem even an inch is a worse idea than me following Soren to his bedroom. Salem could very well decide to kill me before pleasuring me, but the adrenaline shooting through my veins right now is exactly what I’ve been craving.

It’s official—I’ve lost it.

“But what?” he asks, his tongue flicking over the shell of my ear. “Has anyone ever tasted this pussy?”

After so much bone-deep rejection from Soren, it feels nice to be wanted. My ego has been so deflated, and I never thought Salem would be the one ever to change that, but here we are.

“Yes,” I admit, swallowing hard. “One male has.”

He growls. “I waited fucking years to fuck what’s mine. And then they took you away from me. I don’t like that. I pictured you as my queen, under me, on top of me, in front of me… and then I never even got a taste. And one other asshole has?”

“Salem—”

His lips move down to my neck, and, oh fuck. It feels so good. My eyes close as I whimper. This is what I crave—to be wanted and touched. To be fucking worshiped, even if it’s just for a night.

Salem stands to his full height and takes my drink, placing it on the nearby table, and then grabs my hand, leading me out of the ballroom.

I let him.

When guilt starts to hit me, I picture Soren.

Not even the moment I saw him fucking that woman’s mouth, but I picture when she sat on his lap, and he held her, stroking her back. He comforted her. He looked into her eyes and offered her something he would never in a million years offer me—kindness and genuine warmth.

It hurt more than his coming in her mouth.

Fuck it.

I’m focusing on myself and my needs now.

He pulls me down a hallway and into the first room we come to, which looks like an office. He lifts me on the white desk in the center of the room and slides my dress up until my black panties are exposed.

He then rips them off in one smooth motion.

His fingers touch my inner thigh before he steps back, admiring the view of my bare pussy.

“Fuck…” He grunts, his fingers twitching like he wants to touch me again. He’s the largest man I’ve ever seen, so when he kneels in front of me, he’s still bigger than me.

“I’m hungry,” is all he says before he grips my ass cheeks in each hand and lifts me to his mouth.

One swipe of his big, rough tongue, and I lose all coherent thought.

He eats me out like he’s been waiting for it for years.

Like he’s starving for it.

Just like he said he’s been.

He greedily sucks my clit, and I start seeing stars.

“Salem—”

His fingers dig into the globes of my ass, almost painfully, which only heightens my pleasure.

And then I come.

Loudly.

And then the door slams open with a loud bang, my eyes widening in shock as Soren steps inside, sword drawn, murder in his eyes.

He takes in the scene as Salem stands up and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

Hopping down from the table, I quickly slide my dress back down and step around Salem to see Soren. “What are you doing here?”

His square jaw is taut with tension. “Rave sent me to… I heard you scream and thought you were in danger.”

“As you can see, she’s fucking fine,” Salem replies in a deceptively calm voice.

The already heavy air in the room turns suffocating. Why didn’t Astrid tell me they were sending Soren here tonight? I had no plans of running into him.

Why can’t I simply enjoy a fucking orgasm without all the drama?

“Come on, witch, you’re coming with me,” Soren orders, his sword still drawn.

I don’t get him.

He can see I’m fine, so why does he want me to go with him?

Did something happen to Astrid?

“Is Astrid okay?” I ask, frowning. “What’s happened?”

His face darkens. “She’s fine. But you are coming back with me. Now .”

“The fuck she is,” Salem grinds out, stepping closer to Soren. “What the fuck do you think you’re protecting her from? Being fucked right?”

Soren slides his sword behind his back and steps forward, looking Salem dead in the eyes.

“You’re going to forget anything that happened between you and Pandora today.” He shoves force behind his words, and I suddenly realize he’s using his persuasion. His magic pulses in the air, so thick I can almost taste it. “You’re going to leave this room. You won’t look for her.”

Salem shakes his head as if trying to dislodge the thought but eventually nods and walks out of the room.

What the fuck!

Just how powerful is this man? I see Soren as a warrior and a fighter. I didn’t realize he was such a magical force too.

“What was that?” I whisper-yell, throwing my hands in the air. “I’m not leaving here with you. I’m here because I want to be.”

“What was that? I should be asking you that question! You’re meant to stay away from Salem and his brand of crazy, but instead, you’re spreading your fucking thighs for him. What the hell were you thinking?”

“It’s none of your business who I spread my thighs for,” I reply, gritting my teeth. “Just like you said, I was ruining your good mood and your hard cock? You’re ruining my fucking good mood and my wet pussy, which could have gotten more attention if you didn’t orgasm-block me. So please leave.”

His eyes flare. “That’s what this is about? You were the one wandering around my bedroom door, witch.”

“No, this is about me wanting to feel good. Other men do want me, Soren. I’m a beautiful woman… witch and all. This has nothing to do with you. I didn’t even know you’d be here tonight.”

A muscle works in his jaw. “I don’t even know what the fuck we’re fighting over, but let’s go home.”

Home.

My home isn’t with him.

I move to walk past him, but he grabs my upper arm, and my skin tingles from the simple touch.

My body still wants him.

But it still hasn’t gotten the memo that he doesn’t want me back.

“Don’t test me, witch. I follow King Rave’s orders, and he wants you safe.”

And then he zips me out of there.

And when we land back in Aravelle, I’m fucking fuming.