A Dangerous Allowance

The rest of the evening dragged at an agonizing pace. I remained seated on the balcony, the cool night air doing nothing to soothe the war raging in my head. Uncle Gideon’s heavy political expectations slammed repeatedly against Magnus's gruff, accented declaration.

*Fuck power.*

His deep voice played on a loop. It was a rare sentiment coming from a man built like him—someone massive, lethal, swimming in raw strength. Yet, his fury combatted my uncle's manipulation perfectly.

*Shouldn't we put ourselves first for a change?* Zoya grumbled in my mind, her canine presence restless.

I sighed into the dark. *Zoya, we have an entire kingdom to look after. It is bigger than just us.*

*It is not as hard as you make it out to be,* my wolf countered. *Our mate was paired with us for a reason. He will help us.*

*If we ever meet him.*

I felt Zoya’s frustration spike. Humans and wolves operated on vastly different wavelengths. As the daughter of the Alpha King, my instincts screamed to protect my people by any means necessary. But Zoya was irrevocably bound to a future mate we hadn't even met. She couldn't betray that bond if she tried. Her own nature was in conflict with itself.

While I wanted nothing more than to protect my people, was I prepared for what would happen if I gave up my mate? A lifetime living with someone who didn't make me happy. Sharing a bed with a stranger, bearing his children, building a fake life together. A strategic political marriage was the ultimate sacrifice my people needed from me, but it felt like a slow death.

If my mom were alive, she would have scolded my uncle for putting those toxic ideas in my head and placing that burden on my shoulders.

"Cordelia?" A soft, timid voice pulled me from my dark brooding.

I blinked, peeling my eyes away from the shadows of the garden below. A young, nervous servant girl peeked her head out of the balcony doors, offering a small smile.

"Yes?" I asked.

"The Alpha King is awaiting you in the dining room, miss," she murmured, bowing her head respectfully.

I stood, realizing how stiff my joints were. "I will follow you down."

As we walked down the winding, silent halls, I decided to distract myself from my impending headache. "What is your name?"

Her earth-colored eyes widened. "Camille, miss. But you can call me Cami."

"How long have you been working here, Cami?"

"Just a couple days." She let out a shaky breath, her fingers twisting the fabric of her apron. "I have never been around so many Lycans before. I am homeschooled, so I do not get out much."

I chuckled softly at her frayed nerves. "Nothing to worry about. I apologize ahead of time for all my future messes." That earned a genuine giggle from her. "I do not get out much either. The Lycans around here are not too bad. Just let me know if anyone gives you trouble."

We stepped into the grand dining room. I locked eyes with my father sitting at the head of the long table. Cami bowed quickly and scurried away.

I took my seat, picking aimlessly at the roasted meat on my plate. I needed to test the political waters, to see where my father truly stood on Gideon's twisted plans.

After a few minutes of heavy silence, my dad cleared his throat. "Cordelia, what is wrong?"

I looked up. His silver eyes pinned me down. He always knew when I was hiding something. I just had to decide if I wanted to throw my uncle under the bus.

"Just thinking," I started cautiously, keeping my voice soft. "I know the visiting rulers are coming to my birthday ball to try and win me over. I was wondering... if I should let them."

My dad choked on his wine, coughing loudly before slamming his goblet onto the table. "Let them?"

"Yeah," I pressed on, ignoring the sudden drop in room temperature. "If I accept one of them, they would have to come to our aid. It might ease the massive stress on you regarding this impending war."

Dad’s bright silver eyes darkened instantly into a furious, stormy grey. "Your uncle talked to you, didn't he?" he growled, the sound vibrating through the silverware.

"What?" I forced a confused frown. "No, he didn't talk to me."

"Do not lie to me, Cordelia." He cut me off, seeing straight through my fake facade. "You came to this ridiculous conclusion all on your own?"

I shifted in my chair. "Of course. What you both said at dinner yesterday stuck with me. If I can help our people, shouldn't I?"

The more I thought about giving up my future mate, the more my stomach twisted into knots. How did other Lycans do it? How did they muster the strength to reject their other half?

"This is not your fight." His booming voice carried the undeniable, absolute authority of the Lycan Alpha King. The sheer power in his tone forced my shoulders to drop.

I opened my mouth to argue, but he silenced me with a sharp wave of his hand.

"Yes, I know you will take my place when I step down. But I have not stepped down yet. Therefore, this is my fight." He leaned forward, his massive hands resting flat on the mahogany wood. "You will not sacrifice your only happiness for a war we can handle on our own. What would your mother think?"

His fierce, unwavering words hit me right in the chest, melting away the heavy anxieties Gideon had planted in my brain. He was right. I still hated that he and my uncle were keeping secrets from me, but his reassurance was exactly what I needed.

"She would think I am crazy," I breathed, reaching for my own glass of wine.

Dad shook his head, the lethal anger fading into a soft, protective smile. "No, not crazy. Just confused."

"Thanks, Dad." I smiled back. His smile lit up the room.

Capitalizing smoothly on his softened mood, I gave him a sheepish grin. "I do have one tiny thing to ask you, though."

He raised an eyebrow, recognizing my shift in tactics. "And what would that be?"

"Gemma invited me to a small, local party tomorrow night. It is nothing big, but she wanted to know if I could come." I pushed my lower lip out, utilizing a pout that hadn't worked since I was twelve.

Dad sighed, his gaze flickering. I didn't give him a chance to say no.

"Magnus will be by my side the entire time! You know I do not drink like that. We will only be there for an hour or two, I promise."

Dad fell silent, losing himself in his thoughts. He let out a long, heavy sigh.

"Very well," Dad agreed, his tone grumbling. "But if anything happens, you mind-link me immediately. Understood?"

"Yes, Alpha King," I beamed at him, ignoring his deep chuckle and eye roll.

The very next morning, the lingering relief from my father's permission morphed into a thrilling, electric tension.

I climbed out of bed, tossing my sleepwear aside. The morning sun poured through the massive windows, warming my skin. I reached into my dresser and pulled out a tiny, sheer purple bra and matching panties, slipping them on. The delicate lace barely covered my breasts, the translucent fabric leaving my nipples and the curls over my pussy heavily exposed to the cool air.

A brief, sharp knock sounded on the door connecting my room to Magnus's.

"Come in!" I called out, trying to keep the amusement from my tone.

Before I could grab a shirt or even move toward the closet, the door swung open. Magnus stepped directly into my bedroom.

He froze mid-stride.

I stood dead center in the room, wearing nothing but the sheer lingerie. My breath hitched in my throat. I didn't reach for a towel. I didn't cross my arms over my chest to hide my body. I just stood there, locked in his gravitational pull.

Magnus's dark, obsidian eyes widened fractionally. Then, they dropped.

His gaze dragged slowly and agonizingly down my throat, tracing the slope of my breasts where the purple lace strained against my hardened nipples. I felt a burning trail of phantom heat ignite across my skin wherever his eyes touched. He stared at the dip of my waist, the curve of my hips, and the sheer fabric clinging to my wet core. His pupils blew wide, swallowing the dark irises whole. His broad chest heaved, a low, guttural rumble of raw desire vibrating from his throat.

The tension was thick enough to choke on. The air in the room crackled with a magnetic pull.

Then, with a sharp intake of breath, he forcefully snapped his head to the side. His jaw clenched so tight the muscle ticked under his tanned skin. He squeezed his eyes shut, his massive hands curling into tight fists at his sides as he silently, aggressively scolded his own wolf for the dangerous lapse in iron control.

He didn't say a word, just stepped back and pulled the door shut between us with a soft click.

My knees went weak. My lips twitched into a smirk as a heavy, throbbing ache pooled between my thighs. What had started as harmless, rebellious curiosity about my mysterious, silent bodyguard was rapidly and uncontrollably morphing into a deep, consuming sexual desire. I wanted his hands on me.

Later that morning, I threw on a sundress and headed down to the bright, white gazebo in the royal garden. The vibrant, blooming flowers surrounded the structure, filling the air with a sweet, heavy scent. The gentle breeze and the warm sun quickly lulled me into a deep, romantic daydream. My mind kept replaying the dark hunger in Magnus's eyes, the way his gaze felt like a physical touch dragging down my bare skin.

"Earth to Cordelia! Hello?"

Gemma waved her hand directly in my face, forcefully snapping me back to reality.

I blinked, shaking my head to clear the haze. "What?" I looked around the empty seats, popping a green grape into my mouth. "Where did Tessa go?"

Gemma rolled her eyes. "She is covering for someone at work and had to leave. If you weren't so wrapped up in your own head, you would have heard her say goodbye."

"Oh, crap," I sighed, leaning back in my chair. That was a quality I inherited from my mom. I would get so lost in the world around me.

"She knows how you get. She didn't take it personally," Gemma dismissed with a wave of her hand. She leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with chaotic excitement. "Now, before you go getting lost in daydream land again, what did your dad say about tonight?"

I smiled happily. "He agreed. But only for an hour or two."

"Yes!" Gemma threw her hands in the air, thrilled by the victory. "That is plenty of time to get us both hot boyfriends at the club."

She didn't miss a beat. Her predatory eyes boldly and deliberately flickered over my shoulder toward Magnus, who stood silent and stoic near the steps of the gazebo. Gemma flashed him a sly, wicked smirk, her intentions clear as day.

I rolled my eyes, kicking her under the table. "I am not going there to find a boyfriend."

"Is tall, dark, and lethal going to be coming with us?" Gemma asked, twirling a piece of her blonde hair around her finger, keeping her gaze locked on him.

"Duh. He is my bodyguard. He is a package deal," I laughed.

Gemma stuck her tongue out at me. She turned her attention back to plotting. "You need to wear something cute. A short dress and dangerously high heels. No exceptions."

She pointed a stern finger at my face. I chuckled, knowing there was no point in arguing with her when it came to fashion. I had learned to walk in heels at fourteen, and while they weren't my favorite, I liked how they elongated my legs and boosted my confidence.

"Do you want to borrow something from my closet?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. While our body types were different, I had a massive collection that could easily accommodate her.

Gemma beamed, her eyes lighting up with greedy excitement. "Thank you! We wear the exact same shoe size, so I am going to raid your shoe collection."

"Take whatever you want," I agreed easily, securing our reckless plan.

"Be ready at ten p.m. sharp. I will meet you out front," Gemma ordered, her high-pitched tone leaving no room for debate. "We are escaping these suffocating castle walls tonight. Do not be late."

"Yes, ma'am," I laughed, a fresh wave of teenage excitement rushing through my veins.