Chapter 27
~Alexia-NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.
Everything played in slow motion in Alexia's head; how she said yes and how Kieran slowly but surely... captured her lips.
'His reward.' She thought. "He wanted a kiss for a reward.'
In the quiet space of their hotel room, the sound of their smacking lips seemed deafening, more than the beating of her wild heart. They both started with gentle pecks and proceeded with nibbles. Seconds passed, Kieran's kisses turned more demanding that his mouth parted wider, often covering Alexia's full lips.
When Kieran climbed on top of her, pinning her onto the bed, his body slightly pressing against her frame, Alexia felt happy tingles all over. Her arms unknowingly wrapped around his neck, her body squirming, and her eyes shut. Yes, she relished the kiss, the same way Kieran did, and Alexia could tell the man was incredibly aroused, thanks to something long and hard poking her stomach.
To Alexia, everything at that point felt right. Could Kieran be her true mate? She certainly hoped so and can't wait to turn twenty-one to prove it.
Alexia and Kieran continued to kiss for over a minute. Their hands began to caress other parts of their bodies.
Alexia did not realize how her palm rested on his chest, and she jerked a little when she felt his big hand going under her and grasping her ass. She pulled away from the kiss, taking a breather and analyzing the situation. 'Do I want more?' She questioned.
Certainly, Kieran wanted more. It showed in the fire in his eyes and how his hand was moving beneath her shirt. Before she could decide; however, Kieran shut his eyes. He sucked in a breath and said, "That will do... for now." He rolled off her, but before taking his side of the bed, he pecked on her forehead and said, "Goodnight, Alexia." She smiled and watched him retreat to sleep. "Goodnight, Kieran. Thank you for everything you have done today."
The next day, all pack members gathered at the center of the territory. Keiran stood on a made-up platform, five feet above the ground. It was enough for everyone to see him clearly and for Kieran to radiate his dominance.
Alexia was sitting in one of the chairs in front of Kieran when she suddenly felt his alpha command. Kieran was undeniably strong, and his alpha command could put anyone at his will.
Kieran was merely looking at everyone, slowly panning from left to right, but he declared his power over them, forcing a few down to their knees while others who readily accepted them had their heads down.
"I am Alpha Kieran Stone, the leader of the Stone Blood Pack. From today onwards, your pack will be under my command! I am your ruling alpha, and your luna is Alexia!" Kieran announced.
Alexia suddenly felt eyes on her. She was stunned at how Kieran announced her as his luna. Warmth spread through her chest as it gave her confidence.
She maintained her head high, knowing she needed to be strong alongside Kieran. She rose from her seat and allowed the Cross River Pack people to see her changes. With Kieran by her side, she was no longer that cursed young girl they claimed to be. She was Kieran's luna, contract or not. After Alexia, the rest of Kieran's gammas were introduced.
When Kieran had fully explained the hierarchy of his trusted warriors, he described how the pack would be maintained. He said, "I will leave some of my gammas to lead the pack while we identify trustworthy warriors who can fully run things around here."
"Now and then, I will be visiting this pack, but since I have several claimed territories under my name, mostly my gammas are the ones who fully oversee the pack," Kieran added. "When your loyalty has been proven, you may apply for relocation, even to my main territory. You will no longer be stuck here in this distant region."
He went on and on, discussing how the pack could normally run without Kieran. The people raised questions, and Kieran answered them satisfactorily.
Two weeks had passed since Kieran had taken over the Cross River Pack. They remained in the territory while Kieran implemented the changes. He collaborated with the
neighboring pack to temporarily aid with security. At the same time, he appointed Ace and two of his gammas to remain and lead the
people.
A day before returning home, Alexia spoke to Melissa. Her friend was now at the hospital, ready for discharge. She has yet to heal completely, but she could already do it with take-home medication. "We are going home tomorrow, Mel. I will miss you," Alexia revealed. She looked into her friend's eyes and did not miss how the corner of her eyes welled with tears. She asked, "What's wrong, Melissa?" Melissa took a deep breath. She reached for Alexia's hand and begged, "Alexia, can we go with you? You can trust us, right? Can you vouch for us and tell Alpha Kieran we are trustworthy?"
"After what happened to us, there is nothing left for us to appreciate in this place - not when some of Alpha Roland's former warriors are still walking free just because they accepted Alpha Kieran," Melissa suggested. Alexia looked past her friend and saw the same plight in her parent's eyes; Melissa's siblings and Dean's parents.
She was nervous. Alexia had never asked anything so significant from Kieran, but she just had to try. Besides, they were in this situation because of her. Alexia wondered, 'Could a kiss potentially work this time around?' Alexia has had this discussion with Kieran, and although they did not talk about her friends and their families, he mentioned the possibility that some may still pose a threat to Kieran's command.
That evening, Alexia and Kieran were packing their things from the hotel. Her eyes landed on him as he moved and folded his clothes into his luggage.
He might have noticed the way she stared that he looked up at her and asked, "What's on your mind, Alexia?"
She pursed her lips. Then she let out a big sigh. At first, she watched as he stood opposite the bed, lifting his brow at her. She walked towards him and said, "I need a favor." "What favor?" Kieran asked.
Alexia closed the gap between their bodies, and she lifted her face. When their eyes met, she tipped her toes and found his lips. He did not refuse her, which was a good sign.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and parted her lips. He kissed back.
Kieran held her waist and leaned down, deepening the kiss, his hip pressing against her abdomen. He moaned into her mouth, and very quickly, Alexia felt the hardness beneath his pants.
As they exchanged flavors, their heads turned from side to side, accommodating the kiss while taking some time to breathe.
When Alexia pulled away, her eyes were still dreamy. She meant to give Kieran an advance premium, possibly bringing Dean's and Melissa's family to his main territory, but why did it feel like she was equally rewarded too? "Kieran, can." She paused and looked into his intense brown eyes. "Can my friend's family come along too? The experience with Drake and being beaten made them uncomfortable to remain here."
"Can they, Kieran, please?" She asked again. "It was my fault Drake imprisoned them."
"It was not your fault that Drake had a violent nature. It wasn't also your fault that he tried to touch you." Kieran groaned. He cupped her chin and narrowed his eyes. He said, "Alexia, was the kiss compensation for asking me this favor?"
She looked down and admitted, "Sort of."
A low growl escaped his lips. He asked, "Alexia, will the day come that you will kiss me out on your accord? Not because we have to show other people we are married - not because you want to compensate me, but because you want to kiss me yourself."
Alexia's cheeks turned crimson red, and a smile formed on her face. 'Was this his inner self speaking? It was the first time Kieran gave a clue as to what he earnestly wanted from her. Because she was fully elated by what he said, she tipped her toes again and brazenly said, "This is me... wanting to kiss you."
"Hmmm."