“Ian, I don't know what to tell you, or how, I'll never be able to fix it”Ian turned to Eden and smiled. It was a beautiful smile, and reminded her, with a pang, of all the reasons she had to love him.“But there's nothing you can do, Eden. I just have to learn to live with it.”‘So must I. And the baby will know, inevitably, that something is wrong and missing from his life. We'll both suffer for not having Ian’s love,’ thought the omega.“Will you promise me something?” Eden asked.“I'll give it a try. I can't promise something I can't keep.”“From now on, be completely honest with me. Always tell me how you feel, what you want.”Ian looked at her for a long moment, then slowly shook his head.“No, I'm sorry, my love, I can't promise you that. I can try, but no more.”“Then we'll both try.” Eden said.‘My love? Did he really say that? Oh... He must have said that tender word without thinking about it, out of affection. Yes, I'm crazy to think that one day Ian would call me that fro
It took Ian a good fifteen minutes to remove Eden’s jewelry, the girdle used to camouflage her belly and the rest of her underwear. Every button, every cuff, every untied ribbon earned her a kiss, a caress, a touch of the lips or tongue. Eden burned with anticipation, with desire. Her nipples were swollen and tender, and their hard tips awaited the mouth that would cover them. Finally, Eden was left with only her stockings and garters her husband had bought for her. She opened her eyes to see Ian kneeling at her feet. Eden closed her eyelids as she felt Ian undo the ribbons and slide her stockings down her legs, his lips following the glide of the silk. To her surprise, Ian took her toe into his mouth and began to suck on it.Shocked, Eden sat up halfway. “Ian!”Ian looked at her, seeming to dare her to protest again, and continued his task, until Eden let herself go, beyond all shame and resistance. Then Ian did the same with the other stocking, another toe, before his hands
Moments later, with Eden still wanting more, Ian straightened up on top of her and the omega latched onto that solid body to draw him closer. Then, gently, while her whole body was still vibrating deliciously from the previous caresses, Ian penetrated her, powerful, inexorable, until she was completely filled. Eden felt as if her whole body, every part of her, was surrounding and sheathing the erect sex.“Eden?”Eden put her hand on the back of his neck and kissed him full on the lips as the alpha moved gently in and out of her. Eden sensed him picking up the pace and arched her back to welcome him more, hands now gripping his muscular buttocks to enjoy the tiniest of sensations Ian was giving her. Eden heard him growl and felt him freeze, then he cried out and the omega felt a warmth inside her as Ian freed himself. Finally, Ian dropped on her, burning and heavy. Eden tightened her arms around him as if to prevent him from ever leaving. Ian was awake. Eden could feel it in the s
“We're so happy that Ian has come back to live here," exclaimed Iris Westwood, as she and Eden sat in the sedan as it steered clear of the bumpy road.They had decided to spend a day in Worcester to do a little shopping, while their husbands inspected the surrounding woods, apparently delighted by this respite from their daily obligations. God knows, Eden mused, Ian needed it Eden smiled at Iris. It was nice to have a friend to confide in and share, at last, the joy of this unborn child. Of course, no one could replace Selene and Hannah, but Eden had immediately felt affection for Iris.“I understand that Ian didn't come back very often after university?” Eden asked.“No, he didn't.” Iris pursed her lips a little. Ian and Jasper have known each other since childhood, but when Ivan inherited the title, we only saw him in London, or at Fosse Warren.“You knew Ivan, right?”“It's hard not to," replied Iris, looking disapproving. As neighbors. I must say, I didn't approve of his way
Eden was standing on a high stool in front of the counter of Messrs Wildegrave and Harris, drapers in Worcester, choosing cotton towels. She noted the sum of ten shillings and eight pence on her list.“I think this poplin would be perfect for wall hangings, Lady Hadleigh," the seller remarked, unrolling a large coupon in front of her.“Yes, I…”Someone gave a muffled exclamation behind him and Eden glanced over her shoulder. A very elegant lady in her forties was accompanied by a very pretty blonde girl. Both looked at her in amazement.“Lady Hadleigh?" repeated the lady incredulously.“Yes?," replied Eden.Although the omega was not yet fully conversant with the etiquette of the high world, this abrupt question from a complete stranger hardly seemed polite.“Ivan Boyle’s widower? I didn't know that…”“No, Ian Boyle’s wife.”The young lady, an omega who understood Eden, gasped.“Ian is married?”“Yes, he is.”Eden was beginning to feel as embarrassed as she was irritated. Everyone
But Iris was no dupe. As soon as they arrived at the castle, she slipped into the study where the two alphas were gathered, kissed Ian on the cheek and grabbed her husband's hand, claiming she was absolutely exhausted and that Eden hadn't minded them leaving before dinner.“What's the meaning of this?" Ian asked his wife inquisitively. “I needed to have another chat with Jasper. Was Iris really that tired? She seemed to be doing very well, but….”Ian shrugged his shoulders, flashing for a moment that charming little smile that made Eden’s heart beat so fast.“But what do I know about such things? I'm only an alpha, after all.”Eden couldn't decide whether to sit or stand. “I met some of your friends in Worcester…”“Did you?” His smile faded instantly and concern invaded his face.“He can read my mood changes in seconds," Eden mused. “ i wish I could read him as easily as he reads me."“Lady Framingham and Lady Frederica. They both seemed very surprised that you were married. They
Ian had almost reached Fosse Warren when he heard the clatter of a horse's hooves behind him. As a precaution, he reached for one of the pistols hanging from his saddle-tree, but relaxed as he recognized Peter, the castle's chief groom, mounted on Ace, his best hunting horse.“What's going on?" he exclaimed when the man got to him. “Has something happened to my omega?”“No, milord. Catching his breath, Peter pulled a fold from his vest. Milady is well. She sent for me, half an hour after you left, and gave me this letter. Milady said it was urgent, that I should catch up with you and give it to you as soon as possible.”“Well, follow me to Fosse Warren," ordered Ian, burying the wax-sealed envelope in the inside pocket of his morning coat. What did Eden have to tell him that was so urgent? "Don't ever come back, I hate you” Probably. Or had she gone to a dictionary to pick out all the hurtful adjectives a husband like him deserved?He cut short the enthusiastic welcome of his butle
One morning, in mid-August, Ian found her with her hands clutching her round belly and her gaze lost in the void.“What's the matter?" he asked, kneeling down beside her. Is something wrong? Would you like me to send for the doctor?”In reply, Eden took his hand, placed it on her belly and smiled at him, his face beaming with joy.“Can you feel it? It's moving.”And under his hand, indeed, something gave a little shock. Eden’s baby. Ivan’s son. An ordinary little miracle, welcomed with joy and gratitude by all the parents in the world. He, on the other hand, felt on the verge of nausea. He didn't want this child, and hated himself for it. He tried to maintain a neutral expression, but Eden had felt the slight withdrawal of his hand and asked.“What's the matter?”“Nothing's the matter.” He couldn't admit anything to her. Eden needed serenity, not the obnoxious rejection of her unborn baby. “I was just worried. Does it hurt?” He felt another little tap under his palm, as if the chi
March 26th “These flowerbeds are going to look great this summer.”Eden leaned against Ian by the window of the large living room, above the flowerbeds that Johnson and his men, including young Trubshawe, were preparing, burying the flower bulbs.“Amara is growing, too. It's late March, spring is in the air.”Ian put his arm around his omega’s shoulders and drew her closer. It was still a shock for him to know she was his.“Do you think it's possible to be this happy?" asked Eden.“No, not usually," he replied, smiling. Then he leaned over to tickle Eden’s earlobe with his tongue, watching for her reaction. “But I know lots of ways to enhance the sensation.”“Oh, I know that.”Eden tried to react like a respectable viscountess and show a little reproach towards her rascal of a husband, but she hardly succeeded.“As it happens," Eden whispered to him in an engaging voice, "we have no obligations either this afternoon or this evening. I've kept us a few moments free, since we're packi
Ian made it his own, sensing that this was their real first time. The alpha forced himself to control his desire and keep an eye on Eden’s, which rose and rose, until the final conflagration, the simultaneous deflagration.“My love…”Ian gasped again. “Forever and ever. Forever and ever.” “My omega,” Ian whispered, stroking the back of her neck.Ian looked at his omega with such tenderness, as if he couldn't believe he had it all to himself.“You're mine, aren't you Eden?” The alpha asked, looking tall and majestic above her“All yours” Eden nodded vigorously, her breath catching as she felt Ian’s hands wrap around her ankles, caressing her calves before spreading them apart, making more room for between her thighs“Yes," Eeen murmured, "yes, all yours, mark me.”“Are you sure?”“Yes, I want to be yours, completely”Ian let out a tiger-like growl just before he bounced on his prey, before leaning in, his mouth hot and heavy as he rubbed his lips across Eden’s cheek, up to her chin,
“Sir”It was Philips' voice that brought Ian back to earth; he'd just lost the most important person in his life.“Sir." Philips insisted in the face of his master's silence. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but we await your orders. It's getting dark, the current is preventing us from crossing and continuing our search, so I think it's best to go back inside, get warm, regain your strength and start again tomorrow. Also, you'll have to prepare for the worst, sir, with the low temperatures and the cold.”“Are you mad?” Ian asked, his voice full of fatigue but above all full of bitterness. “Excuse me, sir?”“My wife has just been carried off, I don't know where she is or what state she's in, and all you can tell me is to go home, get warm and prepare for the worst. So I repeat, ARE YOU CRAZY?”“I'm sorry, I…”“Enough... Send Jem to tell my Aunt and Alexis to take care of Amara. Then gather all the men near the clearing with the best hunting dogs you can find. I want everyone to get to work,
Ian first saw the shattered pillars of the bridge, then a wavering figure stepped out to meet him, a small dog barking frantically at his heels. Ian jumped down from his saddle and Toby leapt into his arms. A baby's cries could be clearly heard over the roar of the river.“Where's my omega, Philips?”“Still in the car, milord. With the maid and the baby. The footman's a little hurt, but he'll be alright. I sent him for help. It was the floodwater that caused the bridge pillars to collapse as we drove over...If we make any sudden movements, it'll cause the rest of the bridge to collapse.” Ian put the dog down and ran along the bank, the coachman on his heels. When he reached the carriage, Ian had to fight the urge to jump straight into the water to save his family.“We need ropes, horses and... Ah, thank God, there's Murrow!”The carpenter galloped down the hill, pulling his wagon team along. When he reached the bank, he braked with the reins. The men with him jumped down from th
We'll go down to the hotel, Mary," she announced to the maid, pulling from her bag the London guidebook she had taken from the library. Let's see which one is the most suitable..The horses slowed as they took the path that led to the bridge over the river. Eden glanced out the door at the fog-shrouded landscape, then back to her guide. “The Pulteney looks to be the most comfortable and central," she explained, trying to keep her tone light, "but it's certainly very expensive. Let's see.”The sedan lurched forward and, at the sound of hooves on logs, Jimin realized they had reached the bridge. There was a terrible creak. The coachman screamed and the sedan pitched sideways. Eden tried to grab hold of Amara, but her hands could only clasp Mary's dress as Icy water invaded the darkened cabin. They had fallen into the river.Ian waded to the edge of the torrent, the water almost completely submerging his high boots.“Too late," he announced. The dam's already broken. There's no way
Breakfast the next day was more tiring than Eden had imagined. Ian behaved with impeccable courtesy. He smiled at her, spoke to her politely, and when Eden sent the servants away so she could talk to him about what had happened the day before, Ian simply shook his head.“Let's not talk about it anymore, Eden. We've got to put it behind us. Your nerves were on edge after a few days at the reception.”Eden wanted to apologize, to explain why she had lost control of herself. If Ian pretended that nothing had happened, would she be obliged to leave for London and let this unspoken issue hang over them forever?There was a knock at the door, and Jackson entered. Behind him, several men in working clothes could be seen gathered in the corridor.“Lord and Milady will excuse me," he began, "the rains have caused the river to burst its banks. Turner sends word to the lord that he fears the mill dam may break.”“I'll be off then”Ian put down his napkin, stood up and walked into the corrido
What had happened? What had gone wrong? Ian contemplated in the deserted corridor, as stunned and shocked as if someone had just cut open his chest and ripped out his heart. He'd thought he'd made Eden happy and brought her security. But that had only been an illusion, which had now been shattered. He didn't know how he was going to make things right, or even if it was possible. No doubt Eden was in her room. Toby stood at the door, whimpering miserably. Ian knocked on the door, then turned the handle. To no avail. The bolt was pulled. Swearing muffledly, he tried to open the boudoir door. Locked too, as was the door to the baby's room. He knocked again.“Eden?”SilenceStriding to his own room, Ian tried to open the connecting door. It too was locked. Exasperated, he pounded his fist on the panel.“Eden, my angel, will you please open the door?”Through the wood paneling, he heard the child's startled cries, which put an end to his anger almost immediately. Amara must b
The day after the christening, it began to rain heavily, much to Eden’s dismay. With her brief experience as mistress of the house, she wondered what he was going to do with all her guests, on a rainy Saturday, after matins and lunch. But her worries proved futile. The bishop retired to his room to read his sermons, the older ladies took up their embroidery, telling each other the latest neighborhood gossip, while the younger ones obligingly kept the children occupied and did a thousand favors for Amara, as well as for Leon, Iris and Jasper’s baby. The alphas had disappeared. Some of them had withdrawn from the bishop's sight to play cards or billiards, while others had gone to visit the stables. As for Eden, she sat quietly, sometimes making sure the babies weren't too tired, sometimes simply enjoying the rain drumming on the windows and the crackling fire in the hearth. Jasper entered the room, his hair soaking wet, and leaned over to whisper something in Iris’s ear. She loo
——6th of January——— “Your Grace”Eden gave a deep curtsy like Alexis had taught her to do. Immediately her hands were grabbed, and one of the most handsome young men she had ever seen helped her to her feet.“Please, call me Alastor, " replied the Duke of Avery, kissing her on both cheeks. “Ian,” he exclaimed enthusiastically, “where did you find such a pretty omega?” “Just looking at her to know you don't deserve it.”“You can let go of her now, Alastor,” Ian said quietly, smiling. The look on his face, however, indicated that he was ready to slay any man who got too close to Eden, whether he was a duke or a prince.Eden felt overcome with excitement. She was a little apprehensive about this baptism reception, but, for the moment, everything was going wonderfully. The only downside in recent weeks was that Ian avoided sharing her bed, probably to let her rest a little after giving birth. Since Amara’s birth, however, the alpha seemed more distant than Eden would have liked. W