Defying the Rogue Alpha-Chapter 26: Garden

Ava had just settled in that evening, her legs curled under her, about to binge-watch the final season of The Flash on the glorious flat-screen she had acquired during her recent shopping spree.

Zari burst into the room, panting. Ava sat up, heart pounding, already calculating escape routes in case of an emergency.

"The Alpha wants you." Zari took a deep breath, her voice still slightly shrill. "He says to join him in the garden."

Ava blinked. "There's a garden here?"

Zari's expression could only be described as dumbfounded disbelief. "Of course, there's a garden. It's at the far back of the castle."

Ava frowned. "I've never been there."

"This damned place is huge, I don't blame you." Zari rolled her eyes but was already halfway into Ava's closet, searching through the countless gowns, dresses, and scandalously tiny lingerie she had collected. "Come on, hurry! The Alpha doesn't like waiting."

Ava stretched, yawning dramatically. "Well, he's going to have to wait. I need a shower."

Zari groaned as Ava waltzed into the bathroom, but she didn't argue. She knew better.

Meanwhile...

Lucas stood in the garden, feeling utterly ridiculous.

What the hell was he doing?

Romantic gestures were not in his playbook. He didn't do candlelit dinners or flower-scented nights under the stars. Hell, he barely tolerated company when he wasn't plotting his enemies' downfall or keeping his pack in line.

Yet, here he was.

Waiting.

For her.

The past few days had shifted something in him. Ava wasn't just a concubine, a fleeting indulgence. She had invaded his thoughts, unsettled him.

She made him laugh. She made him furious. She made his blood run hot with desire.

Manic, his wolf, was obsessed.

He could still taste her from last night, feel the way she had writhed under him, the sounds she made when he touched her. It had taken everything in him not to mark her. His instincts demanded it, but Ava was complicated. Or was it him, he couldn't tell anymore. And damn it, he wasn't sure he was ready for that kind of complication.

Lucas closed his eyes, exhaling sharply.

The full moon was rising. A dangerous time for him. His control was razor-thin, and yet, he had called her here. A risk.

A risk he was willing to take.

Then he felt her.

Before he even saw her, her scent wrapped around him laced with that thing that made him forget the entire world when she was near.

And then she stepped into the light.

Lucas inhaled sharply.

Ava wore a sleek black satin slip dress that clung to every curve, the delicate lace trim barely hiding the swell of her breasts. Her dark curls framed her face, cascading over her shoulders, her lips parted just slightly in that way that made his blood boil.

She wasn't just beautiful.

She was deadly.

She walked toward him, each step deliberate, swaying slightly. He forced himself to look away from her bare thighs, but his wolf was already restless, clawing at his control.

She smiled, slow and knowing. "My Alpha..."

Lucas clenched his jaw. He should have recognized that tone.

Too sweet. Too playful. She was mocking him again.

But before he could register it, his hands were on her, pulling her flush against him, his mouth claiming hers. Ava barely had time to react before his fingers slid down her back, over her ass, gripping her like she belonged to him.

Before she could argue, his fingers were inside her.

She gasped, her legs nearly giving out as pleasure shot through her like wildfire.

His lips brushed against her ear. "You have no right to look this good."

Ava moaned, her body melting against him. His fingers moved with deliberate skill, teasing, pushing her closer and closer to the edge.

"What are you doing to me, woman?" Lucas growled. "All I can think about is fucking you. Fucking you in a new way every damned time."

She barely heard him. Her head fell back, her breathing ragged. "Lucas..."

A growl rumbled through his chest, vibrating against her skin.

Wrong name.

Manic wanted control.

Quickly, she corrected herself, gasping, "Manic... Manic..."

That did something to him. His wolf purred.

Lucas smirked. His fingers didn't stop. If anything, they moved faster, his free hand gripping her hip, keeping her steady as she came undone in his arms.

The thin strap of her dress slipped off her shoulder, exposing the soft curve of her breast, barely covered by the sheer lace.

Lucas' eyes darkened. He wanted to taste her, touch her everywhere.

If only he had more hands.

Ava shattered around him, her body arching, a broken cry slipping from her lips.

Lucas watched her fall apart, his own pleasure taking a backseat to the sight of her wrecked and trembling in his arms.

He loved seeing her like this.

As she came down from the high, her legs unsteady, he caught her chin between his fingers, forcing her dazed gaze to meet his.

"We should eat."

Ava blinked at him. "Huh?"

Lucas chuckled. He actually chuckled.

He pulled her toward the table, guiding her shaky legs as if he hadn't just ruined her moments ago.

Ava looked at the candlelit setup, the carefully arranged food, and raised an eyebrow. "I didn't know you were romantic."

Lucas smirked. "I just gave you the best orgasm of your life, and you still don't think I'm romantic?"

Ava scoffed, picking up her fork. "That has nothing to do with anything."

Lucas shook his head.

See? Infuriating.

*****

Lucas leaned back in his chair, watching Ava with an unreadable expression. He had been waiting for the right moment, and halfway through their meal, he decided to drop the bomb.

"We leave for Crimson Pack this weekend."

Ava paused mid-bite, her fork hovering in the air. The weight of the words settled on her shoulders. Her past. The people who had tormented her. The place that had almost broken her.

"Right." She forced the word out, stabbing at her food.

Lucas raised an eyebrow at her reaction. "Why does it bother you?"

Ava chewed slowly, then set her fork down. "It's weird. I feel like this is my place now...even though I'm surrounded by a bitter concubine and an arrogant Alpha."

Lucas smirked but arched an eyebrow in warning. "You enjoy testing me, don't you?"

She grinned, unbothered. "A little."

His smirk turned into a lazy, predatory smile. "You know there are consequences for that, right?"

Ava shrugged dramatically. "Oh no, the big bad wolf is going to punish me. What will it be this time? Will you fuck me over and over again until I lose my breath?"

Lucas leaned forward, his voice dipping into a growl. "You didn't seem to mind how that ended."

Ava's cheeks burned. She cleared her throat. "Anyway, back to the topic at hand...Crimson Pack."

Lucas's expression grew serious. "What are you afraid of?"

Ava hesitated, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "Going back there... I don't know what to expect. Will I be made to feel small again? Will I be abused again? Will I be spat on?"

Lucas's jaw tightened. Here he was thinking she would be worried about seeing her fated mate again. He thought she was afraid she wouldn't be able to resist him. He reached for her hand and pulled her onto his lap. "No one will ever make you feel small again."

She leaned into him. "How can you be sure?"

Lucas hesitated. He didn't want to reveal too much, but he needed her to trust him. "Because when we go to finalize the contract, I will be introducing you as my Luna."

Ava froze. "What?"

He ran a hand up her thigh, gripping her waist. "It's just a ruse while we're there. But we can use this. I don't have free rein to move around, but you do. That means you'll be the one to find our traitor."

Her heart pounded. For a brief second, she had let herself believe. The illusion had been so sweet. But of course, it couldn't be that easy.

"Right," she murmured.

Lucas's lips curled as he watched her carefully. He tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You're disappointed."

"No, I..."

He kissed the base of her neck. Slow, teasing. When he pulled back, he chuckled at her dazed expression.

"You are a terrible liar."

Ava sighed, then smirked. "Its just that I have the perfect candidate in mind."

Lucas's eyes gleamed. He loved this little devil. She was sharp, dangerous, and breathtaking. He ran his hands along her arms, his fingers teasing the strap of her dress until it slipped down her shoulder.

His lips followed, trailing a hot path down her collarbone. Ava gasped when he pulled one breast free, his mouth closing around the peak.

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"Lucas..."

He sucked gently, swirling his tongue in slow, torturous circles.

Ava arched into him, gripping his shoulders for support. Her mind spun, but she still held on to the words he had said earlier. Introducing you as my Luna.

It was close. So very close. Patience, Ava.

Then...

"Alpha!"

Lucas growled loudly, his head snapping toward the voice.