<h4>Chapter 612: Rogue Alpha’s im (VI)</h4>


    <strong>Evaline:</strong>


    I wasn’t sure exactly when I fell asleep.


    One moment I had been aware of River’s heartbeat beneath my cheek, the steady rise and fall of his chest under my palm, the warmth of his arm wrapped securely around my waist... and the next moment everything had dissolved into soft darkness.


    And our bond...


    It hummed beneath my skin like a quiet melody, warm and alive, wrapping around my senses even in sleep. There wasfort in it. Assurance. A deep, instinctive knowledge that I wasn’t alone.


    <i>Mine.</i>


    The word lingered in the back of my mind as I drifted.


    By the time consciousness returned, sunlight was filtering through the window. It felt soft at first - golden, warm.


    I blinked slowly, myshes fluttering as brightness seeped into my awareness.


    For a few seconds, my mind remained hazy, floating between dreams and reality, but then memory rushed back in a wave so vivid it made my stomach flip.


    River.


    The bond.


    Last night.


    Heat crept into my cheeks instantly.


    My eyes opened fully... and the first thing I did was turn my head toward the space beside me.


    Empty.


    The realization jolted me upright.


    The covers shifted around my body as I pushed myself onto my elbows, my heart skipping slightly. The bed was warm, clearly used, but River wasn’t there.


    That’s when I noticed something else.


    The room.


    It was different.


    Last night had been... overwhelming, to say the least. I hadn’t exactly been paying attention to decor while River had been devouring me within seconds of us entering. But even through that haze, I knew this wasn’t the same ce.


    This room was bigger.


    Brighter.


    The curtains were drawn open, letting sunlight spill across polished floors and cream-colored walls. There was a seating area near the windows, a low table, elegant furniture that screamed luxury in a way that made me blink in confusion.


    Where...?


    My gaze moved toward the end of the bed.


    Andnded on him.


    River was sitting on a cushioned seater positioned near the foot of the bed, his back partially turned toward me. He was shirtless, his dark hair slightly tousled like he had been running his fingers through it. Aptop rested on his knees, his posture rxed but focused.


    My heart melted instantly.


    As if sensing I was awake, he spoke without turning.


    "Good morning, sweetheart."


    A smile bloomed across my face before I could stop it.


    Goddess.


    Just his voice was enough.


    I shifted slightly, and that’s when I realized something else - I wasn’t naked anymore.


    I nced down.


    A green silk nightdress covered me, the fabric smooth and cool against my skin, falling softly over my thighs. It wasn’t mine. I knew that immediately.


    But it fit perfectly.


    Which meant...


    My mind shed through possibilities.


    Did he...?


    When...?


    My cheeks warmed again, a mix of embarrassment and tenderness swirling together.


    River must have done all of this while I slept - moved rooms, bought clothes, dressed me.


    The thought made my chest tighten in a way I couldn’t exin.


    I pushed the covers aside and carefully crawled toward the end of the bed, the mattress dipping slightly beneath my weight. He didn’t react immediately, still typing something, but I could feel his awareness of me... the bond humming faintly between us.


    When I reached him, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders from behind, my hands circling his neck as I leaned forward and pressed a kiss against his bare shoulder.


    His skin was warm.


    I rested my chin there, smiling softly.


    "How can you have the heart to work," I murmured teasingly, "when your beautiful mate is right here waiting for you?"


    His fingers came up immediately, covering my hands where they rested against his chest.


    But he didn’t answer. Instead... a voice came from his phone.


    "Oh, I agreepletely."


    I froze.


    Every muscle in my body locked.


    That voice - familiar, smooth, amused.


    "Elion?!" I squeaked.


    River didn’t even flinch.


    "River," Elion continued casually, "I’ll take care of everything at the Council. Don’t worry about it for the next few days."


    Then, in a tone very clearly meant to tease me...


    "And honestly, you shouldn’t be so heartless. Ignoring your beautiful mate like that? I’m disappointed in you."


    I wanted the floor to swallow me whole. Before I could recover, the call ended with a soft click.


    Mortification flooded me from head to toe.


    I buried my face instantly into River’s shoulder, groaning in embarrassment.


    "Oh Moon Goddess..."


    River’s body shook slightly beneath me.


    He wasughing.


    Actuallyughing.


    The traitor.


    I pulled back just enough to re at the side of his face.


    "You did that on purpose," I used.


    His grin widened,pletely unapologetic.


    "Maybe."


    I smacked his shoulder lightly, which only made himugh harder.


    Then, without warning, he closed theptop, set it and his phone aside, and turned toward me.


    Before I could react, he climbed back onto the bed, pulling me with him in one smooth motion.


    A secondter I was straddling hisp.


    My breath caught.


    His hands settled on my waist, warm and steady.


    "I’m sorry," he murmured softly.


    And then he kissed me.


    The apology melted instantly.


    It started gentle... a soft press of lips... but emotion swelled beneath it. Warmth spread through my chest as his fingers tightened slightly against my hips.


    When he pulled back, he let his forehead rest against mine.


    "I called Elion earlier," he exined. "to ask him handle my side of work at the Council for the next few days."


    I sighed dramatically, but the irritation was already gone.


    "Where are we?" I asked instead, ncing around.


    "The penthouse," he replied. "Still at the hotel. I moved us while you were sleeping."


    Penthouse?


    Of course he did.


    "We’ll stay here," he continued, lowering his voice slightly, "until the end of our mating session."


    My cheeks turned pink instantly at the mention of that term.


    I wasn’t new to it anymore.


    I had gone through it before - with Draven, then with Kieran - but hearing it from River still made butterflies explode in my stomach.


    He noticed.


    Of course he noticed.


    A quiet chuckle left him before he leaned forward and kissed me again, like he couldn’t help himself.


    Honestly, it was a miracle he had held back as long as he did beforest night.


    There was a peck.


    Then another.


    Then another.


    Each one lingering slightly longer than thest.


    My fingers slid into his hair, and his hands tightened at my waist, pulling me closer until there was barely any space between us.


    The air shifted.


    The bond between us pulsed softly, responding to the rising need curling through my chest.


    When our mouths met again, it wasn’t gentle anymore.


    It was hunger.


    His lips moved against mine with growing intensity, and I felt that familiar spark ignite under my skin, spreading warmth through my stomach and down my spine.


    A quiet sound escaped me.


    And he answered with a low groan that vibrated against my lips.


    And just like that...


    We were lost in each other all over again.