Marked By The Mad King Alpha (Phoebe and Perry) novel Chapter 149

My teeth bite into my lower lip as I slowly begin to slide my underwear down my legs, the fabric slipping away like a soft whisper of uncertainty. A flutter of nerves dances in my stomach, and my heart races under Perry’s unwavering gaze, which feels like an unstoppable force of nature.

He doesn’t blink, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that sends an electric shiver coursing down my spine. When I finally summon the courage to meet his gaze, I am taken aback by the unexpected softness that flickers in his eyes—a tenderness that seems to reach deep into his soul.

Gathering every ounce of courage I have, I step into the water, completely exposed to him.

As expected, the water envelops me, rising to my chest, its coolness a stark contrast to the warmth of the evening air. My long hair, now soaked, clings to my shoulders, and I instinctively pull it forward, attempting to shield my breasts, though I know it’s a futile effort.

Perry has explored every part of me; he has touched, tasted, and left his marks behind like a map of our shared intimacy.

Yet, despite this familiarity, the intensity of his gaze makes me feel vulnerable in a way that transcends mere nudity. I take a step closer, the space between us diminishing with each heartbeat.

I am acutely aware of the choice I’ve made to be here with him.

This moment is far more than just a swim; it transcends that.

It’s about stripping away our defenses—our bodies, our barriers—seeking to mend the fractures of our pasts and wash away the lingering pain. It’s about the promise of a fresh start.

This isn’t merely a dance of desire; it’s a journey toward rebuilding trust.

As I close the distance between us, I press my cheek against his bare chest. He kisses my hair gently, wrapping his arms around me with an unexpected softness that sends warmth flooding through my veins.

In that instant, the image of a little wolf family flashes through my mind—children I could love unconditionally, little ones who would return that love with innocent smiles.

The yearning ignites within me, a flame that refuses to be extinguished.

—

Fiona stirred awake, her senses immediately alerting her to Reginald’s presence as he entered the room. Hours spent crying had left her eyes swollen and raw, the evidence of her grief painfully clear.

The loss of her father felt like a deep, gaping wound in her chest. They had shared an unbreakable bond, especially after her mother’s tragic death during that rogue attack five years ago. Since then, Alpha Theodore had become the center of her universe, as well as her brother’s.

“You’re just getting back,” she said, slowly rising from her bed, her arms instinctively reaching out to encircle him. Fresh tears began to flow down her cheeks. “How did the meeting go? Did you find a way forward?”

Reginald fought against the urge to push her away. With Alpha Theodore gone, he no longer had to pretend to enjoy her clinginess.

But this was still her pack. The grief that hung in the air was thick, and the members of her pack might not be ready to embrace him, especially if he treated their late leader’s daughter poorly.

“Yes, we’ll figure something out. Don’t worry about it. Just focus on taking care of yourself and Draven. He needs you right now,” he replied, attempting to soothe her.

He returned her embrace, his hand gently stroking her back, though his mind wandered elsewhere. However, when Fiona began to guide him toward the bed, he felt a surge of frustration.

“No, you must be exhausted. Let’s save that for another time,” he insisted, stepping back as she reached for the hem of her dress, ready to undress for him.

“You don’t want me?” she asked, confusion clouding her features.

Reginald squeezed his eyes shut, fighting to mask his irritation. He knew that showing it would only lead to more tears.

He was so utterly tired of this charade.

“I want you, Fiona. Of course, I do.” He pulled her close again, cradling her head against his chest, battling the dark urge to snap her neck. “But I have an important meeting tomorrow. I need to be sharp, and if we get caught up in this, I’ll be late because I can never get enough of you.”

The smooth lie slipped from his lips with ease, almost revolting him. If only all his problems could be resolved with such pretty words.

But I remain silent, as if I’ve forgotten how to speak altogether.

“Don’t rush this, Phoebe. Let me have you the way I need tonight,” he whispers softly into my ear.

He knows that he may not have another chance soon, so he wants to imprint every moment in his memory, to feel every part of me, every reaction that escapes me.

He’s going to take his time.

“I love you, Phoebe,” he breathes against my lips, pulling back just enough before plunging deeper.

My body trembles as I cling to him, desperation coursing through me. The tension builds within, an unbearable pressure that I can hardly withstand.

“I love you. I would die for you. I truly would.”

—

As the water swirls around us, the world outside fades into a distant memory, leaving only the two of us suspended in this moment of raw vulnerability. Perry’s words echo in my mind, wrapping around my heart like a warm embrace, igniting a fire that had long been dormant. In this intimate space, we shed not just our clothes but the layers of fear and uncertainty that had clouded our connection. The ache of longing and the sweetness of love intertwine, creating a tapestry of emotions that bind us closer together. With each breath, I feel the weight of our shared past and the promise of a future where we can heal and grow, hand in hand.

Yet, as the night deepens, the shadows of our respective burdens loom large. Reginald’s struggle with his own heart, Fiona’s grief, and the lingering echoes of loss remind us that love is often entwined with pain. But in this moment, as I surrender to Perry’s gentle touch, I find solace in the belief that love can be a powerful catalyst for transformation. It can bridge the chasms of our pasts, leading us toward a brighter tomorrow. Together, we stand on the precipice of something beautiful, ready to embrace the vulnerability that love demands, and in doing so, we begin to mend the fractures within ourselves.

—

In the upcoming chapter, readers can anticipate a deepening of the emotional complexities between Phoebe and Perry, as their intimate moment hints at the fragility of their connection amidst the chaos surrounding them. As the boundaries of their relationship blur, the question looms: can they truly rebuild the trust that has been fractured by past wounds? The vulnerability they share may open doors to uncharted territories of love and longing, but it also raises the stakes, threatening to expose them to the very pain they seek to escape.

Meanwhile, Fiona’s struggle with her grief and Reginald’s internal conflict will come to a head, revealing the cracks in their relationship. With the weight of her father’s legacy pressing down on her, Fiona’s fierce determination could either unite or further divide them as they navigate their shared grief. Reginald’s hidden desires and the tension surrounding his bond with Phoebe will create an emotional tug-of-war, leaving readers eager to see how these intertwined fates will unfold. The chapter promises to be a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the choices that define their futures.