Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60378 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60378 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
“Of course,” Lockwood murmured, looking at Anthony through his eyelashes and stroking Anthony’s arm with the tips of his manicured fingers. “I was wondering if—”
“I hate to interrupt, Wren, but I need to talk to my brother,” a familiar voice cut Lockwood off.
Michael put on a more genuine smile and bowed to Prince-Consort Julian, or Jules, as his family called him.
Smiling mischievously, Jules practically wrenched his brother’s arm from Lockwood’s grip.
“Of course, Your Highness,” Lockwood said with a strained smile, bowing before striding away.
“Ugh, I bet he’ll cook up some nasty rumor about me in retaliation,” Jules said. “Why can’t you sleep with less obnoxious people, Ant?”
Anthony’s lips twisted. “Their personalities aren’t exactly the draw,” he said, exchanging an amused look with Michael.
Michael forced a chuckle.
Jules scrunched up his nose. “Ugh, you’re annoying me on purpose. I know you hate it when omegas throw themselves at you. You looked like you needed rescuing.”
“I didn’t, but I appreciate the effort, kid,” Anthony said, giving Jules a light bop on the nose.
“That’s Your Highness to you,” Jules said pompously before ruining it by giggling. He hooked his other arm through Michael’s and smiled widely at him. “I haven’t talked to you in a while. I usually barely see you through the crowd of your admirers. I can rescue you too if you need it, just let me know.” He winked at him.
Michael smiled. Anthony’s siblings were the best.
“Tone down the flirting, kid,” Anthony said before he could say anything. “Devlin is starting to side-eye Michael.”
Jules laughed, glancing toward his husband and blowing him a kiss. “He’s so ridiculous, like he isn’t the most handsome man on the planet. Though Michael definitely comes close.”
Anthony made a thoughtful noise, his eyes dancing with mirth. “I don’t know, Devlin doesn’t have those luscious golden locks or such deep, chocolate-brown eyes.”
“Knock it off,” Michael said with an eye-roll and took another sip of his drink. He didn’t have luscious locks. His hair barely reached his ears.
“Hmm, Ant is right,” Jules said, giving Michael an exaggeratedly appreciative look. “You’re outrageously gorgeous for an alpha. I’m envious of your bone structure. If only Liam married you... you two would have made outrageously beautiful babies together.”
Michael choked on his drink.
“Brain-to-mouth filter, kid,” Anthony said with a wry smile. “You aren’t supposed to talk about making babies in polite company. And Michael could have still been nursing a broken heart.”
“He isn’t,” Jules said, before looking at him a little uncertainly. “You aren’t, right? I never thought you had deep feelings for Li.”
Michael shook his head. “The heart is very much intact,” he said with a crooked smile.
“I’m glad,” Jules said simply, squeezing his arm. His face lit up. “Do you want me to help you find a good match?”
Anthony snorted. “He hardly needs your help. He can barely beat them off with a stick.”
“I could weed out the fortune-hunters and awful people,” Jules said, unfazed.
“Thank you, Your Highness, but I’m sure you have more important matters to attend to than my love life,” Michael said.
“Pfft, you don’t have to Your Highness me,” Jules said, wrinkling his nose. “You’re one of Ant’s closest friends—you’re practically a brother to him, which means you’re family to me too.”
Michael cleared his throat. He met Anthony’s eyes and quickly looked away. “That’s very kind of you, Your Highness,” he said, bowing slightly.
“So polite and well-mannered,” Jules said with a grin. “No wonder omegas are lining up to be your mate. Pay attention, Ant.”
Anthony smiled wryly. “Thanks, Juli, but I do all right.”
Rolling his eyes, Jules chuckled. “Only because you’re stupidly handsome. Take that away, and no one would look at you.”
“Now, let’s be fair,” Michael said, his lips twitching. “He’s rich too. That alone would make him attractive—even if he were ugly as sin.”
“That’s rich, coming from someone who’s wealthier than ninety-nine percent of this room,” Anthony said, knocking their shoulders together. And then he stayed there, in Michael’s personal space.
Michael stiffened, his palms suddenly sweaty. He fixed his gaze on Jules, trying not to breathe too deeply.
“He has a point,” Jules said with a grin. “You two are the prime example of life not being fair. Some people just get everything.”
Michael searched for words, but his thoughts scattered. Anthony was too close—close enough to send his instincts haywire. Part of him wanted to shove and roar, to reassert himself as an alpha. The other part wanted to shrink, to bare his throat in submission. The clash was maddening. He couldn’t take it. He couldn’t stay.
“I think my mother is trying to get my attention,” Michael lied and, bowing to Jules, strode away.
The back of his neck prickled.
He felt Anthony’s gaze on him like a physical thing, but he didn’t look back.
Chapter 5
As soon as Michael got home, he took a shower, eager to wash away any lingering trace of Anthony. He scrubbed his body harshly beneath the showerhead, forcing himself to ignore his hard cock.