An Alpha's love

SHHH TCKK.

“Ah oh Goddess!”Chrysalis screamed as she was brought out of her memory by the sound (and feeling) of her leg bone being snapped back into place. Grimacing in pain as Wicker held her steady, his soothing voice shushing her cries of pain.

“Shhh...easy there Chrysalis, easy. Ah there we go. One down, one more to go alright?” he inquired. Not waiting for her to reply he gently rolled her over onto her back.

She could now see him more clearly, his face was just as she remembered it; everything from his bright blue eyes to the curved scar across his left cheek. He did look a bit older from when he had last left her, but then again that had been thirteen years ago.

Wondering why she was feeling somewhat better, she was surprised to discover that several of her previously open wounds were now covered with a series of leaf poultices. He had apparently been busy while, she had been preoccupied in her memories.

“You zoned out there a bit Chrissy, though I won’t complain. It kept your moaning to a minimum,” he joked at her as he steadied himself over the queen’s prone body.

“You probably spent more time groping me while I was under, you perv,” she hissed back playfully.

He smiled, glad she could still find the strength to play like this. Gripping her remaining broken hoof, he took it into his own. Holding her leg close in his lap, he braced himself and her hoof for the next step. ‘I don’t envy her over how this is going to feel.’ He was still very worried for her.

Chrysalis smiled to herself, giving a slight wince at the feel of her hoof being pulled into the alpha’s lap, but the pain soon passed. Wicker had not changed at all, or at the very least he hadn’t changed since their last meeting. He had indeed changed a lot since their first encounter, so long ago. He had been younger and very shy then, he also didn't have his blue stripes as he did now. “Interesting, he made Captain. Well he deserves it. Makes sense too, he’s always been so dedicated to the service.”

“Not going to lie my queen, this is going to hurt a lot. You may want to bite down on this,” Wicker said as he offered her the broken off butt of his spear, the rest of it having been lost somewhere over the Ghastly Gorge as he had hurtled over it.

Chrysalis took the wooden bit in her mouth, biting down with her fangs to keep from biting of her generous tongue should the pain be too great. She had no doubt that it would be, Wicker wouldn't lie to her (not that he could with their hives mind link). And it assuredly was.

“Here we go!” called out the captain as he instantly snapped the leg bone back into place with a fierce pull with no more warning.

The cracking of bone was a sickening enough sound on it’s own, but the shriek of pain she let go combined to make him nearly sick. Biting down on the wood she nearly chewed through it with the first bite, holding the rest embedded in her teeth. The pain was shooting up her leg and going haywire throughout her head, her eyes shutting tight trying to block it out. She had felt worse before, but still, it was never a pleasurable experience.

After it was over and the lingering pain was fading slowly, with tears streaming down her cheeks, Chrysalis felt the strong hooves of her other wrapping around her protectively. Wicker placed her head on his chest, letting the queen calm down. He was content with simply allowing her tears to soak over his scales and chitin, helping her to take strength from his closeness.

He was still worried; broken bones and wounds were easily patched and put back in place. A little changeling spit and saliva and you got a sticky healing sap for a poultice, a little force and bones snapped right back into place for healing. What he was most worried about was the internal injuries, he couldn’t mend those so easily, especially not if she was running low on love energy.

“We’ll get through this, we will,” he assured her, but whether it was for her sake or his own, he could not tell. Realizing his one hoof was placed right above her stomach and her sensitive teats, he blushed. “Hmm, sorry If I seem a bit imposing here.”

Chrysalis pressed her cheek to his chest, sniffling the pain away as she heard his heartbeat, the beat steady and strong… same as hers. “How things have changed huh? She whispered to him. “It seems like only yesterday I was the one imposing on you.”

“Funny how circumstances change over time isn’t it?” he answered her, stroking a hoof across her head and cheek sensually. Grunting as she lifted her head from his chest costing him a source of warmth.

He too decided to lower his own head to check on her, forcing another loud yelp to ring about the crater, this time from both of them as their horns touched. Instantly both changelings were launched into the blistering sea of their memories, connected, and together. The nostalgia for their first encounter coupled with their distracted senses allowed for the summoning of the memory in question, from both of them. They fell atop each other as their mental projections launched them into that very familiar scene… so long ago.

~~~~

Lieutenant Wicker gave a deep sigh of contentment as he felt his home soil once again under his hooves. It was true what they said, there was no place like home.

For the last two weeks he and his unit had been preoccupied with an intelligence gathering mission in the southern provinces. Spying on the rival hives which were threatening separation. Two long grueling weeks, in dirt and mud, huddled together with the sweaty bodies of a dozen other changelings, the smell and heat overpowering his nostrils and making his eyes water. If those conditions weren’t bad enough their love crystals were nearly depleted, having run dangerously low a week ago. Being unable to re-fill them, they had not had a full meal in several days.

Hungry, hot, and smelling as musky as possible, the changeling squad entered the secret service tunnel leading into the Hive. The tunnel was dark and foreboding, but that didn’t bother Wicker one bit. As a changeling he was gifted with built in headlamps for eyes, and if that wasn’t enough changelings were also gifted with extremely focused night vision. Usually it wasn’t even an issue since most tunnels and chambers in the Hive were filled with bio-luminescent algae or illumination crystals. However, the service tunnels were kept purposefully dark to discourage any outsiders (or invaders) should they find them.

It was said that every changeling was suited to his Hive, there could be no other home, no other place of refuge than the place of your birth. They would always be able to find it, instinct and personal radar guaranteed it. Having spent so long away on foreign soil and in foreign hives, Wicker could admit that being back in his own, made him feel ten times more comfortable.

“So lieutenant, how are you gonna celebrate coming home?” asked one of the changelings, a drone who had been promoted to corporal just a week prior for his services rendered.

“Well I was thinking about taking a trip to the communal baths, then to the feeding chamber, I need some hearty love stat,” he joked back to his comrade.

“Sounds thrilling."

Wicker felt a sense of pity in the others reply, the feeling of being pitied making him angry and bit conscious. Not wishing to cause a scene he kept walking but his mind was racing with possible questions to follow up. Then part of him started to wonder, if he was missing out on something, perhaps that was why the drone was acting like that towards him?

“W-What are you going to do, Buzzurt,” inquired Wicker tentatively.

“That’s easy, i’m heading straight for my nest and allowing my mate to give me a thorough welcoming home,” grinned the other, several of the other changelings grinning and hissing in approved agreement and laughter.

“You never told me you were mated,” Wicker thought out loud.

“Three months to the day actually,” chuckled the other. “Yep my mate’s a spunky little harvester from the third quadrant, pink eyes, pretty voice, soft thorax, she’s my everything… uh next to the hive that is of course.” he exclaimed with such joy and conviction, it startled Wicker.

Wicker was a bit young himself, just a bit older than most of the changelings under his command. Never before though, had he even entertained the thought of mate-ship, but the way in which his lower officer talked about his mate, made Wicker feel envious for the first time. Buzzurt was at least two seasons younger than him, and yet he was already mated.

It was not unusual for drones to get married early, unless the females were in heat and affiliated with a breeder, offspring could not be laid. It was not so for Alpha’s. They were uterus born, and so every heat cycle was a gamble. Breeding young brought a lot of problems. Hive regulation allowed for some births but only per-approved beforehand. The queen was considered the main source of progeny for the Hive. Besides as soldiers most alpha’s were officers, their biological duty to protect and serve the throne. Any distraction, be it family or otherwise was considered a hindrance.

For this reason alpha officers and soldier drones were allowed to refuse mateship and offers of breeding, even from the queen herself (though most drones would never refuse, but alphas’ on the other hand). Distractions from duty was a serious cause of concern.

Wicker was an alpha, not born from the queen however, his parents had been both alpha officers in the first order core. Neither of them had suspected his mother would get pregnant and even then both didn’t think an offspring of theirs would follow in their hoof-steps. His mother being an intelligence officer and his father a medical corporal. Both from two different branches of military, both very incompatible themselves. One whose duty was to heal, one whose duty was to get the information however they could. Many a frank discussion over the proper use or need for aggression and force had been had in their hollow. So it was reasonable that neither could hardly believe they had come together at all themselves.

This disbelief had carried onto his birth, both his parents believing he would go into serving on the council or governing bodies. But, from an early age he had thrown himself into his duty and services, organizing his nursery mates into squads and commanding each squad when to fall asleep, feed, even regulating the grown attendants and feeders. The older changelings had admired and even adored the brash young officer in the making. From that point on his future was decided, and the way he saw himself, drones and their place and duty in the hive was straightforward.

Even from his younger days, females in his view, had always been either soldiers or servants to command, just like the males. He had barely ever noticed any of them in the romantic kind of way. Sure he had had sex before, procreation as recreation with several female officers, most of them being fellow alphas, and yes even a few drones. However, nothing very serious or committed, just releasing pent up energy or for exercise.

The idea of being bound to one or connected beyond such simple pleasure had never appealed to him. That is until now. He hadn’t been with another for at least a whole year, his usual routine no longer seemed to carry any more passion for him. He had grown quite tired of simple and meaningless sex, it had started to make him feel hollow.

Lately Wicker had also been feeling more and more lonely. He had friends, comrades, subordinates, but none of them knew him on a personal level. The current banter was more informing than any conversation they had had during the whole two week expedition. Military discussion and strategy had been the only talk during the mission, but now they were winding down, coming home. Even when his drones and subordinates wanted to communicate with him, he was distant, unable to relate to their excitement and their drive to return to their friends and families. It often surprised him how one could be surrounded by literally thousands, physically and mentally, and yet still feel more alone than ever before. Or maybe his fellow alphas were right, he just needed to get laid?

As they passed through the tunnel and into the chambers of the Hive, the group halted at the entrance to the smaller antichamber. Most of them were on edge, their desire to head home or feed taking a toll on their conditioned discipline. Wicker eyed them carefully before giving a smirk.

“Alright you lot, you’re all dismissed. I will report our findings to the high command and the Insidian Order personally. You can go to your families,” assured Wicker, grinning at the fierce salute he was given. The changelings dispersing into the various tunnels and chambers around them, each one giving a mental high five to their commanding officer.

One of the soldiers, Flickit, decided to remain with him, to which Wicker didn’t question. Flickit was an infiltrator, a born spy and intelligence gatherer, his very nature wouldn’t allow him to relax until he delivered the information he was charged with. Wicker himself was glad for his company truth be told. Most of his friends were out on assignment, or in the fields and mines in the northern regions. It felt good to finally have something at least resembling a friend beside him now, not too mention Wicker felt a sense of kinship with Flickit. Though Wicker himself was an alpha and Flickit a drone, Wicker had always felt that they shared some lineage, (a grandfather or great grandmother perhaps?) it was in the very scent of the infiltrator, something deeper than blood. The other seemed to feel it too, for they often got along better than with others.

The two of them stood side by side as they moved through the open chamber and into another set of tunnels, these one perfectly illuminated by crystals. Flickit was shorter than Wicker, and he was built less stocky. His job was to be a spy, so his body was more suited to solely changing shape than actual combat. Next to Wicker, he looked like a young adolescent. Though if you were to look at both of them, they both had the same blackish-blue coloring about their scales. Whereas Flickit wore no armor, Wicker was decorated in it, his officer status allowing for the finest obsidian.

“Have any plans yourself, Flickit?” inquired Wicker, genuinely curious.

“Not really lieutenant,” coughed Flickit, clearing his lungs of some dust. “I don’t have a mate-per say myself, but i do have a marefriend on the side… she’s an attendant to the queen,” he finished.

“That must be a hoof-full for her,” joked Wicker, if the rumors about the queen were true it would be.

The other laughed in turn, hissing sounds perpetuating every now and then. “Yeah she says it can be stressful, but we often find ways of working it out.”

“You don’t long to see her then?”

“Every damn minute, but I’m dedicated to the Hive first sir, once we make our report I’ll take her for a stroll around the garden chambers, maybe even a moonlit walk on the surface.”

Wicker sighed, that did sound pleasant, especially the part about spending time with another just to be close to them. “Sounds like a good plan.”

“Thank you sir,” replied the infiltrator.

The two of them continued along until a large fierce breeze passed through the tunnel. The hive mind in their heads exploding in fear, as if hundreds of changelings were afraid, and warning others to stay away from what was coming. They both halted as their antennae and horns began shivering.

“Do you feel that?” asked Flickit, his red eyes glowing brighter.

“Yes, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt before,” muttered Wicker, his body frozen from the power of the sensations emanating from his horn.

The presence was now bearing down on them, and it was a raw mass of emotion, need and fury, there was also something eerily commanding about it, but that presence was buried deep. Wicker had never felt this kind of power before, the emotions so raw and unrestricted it nearly frightened him.

“Flickit, get behind me and hold your ground.”

“Y-Yes l-l-ieutenant,” stammered Flickit, taking position behind the officer. Wicker figuring that his armor would give more protection than Flickit’s bare scales.

The illumination crystals studded along the tunnels sides and roof, suddenly began to flicker and strain, the wind flowing through the tunnel picking up carrying with it the scent of raw emotion, arousal and fear. The strength of the scent nearly made the two changelings gag.

“Lieutenant…?”

“Hold!”

“Lieutenant…?”

“Hold!”

The illumination crystals gave one last bright shine of light before they all were snuffed out, plunging the tunnel into darkness aside from their pair of blue and red eyes.

“L-L-Lieutenant… maybe now?”

“No! Hold dammit!”

Their night vision kicking in allowed them to see the end of the tunnel, everything was clear. Until suddenly the tunnel become blocked by a large black shivering shape. A pair of green ghoulish like eyes stared straight back at them.

“Is that a changeling?” asked Flickit, tilting his head to the side as his red eyes scanned the shape before them.

“I think so, but what kind of changeling could carry that much raw energy and emotion?” questioned Wicker.

“How about the Queen, literally the strongest changeling among you stupid!” came the responding hiss from the creature, it’s green eyes narrowing on the blue eyed changeling.

Wicker chose to ignore the insult, if this was the queen, he would need far more proof than that (though the insulting was right on character) holding his ground as he challenged it. “This is lieutenant Wicker of the First Order, and private Flickit of the first recon and intelligence squad, identify yourself creature!”

“Oh for the love of…” came the exasperated raw voice before the tunnel was filled with brilliant light as everyone of the illumination crystals lit up.

The newly lit corridor revealed the ragged and panting from of Queen Chrysalis herself. "Oh no, it is the Queen," he mentally swallowed. She was an absolute mess: her mane unkempt, matted, splayed across her neck and ears. Her tail was frazzled and swinging back and forth behind her rear. Her thorax and greenish black body was covered in a glistening sheen of sweat, and her mouth hung open like a the jaws of a snake. Her teeth were fully bared, a nasty set of fangs on top and bottom, with her tongue lolling and her eyes, oh her eyes were fixed hauntingly on Wicker, almost as if he was a fine piece of meat.

“Q-Q-Queen Chrysalis!” he stammered before sliding immediately to attention so fast that Flickit who had been resting behind him, fell flat forward upon losing his perch. Wicker paid no attention to that, he could only gulp at the look he was receiving from his monarch.

Flickit was right on his game though, the young changeling hopping to all fours immediately after collapsing and bowing before the queen, while Wicker gave her the alpha salute. The queen didn't seem to care about the greetings, however, she desperately nodded in acceptance of their display of honor.

“Are--Are you okay your majesty?” asked Flickit, his inquisitive nature getting the better of him. Wicker was just glad he wasn’t the only one to notice something very wrong with the queen’s behavior.

“F-Fine, I’m fine, drone… I just need a second,” she whimpered, every word seemingly hurting for her to say. Her body language was confusing and alarming. She shook, like a leaf hilw her head lolled and her eyes bugged out, her back legs crossing mildly and her tail hadn’t stopped moving at all. Wicker had seen changelings on ketamine or las pegasus herb that didn’t act this jittery.

The queen lifted her head and began sniffing once more, her normal looking eyes fading as the luminous green was creeping back into them, signaling her immersion into her insectoid nature. She was going off instinctive and primitive need now, and both lower changelings refused to move. Neither was willing to incur her wrath.

Wicker took the moment to try and access the hive mind collective, if he could reach the queen maybe he could understand what was wrong with her. However, as soon as he tried he nearly collapsed as a massive mental barrier kept him from even thinking of the hive collective.

The queen had locked him out of the link… but how?

“Don’t y-you dare t-try to get in my head, alpha...I decide what you get to know,” she told him, her eyes glancing back and forth between him and Flickit, her nose beginning to sniff once more. Finally her attention turned and focussed solely on Wicker.

“W-Why are you looking at me like that?” asked the blue eyed changeling with some trepidation.

The queen remained silent at first, breathing deeply before she shook her head as if to clear it. Looking back at him now he could see the green glaze leave her eyes, her regular pony-like green irises returning.

“I need to… discuss some important things with you officer. Some really important things,” grumbled the queen. Wicker could see from the way she was acting something was really wrong with her, and he didn’t think any alone time with her would be in his best interest, or health.

“My queen, I am honored, but uh-er-we just got back from an intelligence mission and…”began Wicker.

“...AND?” emphasized the queen, her eyes narrowing as her mouth twisted into a snarl. This display giving Wicker the sense that it was not a request.

“Of course your majesty, i understand,” he began. Damn i gotta find some way out from this. Wait, got it!” I-It’s just that the Insidian Order will really want this information, i mean really really really want it.”

“I can make the report myself”, piped in Flickit from behind Wicker, the officer’s eyes going wide as the other sounded off. What the Tartarus are you doing FLICKIT that was my out?!

The queen seemed to like this idea and nodded in agreement. “It’s settled then, the young officer will come with me, while you drone, report back to the high command.”

Turning his head Wicker caught Flickit about the ear with his teeth, pressing his muzzle close to the appendage. “What are you doing? Are you mad, I don’t want to go with her. I mean just look at her!” he hissed.

“Lieutenant, haven’t you smelled it yet?” inquired Flickit with a massive grin. Upon seeing his alpha’s bewildered expression, he seemed to understand that in fact no, he had not. “Just smell her once your nose is cleared and then you can thank me later sir,” mused the drone as he quickly pulled himself up and trotted past both Wicker and Chrysalis with a chirp of laughter. Leaving him alone with the deranged looking queen.

Wicker gulped nervously watching his friend leave him and walk past the queen, giving her another low bow as he passed as was his nature. Turning back to look at her, Wicker found that he had to look away immediately from the intensity of her gaze. He was not used to being stared at with such blazing heat. On duty it was one thing, but off duty he was rather a bit shy around others, it was his own personal conundrum.

He was still trying to figure out what Flickit had meant about smell, all he could smell was himself, his own odor having built up over the last two weeks. This is exactly the reason he wanted to go to the baths.

The queen made the first move {because of course she would} making her way over to him, peering down at him, even though for his size he came up pretty tall on her. Wicker held his ground but his heart was beating hard in his chest, his bug like blue eyes shifted back to his own normal pony-like blue irises. "Is she going to...eat me?" he wondered, which while a bit far fetched, was not unheard of. It was usually under very abnormal circumstances of life or death. Although currently she definitely wasn’t acting normal.

Chrysalis leaned her muzzle down, her mouth opening to reveal her glistening fangs and tongue, making it’s way towards his head. Despite the fact he was wearing a helmet Wicker was terrified.

“Oh sweet gods she’s going to swallow me whole like some deranged serpent!” Her warm breath was soon bathing his face, as he drooped his ears and curled his tail. Her actions causing the younger changeling to wince and turn his head to avoid the death blow, only to go wide-eyed as he felt her tongue instead, giving a warm lick across his cheek.

He could only look at her wide eyed, surprise evident all over his facial features, his mouth hanging open in shock. He couldn’t believe it, nor could his body, frozen in place while his heart nearly shattered from the tension. Was she tasting him for food or something more intimate?

The disheveled monarch grinned at him before she darted in again, disparaging his fears and answering his question by connecting their muzzles in a direct and passionate kiss. Going completely limp Wicker felt himself being carried backwards until his back hit the dusty wall of the tunnel, the queen pressing against him hard and hot. He could feel the intensity and heat burning in her mouth, while his chest felt the sheer force of her body pressing against his. The way she seemed to hum up from her throat and into his mouth, was enough to make him shiver in delight. Their muzzles not even breaking contact as she closed her eyes and hmm’d into his mouth once more, signalling she was enjoying it as well. Wicker himself was still in a bit of shock, but he could at least say now he was finding the whole experience enjoyable at least.

“She’s kissing me, she’s kissing me…OH gods she’s kissing me!”he cried in his mind. The alpha swooning over this boost to his confidence, as well as social achievement. In the hive among both alpha and drones, it was considered a great honor if the queen showed even a fraction of affection to you. Queens were usually so busy and so arrogant themselves, they took what they wanted and rarely gave appreciation. It was harsh but it was life, and so whenever one was able to be more intimate and caring, beyond the role of a mother or leader, it was a big deal.

However, this was more than just simple affection, this was hot and passionate. She was so strong, and her body so hot against his, he almost felt like he would melt from her touch. He wanted to know if he should do something for her as well (rather than stay limper than a dead bird) but what that could be, he did not know.

He was still trying to figure out if this whole situation was actually real or not. How did he go from two weeks in a hot desert to being ramrodded by the queen with her lips? What had he done to incur her oh so sensual fangs all over him? “Oh what's that?” he questioned, even as he felt something protruding into his mouth, realizing right away it was her tongue.

The long and thick appendage wrestled it’s way through his muzzle to entwine about his own, the queen pulling him further into her kiss and muzzle with her tongue, leading his tongue like a pull rope. It brought such a combination of mild pain and eroticism that Wicker felt his eyes go drowsy as he literally experienced a state of pure lust. Reaching up with one of his hooves, he wrapped it around her neck, his other gripping her right cheek as he pressed himself back against her.“When in the Hive,” he thought to himself as he went for it.

Tongue play was usually reserved for the most carnal of changeling sex acts, indicating a dedicated and passionate relationship. The art was usually best suited for the royalty, given that their tongues were the longest and most sensitive out of all the types of changelings in the hive. Wicker however, had spent some time rooming with one of the former harem studs for the queen's personal masturbatorium (and yes he always shuddered at the cringe worthy name) who had told him some things. He had used these lessons on a few changeling females and it had worked, and right now he was willing to engage the queen in her own play. After all why not use what you got? Grinning to himself as he pressed his own tongue up along the coiled worm that was her own.

She seemed to appreciate his actions pulling away from him, their muzzles disconnecting all but for the tongues, both of their appendages still wrapped around each other. Their tongues playing an erotic and elaborate game of tug. Stroking their hooves across each others face and necks, trying to feel each others bodies and waiting for the other to tire and submit. This exchange lasted for a bit before they too disentangled. Both of them looked back at the other. Chrysalis panting hard, while her green eyes couldn't stop staring into his blue.

“W-Why?” gasped Wicker, out of breath himself from that long bout of kissing.

“What? What do you mean why? Can’t you smell you silly male?!” she growled, marveling at the sheepish shy blush he held as she did so.

“I can’t smell anything but myself, my queen. I have been away for two weeks with no baths, so i stink,” he stated.

“Hmm, you do indeed” she murmured as she pressed against him once more, that pointed tongue of hers slipping out, as she began licking across his face again, her hooves coming up to pull off his metal protection. Wicker allowed her to do so, only pressing his hooves tight against his chest as she began licking at him, his face now fully uncovered as she removed his helmet.

She seemed to like the taste of his sweat and the smell of his musk, for she doubled down her licking about his face and neck, all the while sniffing his aroma at her leisure.

Part of him marveled in the sensation of having a beautiful changeling female licking him, let alone having that female be the queen herself. However, the other side of him was astonished at how submissive he was being. He was not usually like this, not during sex and not in his duty as an officer. Never before had he completely surrender all his will.

Unlike drones who could not argue with a royal order (they literally were bred to not be able to do so) one of his natural gifts as an alpha, was the ability of greater free will. Normally the alpha’s utilized their free will to best suit the decisions and needs of the Hive, or to bring much needed debate to important discussions. Wicker had always embraced this distinction from the drones, for it gave him greater senses of self worth. Though, here he was practically offering himself to the queen, with no effort at self control whatsoever. If he could be this submissive, he might as well be a drone.

But, whether or not his submissiveness was because she was his queen or because this was the first affectionate contact he had experienced in over a year, he could not tell. It was a bit much for him to handle to be honest, for he wasn’t usually this forward, and he didn’t even know why she picked him for this. What was her deal anyway? Is she sick? Does she have some sexual disease or something? Am I at risk?

As soon as she started to drop lower however, making her way down his chest, he couldn't contain himself to submissive silence anymore and exploded forward leaping around her.

“No, no no no, sorry my queen. That is waaayyyy too much! I don't mind kissing but I’m not giving it up in this dirt tunnel!”

She recoiled in mild disgust and disappointment. Sitting there on her haunches she looked like she was about to bite his head off, right before her eyes darkened. Her new look making it seem like she was contemplating something important. Those reptilian chips of jade peering at him, as her blue lips snarled and a snort of hot air puffed through her nostrils. The sight was very unnerving.

Wicker knew she was bound as queen to respect his wishes (not only as an alpha but as a soldier, given the guidelines for forced mating among officers), but he couldn't help but feel like she wasn’t below breaking a rule or two to get what she wanted.

“I’m in big trouble.”