Chapter 75: Before The Directives [IV]

"Get off me, you beast," Irena gasped, using what little strength she had left to shove at Alexander’s broad chest. She pushed insistently until he finally relented with a low chuckle and rolled onto his side, his dick slipping out of her.

A sharp, sensitive shudder ran through her at the sudden loss of warmth, her swollen core clenching helplessly as cold air rushed in to take his place, and she found herself fighting the ridiculous urge to pull him right back.

​"You are really out of your mind," she managed, though the words came out far more affectionate than she’d intended.

​His laughter rumbled deep in his chest. Reaching for her, he pulled her back into his arms and held her snug against him.

"I can’t help it," he said, pressing a kiss to her hair. "My wife is completely irresistible."

The words warmed something deep inside Irena, melting away the last remnants of her feigned annoyance. She hummed softly, closing her eyes as she leaned into the solid heat of his body, enjoying the heavy, satisfying comfort of his embrace. But the peace lasted only a second.

She felt his hand wandering again, his fingers slowly tracing a path toward her breast.

Without opening her eyes, she caught his hand and held it. "Don’t even think about it, or I swear I’ll ban you from touching me for an entire month."

Alexander groaned dramatically, resting his forehead against her shoulder. "That’s so cruel, Irena," he grumbled, his tone dripping with mock betrayal. "How can you be this stingy toward your beloved, handsome husband?"

Irena let out an incredulous laugh. "Cruel? Stingy? Me? You’ve monopolized every second of my free time and worn this body out for the last seven days, yet I’m the one who’s cruel?"

She clicked her tongue.

"Werewolf healing or not, I still need a break, a chance to recover from all your nonsense."

"Then you should stop being so irresistible," Alexander replied with a dramatic pout.

Irena rolled her eyes. "Sweet talk isn’t going to earn you any part of my body this time."

Despite her exasperation, she shifted carefully in his arms, forcing her wrecked, aching body to turn and face him directly. The playful look on her face gradually faded, replaced by genuine concern as she searched his features.

​"What is really going on, Alex?" she asked quietly. Alexander’s smile faltered slightly.

"I didn’t want to ask because I figured you’d tell me whenever you were ready. But it’s been seven days now, and you haven’t given me a single moment of rest. What has been bothering you?"

Alexander tried to look away, but she cupped his jaw, gently holding his gaze as her thumb brushed over his cheekbone.

"Talk to me, dear." Irena’s voice softened. "Whatever’s bothering you, you don’t have to carry it alone. I know your body only gets this insatiable when something heavy is weighing on your mind, so let me help you carry some of it."

Alexander let out a low, weary chuckle, resting his forehead against hers. "Caught me, didn’t you?" he whispered, his breath warm against her skin, a mixture of amusement and resignation flickering across his face.

Irena’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile.

​"Hmm. So what’s been keeping my husband awake at night?" she asked softly. "And don’t you dare tell me half-baked excuses. I want the truth."

A sharp knock shattered the quiet moment before Alexander could answer.

Both of them turned toward the door.

"Your Majesty," a voice called from the other side. "The heads of the five clans humbly seek an immediate audience."

Alexander’s expression immediately darkened. He tightened his hold on Irena, pulling her closer against his chest as though he could somehow delay the inevitable by refusing to let go. Irena watched his face carefully, tracing the sudden tension in his jaw. "Does this audience have anything to do with what’s been bothering you?"

Alexander gave a single nod.

​Irena’s brows furrowed.

"Then it must be something serious."

He nodded again, looking almost like a scolded child who had been caught trying to avoid an unpleasant responsibility.

The sight made Irena chuckle softly. For all his terrifying power and authority, Alexander could be surprisingly adorable at times.

She reached up and brushed a hand through hair. "Go on then," she said, smoothing a few strands away from his forehead. "Get dressed and deal with whatever it is that’s waiting for you."

"I don’t wanna," Alexander whined, burying his face in the crook of her neck, his hold tightening even further.

Irena laughed, rubbing the back of his head.

"Stop being a child and go meet them. You don’t want to keep them waiting."

"I’m the Emperor. I can keep them waiting as long as I damn well please," Alexander grumbled, pressing his face against her shoulder.

"Don’t be difficult," she coaxed gently, still running her fingers through his dark hair. "The sooner you deal with them, the sooner you can come back." Alexander pulled back, looking up at her with wide, shamelessly pleading eyes.

"Couldn’t you let me have one quick round for extra energy and encouragement before I go face those annoying clan heads?" he asked, blinking innocently at her. Irena stared at him for a moment before letting out an exasperated laugh.

Alexander immediately seized the opportunity.

"I need all the moral support I can get," he said with complete seriousness. "And if you don’t agree, then I’m not going anywhere."

He settled back against her with a look of absolute determination, as though he had already won the argument. Irena sighed helplessly, shaking her head. As if she could ever say no to that face. "Fine," she relented at last.

"Just be quick about it."

Alexander lit up instantly. "You’re the most wonderful woman in the entire Empire," he declared, already moving on top of her again.

"I knew marrying you was the best decision I’ve ever made." His grin widened. "Don’t worry. I’ll be very quick and thorough." With that he thrust back inside her already wet, swollen sheath in one fluid motion, earning a choked gasp from Irena as her fingers dug into his shoulders.

Moments later, he let out a long, heavy, satisfied exhale. "I feel much better already," he murmured. Irena rolled her eyes.

Alexander laughed and pressed one last kiss to her forehead before rolling off her. He stood up, towering and completely unbothered by his nakedness, then grabbed a fresh set of clothes and disappeared into the attached bathroom.

A few minutes later, he returned fully dressed in his imperial attire. Irena remained curled beneath the blankets, watching him with amused affection as he adjusted his cuffs and fastened the last button of his coat.

"Rest, Irena," he said, walking back to the bedside. Leaning down, he brushed a kiss across her forehead. "I’ll deal with the five clan heads and come back to cuddle."

"Just go already," she groaned, waving him away with a lazy hand. "Before they start a rebellion outside our door."

Alexander chuckled softly, gave her a wink, then turned and walked out of their bedchamber.