Adina stood in front of the mirror, putting the last bit of string into her braided hair. She adjusted the straps of her training leathers around her waist, tightening them up. She glanced at her reflection, a smile tugging at her lips. The fitted black pants hugged her hips snugly, and the sleeveless vest cinched at her waist, giving her the look of an experienced warrior, even though she wasn't.

After Thorne had told her he planned on making their mating official, he mentioned she would need to learn to fight too. Adina had been ecstatic about it. Learning to fight had been one of the things she never thought was possible, but now...

She took a deep breath, her lips stretched into a smile. She turned to leave, only to freeze in her steps.

Standing right by the door she hadn't even realized was open was Thorne, his arms crossed over his chest, his gaze fixed on her.

"Oh, you're here," she said, smiling at him.

He didn't respond, his eyes taking her in fully. When he had Maya, the head maid, buy training outfits for her, he didn't think they would look this incredible on her.

"You're staring," Adina pointed out.

Thorne hummed, his eyes not straying from her body as he didn't respond. His gaze moved slowly, from her boots to her thighs, up the curve of her waist, pausing at her chest. He licked his lips and finally locked eyes with her. His gaze was dark.

"I'm allowed to," he said, stepping into the room. He shut the door easily behind him. "Only I can look."

Adina's breath hitched slightly as he stopped right in front of her, his gaze more intense than before. His hands slid to her waist, fingers spreading over the curve of her hips as he tugged her closer to the vanity. He didn't hide the growl in his throat as he leaned in.

"You look so hot right now," he muttered against her neck. "I don't think I'm up for training you anymore. I don't want people seeing you like this," he mumbled.

She blinked, her heart pounding. "You don't?" she asked as he turned her around to face the mirror, their eyes locking through it.

His lips ghosted over her skin, right beneath her ear. "No," he said darkly. "I want to bend you over this vanity and fuck you until you're dripping with my cum."

A breathless whine escaped her before she could stop it. Her legs trembled slightly, betraying her.

Thorne's smirk widened against her cheek. "Yeah," he rasped. "You want it too, don't you? Want me to take you apart inch by inch and fuck you until you're a desperate, writhing mess."

Adina swallowed hard, heat pooling low in her belly. Her fingers clutched the edge of the vanity for balance as he tilted her face toward his.

His gaze shifted to her parted lips, and he licked his lips slowly, dipping his head to hers.

"Thorne—" she whispered.

But before it could go further, a knock at the door had him stilling, his jaw clenched in faux anger.

"Your majesty," Mason's voice came from outside the door. "Time is going."

In other words… we do not have time for this.

Thorne shut his eyes, his nose flaring. "I'm going to kill him," he mumbled.

Adina giggled softly as he pulled away, reluctantly. Once he was certain Adina's scent was under control, he walked towards the door and pulled it open, facing the gamma who stood there with an infuriating smile. "Count yourself lucky that you're the gamma," he gritted out.

"As you order, your majesty," Mason replied cheekily.

His gaze shifted to Adina, who stood behind Thorne. "Adina," he greeted.

"Gamma Mason."

Thorne sighed like a man robbed of joy. "You're on stable mucking duty for the next three weeks."

"You can't do that to me. I'm your best warrior, my king," Mason quickly answered.

Thorne raised his brows. "Caelum is my best warrior. You are just someone I have grown to tolerate," Thorne replied gruffly, grabbing Adina's hand and pulling her after him.

"Your majesty!" Mason's voice rose, affronted. "You take that back now. I'm the best and YOUR favorite warrior in the whole realm."

"My favorite warrior is Ethan," Thorne replied.

Mason paused for a second as though he were remembering all of their names, then it clicked. He gasped treacherously. "Ethan from the west barracks?!" Mason shrieked, scandalized. "He couldn't throw a dagger straight if his life depended on it!"

Thorne didn't even spare him a glance. "At least he doesn't interrupt me."

Adina bit her bottom lip to stop from laughing, letting Thorne tug her down the corridor as Mason sputtered behind them.

Adina couldn't hold it in anymore. A snort escaped her as she turned to glance at Mason still standing there, hands on his hips like a disgruntled housewife. "Don't worry, Gamma. You'll always be my favorite," she teased.

Mason gasped. "You see?! Even your mate has taste, your majesty!"

"I'm revoking your stable duty and changing it to latrine scrubbing," Thorne muttered.

Mason let out a horrified wail.

Thorne didn't stop walking until they reached the training fields. A few warriors had already gathered there, some sparring, others chatting. But as Thorne and Adina arrived, all eyes turned.

They weren't just looking at the king; they were looking at her.

Adina shifted uncomfortably under their stares. Everyone knew who she was now. She wasn't just some maid anymore. She was his. His mate.

Thorne's brows furrowed, and he glanced toward the sparring area. "Where the hell is Caelum?" he muttered.

A broad-shouldered warrior standing not too far walked towards them, head bowed to Thorne. "Beta Caelum got called away for inspection duty," he said, his eyes flickering to Adina for a second, understanding crossing his features. "I could help train her if you'd like, my king."

Thorne's eyes narrowed instantly. The warrior, a tall man with sandy brown hair, took a step forward toward Adina, offering her a hand and a warm smile.

Adina opened her mouth, but before she could say a word, Thorne moved first.

In a blink, he stepped between them, shoving the man back with a sharp, possessive growl.

"She's mine," he snarled. "And if you lay a single finger on her, you'll be training ghosts in the afterlife."

The warrior stumbled back, his eyes wide with fear. "F-forgive me, my king," he stammered.

Thorne stared at him for what seemed like minutes, but it was only for a mere second. He let go of the warrior. "Get back to training!" he barked, and even those who had been chatting ran back to their positions.

Thorne turned to face Mason, his face stormy. "Have Caelum return here and teach them manners."

The gamma bowed. "Understood, my king."