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CHAPTER 27

Hermione stretched over his torso, the softness of her body pressed against the hardness of his. She moved with a languid grace, the heat between her thighs sliding along his cock, her skin like silk beneath his palms.

She'd been insatiable — not that he was complaining — waking him several times during the night, crawling over him and taking him inside her.

He loved her ever-growing confidence, loved that she'd begun to know exactly what she wanted and was almost never afraid to ask for it. And it wasn't just in the bedroom.

Since her realisation of Pansy's pregnancy and their subsequent conversation, things had changed. And for the better. They'd finally talked about their lives beyond the bonding ceremony, deciding her house was where they would live until they needed more space. And yes, they both wanted a family. He had expressed his fears that they might have a child who would have to cope with becoming an Alpha. Of course, her logical and calm response was that they would simply deal with anything that might come their way.

And it was that logic and calm that was now shining through. She'd finally stopped trying to be the Alpha everyone expected and was becoming the Alpha she was meant to be.

"Hey," she whispered, lifting her head to look at him. "Where'd you go?"

"Nowhere," he assured her. "I'm right here."

He wound his hands into her hair and dragged her mouth to his. He kissed her slowly, keeping to the rhythm she'd set. Nothing she'd done each time she'd woken him had been rushed. She'd taken her time, had touched him, kissed him, ridden him slowly — easily — never speeding up. It had been incredible. She had been incredible. She had taken complete control and he had simply laid back and enjoyed her.

And now he was enjoying her once more.

He had come to love these simple moments with her — when he got to see her as the confident woman she had always been. He gazed up at her, the feelings that came over him every time he saw her threatening to overwhelm him again. Her quiet beauty, her capacity for forgiveness, her fierce intellect... he truly wasn't worthy of her affection.

"Stop thinking," she told him, her eyes glowing gold as she sat up and lifted her hips, engulfing him inside her body.

Draco groaned; he didn't think he'd ever get used to the warmth of her. The taste of her, the feel of her skin against his, the tight sheath of her body surrounding him was like nothing else he had ever known.

She leaned down and braced her hands on his chest, staring down at him while she began to slowly roll her hips and slide up and down his cock. Draco stroked her thighs, feeling the muscles flex as she moved. He squeezed gently and she smiled down at him. No words were needed. Not anymore. When they were joined as they were, they both knew what the other needed — whether it be give or take. And take was clearly what she needed.

"Draco, your mind is racing." She continued her slow grind over him, but her eyes had darkened. "Tell me."

"Just thinking how far you've come."

She smiled down at him. "And that I'm no longer the psycho I was?"

"You weren't a psycho. You were going through some crazy changes—" he grunted as her wet skin brushed over his knot "—but look at you now." He slid his hands over her stomach and up to cover her breasts. "You're a goddess."

Hermione sat up and covered his hands with hers. She dragged one of them down between her spread thighs, pressing his fingers to her slick skin. "Touch me."

Draco moved his thumb to her clit, circling the tiny bud in the way he knew would pull her release closer to the surface. Her hand slid back up her body, stopping briefly to squeeze her breast, then continued up to the base of her throat. She let her head fall back and breathed a contented sigh into the air. Rolling her hips, she leaned back slightly and took him in deeper, his knot threatening to disappear inside her body. But he didn't want that. Didn't want this to be over quickly. He was enjoying the slow grind of her body too much.

He matched her unhurried rhythm, thrusting up into her as she ground down. His thumb continued to stroke her clit and his hand covering her breast moved to grip her hip, keeping her movements slow and even.

"Draco… this is…" She opened her eyes and glanced down at him. The gold flecks in her irises sparkled and he realised she was closer than he thought.

"I know, Darling." He pressed his thumb hard against her throbbing clit and she groaned, falling forward, her hands landing on his chest. He felt her shudder, felt the tight clench around his cock. Her arms gave out and she landed on his chest, her body quivering, her mouth sucking the gland on his neck and pulling his release into her body.

Draco wrapped his arms around her, their bodies sweaty and warm, their scents combining, their magic swirling and reaching, each finding its home in the other.

Hermione sighed and burrowed into him, her full weight pressing against him as she murmured his name and drifted off to sleep again.

"You were a bit more… amorous than usual last night, not that I'm complaining. Is everything alright?"

They'd dozed for several hours, catching up on the loss of sleep that had occurred through the night. And now they were laying in bed, face to face, Draco curious about what had spurred her lust.

"I'm heading to Milan with your mother for two days."

"You don't want to go?" Draco slid his hand over the curve of her hip. "I thought you liked my mother."

"I adore her, you know that. But, I won't see you for two days."

A smile of understanding curled Draco's mouth. "So, you thought you'd mark me?"

"No," she replied indignantly. "We've not spent a night apart since we started sleeping together. Two days without my mate is something I'm not looking forward to, that's all."

Draco laughed. "Rubbish. You spent the entire night marking me, Granger. Why didn't you just say something?" He reached between her thighs and pressed the tip of his finger just inside her. "I've no issues wearing your scent." He touched his finger to the gland at his throat, painting his skin with her scent.

"I was worried you'd think me a complete idiot." Her eyes followed his hand as he touched her entrance once more, then circled his wet fingers over the opposite gland.

"No," he assured her. "Not an idiot. Just an Alpha ensuring her mate knows who's boss."

"Draco, I'm not—"

He pressed his fingers to her lips. "We're equal, I know. But, it's your right to mark me when you're going away."

"You're okay with it?"

"If the roles were reversed, you can guarantee you'd resemble a Jackson Pollock painting before I left."

"Eew," Hermione cringed. "That's a disgusting image."

Draco laughed and rolled them over, his heavy frame pressing her into the mattress. He linked their hands and held them above her head. "Well, since you've marked me, I might have to cover you with my scent." He ducked his head and ran his tongue over the base of her throat. "I just don't think that will be enough."

"I'm sure your tongue will be more than enough." Hermione tilted her head back, encouraging him to continue. "And I do not need you to... paint me."

Draco thrust his hips against her. "You don't want my scent on you?"

"Your scent is always on me." She wrapped her legs around his hips. "But I definitely don't need to be covered in your endless amount of Alpha jizz."

Draco stared down at her for several seconds then cracked up laughing. "Endless Alpha jizz?"

Hermione giggled. "You know it's true. I've had to shower more in the last few months than in my entire life because of you."

Draco rolled off her, still laughing. "I'm sorry I've made your life such a hardship."

"Pfft, since you're always with me, you've enjoyed those showers." Hermione rolled to her side, propping herself up on one elbow and draping her leg over his. "In fact, I'm starting to think this is a deliberate ploy of yours to keep me naked."

"Well, I must say I rather enjoy the view." He shifted to his side. "Granger, I don't want you to ever think you can't mark me. We've bonded, and this ceremony will seal that, but wanting to put your scent on me is completely normal, especially when we're going to be apart."

"Just one more weird Alpha thing, I guess." She touched the base of his throat. "Did you ever think you'd be here?"

"Not once," he answered honestly. "I assumed I would just keep living the aimless life I was, but now I can't imagine anything else."

She grinned. "Just one more weird Alpha thing."

Draco rolled them gently, covering her with his body and smiling down at her. "The only weird thing about this is that I knew."

She frowned at him. "You knew?"

"I knew, Granger. The second you walked into the ballroom with Krum… I knew you were special."

"What?" she whispered, her face coloured with shock.

"I was so jealous of him that night." He curled his arms around her head and kissed her with a reverence he'd never shown anyone. "And it wasn't just that night. I was jealous of any male who went near you. I felt something all those years ago whenever I was close to you, and it was worse when I was away from you. I just never understood what it was. I knew I was destined to be an Alpha, but I didn't realise what I was feeling was the pull of my mate."

"Draco…"

"I'm so sorry for all the things I ever said to you and did to you. I can't ever say sorry enough." He brushed a tear from her cheek. "I was beyond cruel to you and, I know it's not an excuse, but I was so confused about what I was feeling. It was why I was such an arse. Nothing about what I was feeling made any sense. You were…" He touched her face. "You were a Mudblood, you weren't who I was supposed to have feelings for."

"Why haven't you said anything?"

"I didn't realise what it was until you went missing. When you were gone, I felt the same as I did back then." He kissed her again. "That same pull, those same feelings, but this time I knew what those feelings were."

When he shifted his hips, her legs curled around him and the head of his aching cock pressed against her entrance, pushing forward, sinking into the tight warmth of her body. He moved over her, his hips driving into her with strong, powerful thrusts. He kissed her hard, wanting her to know in that moment just how much he needed her. Hermione wrapped her arms around his shoulders, holding him to her, her fingers digging into his back as she gasped with each slam of his hips against hers.

"Draco..." she groaned, her body tensing, her head flung back, her neck taut as she cried out. "Draco... oh, gods... please!"

"Give it to me," he grunted into the curve of her shoulder. "Give me everything."

She shook beneath him, crying out his name. He grabbed her chin, turning her face to his, covering her mouth and kissing her as her orgasm tore through her body. His own release followed hers, crashing into him and sending sparks of pleasure down his spine. He collapsed onto her, his mouth opening over her gland and grazing the sensitive skin with his teeth. She held him tighter, a quiet sob sounding in his ear.

He lifted his head to look at her, she was smiling but her eyes held unspilled tears

"Okay?"

"Draco… that was… you… I love you." She hiccupped and he kissed her through her tears.

"I love you. I've always loved you. I was just too stupid to realise it and too scared to tell you."

Hermione stared out over the city. The sun was dipping low and the terrace of their suite gave her one of the best views in all of Milan.

Earlier, they'd been greeted by the friendly concierge as they entered the hotel which could only be described as breathtaking. Parquet floors, a stunning chandelier, sky-high columns, and a marble staircase — the lobby of the Palazzo Parigi Hotel was spectacular; she hated to think of how much their two nights would cost.

And their suite was bigger than her house. Two suites in actuality — the Penthouse and the Royal — which could be joined together to make one giant space. It was ridiculous, but Narcissa had scoffed at hers and Hannah's claims that they didn't need this much room, that they would be happy sleeping on the massive couches in the suite's living room.

She'd laughed as she unpacked her suitcase — well, her overnight bag — into the walk-in closet that was bigger than her bedroom. She'd only brought enough clothes for their stay, and her three outfits looked ridiculous hanging in the massive space.

But, despite her amusement at the ridiculousness, her thoughts had returned to Draco and his admission in the hours before she left.

Nothing about what I was feeling made any sense.

When you were gone, I felt the same as I did back then.

I love you. I've always loved you. I was just too stupid to realise it and too scared to tell you.

His behaviour towards her when they were children was deplorable and his realisations didn't excuse the way he'd treated her, but she understood completely the ups and downs that came with being an Alpha. The fact, however, that he knew something before he was an Alpha made no sense. And that was confusing her.

"Hermione?"

She turned and almost laughed; Hannah and Narcissa were peering around the doorframe, their faces full of concern.

"Is everything alright, darling?" Narcissa stepped out onto the terrace cautiously.

"I'm fine, why?"

"The walls rattled," Hannah explained. "Well, everything on the walls rattled."

Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose. "Sorry, I thought I had this under control."

"I'm certain most times you do." Narcissa touched a gentle hand between Hermione's shoulders. "But something is obviously bothering you."

"Hold on," Hannah said and disappeared into the suite. A few moments later, she returned with a bottle of wine and three glasses, taking a seat on the comfortable outdoor sofa. "We're in Italy. We need wine."

"I agree." Narcissa sat beside Hannah, leaving the armchair for Hermione. "Fill those glasses up, Hannah. We'll order room service tonight and enjoy an evening under the stars."

Hannah did as she was instructed and Hermione curled herself into the chair. She was glad Narcissa suggested a night in. They were in Milan, a city steeped in history and art and culture, but she couldn't deal with any of it right then.

"Tell us," Hannah said, handing her a glass. "What made the walls rattle?"

She glanced quickly at Narcissa and swallowed half her glass in one go. "It's Draco."

"I wondered. He seems to be the one who constantly gets under your skin," Narcissa said and sipped her own wine. "Now, darling, I'm not his mother right now — I'm your friend. You can say anything and I won't defend him."

"No, it's not like that. It's just…" she sighed. "Every time I think I've got this thing sorted, something else happens and I feel like I take another step back."

"That sounds like Draco," Hannah said and glanced quickly at Narcissa. "Sorry."

Narcissa squeezed Hannah's arm and laughed, "No, you're correct. That sounds like Draco. What did he say?"

"Before I left, he told me he loved me." Hermione smiled at their wistful expressions. "He says it all the time, but this time he told me he had always loved me, that he knew something was different when Viktor escorted me to the Yule Ball."

"Really?" Narcissa's expression turned to one of surprise. "He never said a word."

"He felt he couldn't, not under the circumstances." Hermione winced at her words, but Narcissa waved them away.

"Of course he couldn't. His father and I would have never allowed it," she admitted. "But you know that's not true now."

"I do," Hermione answered quickly.

"What did he tell you?" Narcissa asked. "Does he think it will cause problems for the ceremony?"

"I don't think so. It was more like he was confused and needed to tell me before this all happens."

"But he was only fourteen at the time of the ball," Hannah said, sounding confused. "He wasn't even close to becoming an Alpha."

"He said he didn't understand it at the time. The feelings, I mean. And with everything he'd been led to believe, the pull towards me made no sense to him."

"He felt a pull towards you? All those years ago, he could tell?" Narcissa was frowning, as if trying to figure out why.

"He said he felt it every time I was near him. But he didn't realise what it was until my recent disappearing act. When he didn't know where I was, he said it was the same pull, the same jealousy that I might be with someone else."

"This is not normal Alpha behaviour," Narcissa noted. "And I think you've been an Alpha for much longer than we thought. He sensed it even though you weren't aware."

"Is that why he… ah… played the field?" Hannah winced as she glanced between them. "He knew there was something about Hermione, but refused to act on it?"

"It's possible," Narcissa answered with a nod. "Lucius and I thought the fact he wouldn't settle down was just him being an Alpha, trying to prove himself to the world."

"Is that why he resisted you at first? When you became an Alpha?" Hannah asked. "He didn't want to admit those feelings were true?"

Hermione shrugged. "Maybe. I didn't know any of this until last night, and I mean, we weren't friends, not really. We were polite when we saw each other, but that wasn't often. But…" She glanced at Narcissa again.

"Not his mother tonight, darling," she reminded Hermione. "Whatever you wish to share with us stays between us. I promise."

Hermione nodded and continued. "He said the reason he treated my so badly — teasing me about my stupid hair and calling me Mudblood — is because of those feelings he didn't understand."

"That doesn't make it right," Hannah snapped. "He should have discussed what he was feeling with his mother. Narcissa has proven she knows more about Alphas than anyone else."

Hermione smiled at her friend. Hannah had been her biggest protector and Draco had borne the brunt of that protection more often than not.

"No, it doesn't. And unfortunately that's something that will stick with me." She held her hand up to Narcissa. "I don't hold it against him, but his words and actions back then were unpleasant, especially since I didn't even know what I'd done to deserve it."

"Hermione, everything he did and said was our fault. We taught him from birth that he was above Muggleborns, and for that reason he treated you incredibly poorly." Narcissa paused then huffed out a laugh. "Sorry, I wasn't going to be his mother, was I?"

"I don't mind," Hermione told her. "You are his mother and that will always come first. I don't blame any of you, not anymore. You've welcomed me into your family and you wouldn't have done that if you'd still held those old beliefs. And yes, those thoughts will always be with me, but right now I'm not actually concerned about his past actions, I'm concerned about him."

"So you do think he's worried this might cause a problem with the ceremony?" Hannah leaned forward. "Will it be a problem?"

"No, I'm just worried that he told me this right before I left to come here. He was so confused about it, and he was worried that I might be upset that he was using his actions to cover up his true feelings for me back then. He just didn't seem like himself. He was just... so filled with guilt."

"You're worried about leaving him alone." Narcissa touched her hand over her heart. "Darling, you are so much more than I could have ever hoped for him. The love you have for him goes far beyond anything that is Alpha."

"His stupid arse doesn't deserve you," Hannah said, but her smile took away any venom behind her words.

"Hermione, darling, you are unlike any Alpha that has ever existed. Your love for everyone around you is the most beautiful thing I have ever known. And Hannah is right, my son probably doesn't deserve you, but I can assure you of one thing; he loves you, Hermione. He loves you with a passion I've never seen in him, and he will spend the rest of his life atoning for his past behaviour."

"I'm so sorry." Hermione apologised. "I just… there's nothing… I'm so sorry."

Narcissa wrapped her arm around Hermione's shoulders, hugging her tightly. "Do not apologise. This is something that is important and you are not to simply settle to placate us."

"We'll keep looking," Hannah added. "There's a few more shops we haven't looked in yet. And if all else fails, marry him in jeans."

Hermione laughed, "I'm not sure that'd be appropriate. I feel underdressed here, let alone if I wore this to my wedding."

She looked down at her clothes; she was dressed casually in jeans, an olive-coloured t-shirt with a large sunflower printed on it, and comfortable ballet flats. Hannah was dressed similarly, her jeans a slightly darker shade and paired with a simple white halter-neck racer-back top

Hannah shrugged, "Meh, we're in the fashion capital of Italy wearing jeans and T-shirts. Your wedding would be a breeze after this."

"You both look fine," Narcissa told them, "and you'll know the perfect dress the second you see it."

"I guess," Hermione agreed a little despondently.

They'd been in and out of a dozen designer dress shops and she hadn't found anything she even considered a possibility. She wasn't sure if her lack of enthusiasm was due to the constant thoughts of Draco and the guilt he was still harbouring, but Hannah's jeans idea was becoming more realistic with each passing shop.

"Chin up, 's another shop two streets over and if there's nothing there, we'll head back to the hotel and have some dinner, and we'll look again tomorrow."

"And if she still finds nothing…?" Hannah fell into step as Narcissa directed them down the street.

"Paris next weekend," Narcissa replied with a grin.

"Ah, we can't close the shop two weekends in a row," Hermione argued. "This weekend is too much."

"Nonsense," Narcissa chided. "You're a Malfoy now. You don't have to worry about taking a weekend off."

"Narcissa—"

"I'll hear nothing more about it," Narcissa said in a tone that let Hermione know there was no point in arguing.

She'd already had a heated discussion with her future in-laws when Narcissa suggested that Hannah join them on their trip to Italy. Hermione had been adamant she couldn't close her shop for two days, but they had insisted they would recompense any losses she would incur. It was something she was unaccustomed to; a shit-ton of money that she couldn't even fathom. She was far from destitute, but the Malfoy fortune was something she couldn't wrap her head around. In the end, Hannah had been the one to convince her. Girls' weekends had never been a consideration since one of them had to be in the shop, but Hannah had so eloquently stated that she should pull her stubborn head out of her arse and take full advantage of being a Malfoy.

So she had finally agreed and for the first time since she'd opened her shop, it was closed for two days. But it was looking like it was a waste. The more shops and boutiques they went into, the less enthusiastic she became.

Hermione sighed, drifting from the conversation and glancing absently into the windows as they strolled down the street. This row of shops seemed to be made up of antique and vintage shops. Old trinkets and books, jewellery and clothes — all things she'd love to stop and look at if she had more time.

And then she did stop. Abruptly. Her breath caught and just like Narcissa had said, she knew the dress when she saw it.

"Hermione?" Hannah's voice called from up the street.

She looked up and saw the knowing expression on Narcissa's face as they retraced their steps.

"You found it?"

Hermione nodded and pointed to the mannequin in the window. "That's the dress."

Hannah tilted her head back and read the sign over the window, squinting at the Italian words. "Vintage Delirium, I think it says."

Narcissa nodded. "Yes, it's rather well-known, actually. I never thought about trying the vintage shops. I should have known they would be more your style."

"It probably won't fit." Hermione's heart was pounding. She didn't want to get her hopes up. She wasn't one for frills and sequins, and the simple, elegant sheath gown was exactly what she'd pictured. Off-white satin that dipped low in the back with a V-neckline and thin straps. It was perfect.

"Darling," Narcissa began, looping her arm through Hermione's and pulled her into the shop. "There's only one way to find out."