COMEBACK OF THE ALPHA KING

Chapter 9- He Is Not My Daddy.

He took cautious steps towards her, observing her reaction as he did so.

King gauged if her anger was directed at him or something else.

Work? Personal issues? Whatever it was, if it affected her, it affected him too.

"Nova?" He asked when he got close enough to her. That one word contained all his questions.

She shook her head at him, holding his gaze and opening the car door for him. That action gave him the response he sought.

It wasn't a personal problem. She was mad at him. From the look on her face, King knew he'd find her reasons comical.

He shook his head, already bubbling with laughter, anticipating her explanation. Without another word, he climbed into the car.

He waited for her to get into the driver's seat, clipping in her seat belt.

"What was all that drama about? I thought we were lying low?" She fumed the moment she settled in her seat.

King looked away from her to hide his intrigued smile. He let his gaze access the building before him, thinking about his encounter with Onyx.

Everything that happened there was a thrilling experience for him. His smirk grew deep as he pictured her fascinating smiles.

She had different ones for different intents. As her warm features played into his view, King realized he recognised her scent.

He didn't think much of it when he was in there, but she had a strange, calming scent. She smelt feminine.

Like wonderful flower blooms. A detail that spread a wide grin across his face.

"King!"

Nova's snap not only broke King's smile, but it filled him with anger.

"What is it, Nova?"

He sighed, looking away from the building to hold her gaze. She was being informal again.

King didn't wait for her response. He answered her pending question.

"He infuriated me, okay? I did what I had to do."

Nova quirked an inquiring brow at him. "Really? By calling attention to yourself and exercising your veto power?"

"I did not exercise my veto power... Maybe I did a little, but it was required. That rat needed to be taught a lesson."

King's response didn't hide his fury.

"Before you get all parental on me, I need you to get this straight.

I was sending a message to Sage."

Nova stared hard at King. She stared so hard for so long King felt uncomfortable under her assessment.

She looked like she had so much to say in such paltry words.

When she spoke up, her response relayed her confusion. "What?"

King let out another sigh, not believing he had to explain himself.

If she did her research as he instructed, she should have gotten the details.

"His name is Darius Tatcher, he bears..."

"He is Sage's cousin. I know that." Nova interrupted him, waving her hands as if to clear off the undivulged details.

"I'm curious why you feel the need to send a message to Sage instead of talking to her directly."

It was King's turn to give her an unnerving stare. Ignoring his open judgment, Nova continued.

"You already have the details and evidence of her sabotage.

Grab the team, walk up to her and boom, end her reign."

King looked out the window with an eye roll. "You can be clueless sometimes, Nova." He mumbled.

Low enough to be a whisper, but loud enough for her to hear.

Her words were half true. He had the evidence of her sabotage, but not enough details. There were still questions unanswered.

Questions like why she'd drug him with an aphrodisiac. Sage wasn't interested in him like that. At least to the best of his knowledge.

Also, he didn't know the real motive behind her actions. It couldn't be just for his company.

Something else was there that wasn't visible to him yet.

Was she working alone? How long had she planned it? Who were those in her court? Were they part of the pack or from a different pack?

All these questions couldn't be demanded directly.

King planned to strategize his return as soon as he settled, but identifying Darius today created the perfect game plan.

He would go after all of Sage's family, one after the other, without touching her.

This would spawn the necessary fear in her, causing her to panic before his ultimate arrival.

If she had any good sense, she would come forward before he reached her.

King took his time responding to Nova, and she patiently waited to hear from him.

His silence told her any further questioning from her would unleash his wrath, so she stayed still.

Instead of an elaborate explanation, he opted for a simple response.

"It's more fun this way, Nova. More effective."

Dissatisfied, Nova opened her mouth to protest.

"I refuse to discuss this any further, Nova. Drop the topic." King's stern response put an end to the argument.

His face held no jolly, telling Nova she had crossed a boundary.

She scowled, realizing whatever King did today was for the best.

She knew this man. She knew he didn't make careless or impulsive decisions based on his feelings.

Everything King did was well thought out and always ended up being the best decision.

After all, that is why he is the unbeatable force he is today.

She was probably overreacting. Nova was only worried about his health and his security, too.

Most of his subordinates didn't know he was present on the south coast.

Today's incident revealed that detail, and it dissatisfied her. They could be spies for the enemy.

King still needed to recover from his last battle, and this break could provide the rest he needed.

Having the enemy aware of his whereabouts would tamper with his recovery process.

Not that she doubted King's abilities. He was a poisonous warrior. As swift as lightning, as invisible as a ghost, and as toxic as a missile.

If he ever got attacked, he'd shock the system as he'd always done. She just needed him to catch a break.

"Alright. I'm sorry. I was just worried about you." Nova sighed, holding his gaze, wishing he understood her view.

King gave her a thin smile and nodded his head. "It's fine, Nova. You've always been dramatic."

Her mouth flew open in defence, but when she caught the shimmer in his eyes, she realized it was a joke.

"Dramatic is good." She rolled her eyes at him, bending to open the console.

She plucked out a small package from the safe and slammed the door back shut. King frowned at her when she dropped the package in his lap.

"Open it." She urged, unable to contain her grin.

"What is it?" King's suspicion wouldn't let him touch the package.

"Good heavens, King, it's a present. Dramatic much?"

Nova rolled her eyes again at him, picking up the package and tearing it open.

Keys, an access card, and a signed document fell into his lap.

"It's the keys to your new apartment at Cheryl Poppins." Nova sang out, clapping excitedly.

King didn't return her enthusiasm. He scowled down at the items in his lap, pinching out the document for examination.

"Cheryl Poppins?" King squeezed out as though someone shot him in the chest.

Cheryl Poppins was a famous private estate in Leytan City, which contained a cluster of villas designed for the city's wealthiest.

Only the best of the best resided there. The high cost prevented most wealthy people who could afford to reside there from staying for more than a few months.

Each villa was worth millions of dollars, and that was only for a year's lease.

Buying a villa in that estate required a fortune that could plunge anyone into a lifetime of debt if they were not careful.

King was rich enough to get a villa there. He possessed one of only nine supreme black cards issued nationwide and accepted by all banks.

He got the card as payment for his earnest service to the Kingdom. The card had no credit limit and he could afford to buy the whole Kingdom if he wanted to.

However, King wasn't the extravagant type. Just like Ace, he saw no pleasure in flaunting wealth. He believed true happiness came from staying grounded.

King had never spent a cent from the card and he didn't plan to.

The system he worked for attended to every one of his needs. There was no need for an extra expense.

"Isn't it amazing? It's fully equipped and It's got a serene environment and excellent amenities. Perfect for your recovery."

Nova was saying, oblivious to King's displeasure.

"This does not say rented. It says purchased,"

King complained, still scrutinising the document, which was a certificate of ownership signed in his name.

"Why is it signed in my name? I didn't agree to this, Nova..."

His words trailed off when the puzzle clicked in place. "Did you purchase this?"

She stopped her rambling, grinning like a kid who had just been caught doing a forbidden act.

Nova came from old money. Her family were pioneers of oil and gas in Bloomsville kingdom.

They had enough wealth to cater to their generations, yet unborn.

If she decided not to work and laze around for the rest of her life, she'd still be wealthy and comfortable, but Nova was too sensible to stay idle.

She was also very humble and loved to serve others.

"It's my gift to you." She flashed her heart-stopping smile, winking at him.

King let out a defeated groan, not surprised she'd do something like this. Money was just a string of numbers to her.

He also knew it was pointless to argue with her. She'd only go ahead to do something more outrageous.

"You see, unlike you, I'm a fan of your quick recovery."

She stuck her tongue at him and then turned to switch on the car's ignition.

"Don't talk to me, Sir. I'm driving." She teased, driving the car out of the parking lot.

Nova only reserved this playful side of hers for King. Everyone else got her serious and deferential side.

In public, she treated King like a boss, but in private they were more of buddies than colleagues.

King didn't mind this, it afforded him the luxury of truly relaxing and being himself. Being in charge could sometimes be exhausting.

After a moment's silence, he spoke again.

"I'm meeting my daughter at 5 pm today. I'd send you the address once I get it."

He let his gaze trail to the window again. The thought of seeing his daughter sent a series of nerves through his veins.

Nova's response to that declaration was stiff and prying. " Really?"

She wanted to proceed further, but the look on King's face told her he wanted to be left alone.

Her playful smile faded, and she took on her professional demeanour.

"Noted. Is there anything else I can do for you, Sir?"

King glanced at her, thinking for a moment.

"Yes. Get all the details of Sage's family background.

I need the family tree, list of inheritances, names of associates, crimes committed and buried, the whole work of it."

Nova nodded at his request, seeing where he was heading with it. He was at it again. All work and no rest.

She wanted to shake her head and click her teeth at him in reprimand, but she restrained herself. He wouldn't be King if he wasn't this tenacious.

"On it, sir. Would get started right away." She responded in complete obedience.

King gave her a satisfied nod, then looked out the window again, finally relaxing in his seat.

He let the blurry view calm his mind. This was the only rest he could allow himself to have.

**********

At exactly 5 p.m, King showed up at Onyx's office. He found her waiting by the building's entrance, taking a peep at her wristwatch.

She had sent him a text a few hours ago to meet her there instead.

Onyx changed her mind last minute, wanting to brief King on all that he needed to know concerning her daughter before meeting her.

The thought of introducing a father figure to her little girl made Onyx anxious. She wanted the event to be nothing less than perfect.

No errors, no do-overs, just fulfilling the little girl's dream.

"Five on the dot. Your concept of time is quite strong, not a minute more, not a minute less."

Onyx grimaced at him when he approached her. Her words sounded like a compliment, but she said it like a correction. She looked annoyed too.

Not sure he understood what she meant, King shrugged at her, giving a sheepish grin.

"Hello, Onyx. I'm sorry, it's just a habit. I like to arrive on time."

At his apology, Onyx felt her pent-up nerves calm down for a moment.

Even though she said 5:00 pm, she had been waiting for nearly an hour, anticipating his arrival.

She figured he'd come earlier than stated because that was the normal thing to do. Arrive a few minutes before the time of rendezvous. It's what she did.

She knew it wasn't his fault, everyone was different, and she should have communicated this to him.

Still, she expected him to know this basic rule.

"It's fine. You came on time." Onyx checked her watch again.

The kindergarten closed for the day in 30 minutes, so they still had some time to discuss.

"Common, I've got a lot to tell you about her. We can do that as I drive. You don't mind, do you?"

Although she asked a question, she didn't wait for a response.

She continued to blurt out a bulk load of information as she led the way to her parked car.

It was a red Toyota Camry. The kind of ride King imagined she'd be driving.

He smiled at his astute prediction, smiling even harder when he noticed how fidgety Onyx was to have him in her car.

He couldn't tell which one bothered her more. His proximate presence or that he'd be meeting his daughter.

She had not stopped speaking about her since she started talking. King understood her anxiety. It made him curious about this little girl.

He wanted to know what she looked like, what her personality was like, what she sounded like, and how she'd feel about him.

He tried to listen to Onyx as she wobbled out these words he couldn't understand. She spoke in a rush. Like she wanted to get all the words out of her system all at once.

Despite her incoherence, King listened attentively. He watched Onyx's every move and reaction to her words.

Occasionally she'd cast those sparkling eyes of hers at him, checking to see if he was listening.

Every time she did that, King held his breath. This delicate woman next to him seized all his attention just by existing.

He hoped his daughter took after her bedazzling beauty. If not all of it, at least half of it.

King didn't know much about his daughter yet, but from Onyx's ceaseless words and jittery actions, he drew out a concrete conclusion.

If she could get her mother this fidgety, then it meant two things. First, she must be very dear to her.

Second, she had her mum wrapped around her little fingers.

"We're here." Onyx breathed out parking her car in front of a children's playground.

Beyond the playground was a fancy-looking school whose walls harboured the name Royals & Nobles Kindercare written in bold and colourful letters.

The playground was so large and housed so many swings that a child could get lost in them.

Next to the playground was a well-stocked tuck shop which had all the goodies a child would be delighted to eat.

This school was like a little city filled with kiddies' pleasures.

King spotted some adults, probably parents, hanging around the playground.

Some hung around in cliques, lost in conversations, while the others waited around singly. Each one of them dressed exquisitely.

Onyx glanced at her watch again. They were two minutes early, just in time to see her emerge from the school gates.

"Her name is Paris."

She stated, fixing her gaze on the school gate. She tapped her fingers on the driving wheel, shaking her legs in rhythm to a non-existent song.

King nodded his head, feeling his gut warm up at the sound of her name. She had a lovely name. He wondered why Onyx chose that name for her.

Clueless to King's curiosity, Onyx rambled on.

"I call her Patis... it's because when she was younger, she couldn't pronounce her name right."

She turned her full attention to King revealing the barest hint of a smile tugging at her plum lips.

King could tell from the distant look on her face that she was visiting Paris's childhood memory in her head.

"She insisted her name is Patis and it just kinda stuck, you know?"

King gave a sad smile, wishing he was there to witness this memorable event. It soon dawned on him how much of her early years he had missed.

"She sounds pretty headstrong." He nodded, trying to picture the little girl in his head.

Onyx let out a startled laugh, agreeing to this keen observation. "You have no idea."

A bell rang from the school environs booming through the playground and spreading out to their hearing.

Almost immediately, different kids dressed in all sorts of cute wears ran out of the school shouting for their parents.

"She'd be here soon."

Onyx unbuckled her seat belt, encouraging King to do the same. They got out of the car and strolled towards the playground.

Just as they stepped foot into the sandy arena, a little girl emerged from the school gates, holding on to her bag like it was a lifeline.

She had on an all-pink stylish outfit and her hair, dark as night, had been carefully braided into two little pigtails.

Her baby fat was still intact, and she looked as delicate as a porcelain doll.

She wasn't looking at them when she emerged and as she angled her head towards their direction, King's heart stopped beating.

Without being told who she was, he instantly recognised her. She had her mother's essence, but her big, round eyes were a twinkling grey just like his.

When she spotted Onyx, her eyes lit up like stars and a familiar smile spread out on her face.

A smile just like her mother's. She extended her arms, allowing her little feet to carry her towards them.

"Mummy." She squealed. Her voice was thick with a baby lisp.

King felt a foreign pride weigh heavily on him as he watched this little girl run towards them. This was his little girl. She was everything he imagined and more.

As he watched her approach them, his vision became a mess from the sudden tears pooling in his eyes. Tears he couldn't allow himself to shed.

She ran past him into her mother's arms, and King took the time to collect himself.

While he did breathing exercises to compose himself, Onyx crouched to Paris's height exchanging heartwarming pleasantries with her.

Onyx cooed affectionate words at her and she giggled in exaggerated joy.

King tensed up when he heard the little girl ask an outstanding question. Onyx had prepared him beforehand for that question, but it still shook him.

"Mummy, you said Daddy would come to pick me up today. Where is he?"

Onyx shot him a fearful glance. Her smile faltered, but she kept it spread out on her face.

"Daddy's here." She picked up the little girl, pointing at King.

Paris's silence had both adults holding their breaths as they waited for her reaction.

They expected her to be excited about the news. Buy the lie and embrace King, but she didn't.

Her face scrunched up into an angry pout. She looked at Onyx, her small fingers gripping her shoulders tight.

Onyx understood her daughter well enough to read her agitation.

"What's wrong, my little Patis?" She asked softly, squeezing her a little to get a reaction from her.

Her panic rose, causing her whole body to tremble as she waited for a response.

"No," Paris spoke up, her eyes welling up with tears.

King and Onyx exchanged morbid glances, each consumed by a unique fear.

"No, what honey? That's your daddy, won't you say hi?" Onyx tried again.

This time, Paris didn't hold back her tears. She bawled out loud, calling the attention of everyone to them.

"He's not my daddy!"