COMEBACK OF THE ALPHA KING

Chapter 12- lessons

Julia stood fixed on the spot, mouth wide agape. Both of her cheeks stung, but not as much as her damaged ego.

Nothing in the world prepared her for such a response. Ever since the first slap landed, she lost her ability to think straight.

She received all the slaps, thinking she was in some kind of twisted dream, but she wasn't. This had happened.

"Mummy." Lin Lin cried out, wrapping himself around her left leg.

Julia stared down at him and it was only then she remembered she had fingers.

Her body gradually defrosted from its frozen form, restoring her senses.

Her once wide eyes narrowed into slits, welcoming a bitter and gruesome look. Swallowing the thickness in her throat, she bent to pick up her son.

She squeezed the boy tightly into her arms like she just found him after so many years.

Her mind fought a flood of unexplainable emotions as she returned her attention to these two.

Onyx was now standing next to King, also hugging her daughter in her arms.

King had his arms folded against his chest, glaring at her like he'd end her life if she tried to retaliate.

Julia recoiled, too scared of him to make any counter move. Her gaze danced from his fearsome face to Onyx's cold one.

This was the first time she was seeing this look on Onyx's face. Onyx's face always held a smile.

It was one of the reasons people gravitated towards her. The reason Julia loathed her. Now, that smile was missing, and it petrified her.

Despite her dread, a bitter rage boiled up in Julia's throat.

She expected a vehement reaction, but not a themed-up physical attack.

She didn't think they'd dare to do that. No one had ever tried such an abominable act in this city. They all knew who she was and the power she held.

How dare they? How dare these low-life peasants teach her how to behave?

Julia's stiff face contorted into a dark scowl. Once again, she swallowed down her bubbling emotions to address them.

When she spoke, it sounded like a frog's croak compared to her usual prideful charade.

"You'd both regret this, I promise you."

As the words wadded off her tongue, she gained back her voice and stolen confidence.

Onyx took a step forward, standing directly in front of her.

She brought her face so close to Julia that the other woman saw herself reflected in her glittering dark eyes.

"You are not allowed to intimidate me anymore, Julia.

Do your worst. I'm ready for it."

Julia felt Onyx's chilly words stab through her like fired missiles.

They burnt her up with an anguishing rage that made her want to let out a gravelly scream.

She didn't, though. She was too proud to accept defeat. Julia stepped back, squaring her shoulders and staunchly sticking her chin out.

She embraced her son closer as if to protect him from an oncoming attack.

It didn't matter how long it'd take her or how much it'd cost her. She'd make them pay for this humiliation.

Julia looked from King to Paris then Onyx. Her head cooked up malicious ideas on how to pay them back.

She couldn't think of a fitting one on the spot, but she knew she'd come up with one soon.

"Just wait." She pointed her finger at both of them, exposing a beautifully painted nail.

"I'd make sure your lives after this day would be worse than hell.

I'd be back. Just wait."

She forced out a laugh. It sounded too disturbing to be genuine, especially since her face was seething with an intense fury.

Neither Onyx nor King gave her a response. She spun around on her heel, storming away from them.

"Oh, wow!" Onyx let out a shaky breath, unable to believe what had just happened.

It felt like an out-of-body experience. An exhilarating freedom that felt too good to be real. Had she just done that?

Stand up for herself and her daughter to one of the most feared people in Leytan City. She spun around throwing an astonished look at King.

Her eyes gleamed with appreciation and admiration for this wonderful man. He was the genesis of this new strength gurgling in her.

If not for his intervention today, she wouldn't have tapped this bravery buried deep within her. She didn't even know she had it in her.

"Thank you, King." Onyx grinned, rubbing Paris's back. "Thank you so much for everything."

I'm so glad I chose you. She wanted to add but stopped herself midway.

She didn't want to say anything too suggestive in case he got the wrong idea.

King grinned back at Onyx, not sure why his wolf wanted to howl out in glee.

The current smile she wore was brighter than any he had ever seen on her face.

It softened her oval face with a heart-melting expression and It made her eyes glimmer like black diamonds.

He wondered if she knew how captivating she was.

The twinkling stars in the sky ought to be jealous of her existence because, to him, she over-throned them as the galaxy's favorite.

King's breath caught in his throat and he fought with his breathing pipes to give her a response.

Nothing could prepare him for this moment.

He was a formidable warrior who commanded the fiercest soldiers and hunters in the kingdom, but at this moment, he felt like a little boy.

All his organs functioned against him when Paris peered up from her mother's shoulders, also grinning at him.

He saw his eyes on the little girl and her mother's smile on her lips. King realized that these two were disarming him from his usual herculean nature.

They were fast becoming the most important issues in his life and he wanted to give his all to ensure their safety.

"That's my daddy." Paris stretched out her hands to him, leaning away from Onyx towards him.

King glanced at Onyx, wordlessly seeking permission, and she gave him an imperceptible nod to encourage him.

He took her from Onyx and dissolved into a puddle when Paris shuffled into his arms, burying her tiny self in his enormous chest.

She didn't declare it, but he felt the love emanating from her. Onyx saw this too, and she felt a pang of guilt at this being a lie.

She discarded it as quickly as it came, choosing instead to concentrate on Paris's happiness. That was all that mattered, nothing more.

"You... are welcome." King found his voice.

He rubbed his little girl's back, just like he had seen Onyx do, and cleared his throat to continue.

He felt like he needed to explain his actions, even though he didn't need to.

"I did that because... I did that for my daughter... and you, of course..."

King cleared his throat, feeling a heaviness descend upon him at Onyx's curious stare.

An amused smile sat on her lips as she watched him, patiently waiting for him to go on with his statement.

Earlier, when she was dealing with Julia, she had unintentionally referred to him as Paris's father.

It was after the statement left her lips she realized the error. King was making the same mistake, and it intrigued her.

Onyx thought he didn't mean to call her his daughter, he was just trying it on because Paris was listening.

She misunderstood his stutter as him being uncomfortable with the act, so she nodded at him in encouragement.

This man was in every way dedicated to his duty and it impressed her beyond her expectations. Her heart swelled with pride.

Not only did King have a strong sense of justice, his professional integrity was in place. He was performing his duty to the letter.

Onyx felt Paris was in safe hands with this man. Even she felt protected by his presence. Ever since his arrival, he had been rescuing her in unexpected ways.

Getting himself in trouble when he could have walked away or pretended not to see anything like the other parents just now.

A sudden shame at putting him in such compromising situations thumped her heart.

"I'm so sorry." She blurted out, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

King quirked his eyebrows at her, lost on her intent. He felt if anyone should be apologizing, he should be the one.

"What for?"

He was glad she didn't take offense at his error. In all truth, he didn't know how to rescue himself from the pit he just dug.

Calling Paris his daughter out loud was an unplanned error. He got too carried away with the moment.

As usual, Julia's actions plunged him into a pool of self-reprimand and deep regret.

King felt that his absence in Onyx and Paris's lives paved the way for such atrocities.

If he were present in their lives, no one would dare mistreat them. These were his girls, and they were untouchable.

King took in a sharp breath at that last thought. It scared him. He had only just met these too, and they already meant so much to him.

Onyx saved him from his perplexing thoughts when she explained herself, holding a meek smile on her lips.

"Drama seems to follow me everywhere I go.

I'm so sorry you had to witness all that and you felt obligated to step in."

The dust of pink on her cheek grew a shade darker. Her gaze fluttered to Paris and back at King.

Having to admit how much trouble her life attracted in front of her daughter mortified her.

King smiled at her, shaking his head in protest.

"No, I did what I had to. Besides..." He smiled down at Paris, throwing her a wink.

She let out an energetic giggle, burying her face in his chest and snuggling closer to him.

"You stood up for us, too."

King completed, looking back at Onyx, whose proud grin gave him a mini heart attack.

Her grin dissolved at his statement, replaced by a startled look.

She remembered her revolutionary action and blushed harder. If only he knew he inspired that character.

"I did what I had to."

She repeated his words, looking down at her feet, too shy to continue looking at his mesmerizing gray eyes.

"Thank you, Onyx."

There was so much King was thanking her for. So much he'd still thank her for, but he let his countless reasons be buried in that simple statement.

She didn't need to know everything now. Not yet. A moment of blissful silence settled upon them.

Natural activities resumed around the park. The sun had taken its rest for the day and the moon had started its ascent.

A gentle breeze brushed its cold hands over their skin, igniting a warm affection from their core.

Onyx's shimmering gaze met King's sparkling ones.

"We need to go." She whispered, disconcerted by her building emotions.

There was something about this man that made her burn with an exotic yearning.

"Yeah," King whispered back, shivering not from the cold but from his growing passion.

A conquering attachment had been planted in him today whose root was too strong to be uprooted.

None of them made any move to leave. They continued staring at each other as if it scared them to break this fragile connection.

Paris did the job. She peered up from King's chest, addressing her mum with a persuading pout.

"I want to stay with Daddy when you go get the car."

They both turned in her direction. Onyx let out a breathy laugh.

"Patis..." She shot King a conspiratorial look, then turned back to Paris, feigning a frown.

"You just met him today and you are abandoning me?"

Paris looked up at King, eyes full of adoration. She flashed him a sweet smile, exposing her imperfect dentition.

"Daddy and I will wait for you, mummy." She responded, not taking her eyes off King.

She stared at him like a guard dog waiting for its beloved owner.

King chuckled at her devotion, feeling like the luckiest being in the universe.

Onyx reached over with her fingers to tickle Paris's little nose, grinning like a fool.

The girl tried to bite her mother's fingers, drawing out a laugh from all three.

They looked like a perfectly happy family and if this scene were to be frozen, it'd create a tear-jerking picture to behold.

Onyx left soon after to get her car closer to the park. King stared after her, curious about her past and what she thought of him.

The man from her past. He remembered the blank stare she gave him when he asked about Paris's father.

The pain in her eyes was wounding, and he did not doubt that she despised him with every fiber of her being.

He had caused her so much trauma that she made herself forget him. How would she take it if she found out he had deceived her?

"Daddy?" Paris called his attention to her, instantly erasing his woes.

She blinked up at him, grinning with a dominant look in her eyes. King recognised that look.

It was the look of mischief she always wore when she had something up her sleeve. King smelt trouble, but he accepted it with open arms.

"Hello, Patis." He grinned, drowning in her charm.

"I want some ice cream, Daddy." She cooed, blinking at him again.

King raised his brows at her not seeing a problem with her request. That was too simple a task to accomplish.

"Is that all?

Daddy would buy you all the ice creams in the world, my patis."

He nuzzled his nose closer to hers, shaking his head to tickle her. Her delightful squeal filled the park, sending goosebumps littering his skin.

King wanted to listen to her captivating giggles all day long.

"Let's go get you some ice cream." He announced, receiving another round of giggles from his little girl.

He led them to the tuck shop nearby and ordered Paris's choice of ice cream.

King tried convincing her to get more than one, but she remained adamant about one popsicle.

He paid for it and handed it to her. She held onto it like a trophy as they walked out of the store.

They had just returned to the park when Onyx's car sufficed. She honked at them to get in.

King got in the passenger's seat with Paris securely settled in his arms. He looked over at Onyx and stiffened at her poignant stare.

Her gaze was fixed on the ice cream in Paris's hand. From the thick lines laying between her eyebrows and the slight curl of her full lips, he knew something was wrong.

"Is that ice cream?" She asked, shooting him an accusatory glare.

Onyx knew it was ice cream, she could see it. She asked because she couldn't believe he'd go against her orders.

Paris had a weak constitution of sugar treats. Sugary things before bed led to an excessive sugar rush for her and it messed with her bedtime.

She also had sensitive teeth, and cold things caused her toothaches. She had explained these things to him on their way here.

A few minutes to get her car and he had done the exact opposite of what she requested.

"I told you she has a weak constitution!" Onyx snapped at him.

She cast a displeased glare at Paris.

"Isn't that too cold for you, young lady?"

Her tone came out softer than the one she addressed King with, but still stern.

King and Paris exchanged fearful looks. In that instant, King finally understood the mischief in Paris's eyes when s asked for the treat.

He also thought back to her insistence on having just one. This was the anticipated trouble.

King fought the inappropriate urge to laugh as Paris buried her face in his chest, hiding away from Onyx's reprimand.

He met Onyx's gaze taking the blame with grace.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know she had a weak constitution..."

He paused, thinking back to the time she must have mentioned it.

It must have been on their way here when she reeled out that bulk load of dos and don'ts.

King blamed himself for being distracted. The thought of meeting Paris occupied his mind so much that Onyx's instructions didn't penetrate through.

Paris mumbled something, but because her face was buried in King's chest, her words came out muffled.

"I can't hear you." Onyx removed her displeased gaze from King to direct it at Paris.

Paris reared her head back, revealing the most touching, contrite expression.

"I'm sorry mummy. I asked for it. Daddy's not at fault."

Her small voice trickled with remorse. King couldn't tell if it was another staged act or if it was genuine. All he knew was it melted him.

"If mummy doesn't want me to eat it, I won't."

King looked away from her to give Onyx a pleading look. One ice cream wouldn't hurt.

He blinked in astonishment when he saw her smiling down at Paris.

"Alright, alright. Just this one, okay?

When you get stronger, you can have as many as you want."

King chuckled, pleased to see he wasn't the only one susceptible to Paris's charms. His little girl was irresistible.

"Yay!" Paris gave her an infectious squeal, her remorseful look disappearing. "Thank you, mummy."

She addressed Onyx, but King got the hug. His chuckle migrated to a hearty laugh.

The type that rolled out of his belly, shaking his upper body.

Onyx looked at him, feeling remorseful for her hasty conclusion. He just started his duty and things like this couldn't be remembered at once.

Her worry took the better part of her, causing her to give a harsh judgment.

Feeling the need to apologize, she went for it.

"King, I'm sorry for blaming you. I know it wasn't your fault. She can be quite a handful."

Onyx paused to shoot Paris a glare. Paris pretended not to notice it and instead focused her attention on unwrapping the popsicle in her hands.

Onyx shook her head at her, glancing back at King.

"I was just worried that she might get sick."

King nodded at her, smiling in understanding.

"It's Okay, Onyx. I am at fault, too. I should have known..."

He trailed off, also looking down at Paris.

His gaze didn't hold annoyance like Onyx, they were filled with admiration. His little girl was so smart.

Paris ignored his stare, too. She grinned at her success in unwrapping the popsicle. She extended the treat to Onyx.

"You first mummy."

Onyx hesitated, giving her a quizzical look. Seeing this, Paris pouted.

"You still angry, mummy?" She sounded too sad to receive a decline.

Onyx rolled her eyes, huffing out a sigh of defeat.

"Fine." She mumbled, leaning in to take a small bite of the ice cream.

Paris's victorious grin was infectious. She stretched the threat to King, directing the same end Onyx had just bitten at him.

While King didn't notice this, Onyx did. Her heart flew into her mouth at this.

Sharing the same popsicle could be accepted, but taking a bite from the same spot was too cryptic for her to handle.

She tried to communicate her feelings, but she didn't do it fast enough.

Distracted by Paris's affection, King leaned in to take a bite of the ice cream.

Compared to Onyx's, his bite was larger and covered up the entire part, Onyx took a bite from.

"You shouldn't have done that."

Onyx cried in a low whine, her heart drumming painfully against her chest. King grinned at her, ignorant of whatever she met.

"It's Patis turn." Paris squealed again, taking her bite. She did this at the opposite end of their bites.

If she didn't look so innocent, Onyx could have sworn she did it on purpose.

She swallowed down the ice cream in her mouth without tasting it and turned her attention to the steering wheel.

Not saying another word, she started the car and drove them out of the area.

Throughout the entire ride, she sulked about this, while King and Paris played all sorts of games imaginable.

When asked to join in, she gave the excuse of driving, refusing to participate in anything collective.

They soon got to her apartment. Onyx lived in a high-class neighborhood, which had a lovely environment.

Her two-storey residence stood out amongst the rest in the area. From the exterior, King could tell it was tastefully furnished on the inside.

As Onyx parked the car, a nanny came out to collect Paris from King. She said a polite greeting and stretched out her hands to take her.

Paris refused to be taken away and cried out a blatant protest. The woman shot a helpless look at Onyx.

"It's fine Ally, I'd bring her in." Onyx dismissed her with a stiff smile.

After the nanny disappeared back into the house, Onyx let out a stressed breath.

She rounded the car to stand in front of King, her gaze directed at a pouting Paris.

"Honey, it's almost bedtime. Let's get you dinner so Daddy can go home to rest."

Onyx coaxed, stretching her hands out to her. Paris raised her head, shooting Onyx a shocked stare.

"Daddy isn't sleeping with me?" Her eyes immediately welled up with tears.

She turned her distressed face to King. Tears trickled out of her round eyes one after the other.

"I want Daddy to tuck me in bed. I want to wake up to see Daddy.

Mummy should sleep with us too."

She bawled out. Her face coloring up with anguish.

Paris hugged King with all her might as if that would keep him with her.

"Daddy's busy honey. He has to go to work." Onyx pleaded.

King staying over wasn't in the arrangement. Once again, it dawned on her that she hadn't properly planned this.

She didn't think Paris would get attached to King so quickly. Paris wasn't the clingy sort. Onyx didn't understand why this was precipitating.

"It's okay I can stay the night," King spoke crushed by Paris's tears. He couldn't bear her distress.

Sleeping over wasn't a problem. Anything for his little princess.

He rubbed her back as he continued to speak.

"Pretend to agree. For now, we can work things out later."

He mouthed to Onyx, bouncing on his feet to calm Paris.

Onyx's eyes widened as she picked out his words. Absolutely not.

Sharing the same bed was out of the question. She didn't know this man.

This was too early to start with. Besides, he must have a family to return to.

"We cannot do that." She whispered back, her panic making her whisper harsh.

She pulled the girl out of King's hug, snatching her when she clung to him refusing to let go.

Her wails grew louder and Onyx nudged Paris's head towards her neck to muffle her angry protests.

"It's okay, my little Patis. How about this? I'd be here first thing tomorrow morning."

King bent to stare at her. It bothered him to say no to her, but he also had to respect Onyx's wishes.

He understood her caution and couldn't be more grateful for her sensibility. She was an excellent mother.

This halted Paris's tears like a magic spell. She said nothing but turned a tear-stained face to look at King.

This sight broke King, and he wanted to insist on staying.

She was such a sweetheart and he couldn't handle parting from her.

"Pinky promise?" He raised his pinky to assure her.

Paris's eyes lit up at this. She extended her pinky at him accepting the compromise.

Onyx watched them perform this ritual, relieved by King's competency.

She felt too exhausted to smile or do anything else but watch.

A second encounter hadn't been planned, and this was a lesson to think through everything with caution.

"Thank you." She muttered when King straightened up.

He had done so well today that she couldn't thank him enough.

He smiled at her, waving his hands to tell her it was nothing.

"Let's say bye to Daddy."

Onyx raised her hand to wave at him, looking down at Paris, to ensure she was doing the same thing.

She wasn't. She stared at her mum, her small face stained with confusion.

"That's wrong mummy."

"What?" Onyx chuckled, looking at King. He wore the same amused look she had on.

They both looked down at a frowning Paris. Her small voice explained her declaration.

"You're supposed to hug and kiss Daddy good night."