Alpha King Of The Heavens (Heavenly Alphas Book One)

Unlikely Mates

ADRIA’S POV:

It was as if the air in the room froze. I couldn’t explain the feeling coming over me. It was hard to breathe, my heart was speeding at an inhuman rate. I felt something pulling me towards this stranger. Just the mere sight of him was sending my body into such…delight. It was as if my whole body was excited. Visions of his arms wrapping around me swirled through my mind. Could he feel this weird attraction as well? I gripped Darcio’s arm tightly. Tight enough to the point he noticed and rubbed my hand gently with his free one.

Leo. Leo was his name. The name alone sounded like the angels singing. Is this…what Darcio speaks of? Love at first sight? No…that would be impossible. Things like that only exist in mere stories. Fantasies. Nothing more. Those things don’’t happen in real life. But…that would explain the feeling that I am having. No…it doesn’t exist. It was nerves. Yes. That was it. Nothing but nerves and hopes that this would work out and I wouldn’t be completely miserable.

As we approached the altar, everyone’s eyes had landed on both of us, curiosity in their eyes. Yet, even with their eyes on us, analyzing our every move, it seemed as if we were the only two in the room. I stepped up next to him, concentrating only on him. And…what would you know…I tripped. Only I would fall on my wedding day. To a stranger. I gasped, the whole room froze…everyone….except him.

LEO’S POV:

I heard a gasp escape her lips. It was enough for me to snap my head out of the clouds. At that time, I didn’t have long to act before she hit the floor. I acted as quick as I could taking a quick step to the side and wrapping my arms around her gently pulling her to her feet. Our eyes finally met. Her eyes traced my features carefully as I did her. She was even more breathtaking up close. I would never get tired of these deep pools of emeralds that were her eyes.

“Th…thank you.” She said seeming a little embarrassed. Her voice sounded like the sweetest harp was being played at the perfect most serene moment.

It was at that moment I couldn’t seem to gather my words. I was to mesmerized by her incredible beauty. MATE! My wolf screamed from within again. Mate…that word. The one I had longed my whole life to hear. Mate. She was the one. Who knew? It took me just a moment to realize I still haven’t said anything.

I looked at her releasing her quickly. “It was my pleasure, princess,” I said quickly composing myself and bowing to her in respect.

She smiled a little still seeming a little shaken. We both turned to her staring father as he stood waiting. He was staring at us both in confusion and curiosity. It felt like we were under his surveillance for hours before he finally spoke. “Alright then, awkward pleasantries out of the way, let’s begin.” He laughed as he playfully smirked. Everyone laughed slightly as he began. Her face flushed the cutest shade of red. “Alright. Leo, you first. Do you, Leo, King of Lycansbane, accept Adria, Princess of Primordial, as your Queen, your wife to protect and to bare you your heir to the throne, thus strengthening this alliance?”

“I, Leo, accept Adria as my Queen and future mother to my heir. I will always protect her during her role as my Queen and wife.” I said cautiously.

He nodded. “Very well. Do you, Adria, Princess of Primordial, promise to serve Leo in any way he needs and to bare him a proper heir to his throne as your King, thus strengthening this alliance?” My wolf growled from within. I didn’t like the way he treated her. As if she was nothing more than a servant and child factory.

As she began to speak, Liekos noticed my tension rising and shook his head warning me of the danger of striking a King. I knew I brought him for a reason. She spoke quickly, her voice so soft. “I, Adria, accept Leo as my King and my place to serve him for as long as I remain his Queen and wife.”

My wolf paced and became aggravated hearing her talk about herself in such a manor. King Braeden spoke quickly bringing an end to this wedding. “I now pronounce you husband and wife, as well as King and Queen of Lycansbane!” As the ceremony closed, everyone left the throne room. King Braeden looked at me not wasting any time. “I will let everyone say their goodbyes really quick and Aura will be here in a moment to take you all home. I already had her and a few others take Adria’s things.” He kissed her head quickly and walked away saying nothing more.

Demi smiled and hugged Adria tightly. “Don’t worry. I packed it myself.”

Adria smiled. “Of course. I can always trust you.” She laughed returning the embrace.

My mind still raced around how distant the King seemed with his own daughter. It was as if Darcio could tell what question lay on my mind. “You know. He isn’t always so distant. It’s not that he doesn’t care. He does. He cares about the alliance and my ruling here more though. Cruel? Probably. Anything I can do about it? Not at all. Before you ask, I also am not aware as to why this particular alliance is so important to him. I don’t know why this marriage is important to him. But it is. More so then her happiness or wellbeing. That is why I want to ensure her safety and her happiness. If I don’t…who will? She is my baby. Always has been. So please. I do not doubt in my mind that she will be happier there…with you. So please…don’t let me down.” He had so much emotion in his voice.

The way Adria had brushed off her father’s distance told me she was used to this treatment. I looked up at Darcio a moment later. “I will make it my life’s mission to ensure nothing but her happiness.”

He smiled at my words. “Thank you, Leo. You will be a great King.” He pat me on the back and walked by me to hug Adria. “I will come visit very soon. I love you.” He said kissing her head.

She laughed. “I laugh at you too. I am sick of you already.” She playfully nudged him.

He laughed and walked away. “Sick of me huh? You haven’t seen nothing yet.” He called over his shoulder as Demi and him made their exit.

We stood awkwardly for a moment, but her eyes always drifted in my direction. I could look into them forever. Liekos was still tensed up as Aura walked through the door. “Alright guys, are you ready to get home?”

Liekos couldn’t have been more eager to step outside. I laughed a bit. “It would seem so.” I motioned for Adria to step out first and I followed her out the door and down the steps.

Aura stepped down quickly. I loved to watch her movements. Everything she did was as if she was walking on air.

She smiled and held her hands out. Everyone joins hands. Adria grabbed mine shyly and Aura’s. Aura smiled. “Alright. Let’s go.” She smiled kindly.

Just like the last time, flower petals began to swirl as the breeze picked up. The cool night air was so peaceful. The stars shown brightly overhead. I looked around us as we began to lift off of the ground. How she was able to do this was beyond me. This would fascinate me until the day that I die honestly. I watched everything begin to speed by in a blur. The stars speeding by overhead so quick it was hard to keep track of where we were. In a matter of moments we were standing in front of the pack house again. If I was correct, my pack would be patiently waiting inside to see their new Luna.

Aura bowed. “I shall take my leave. Have a wonderful night Princess Adria and King Leo.” She left as quick as she arrived. Something told me that Aura and Adria weren’t great friends. They seemed civil enough.

Adria watched her leave and stood awkward. I watched her silently. As she turned her head away from me I noticed diamonds threaded through her hair in the shape of a wolf. I couldn’t help but be a little touched by the gesture of respect. My heart was still skipping beats every time I looked at her. She was so perfect. It still baffled me. I never would have thought the man who forced my hand into marriage would have led me to my mate.

ADRIA’S POV:

I could feel his eyes on me and couldn’t help but let a blush creep to my pale cheeks. I was taking in the scenery silently. Lycansbane was beautiful. It seemed more…peaceful than Primordial. I couldn’t keep my eyes from always drifting to him though. Every time I looked at him my heart would race, my mind would go blank, and it was like I couldn’t speak. This feeling was confusing to me beyond comprehension. His beta stayed close to his side silently. I don’t recall hearing him speak once in my presence.

“This palace serves as my pack house as well. They are all eagerly waiting to meet you.” I heard Leo’s voice pull me from my thoughts at last.

“I see, so your whole pack lives here as well?” I said still not understanding the customs of the wolves.

“Yes. It is easier when the alpha of a pack keeps his pack close by.” He sensed my tension at the thought of meeting people so soon. His next words were the kindest. “It will be okay. They will love you.” How could he even know that? He didn’t even know me, yet he expected his pack to love me? But…something in his eyes made me desperately want to trust him.

“If you think so. Shall we then?” I asked as I watched his Beta walk ahead to open the doors.

His voice was different then I expected as I and Leo approached slowly. “May I present to you King Leo, and his Queen, Adria of Primordial.” He announced. He stepped forward and turned around. “Forgive me, my Luna. I never introduced myself. I am Leo’s Beta and second in command, Liekos. Welcome to Lycansbane. Welcome to the pack of the lion.” He smiled and reached for my hand kissing it and stepping away quickly.

I bowed respectively to him. “Hello. It is wonderful to officially meet you, Liekos.”

I could feel only one set of curious eyes on me as if they were in disbelief that Leo had actually married. I dropped my eyes to the floor quickly as I stood. A young woman stepped forward. “My name is Saige. I am Alpha Leo’s third in command, or his Gamma so to speak.”

That took me by surprise. Dad told me that here, men were in control. Women weren’t to have positions of authority. I preferred not to say anything about that so I didn’t offend anyone. “It is lovely to meet you, Saige.”

I looked around confused as to where the rest of the pack was. Saige smiled. “I thought you may be nervous upon arrival, so I thought it would be best if you just met the front command of the pack tonight instead of everyone. You can meet everyone else at breakfast tomorrow. I hope that is okay?” She said as she studied me.

“That is perfect. Thank you so much.” I said gratefully. It was a truly welcoming gesture.

LEO’S POV:

I watched her relax a little. All of this must be so hard for her. She left her family and her home. Yes, I went through with marriage for my kingdom. But really…I found the woman who seemed to be my mate, I came home to my family and my familiar home. What did she get? Me. That’s it. Was that truly a fair trade? Did she even feel the same for me that I did for her? I would assume since other beings don’t always fall in love the way we do, that she wouldn’t feel the NEED to love me in that way. My heart broke at the thought. What if she didn’t love me? What if she would only stay here because she felt that she had to? I watched her every movement as Liekos and Saige made their exit.

She turned to me and offered a kind smile. “It has been such a long day, would it be too much to ask if we waited to tour the castle until the morning?”

I smiled. How could I deny such a sweet request. “Of course not. May I show you my…our room then?”

She nodded kindly. “Of course. Thank you.”

I really wished she hadn’t felt the need to always be so formal. I motioned for her to follow me and led her through the halls quickly. As we stepped into the room I stepped aside. “Welcome to my humble abode, princess. Should I step away while you freshened up and got ready for bed?”

She turned to me a little surprised by the gesture. “You would step away? Isn’t this where we...you know...um...consummate our marriage?”

Had I been drinking anything, I was sure this would have been where I spit it out in surprise at how casually she asked the question. “Well, typically. But, I don’t want to do anything you do not wish to do. We can always wait until you settle in if you wish. Or…” I swallowed hard at the next words. “If you never wish to at all, that is okay as well.”

She smiled a little relieved. My heart sank. I knew immediately she must really not want to be with me that bad. She noticed the look on my face almost instantly. “It...isn’t what you think. It’s just...you aren’t anything like I thought you would be.”

I smiled a little and sat on the bed. “What did you think I would be like?”

She looked down shyly. “It’s just...with these arranged marriages, you never truly know who you are going to. Most of the time it never works in the woman’s favor. Most of the time the men are so…”

“Cruel.” I finished the sentence for her quickly. She nodded in silent reply. “You don’t ever have to worry about that here. I was raised to treat women with more respect then even myself deserves.”

She watches my every movement. She seemed to relax a little now that she knew where I stood. She walked over slowly and kissed me softly. This kiss was more genuine then the one I received at the ceremony. As she pulled back a little, her lips still hovering over mine, she whispered. “I am not ready to go that far. Not tonight. But...soon. I promise.”

 I smiled softly beneath her lips. “All that matters to me at this moment, is that you are willing to give me a chance.”