The Alpha’s Bastard Daughter

Drugged

The palace doors opened before I reached them, two rows of guards stood on either side of the entrance, their black uniforms immaculate, their expressions unreadable.

I lowered my gaze instinctively, a human servant wasn’t supposed to look directly at elite wolves, especially not here.

The moment I stepped inside, however, I felt something strange, the air was different and heavier, almost as if the palace itself was aware of my presence.

I swallowed and followed the maid assigned to escort me. “Keep your head down,” she whispered.

“I know.”

“No talking unless spoken to, don’t touch anything. Don’t wander.” I scowled silently as if I had ever been allowed to wander anywhere.

We passed through a long corridor decorated with enormous portraits of former Alpha Kings.

Each one looked more intimidating than the last, I tried not to stare, but I saw the final portrait.

A young man stood beneath a silver moon, dressed entirely in black, his eyes were cold, his face expressionless.

There was something about his gaze that made the hair on my arms rise, I stopped instinctively.

The maid walking ahead noticed. “That’s His Majesty.” My stomach tightened.

‘The Alpha King.’ I mumbled softly, I had never seen his face before, rumors had always painted him as a monster, a ruthless beast, and a man no woman could survive.

However, the portrait didn’t look like a monster, he looked controlled and that frightened me more.

“Keep moving,” the maid whispered, I followed her calmly, and in no time, we finally stopped before a set of enormous doors.

My heart began pounding. “This is your chamber.” I stared at her.

“My chamber?”

“For tonight.” The way she said it made my stomach twist, she opened the door, at the same time a luxurious room greeted me.

A large bed stood in the center, surrounded by dark curtains, a fire burned quietly in the marble fireplace, everything smelled expensive.

I stepped inside, the maid placed a tray on the table. “Food.” I looked at it, slightly uncomfortable as I couldn’t remember the last time someone had given me food without expecting me to work for it.

“Thank you.” She looked surprised and quickly turned away.

“I’ll return when His Majesty arrives.”The door closed and I was left alone, I allowed myself to breathe and walked toward the window.

The entire kingdom stretched beneath me, beautiful, massive, and untouchable.

I pressed my forehead against the glass. ‘Mother.’ I called softly as I wondered if the healers had arrived.

If she was receiving the medicine, and alive, I was lost in thought, thinking of that when a sharp knock interrupted my thoughts.

I turned and at the same time, the door opened, a man stepped inside, his face was different from the one in the portrait, he wasn’t the Alpha King.

He was younger, though his presence was no less intimidating, he wore a black military uniform, silver insignia resting against his shoulders.

“Maximus,” he introduced himself. “The King’s Beta.” I lowered my head.

“Your Grace.” His expression remained stern.

“Look at me.” I hesitated and obeyed.

His eyes narrowed as he studied my face. “You’re Amy Moonstone?” My heart skipped, I nodded. “Yes,” I responded, he continued staring and for some reason, his expression became strange and suspicious.

“Interesting.”

“What?”

“Nothing.” He turned toward the door.

“His Majesty will arrive shortly.” My fingers tightened.

“Can I ask you something?” He stopped.

“Why was I brought here?” His eyes returned to mine.

“You already know.” He countered.

“To be his bed warmer,” I mumbled, he stared at me and his expression didn’t falter.

“Yes.” He said plainly and I swallowed. “And if he doesn’t want me?”

“Then you leave.”

Hearing that hope flickered in my eye “Back to Pearl Pack?” His silence answered me and my stomach sank.

Meanwhile, before I could ask anything else, a deep voice came from the corridor.

“Leave us.” Maximus immediately straightened.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” He stepped aside and my heartbeat stopped.

Footsteps approached, it was slow, measured, and unhurried as the door opened, the man from the portrait walked inside, the Alpha King.

For a moment, neither of us spoke, his gaze moved over me as though he were trying to solve a mystery.

His eyes stopped on my face and for a second, his expression tightened. I didn't understand why.

Neither did he, judging by the faint frown that appeared between his brows. “Come here.” My feet felt rooted to the floor, however, he looked at me again.

“I said come here.” I forced myself forward and took one step towards him, when I finally stopped in front of him, I could feel the difference in our presence.

He was everything the rumors had promised, powerful, cold, and dangerous.

Yet something about standing near him felt strangely familiar, it made my chest tighten, I didn’t understand it but he seemed to notice it too.

His eyes narrowed. “What is your name?”

“Amy.”

“Amy what?” I hesitated, the lie suddenly felt heavier than I had expected.

“Amy Moonstone.” His expression changed barely, but I saw it before it vanished.

“Moonstone?” He repeated.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” He stepped closer, I instinctively stepped back, and his gaze sharpened.

“Who sent you here?” He asked unexpectedly, I stared at him with big eyes.

“The Pearl Pack.”

“I didn’t ask where you came from.” His voice became colder.

“Who sent you?” My mouth went dry as I recalled my father’s words, he had warned me not to reveal the truth.

I lowered my eyes. “The Alpha.”

Saying that, the Alpha King stared at me for several seconds.

“Your father sent you.” He said and that made my blood run cold, I nodded slowly as I stood there confused.

He walked toward the window, his hands slipping into his pockets, he looked back at me.

“You have ten minutes.”

“For what?” I asked nervously.

“To decide whether you want to remain in this room.” My heart pounded.

“What happens if I don’t?” His eyes met mine.

“Then you walk out.” I couldn’t believe it.

“Just like that?” I asked.

“Yes, just like that.” I stared at him.

This wasn’t what I had been told, the Alpha King was supposed to be a monster.

However, monsters didn’t usually offer their victims a choice, perhaps the rumors had simply left out the worst part.

I opened my mouth to answer, yet before I could speak, a sharp wave of dizziness suddenly hit me.

My vision blurred as I grabbed the edge of the table suddenly, the Alpha King’s expression changed instantly.

“What happened?” I shook my head.

“I…I’m fine.” I said quickly but I wasn’t.

My palms had suddenly become hot, my heartbeat accelerated and beneath the confusion, I tasted something bitter at the back of my throat.

‘Something was wrong.’ I said internally.

On the other hand, the Alpha King took one step toward me, his eyes narrowed.

“Amy.” I looked at him and for the first time fear wasn’t the strongest emotion in my chest, it was recognition.

I had tasted that bitterness before back in Pearl Pack, my eyes widened. ‘No!’ Someone had drugged me.