The Alpha King’s Last Regret

35

Pearl Gem

I led the way into the living room and paused in the center, turning to face the most powerful being in the entire Wolf Empire. It still felt unbelievable but I could feel it. The ache in my chest was gone. As though Kade King’s lips were an antidote, a warm balm against my cold, battered soul. He had claimed me with a ferocity that startled me… and I had kissed him back, just as hungrily.

Now, he still looked starved. He stared at me for a while, his gaze dropping to the dress I wore and my bare feet, then returning to my face.

“Are you okay?” He asked softly. “My man said you passed out.”

At once, my eyes widened in surprise.

“How did he know?”

“So you did?” He ignored my question to ask, as if in awe.

I hesitated, then nodded slowly.

“I’m fine.”

“But why? You were perfectly fine at the office.”

“Until you…” I began, then paused and looked away.

Kade King read the silence, the weight of my unspoken words. He stepped closer and gently wrapped his arms around my waist.

“I don’t want you going over to the ThronCrest Department, Pearl. And I don’t want you speaking to any of my cousins.”

His possessiveness made my heart skip. I looked up at him and shook my head.

“I didn’t even know you had cousins until today, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, I have a lot of them. Royalty’s a wide, brutal web. Survival of the fittest. That castle…” He paused, voice lowering, “It’s a prison. You have no idea what I’d trade to drop the crown and just be… who I want to be.”

I swallowed, leaning forward slightly, my voice soft.

“Who do you want to be?”

He didn’t answer. His eyes just searched mine as his lips brushed close. Then he kissed me softly, drawing a small moan from my throat.

In that quiet, when I was completely lost in him, his phone began to ring.

His brows creased as he pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and the frustration on his face dissolved instantly. He answered with a sigh.

“Zephan?” He said, and something in his tone shifted, gentler, almost guilty.

There was silence. Then I watched as his face tightened in concern.

“Will you stop being so negative and quit using vulgar words? What’s wrong with you?”

Another pause. Then a soft, reluctant sigh.

“Fine. I will be on my way.”

The words hit like ice water. The fact that he’d be leaving soon. The ache returned immediately, curling cold around my heart.

He hung up, then stepped toward me, hesitating just for a brief moment there as though sorry.

“Uh… I have to go. It’s important.”

“Duty?” I asked, barely above a whisper.

“Not exactly.”

“Can an Omega tag along?” I asked again, watching as his shoulders stiffened.

He pulled back slightly.

“It’s fine,” I said, forcing a small nod. “I already know an Omega can’t accompany His Majesty.”

“Hey…” He said gently, reaching out, but I moved just out of his reach. My sadness overran me. He always leaves. Always unfinished.

He looked so frustrated, like he was battling something invisible. My eyes shifted to his shadow again, and there it was, the strange flicker, almost alive.

“Stop rejecting my advances,” He gritted tiredly. “You are making me mad.”

He stepped forward again and gently circled his fingers around my wrist, pulling me into him. This time, I didn’t resist. I needed a reward, a kiss.

He gave it, soft but firm, and when he pulled back, his eyes had darkened with longing.

“Go get dressed,” He said, his voice low. “And leave your cellphone behind. You won’t be able to use it where we are going.”

He kissed me again, then turned and walked out to his car.

For a while, I just stood there, my heart racing. He was taking me with him.

Whatever this place was… it mattered to Kade King.

I rushed to the wardrobe, pulling out a simple but clean dress and flat shoes. I combed my fingers through my hair on my way to the door, then paused. Pulling out my phone, I sent Royce a quick text.

“Heading out with His Majesty on a quick trip. Don’t worry about me.”

Then I turned off the phone and slid it back into my bag, locking the door behind me.

Outside, several Omegas peeked from their doors, watching. My eyes found Kade, leaning against his car, waiting.

His gaze swept over me and settled on my face. A small smile curved his lips. Then, in a moment that felt like a forbidden dream, he opened the car door for me.

The Alpha King opened a car door… for an Omega.

I swallowed hard and forced myself to stay calm as I climbed in and sat down. He gently closed the door, then walked around the car.

As he approached, I heard Riven’s voice.

“The doctor didn’t negotiate, Your Majesty. He refused the moon coins.”

Kade Kade slipped in beside me in the back seat, his presence nearly intoxicating.

As the car pulled away from the Omega Fortress, I felt his palm slide down my thigh. Gently, he pulled me toward him, so I could lean against his side.

“It’s going to be a long ride,” He whispered.

And as his hand began to move again, I knew this night was only just beginning.