The Alpha King’s Last Regret

20

Pearl Gem

I was over the moon at the sound of his deep, husky morning voice. For a moment, I wondered what it would be like to wake up by his side. That fantasy was short-lived however, ruined the instant I heard the soft voice of a woman beside him. The image I had been painting in my head turned sour.

That was when I realized it he was true to his words this time. This offer between us was nothing more than a transaction. A win-win situation.

His Majesty had claimed he needed to get me out of his system by keeping me close. He wanted proximity. I wanted the paycheck… and maybe a pathway into his heart. Because that was the only way to destroy him. From the inside. That’s how you make a king bleed. That’s how I can make Kade King Majesty pay for everything he’s done to me.

I had left my cellphone behind in the bedroom not out of jealousy, no. Anger. That’s what it was. Rage at the fact that I would have to step foot in the Royal Castle for the first time in five years. Rage that I would stand once more before her Grace, the Luna Queen herself.

I dressed in silence, choosing the most fitting outfit in my wardrobe, something that leaned more toward office wear. I combed my shoulder-length hair, smoothed out my nerves, and made my way toward the Yallas home.

Mr. Yallas wasn’t reading the newspaper like he usually did. He sat at the dining table with his wife. I saw Royce just emerging from the kitchen, plates in hand. Without saying a word, I moved quickly to help him set the table and serve breakfast.

“You look lovely today,” He said with a gentle smile. I only nodded.

Last night, after Kade King had left, I stayed in bed, letting myself dream like a fool. The kiss was nothing like I’d expected. His soft, full lips claiming mine with surprising tenderness. His hand on my cheek… like I was something to be treasured. I couldn’t think clearly. So I shut my eyes early, hoping to sleep but sleep never came. Only thoughts. Thoughts of him. Thoughts of the offer. Thoughts that kept me up till dawn.

“Is there any occasion, my child?” Mrs. Yallas finally asked once I settled at the table.

I smiled gently, steeling myself for Royce’s reaction.

“His Majesty offered me a job,” I said. “To be his secretary. I will be going to the Royal Castle this morning to sign the contract with Majesty Corp.”

The sound of metal hitting ceramic cut through the air. Mr. Yallas’s spoon had slipped from his grasp. Mrs. Yallas stared at me, unmoving. But it was Royce I turned to.

He didn’t look at me. He just stared into his coffee cup.

“Maybe this time,” He muttered under his breath, cold. “they will kill you. Or throw you into a coma. Or jail. And maybe after that… you will finally come to your senses.”

My heart ache at his words.

He stirred his coffee without drinking it, then stood and walked away. Into his bedroom.

Silence reigned over the table. And finally, I stood.

“Please, excuse me.”

I followed Royce and pushed open his door without knocking. I didn’t need to. We were beyond that.

His room was small, but far neater than mine. No cracked walls. Clothes pressed and arranged in the rack. Boots lined up perfectly in their place. He stood by the window, arms folded tightly across his chest in silent.

But I knew him. That was his way when he was angry. I walked over and hugged him from behind.

He didn’t respond at first, but he couldn’t resist for long. My silence said everything my voice couldn’t. Slowly, he lowered his arms and turned around, pulling me into his embrace.

“I still don’t understand why you are letting His Majesty wrap you around his finger like this, Pearl,” He whispered. “This is exactly what he wants. Control.”

“No,” I said, gently shaking my head. “Not this time. I won’t be controlled. Things have changed, Royce. He knows it too.”

“Then why is he doing this? To feel better about what happened five years ago?”

I swallowed hard.

“He wants me close… to convince himself that what he felt for me was nothing.”

Royce went quiet. As if something had just clicked inside him, something he didn’t want to accept.

“Did His Majest said that to you…” He started, then paused. “What did he do to you last night?”

“Royce…”

“If he wants you near, that’s exactly it. He will keep you close just to dominate your life again. He will confuse you, Pearl. He will turn your world toxic. And when it’s all over… he will choose his precious damsel over you again. Pearl, you don’t have to go through that pain again. I don’t want you to.”

I just stared at him, at the man who had been my safest place for years and yet, somehow, I couldn’t find it in me to reject Kade King’s offer.

I kept telling myself I was doing it for the paycheck. For revenge. But deep down… maybe it wasn’t all true.

Maybe I was doing it for something else. Something I shouldn’t want.

Something forbidden.