The Alpha King’s Last Regret

22

Pearl Gem

Silence suddenly spread like a dark cloak through the long dining hall, eyes widening in awe. What shocked me most was how he hadn’t hesitated, not for a second. I couldn’t tear my gaze away from his murderous expression as he pulled back from the lifeless body. The guards rushed in, dragging the corpse away with practiced efficiency.

Within minutes, maids had wiped the floor clean, restoring the space to its pristine state as though no crime had just been committed. A handkerchief was handed to Kade King, and he calmly wiped his fingers before nodding toward his bodyguard, the same man who had driven me to the castle.

“Riven,” Kade’s voice was cold and clear, “anyone who refuses or hesitates for even one second to sign that contract, anyone, I want their throat slit. That is a royal command.”

Tension rose instantly, thick and sharp as a blade. I watched as Kade King strode to the window, staring out into the distance while the paper contract began to circulate, accompanied by Riven.

He moved with silent grace, and each time he stopped behind a shareholder, they shivered and scrambled to scribble their signature. It didn’t take long before the final shareholder received the contract. Her Grace.

Riven moved slowly to stand behind her. She swallowed hard, tension etched on her face, before signing. Then she lifted her eyes toward me. Her jaw was set, and for the first time, I saw something new, an expression of defeat.

I had won, even though it’s for a short period of time.

“Your Majesty?” The personal assistant called. Kade King turned slowly, eyes blank.

“All the shareholders have signed,” The assistant said. “Only her signature remains.”

He approached me with the papers, hand extended. But then came the cold order.

“Get away from her.”

Time stopped.

The possessiveness in his voice was raw and unfiltered. The assistant froze just a few steps from me, clearly startled. I looked up. Kade King’s eyes were ablaze with jealousy, his fury barely restrained.

“I said get the hell away from her!”

The assistant backed off immediately. A stunned hush fell over the room. Even I was taken aback by the sudden outburst.

Then His Majesty moved.

He walked to me and gently took the contract from his assistant, placing it on the table before me. He stood at my back, close enough for me to feel the heat of his presence. Then, carefully, he bent over and placed a pen beside the paper.

“Add your signature here, beside mine,” He said softly. “No rush. Take your time to understand the contract.”

But I couldn’t. Not here. Not now. Not with everyone watching. Not with him so close, his cologne clouding my senses and making my thoughts swirl.

For a moment, I debated whether to act on what my heart wanted.

And then, I dared.

Slowly, I lifted my gaze to his face. I let my eyes trace his golden eyes, down to his sculpted nose and finally, to his lips.

Last night came flooding back, what we’d shared. It had meant something. To both of us.

“Your Majesty?” I found my voice at last, speaking softly. His gaze softened as he looked at me.

“Yes?”

“I… I have never signed anything before. I don’t know how.”

His lips curved into the softest smile I had ever seen. He nodded gently and looked back at the paper.

Taking the pen, he placed it in my hand, his fingers brushing against mine, warm and reassuring.

“Like this,” He murmured. “Hold it this way.”

We leaned over the paper together. His breath warmed my ear as he guided me. I could feel the steady thud of his heart.

“You don’t have to be perfect,” He whispered. “You just have to be you. Write your name but make it yours. Make it leave a mark.”

I drew in a shaky breath and began to write. He stayed with me through each letter, grounding me. When I finished, I stared at my name, trembling. It felt sacred, like a beginning.

“You did it,” He said softly, then flashed a bright smile.

It struck me like a dagger to the heart.

For a moment, everything else faded. I could only see him. That smile, so radiant, so rare. How could a man be this heartbreakingly beautiful?

The urge to caress his cheek overwhelmed me. And I saw it in his eyes too. The raw desire to claim me.

“I will be busy today,” He said quietly. “All day. You probably won’t see me until tomorrow. You can start then, right?”

My heart clenched, but I nodded.

“Right.”

“Good.” He pulled away, collecting the contract and handing it to his assistant.

“Finalize it,” He ordered. “And prepare for her to start tomorrow.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Then I heard it.

“Riven, drive her back home.”

I rose to my feet, but before I could leave, Drizzel, silent until now, stood and walked to him.

Her voice. It had to be the one I’d heard this morning on the phone.

She approached the King, her palm landing gently on his chest as she adjusted his collar.

“You have a bloodstain here,” She said softly, fingers lingering a little too long. “Let’s get you changed, Kade.”

Kade.

The name rolled off her tongue like a whisper between lovers.

I looked away quickly, blinking back the sting rising in my chest. But it was too late. The ache had already started, dull and hollow, painful in a way that felt all too familiar.

Like I was losing.

I fled the Royal Castle with my heart aching and let Riven drive me back to my shop. I was supposed to begin my day, put my wares on display but I couldn’t.

The image of Drizzel’s hand on his chest wouldn’t leave my mind. The way she called him. The way he didn’t stop her.

Jealousy, real, vicious jealousy tore through me. Then I realized that morning, what I have felt is jealousy and anger. I collapsed to my knees in the quiet of my shop and broke down in tears.