The Alpha King’s Broken Mate

Who poisoned the alpha king?

NAMIKO

I felt a gentle poke on my shoulder, forcing me to stir, as my eyes slowly fluttered open.

“Ahh…” A wince escaped my lips, a sudden ache slicing through my head. My eyes spun for a few seconds, and I had to blink to keep steady.

“Finally awake…” an unfamiliar voice said, but I couldn't focus fully on her words due to the pain I was feeling.

I rubbed my eyes to clear off the blurriness, before taking in my surroundings. I was in an almost empty room, with just a small table, a basin with water, and a wet towel beside it.

Seeing the wet towel sparked my memory. The wet rag dropped from my hand, and then the moment I dashed out of that suffocating room. Finding myself deep in the woods, the Alpha wolf showing up, and then his companions…

How did I get here? I should be dead, the pack of wolves should have feasted on me, and left nothing but my bones.

Yet here I am, a little shaken, but alive. “Namiko. How are you feeling now?” That unfamiliar voice asked again and I raised my gaze, settling on a figure.

A petite-looking girl, almost my age, if not younger. “Who are you?” I asked, subconsciously rubbing the back of my head.

“The healer asked me to watch you. Now that you are awake, I have to let her know,” she said, and swiftly turned in the direction of the door.

“No, wait!” I blurted out, and she halted her steps, turning to look at me with worried eyes and raised brows.

I didn't know why I stopped her, but the fear of the unknown made me think twice about being alone. “Am I back at the palace?”

She nodded, “Please relax, the healer will join you soon.” Either that said, she disappeared behind the door, while I anxiously waited for her to show up.

If I'm still in the healer’s pack, it must mean those wolves I encountered are from here. Could I have truly seen the Alpha of the Red Moon pack in wolf form?

A stomach twisted as I recalled how weak and flimsy I appeared before him. Unable to shift to defend myself, he must have figured out that someone like me resides in his pack.

But one question remained in my mind, why didn't he kill me?

Does he plan on doing it publicly, in the presence of his entire pack? That would be a more shameful death than being eaten.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, attempting to stand up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back onto the bed.

I looked down at myself, taking in the sight of my battered body. Bruises and cuts covered my skin, my body had still not completely healed from my dark experience.

Oh Goddess, please come to my aid. I need to get out of here before I die in the presence of thousands of people.

I forced myself upright and turned toward the table where a small basin of water sat.

The bowl was shallow, with a folded cloth resting beside it. I dipped the cloth into the cool water, wrung it out, and ran it over my face and hands. The chill sharpened my senses a little, pulling me out of the haze I had been drowning in.

I scanned the room again, desperate for any clue or escape route that didn’t involve walking straight out the door.

My gaze landed on the window, small, but possibly large enough for me to squeeze through.

I dropped the rag and crossed to the other side of the room, pushing it open. A rush of air hit me as I leaned out.

My chest ached, realizing I was in a fortress or castle, with thick stone walls, and guards patrolling the grounds below.

If I made for it, the drop wouldn't be fatal, but it was also far from safe. And with guards everywhere, slipping out through the window wasn’t just risky, it was stupid.

I needed a better plan.

Maybe going through the door was my best option. Maybe I could just…walk out. Pretend I belonged here. They hadn’t bothered to chain me up or lock me in, perhaps I had more freedom than I realized.

I was still debating my next move when footsteps resounded outside the door.

My heart lurched. I backed away from the window and forced myself to stand still, trying to arrange my face into something calm, harmless, and innocent.

The door creaked open, and the maid stepped in with Astrid right behind her.

“Trying to escape again, are you? Where do you think you are going? I already told you, there’s no way out of here unless you are released!” Astrid snapped. She was furious, her voice tight with restrained anger.

“Am I a prisoner here?” I asked, with furrowed brows.

“Do you think you are being treated like one?” she shot back.

“No,” I admitted quietly, “but I would still like to leave.”

“You can’t. Not now. If you had stayed put, we wouldn’t be in this mess. I brought you into the palace, child, and you got me in trouble for being kind to you.” Her lips pressed into a hard, thin line. She wasn’t even trying to hide how furious she was.

“What are you talking about? What did I do?” My chest tightened, beating so fast I feared they would hear it.

“You poisoned the Alpha King, witch!” a new voice spat. A maid had entered the room, glaring at me like I was her nemesis.

“No.” I shook my head hard, the denial ripping out of me before I could stop it. She couldn’t have said that. Except she had. And all three women were staring at me like I was something vile.

This was insane. I had never even met the Alpha King, I only met Alpha wolves, and they could have been anyone at all. And besides, they were the ones who knocked me out, so what could I have done to poison the Alpha?

Or… had someone poisoned him and decided to pin it on the only stranger in the pack?

“This is absolutely crazy! I didn't poison anyone. I couldn't even stand in front of the Alpha King even if I had the chance, so how then would I have poisoned someone so mighty without being dead myself? I have to leave here now! You are looking for a nobody to pin this on! You are looking for someone to bear your punishment and shame so you think of me? An outcast. ” I looked at Astrid, disbelief was evident on my face. I thought she was kind, I thought she said her wolf liked me.

So why?

“I need to leave. I beg of you, let me wander back to the woods, I would never bother anyone. Please Astrid

…” I choked on my words as my eyes stung, tears threatening to pour.

Astrid lowered her gaze, unable to look me in the eye, her brows were scrunched up, and creased lines of worry rested on her forehead. "I am sorry, dear, I would have helped you," she said, her words sounding heavy, forced, like she had something better to say, but was holding back.

"But you have committed a great crime." She concluded, sounding so helpless, that it sent my heart sinking to the depths of my stomach.

“You are lucky you don't have your severed head on a platter somewhere already.” One of the maids commented behind her.

“The Alpha King seeks your presence.” She finally said.

“I thought you said he was poisoned” I screamed at her, heart thudding in my chest.

“Well, that's why he is the Alpha king. Move, or I will drag you all the way there,” she deadpanned, looking unfazed or moved by my tears.

“She is healing, Josie. Be careful with her,” Astrid pleaded to the angry-looking maid, regardless of whether she was careful or not. Fear still rippled through my body.

I was being accused of a huge crime I didn't commit. And now I have to face punishment for something I didn't do.

I turned to Astrid, almost falling on my knees, “Please, don't leave me with them. I am sorry for running off earlier. . . ” I swallowed hard, “. . .please believe me. I didn't poison the Alpha King. I promise you. No way could have happened. I didn't do it. I am a weakling. How could I have gone before the Alpha King and poisoned him? It is impossible, you ought to know this Astrid. Please believe me.” I pleaded to two deaf ears as the two maids dragged me out of the room.

“My hands are tied, dear. You would have to face him alone. May your fate stand with you, child,” I heard her behind me before the door shut.

No….