Mating The Alpha King Kairos

All For An Alpha

Aelys’s POV

When Kieran escorted the Alpha King and his Beta out of the room and I made to leave, Sylira’s hand clamped around my arm and slammed me face-first into the dining table. Plates shattered, the wine in the goblet spilling onto my face.

“What the f**k are you doing?!” I yelled.

“What exactly did you do to the Alpha King?” she snarled.

“You think I did something to him?” I asked, rage coursing through me as I yanked my arm out of her grasp, wiping the liquid off my face. “What lies are you trying to pin against me this time? If I remember correctly, you had me serve the King. I had no idea he’d be here. Saying I did something is entirely preposterous.”

She groaned, her brows furrowed as she stared at me with contempt. “I know you did something. That thing you always do when you make men suddenly fall in love with you. You seduced him with that filthy body of yours!”

I laughed, folding my arms across my chest. “Are you out of your mind? I didn’t invite him here, Sylira. You did. It’s not my fault he didn’t find you seductive enough to warm his bed. Maybe, if you didn’t settle for someone else’s mate, you could’ve caught the Alpha King’s attention. Who knows? He might just like me enough to make me his mistress.”

As much as I hated the idea of keeping Kairos’s bed warm, I was enjoying how much it had Sylira all worked up. I could tell their plans to make the Alpha King a thorn in my side tonight weren't working as intended.

Sylira bared her canines at me as she stalked in my direction. “I promise you, Aelys, if you so much as breathe one word about who you really are as the Regent Alpha, or talk to him about being a framed traitor or anything, and f*****g ruin this before the trials, I will carve Nymira into pieces and make you watch every second.”

My eyes widened when she made mention of Nymira. Hot and cold shivers chased themselves down my spine and my hands trembled. I tried to hide the fear coursing through me. “Leave Nymira out of this! It's me you hate anyway! Besides, what difference does it make if he finds out now or later?”

She grabbed my arm, shoving me against the wall as she half-yelled. “What difference does it make?! Now he has this stupid idea to bed you. Who knows if he’ll suddenly want to keep you as his and ruin my plans?!”

Beads of sweat rolled down my temples when a shudder coursed through me. “If you lay a hand on Nymira, I swear I’ll—”

“—You’ll do what?” she snapped. “If I remember correctly, you’re the one wearing a collar. You’re the one who has their wolf suppressed, making you no different from an Omega. If I were you, I’d think wisely before laying empty threats.” She inched closer to me, gripping my dress and jerking me forward.

“Whether Nymira lives or dies depends entirely on your performance tonight. Keep the Alpha King company, be his little slut, I don’t freaking care. But if you think your little fuckery with the King will get you out of this situation, then you’re very wrong. It’s either you die quietly on my terms, or watch the people you love die. Make your choice, sister.”

••••••••

Sylira’s minions dragged me back to the maids' quarters. She’d given her orders to have me all dolled up for the King, sending a dress over. Now, I was seated right in front of a broken mirror. The harsh reflection of myself; eyes dead and empty, stared back at me.

“Don’t lose hope, Regent,” Nymira muttered as she pushed the comb through my hair for the umpteenth time. She’d done the little she could to cover my pale face with a bit of color, but it did nothing to hide the ghostly look I wore.

“Hope?” I scoffed. “Hope is dead, Nymira. I’m not hoping for anyone to save me. Not even the Moon goddess can help. She’s turned her back on me, on us all.”

Her brows furrowed as she patted my shoulder slightly. “Do you really believe that the Moon goddess has left you? Look, Regent. An Alpha King took a liking to you on the very first night he set eyes on you. Do you think the goddess hasn’t made a way out of this for you?”

My insides churned at her words, and I bit down on my bottom lip when an excruciating pain coursed through me. What the hell was this? I sucked in a breath, lungs constricting and nostrils flaring. Clenching my fists, I leaned back against the chair to hide the agony I was in.

I couldn’t tell Nymira that I’d agreed to see the King tonight because her life was hanging in the balance. My lips quivered and I fought back a tear, sniffling.

“Isn’t she just cruel to me?” I asked. “If the Moon goddess’s way is to have me w***e myself out to some maniac, to have me humiliated by my pack and sister, then I refuse her help!”

••••••••••

The corridor to the Alpha King’s chambers felt endless. Each step sent a fresh stab of agony through my stomach, as though the backlash from the weeks of whippings, starvation, and silver-laced lashes had finally decided hit me all at once.

I pressed one trembling hand low against my abdomen, trying to hide the way I hunched. The thin, lacy dress Sylira had forced me into did nothing to warm me or cover me since it was a see-through fabric that was no different from being naked.

Just outside the Alpha King’s room stood his Beta. It was almost like he was waiting for me, a permanent scowl etched onto his face. Once I reached him, his eyes darted to the silver collar I had on, and he stared at me with a questioning look.

Swallowing hard, I hurriedly lowered my gaze, hot and cold shivers chasing themselves down my spine.

“Get in,” he ordered.