MEETING THE ALPHA KING
1345 Words
Elysia’s POV
The door opened slowly, and he stepped inside. For a moment, I felt like I had forgotten how to breathe. He was tall—taller than I remembered, or maybe it was just the way he filled the room, as if his very presence took up all the space and air. His shoulders were broad, and he had the strong build of a warrior who had fought many battles and came out victorious.
His dark hair had silver streaks and was loosely tied back. But it was his eyes that caught me off guard—steel-gray, and cold,—they locked onto mine the moment he walked in.
This was him. The man who had saved me. The one who had caught me at the cliff and carried me on his horse.
Alpha King Rhaegar.
He was looking at me as if he was trying to decide whether I was a threat or a mistake.
Neither of us spoke. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating. I didn’t know what to say or do. My heart pounded so hard that I was sure he could hear it.
Say something, I told myself. Anything. But my mouth wouldn’t obey.
He stood there with his arms at his sides, his expression unreadable. His gaze swept over me, taking in the bandages, the bruises, and the way I was sitting stiffly on the bed as if I might run at any second.
Then I saw his jaw tighten.
I dropped my gaze immediately, gripping the blankets with my hands. “I—I’m sorry,” I stammered, bowing my head. “Thank you for saving me. I…”
“You’re awake.”
His voice was low and rough, but there was something beneath it I couldn’t name. Relief? No, that didn’t make any sense in this situation.
I nodded quickly, still looking down. “Yes. I… I woke up a little while ago.”
Another moment of silence followed.
“Good,” he said finally.
That was it? Just ‘good.’
I risked a glance up at him. He was still watching me, his expression hard and his jaw tight. But there was something in his eyes—something that made my chest ache in a way I didn’t understand.
Why does he look at me like that?
“Why were you alone in the wildlands?” he asked, his tone sharp and commanding.
I flinched. “I… I was traveling.”
His eyes narrowed. “Traveling where?”
“I…” My throat closed. I couldn’t tell him. I couldn’t admit what I was. “Nowhere. I was just… trying to find somewhere safe.”
“Without a pack?”
I swallowed hard, my hands trembling. “I don’t… I don’t have a pack anymore.”
His expression didn’t change, but I saw his jaw clench. “Why not?”
“I was…” I hesitated, my voice dropping to a barely audible whisper. “I got lost.”
The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. He took a step closer, and I froze.
“You’re lying,” he said flatly.
My breath hitched. “I’m not…”
“Dare lie to me again,” he interrupted, his voice cold, “and you’ll regret it.”
It wasn’t exactly a threat, but the weight of his authority felt heavy, making it hard to breathe.
I looked down at my trembling hands, my vision blurring with tears I was holding back. “I’m sorry.”
He didn’t respond.
For a long moment, he just stood there, watching me. Then he turned away and walked toward the fireplace as if he needed space.
I watched him, confused. His hands were clenched at his sides, and his shoulders looked tense as he stared into the flames, his jaw working like he was fighting with something within himself. What’s wrong with him?
Then he turned back to me. This time, he moved closer. Too close. He stopped right in front of me, close enough that I had to tilt my head back to look at him. I could smell him clearly—like pine trees and smoke, with a clean, sharp scent underneath it all. And then there was something else, something that felt oddly familiar.
My wolf stirred, her voice quiet but certain. *It’s him. We know him.*
"How?" I whispered internally.
*I don't know. But we do.*
Rhaegar's eyes narrowed slightly, watching and studying me.
“Do You know who I am?,” he said finally, his tone flat.
I nodded slowly. “Alpha King Rhaegar.”
His eyes flashed gold again for just a moment, and I could see a change in his expression before it disappeared.
“Good,” he said, his voice cold again. “Then you know what happens to people who lie to me.”
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t find the words.
He stared at me for a long moment, and then he turned to leave. But just before he could take a step, a sharp pain shot through my ribs, it was so sudden and intense. I gasped, my hand flying to my side. I felt a bit dizzy.
Then I felt his hands on me. He caught me before I could fall, his grip strong but careful, his arms holding me steady against him. “Don’t move,” he said, his voice low and rough.
I froze, struggling to catch my breath. His hands were warm on my arms, and I could feel the solidness of his chest against my cheek. His scent—God, his scent—wrapped around me like a comforting blanket.
*Safe*, my wolf whispered. *He’s safe.*
But I didn’t feel safe. I felt scared, confused, and overwhelmed.
“I’m fine,” I managed to choke out, trying to pull away.
His grip tightened. “You’re not.”
I looked up at him, and for the first time, his expression wasn’t cold. It was raw, filled with something deeper.
Then he muttered something so quietly that I almost didn’t hear it. “Damn it.”
Before I could ask what he meant, there was a sharp knock on the door.
“Your Majesty,” a voice called from the other side. “The council is waiting. The rogue attack reports are ready.”
Rhaegar’s jaw tightened. He didn’t move for a second, his hands still holding me, his eyes locked onto mine.
Then he let go. “Stay in bed,” he said, his tone clipped. “Don’t leave this room.”
“Wait…”
But he was already moving toward the door.
“Your Majesty…” I started again.
He paused, his hand on the door handle, and looked back at me. His expression was hard and unreadable again.
“Ninety-nine days,” he said. “You asked for ninety-nine days. You’ll stay here. You’ll heal. And you’ll do exactly as you’re told.”
“But…”
“Don’t make me regret saving you.”
The door closed softly behind him, leaving me alone.
I sat there, trembling, gripping the blankets tightly as my mind raced.
What just happened?
My wolf stirred, her voice quiet. *“He knows. He felt it too.”*
“Felt what?”
*The bond.*
“No,” I whispered in disbelief. “That’s not…that’s not possible.”
But even as I said it, I wasn’t sure I believed it. I pressed my hand to my chest, where something warm and unfamiliar had settled.
Why do I feel like I know him?
Then I heard voices outside the door, low and hushed, but clear enough to understand.
*“…is she the one they banished?”
“...I heard she tried to seduce an Alpha’s son.”
“...Even worse. They say she’s scentless. That’s why she was thrown out.”
“...Why would the King bother saving a girl like that?”*
My chest tightened hearing their words.
They knew. How'd they know so quickly? I just hope it doesn't reach him, else I'd be thrown out.
- Writer
