THE ALPHA KING
1040 Words
“You rejected her.”
Adrian’s voice didn’t waver. It was steady—way too steady. I glanced from him to Kael.
Kael just stood in the doorway, staring Adrian down.
“You don’t get to call her yours.”
Suddenly, the air in the room turned thick with silence. My heart hammered in my chest.
Kael’s face stayed still, but I caught a dangerous flicker in his eyes.
“Careful,” he warned.
Adrian didn’t budge. “Why? Because you’re powerful?”
Kael took a step forward. “Because you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I know enough.” Adrian’s finger shot in my direction. “You rejected her in front of everyone. Broke her heart. You can’t just walk in and act like she’s yours because someone else touched her.”
I felt my face flush.
“Adrian—”
He turned to me. “I’m just saying what you deserve to hear.”
Kael’s jaw worked. Before he could reply, I heard boots outside. Heavy ones. More than one pair.
The door swung open. Three men in black uniforms strode in. The second they spotted Kael, they froze—then dropped to one knee.
“Your Majesty.”
I went still. My eyes darted from the guards to Kael.
Your Majesty?
No. I must’ve misheard.
One guard stayed kneeling. “Your Majesty, we searched the eastern grounds. No sign of the attackers.”
My stomach twisted. I stared at Kael. He didn’t act surprised. Just gave a short nod.
“Keep looking,” he said.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
They got up to leave. But I couldn’t stop staring. My mind wouldn’t click back into gear.
“Wait.”
The guards halted. I pointed at Kael.
“Why did you call him that?”
The guard blinked at me, confused. “Your Majesty?”
“Yeah.”
He glanced at Kael.
Kael’s eyes went cold. “Go.”
The guards obeyed, quick as lightning. The door thudded shut. Silence again.
I looked at Kael. “You’re the Alpha King.” It wasn’t really a question.
He didn’t speak.
I felt something heavy press against my chest. “You’re actually the Alpha King.”
“Yes.”
I let out a short, ugly laugh. “You knew.”
Kael frowned. “Knew what?”
“That I didn’t know.”
He stayed silent.
I moved closer. “You let me think you were just some Alpha tonight.”
“I never said I was.”
“You didn’t have to say it!” My voice cracked. “You stood there, knowing who you were. Knowing how much that meant.”
Kael’s eyes softened, but not by much. “Elara—”
“No. Don’t.” Anger surged up inside me. “First, you reject me. Now I find out you’ve been hiding who you are.”
“I wasn’t hiding it from you.”
“Then what would you call it?”
He looked away. I laughed again, short and sharp. Adrian was quiet—too quiet—beside me.
Kael finally met his gaze. “Can you give us a minute?”
Adrian looked to me for permission. I nodded, not meeting his eyes.
“I’ll be outside.” He stopped beside me. “Call if you need anything.”
Kael’s face hardened. Adrian shot him a small, half-smirk before leaving.
The door closed.
Now it was just me and Kael. The man who rejected me. Who saved me. Who apparently ruled everything.
I wrapped my arms tight around myself. “Tell me the truth.”
Kael narrowed his eyes. “About what?”
“About you.”
He sighed. “There’s nothing you need to know.”
I fixed him with a stare. “That’s exactly what someone with secrets would say.”
His jaw clenched. “I have responsibilities.”
“And I have questions.”
He didn’t reply.
I stepped closer. “Why do those men protect you?”
“Because I’m their king.”
“And why do you protect me?”
He didn’t answer that. My heart picked up speed.
“Why did you want me gone from Silver Creek?”
He looked me right in the eye. “Because you’re in danger.”
“From who?”
Something passed over his face. For once, it wasn’t anger. I thought it was fear.
He wouldn’t meet my gaze. “Someone’s been looking for you.”
My whole body went cold. “Me?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
Silence.
I moved even closer. “Who wants me dead?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re the Alpha King.”
“I know.”
“You have guards everywhere.”
“I know.”
“People searching the forest.”
“Yes.”
“And you still don’t know who’s after me?”
His eyes met mine. “No.”
I didn’t know what to say. The room felt icy suddenly. I held my arms around myself.
“Why me?” My voice was barely there.
Kael’s expression softened. “I don’t know that, either.”
I searched his face, sure he was holding something back. I could feel it.
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not.”
“You’re hiding something.”
His eyes went darker. “I am.”
That stopped me cold. He took a little step forward.
“But it’s not to hurt you.”
“Then why?”
He watched me for a long moment. “Because if you know the truth, you’ll be a bigger target.”
“A target for who?”
He didn’t answer. He moved to the window, peered out. I followed him with my eyes.
The whole pack was quiet. Too quiet. It made my nerves prickle.
“Kael.”
He finally turned. His voice was almost a whisper. “I don’t know who they are.”
He stopped.
“But they’re getting closer.”
A shiver crawled up my spine. “How do you know?”
He didn’t look away. “Tonight wasn’t the first attack.”
Something inside me stilled. “What?”
Kael’s face was stone. “And it won’t be the last.”
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