An Alpha's Favor

Chapter 4: Mate

-Angela-

“You did what?” I screamed at Lucian.

He had come back with the very news I had feared. I had slept through the entire night and most of the day, and apparently, Lucian saw it as his opportunity.

“I can’t believe you!” I yelled. “I told you not to!”

“I know…”

“Oh really?” I shouted, beginning to pace around the living room.

I was still in yesterday’s clothes, having fallen asleep in them. The shirt was wrinkled, but I didn’t care. I was consumed by anger, frustration, and above all else… fear.

“Please, just come back with me. The king asked me to get you so we can talk this out and fix everything,” he said.

“No!” I yelled, stopping to face him.

He stepped closer, placing his hands on my shoulders. I could see the concern in his steady eyes, and I knew he sensed my fear. He was trying to calm me, and in a way, it helped.

“Angela, think about it. You aren’t safe in this apartment. Your father will find you. The king is your best option,” he said.

“He already had to deal with my father once. I don’t want to be a burden to him,” I replied.

Lucian shook his head quickly, tightening his grip on my shoulders. “You aren’t a burden, Angela. Trust me. Everyone just wants you to be safe. They want to protect you.”

“But why? They don’t know me.”

He offered me a reassuring smile. “They know your brother. They know what you did for Kaytlyn and him. Now they want to help you.”

I sighed, my head dropping slightly. It wasn’t until I felt one of his fingers under my chin, gently lifting my head, that I finally looked at him.

“What if they get hurt because of me?” I whispered.

“It’s going to be okay,” he said softly. “I promise. We’ll work something out.”

I slowly nodded. Since he seemed so sure, maybe I should trust him. He had dropped everything to come get me without telling anyone.

“Okay,” I said. “If you truly think this is for the best.”

“I do.”

“Let’s go.”

He took my hand and led me to the elevator, guiding me to the underground parking lot and over to his car.

-Hunter-

The females here were great company—much more interesting than the ones I had known most of my life. No one faked their feelings or tried to charm me. Everyone was clearly happily mated, and some even had children nearby, including two with striking yellow eyes—Selene’s kids. She was the female Elijah had planned to mate with, but she was now mated to the king’s brother and possibly the future mother of the next heir, unless the queen gave birth first.

Speaking of the queen… She was sitting right across from me, her silver eyes locked onto mine from the other couch. I could tell she was not someone to provoke. She radiated an aggressive energy reminiscent of an alpha, stirring something deep within me, as if I were facing one. Maybe that was why I found her so intriguing. She was unlike any female from my world.

But she wasn’t the only one catching my interest. I was also a bit impressed by Kaytlyn, who had decided to join me on my couch, her son on her lap and a smile on her lips, though it was clearly forced.

“So how long are you staying?” she inquired.

Her question amused me, and I took my time sipping from a drink that Lily, the beta Garrett was mated to, had served me. She stood behind the couch where the queen was, looking at me with a hint of fear. A human mixed into all of this… I bet there is an interesting story behind that.

“Don’t worry,” I said. “I’m not here to take anyone away this time.”

“Good. Not that we would let you,” she replied.

That made me smile. “Brave female,” I mumbled.

“We are serious, Hunter,” the queen finally interjected, her voice cold and laced with threat.

Not just I, but Archer and the three other males I had brought stirred at her tone.

“You try anything, and we won’t hold back,” she said, leaning forward.

I quickly found my superior smile again as I locked eyes with her. “Do not worry, my queen. I’m not here to find a mate. Yours just owes me a favor,” I said.

“I’m aware,” she growled lowly, leaning back again. “And I don’t like it.”

“At least you’re honest about it.”

“What is it that you need help with?” a small half-blood inquired.

She was sitting on the couch between mine and the queen’s. If I remembered correctly, she was mated to Damian and was quite the wolf… or half-wolf. Half-bloods were rare, and this was only the second time I’d been close to one. Her scent was confusing, the first thing I noticed, and she exuded a kind of power.

Even though she was only half-wolf, I had researched everyone here and believed I read that she came from an alpha bloodline. So perhaps it wasn’t surprising she held some power.

“That is private,” I told her.

My eyes locked with hers, but she had to look away, unable to maintain the gaze.

“I’m sure we’ll know soon enough,” the queen interjected.

“Maybe,” I said.

“My mate doesn’t keep secrets from me,” she replied.

“Are you sure?”

She narrowed her eyes, and I noticed Selene reach out to grab the queen’s hand, clearly restraining her from throwing herself across the coffee table at me.

“If I’ve learned one thing in the upper-class world, it’s that everyone is always hiding something… but perhaps you’re right,” I said. “Perhaps it isn’t him keeping secrets.”

I smiled crookedly, which only made her growl deeply, causing the glasses on the coffee table to tremble from the vibrations.

“Let us not get carried away,” Selene said, tightening her grip on the queen’s hand.

I continued to smile at the queen, who clearly hated me for the way I was cornering her mate. Goddess, it was just too easy to push their buttons.

“When is the hour up?” she growled, not taking her eyes off me.

“Ten minutes,” Lily informed her.

“Ten minutes until I get to kick your ass out,” the queen replied.

I just smiled, sipping my drink as I leaned back, one leg crossed over the other. “Careful, my queen. I could make your mate do far worse than what I already have planned for him.”

“That’s it!” She shot up from her seat, but just as she did, the room fell silent as we all heard a door open, followed by loud voices.

“Angela,” I heard Kaytlyn say beside me.

So, the mystery Angela has finally arrived, I thought.

Every female jumped up and rushed out of the room without a backwards glance. I slowly placed my glass down and stood up. This either meant the king was ready for the meeting or wanted to postpone it, but I was done waiting. I was going to find out.

I walked out of the room, leaning more heavily on my cane. It seemed I was having one of those bad days, when suddenly, I froze. Something sweet filled the air, a fragrance that made my nostrils flare as I inhaled deeply.

Jasmine… that was what I was smelling. But why?

“Alpha?” Archer called out to me, but I didn’t hear him. Instead, I was captivated by the sweetest voice that went straight to my heart. It was like an angel’s voice, compelling me to chase down the sound. I wasn’t sure why I wanted to, but as I followed it, my pace quickened.

I found myself in the entrance hall, staring at the most beautiful, mouthwatering, sexy little female I had ever laid eyes on.

Mate!

Well, Goddess be damned…

I hadn’t expected that.