Chapter 104: The Alpha King’s Virgin by Charmeleon Chapter 103

Chapter 103

RAINE

The dwarves were not keen on helping us. “We can’t take them! Quindin will come for her.” One of them roared out. I understood their anxiety. If he didn’t know by now that we were missing, it would have been a miracle. His pet would have informed him by now.

“You’re putting us all in danger, Balor.” Grunts of agreement followed that statement.

Another dwarf with a braided blonde beard spat at our feet. Glaring at us, waving his battle axe threateningly. “Let them fend for themselves. We don’t like witches.”

“I am not a witch! I am Queen Raine Black of the Werewolf Realm, and I must return to my king.” Standing up to my full height to tower over the men, I threw back my shoulders and lifted. my chin to look down at them haughtily, as I’ve seen Sorin do.

Pippa kept glancing back toward the bonfires. “Please, please, we cannot wait any longer.”

Among the grumbling and the whisperings of the others, the leader held up his hand to speak. “Alright, follow us.”

They led the way to a cave. The entrance was low, and Pippa and I had to crouch to follow them. But there were steps hewn out of the rock that led down and we could walk upright again. Soon, we entered a brightly lit cavern.

The warm, crackling fires in the hearths filled the room with a cozy ambiance as the dwarvent women bustled about cooking. However, their activities came to an abrupt halt when they noticed our presence. Children ran and hid behind their mothers‘ skirts to peer suspiciously at us.

“So, Queen Raine, eh?” the leader, Balor, smirked at me. “You’re a long way from home.”

A sturdy woman, her face bright from the heat of the fire, came to stand next to Balor. “By Odin’s beard! It’s her! The werewolf king’s mate…” she gave a little bow. “Balor, you fool, let them sit.” She smacked him on the back. “You look exhausted, Your Majesty. Let me get you something to drink.” And she bustled away, waving curious dwarves out of her way.

“My wife,” Balor explained with a grin. “Have a seat.”

Pippa and I seated ourselves on a bench near the fire, and Pippa warmed herself. Balor went after his wife, grabbing her by the waist and kissing her soundly.

“No welcome home, husband? We’ve been away fighting the dragons and I don’t get a welcome?” he growled at her.

She laughed and rubbed her nose against his. “Plenty of time for that. Now let me go. We have

guests.

Watching their exchange made me ache for Amaris. The rest of the women watched us and

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Chapter 103

whispered amongst themselves, smiling and pointing at us.

Balor came to sit in front of us, straddling a chair, leaning his short arms on the backrest. “I think your king would reward us handsomely for your return. Wouldn’t you say, pretty queen?” He looked at me in a calculating manner, measuring my weight in gold or whatever mineral he desired.

“Of course. Name your price, Balor.” I said calmly.

“But your companion… Now that is another matter altogether. Wouldn’t you say?”

I squeezed Pippa’s hand reassuringly. Her blue eyes were wild and anxious. “She comes with me. Amaris will pay for both of us to be returned unharmed.”

I took the offered drinks from his wife and thanked her. “It’s urgent. The king needs me.”

“And see, here lies the problem.” He stroked his bushy beard. “Your king is gravely injured, and they fear he might die.”

“That is why I must go to him. Our bond will heal him.” Whether that was true, I didn’t know, but I wanted to believe it.

“Now, if he dies, then his brother will take over and I have it on good authority that he will reward us even more if we hand you over to him.” His eyes had a glint that sent chills down my spine, warning me of his ill intentions.

“You can’t do that! Please, Sorin will hand me over to the vampire. I am pregnant with the rightful

heir to the throne.”

“Balor Flintheart!” his wife glared at him with hands on her wide hips. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Elthel, this is business. Keep out of this.”

“I will not! Have you no honor? We are in allegiance to the werewolf king. Have you forgotten how they fought with us to usurp the Fae Queen?” she stamped her tiny foot. “You will help this poor girl, or so by Morradin, you will never share my bed!”

At her words, the rest of the clan scattered, leaving the four of us alone in the space. Balor stood from the chair.

“Woman, you test me!” he wagged a finger at her. “Speaking like that in front of my men. I don’t like it.”

“Well, I don’t care!” she stuck her neck out an angry scowl on her face. “We value family, and she has a family that needs her. Has Abbathor corrupted you so much that all you can think of is wealth?”

He swiped the chair out of his way with a loud cry. It smashed against a table. “Fine! I’ll take them to the werewolf kingdom, by Thor!”

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Chapter 103

“And I will ensure you are rewarded, Balor. I promise.” I said with my hand over my heart.

Elthel nodded at me. A warm smile replaced the angry scowl of a few moments ago.

“We’ll leave early in the morning” Balor grumbled and stomped away.

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True to his word, Balor and his men took us down narrow passages deep underneath the ground. He explained it was the safest way to get us as far away from the Magus‘ territory as possible.

“I wasn’t lying when I told you he was seriously injured, Queen Raine.” Balor strode next to me, carrying a torch to light our way. “What will you do if he dies?”

“I know he’s still alive, Balor. Keep your end of the bargain and I will keep mine.” My tone was sharper than I intended.

“How far until we reach the end of this tunnel?” Pippa’s apprehension was palpable. “It is suffocating in here.”

“We’ll reach the surface soon enough, anxious one.” Balor chuckled. He took her hand and drew a letter on it. Pippa drew back in alarm.

“Keer britches on, witch. This is just a rune to give you strength and courage. Didn’t your Magus teach you anything?”

Pippa blushed and mumbled a hasty thank you. Balor shook his head, and we resumed our journey. Soon the tunnel broadened and the welcome golden sunlight beckoned to us in the distance.