Chapter 21: The Alpha King’s Virgin by Charmeleon Chapter 21

Chapter 21

We spent the night and most of the morning having sex. I wanted to call it making love, but still a little part of me couldn’t believe that I could be loved refused it. My body burned for him and every touch left me craving more of him. Did I love him? I was afraid to. Loving someone meant fearing you might lose them, or they might leave you. Maybe what we had was just enough for the present.

“Are you ready to receive our guests, Raine? They will be arriving soon.” Amaris came out of the dressing room, fully dressed in a dove grey three–piece suit and light blue shirt, looking handsome with his hair tied back.

“I hope so.” I was nervous to the point of shaking so much I could hardly fasten my blouse. Amaris had sent Rona and my other maids away earlier because we were still in bed.

He grunted, taking my hands away and fastening the buttons of my satin blouse, skimming his knuckles against my breast and smirking wickedly at my reaction to his light touch.

“I wish we could stay here in this room and never leave.” He said in a husky voice that had my insides clenching with desire. “You look beautiful, Raine.” He lifted my chin and kissed my lips gently. “I don’t want to let you out of my sight, but if we get separated, Beta Ross will be by your

side.”

Amaris ran his hands over my hips and buttocks. “Tomorrow you will be crowned and initiated into the pack. Then you and I will be connected mind, body and soul, my sweet.” He smiled, “No one and nothing will separate us.”

A shiver ran down my spine, a feeling of foreboding I tried hard to shake.

His forehead creased into a light frown. “Is something the matter?”

lo, I’m just afraid I will wake up and this would all have been a dream.”

I shook my head. “No, Im

He pulled me into his arms, and I closed my eyes to inhale his earthy, musky scent that calmed me.

“This is no dream, Raine. We are destined to be together. Soon you will be the mother of my heir, the next werewolf king.”

Another uncertainty nagged at me – what if I don’t get pregnant? I still haven’t conceived, and it wasn’t through lack of trying. Would he still be so caring with me?

The great hall was packed with guests and fear tried to grip me in a chokehold.

‘Raine, you have to stay calm. Remember what Beta Ross said, they can smell our fear! Tasha warned at the back of my mind, but I felt her anxiety as well and it fed mine.

Amaris leaned towards me our arms linked. “Smile, my pretty. They envy you.” I wished I could believe him.

A trumpet fanfare announced our entrance and the crowd bowed. Their auras and different scents were stifling to say the least. I sensed hostility from some of the wolves as we made our way to the podium in the center of the hall and wondered if it was only directed at me. Tasha

didn’t seem to think so.

“Welcome to our esteemed guests.” Amaris greeted them. “Raine and I are pleased that you have travelled all this way to join in our celebration.”

Polite clapping resounded in the vast hall. I breathed deeply, trying to calm my frayed nerves. So many eyes on us. Was this how prey felt when they were hunted?

Amaris took my hand and led me off the podium to mingle with the guests, greeting each individual until my head spun from all the names and. my cheeks hurt from trying to keep the smile pasted to my face.

“And so we meet again,” Alpha Delaney bowed over my hand, his fingertips lightly touching mine and it was all I could do to keep from pulling my hand away. The man disgusted me.

✔ M

Chapter 21

“Yes, indeed.” I retracted my hand slowly. His mate caught my eye and she smiled nervously. She seemed much nicer than Alpha Delaney. Maybe I could befriend her.

I noticed Beta Ross standing to the side, speaking to a group of guests. He looked up and nodded at me, a glimpse of a smile on his lips. I

nodded back.

“Raine, let me introduce you to Alpha Mark of the Shadow Wolves, an old friend of mine and his mate Luna Rachael.” Amaris tugged lightly on my hand, and I broke eye contact with Ross.

“Ah, pleasure to meet you, your Majesty.” Alpha Mark had an unusual eye color, so blue they seemed almost violet. His smile seemed genuine, and Tasha liked his wolf instantly.

His mate v was a gorgeous, tall she–wolf with wild, black curls and beautiful coppery skin. “You’ve found her at last, Amaris. I am so pleased for both of you” she said as she extended her hands to take both mine in hers. I felt my anxiety lessen at her warm.touch.

“Yes, I couldn’t be happier.” Amaris kissed my cheek and hugged me to his side. I smiled up at him, relieved to be among friends even if just for a short time. “Raine, Mark and I have some catching up to do. Will you be alright with Luna Rachel?”

Without waiting for an answer, she linked her arm through mine and winked at her mate. “You boys go and play. I would love to get to know Raine”

When they were out of sight, she turned to me. “I sense that you are stressed.” She smiled and dimples appeared on both cheeks. “I’ve heard the rumors and Mark and I are worried about Amaris. But you are his soulmate, and the Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes.” She patted my hand. “I felt it the moment I touched you, you are so much stronger than you look”

“Umm… thank you.” Although I felt far from strong. She led me towards the banquet table.

A server rushed towards us with a tray of champagne flutes. Out of the comer of my eye, I noticed Helen at the same time. Almost imperceptible she stuck out her foot just as the server reached us, sending the poor girl sprawling. The tray flew out of her hands, spilling champagne all over my outfit and some of it on

onto Rachael

“Your Majesty….” The horrified girl sprang to her feet then sank down to her knees immediately. “I’m so sorry, I beg your forgiveness…

“Clumsy girl! L

Look what you’ve done.” Helen descended onto the terrified girl. “You should be flogged.”

Of course, that attracted a lot of unwanted attention. Beta Ross was at my side in a flash.

“Are you alright, your Majesty? Do you want me to punish the girl?” he completely ignored Helen who hovered nearby.

I glanced at Helen who smiled smugly, Then I turned my attention to the quivering girl. “No, accidents happen. Just clean up the mess.” I told her softly.

She looked up at me with large tear–filled eyes and for a moment I recognized myself in them. “Thank you, your Majesty.”

Beta Ross nodded but before he turned away, I caught a glimpse of a smile, Helen sauntered over to us.

“Why, your pretty blouse is spoiled! You should go and get changed, your Majesty.” Helen laid a cool hand on my arm.

Luna Rachael handed me a handful of napkins and I used it to dab my blouse. “I’m sure it will dry on its ow

“Stains on silk like that needs to be taken care of immediately. I don’t expect you to know that, seeing as your background is so… different.” Helen smirked at me and for a moment I relived the slap I gave her.

I managed to smile sweetly. “My goodness, I didn’t realize the consort Princess knew how to do laundry. That’s so refreshing.”