Chapter 12

OLIVE

The Alpha King leans in, his lips exploring the curve of my neck. His kisses, licks, and nibbles send shivers down my spine.

I’m lost in the moment, forgetting that I’m in the middle of the forest with a man who could kill me. If it weren’t for that fact, I’d be in heaven.

I feel his naked arousal pressing against me, separated only by the fabric of my jeans. I almost lose myself right then and there. I’ve never wanted to be free of my clothes more. I want them ~gone~!

A moan slips past my lips as I tilt my head back, encouraging him further. I can feel his excitement growing, pressing against me. My body responds in kind.

He lifts my shirt, his hand cupping my breast. A groan escapes his lips as he buries his face in my neck. That sound!

If it weren’t for the Alpha King holding me up, I’d be a puddle on the ground. He starts to kiss and lick my neck, and I feel his canines lengthening…

~Oh no, this is it. He’s just been buttering me up, getting me to relax, and now he’s going to kill me.~

~He’s kissing my neck, getting ready to eat me like a steak. I’m going to die. I guess relaxed prey tastes better than scared prey!~

Fear starts to replace my desire for him. The thought of being trapped by such a powerful wolf makes me feel claustrophobic.

I don’t have anywhere to run, so I do the only thing I can think of to protect myself.

I cross my arms over my chest, hugging my shoulders. I shrug as high as I can and tuck my head into my chest, trying to protect my neck.

“I’m s-sorry,” I stammer. “I didn’t mean to challenge you…please.” My voice is shaking with fear.

He pulls back, looking at me with a puzzled expression. It’s the first time I’ve seen anything other than a cocky smirk or brief surprise on his face.

His mask slips for a moment, but he quickly regains his composure.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Little Wolf.” His voice is soothing, but I can’t bring myself to trust him.

He steps back, giving me some space. His half-smile is back.

“You will be staying in my quarters from now on.” It’s not a question; it’s a command.

“I-I don’t understand?” I manage to say.

“What’s there to understand? You are ~mine~,” he emphasizes, stepping closer again.

“Yours? What are you going to do with me?” I ask, my voice trembling.

His eyes darken at my question, as if he’s imagining all the ways he could torture me.

But for some reason, his dark gaze sends a thrill of pleasure down my spine.

“Whatever you want me to do, Little Wolf,” he answers, licking his bottom lip.

I freeze in shock. It sounds like he wants more than just a make-out session in the forest.

“Now, come. We should get your things unpacked at the pack house,” he says, taking my backpack from me.

I’m still rooted to the spot, my mind spinning as I try to process everything that’s happened.

“Are you going to walk, or do I need to carry you?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

I don’t answer, unsure of what to say or do.

“Very well,” he says, and before I know it, I’m over his shoulder.

He gives my ass a playful smack.

~I’ve just been~ spanked ~by the Alpha King.~

“W-wh… How dare you!” I sputter, struggling to get free.

He just laughs. His laugh is the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.

“Remember you’re mine, Little Wolf. Which means this”—he gives my ass a squeeze—“is also mine.”

~The nerve!~

His claim on my body fills me with a strange sense of confidence.

“Hold on, Mr.…Sir…~Your Highness~, Alpha King. I am not your property, and I certainly won’t be your sex toy. I’ll join your hybrid army, but that’s it, got it?” I say, trying to sound assertive.

“Such a feisty little wolf. Don’t you feel our connection? You’ll be begging for me sooner or later,” he responds.

I can’t see his face, but I can imagine the cocky grin he’s wearing.

“What happened in the forest was a mistake. It won’t happen again,” I say, trying to sound confident.

“Uh-huh, sure thing,” he says.

“I mean it!” I insist.

“No, really, I believe you,” he replies, clearly amused by my outburst.

~He doesn’t believe me at all.~

“Though…the scent of your arousal says otherwise, Little Wolf.”

~Oh my god, why does my body have to betray me like this!?~

My face turns red with embarrassment and I clench my legs together, hoping to hide my scent. The Alpha King just chuckles.

When we reach the pack house, I start to squirm, trying to get out of his grasp.

“I can walk, you know!” I protest.

“I know, but I prefer to carry you,” he says, tightening his hold on me.

We reach his quarters. It seems Alpha Max has given the Alpha King an entire floor. He kicks the door open and shuts it behind us with his foot.

He walks over to the bed and tosses me onto it. His eyes darken as he takes in the sight of me sprawled out on the bed.

~This room smells like the Alpha King. Why am I in the Alpha King’s bedroom?~

“Is this your room?” I ask.

The Alpha King simply nods, his gaze still roaming over me.

“And I’ll be staying in here…with you?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nods again and I bite my lip nervously. His gaze drops to my mouth. In an instant, he’s on top of me, spreading my legs as if he wants to be between them again.

A hand seizes my neck, pulling it to the side as the king buries his nose into my skin, inhaling deeply.

“Mine,” he rumbles. “I want to mark you,” he whispers.

“W-what? No. Why?” I stutter.

He frowns at me. “Isn’t it clear?”

I start to scramble away from him.

“Is this your routine with all your hybrid pets? Claiming them as yours?” I snap.

He slowly rises from the bed and steps back. Confusion flickers across his handsome face.

“Is that what you really think of me?” He looks at me, hurt, before his icy mask is firmly back in place.

I remain silent, unsure of what to say. My heart aches for him. I’ve caused him pain.

~But why do I care about hurting him when he’s the one who’s going to rip me away from my only family and turn me into a monster?~

He picks up some clothes and gets dressed. “Unpack your things and stay in the room. I have some business to handle. I’ll be back soon.”

With that, he spins on his heel and swiftly exits the room.

As soon as the door shuts, I feel a void inside. Why do I feel guilty about hurting his feelings?

~Why would he keep me in his bedroom? Is it a case of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer?~

~Why did he want to mark me? Why do I feel guilty for him when he’s done such terrible things?~

“UUUUGGGGHH!” I fling myself back onto the bed, frustrated with my conflicting emotions.

One moment I want to kill the man and escape, and the next I crave his touch on every inch of me.

~Is this madness? Have I finally lost it?~

~Maybe if I distract myself, I’ll feel better.~

I start unpacking my few clothes, only now taking in my surroundings.

There’s a massive four-poster bed, with a plush cream-colored corner sofa. Opposite the sofa is what appears to be a bare closet, but it seems to be concealing a TV.

The room is decorated in neutral tones of creams, off-whites, and light browns. It gives the room a clean and warm vibe.

I place my clothes in the chest of drawers and walk-in closet.

The walk-in is enormous. All the Alpha King’s clothes are neatly hung. How can one man need so many clothes!?

Within five minutes I’m done and bored again.

I’m tempted to go and see my mom, but I don’t want to test the Alpha King’s promise of not hurting me. But I am ~so~ bored already!

Just then there’s a knock at the door and the hybrid witch—Dinah, I think her name is—walks in with a smile.

“Hi, I’m Dinah! How are you? Need help unpacking?” she asks cheerfully.

“No thank you. I’m all unpacked,” I respond cautiously. I don’t have a great history with she-wolves.

She strolls into the walk-in closet and comes straight out again. Shock is evident on her beautiful face.

“Is that all you have?” she asks, gesturing towards the closet.

“Err…yes?” I respond.

“Girl, tomorrow I am taking you shopping!” I get the feeling she won’t take no for an answer.

“Bu—”

“No buts. It’s happening! Let me handle the king,” she says with a grin.

“Err okay… Why are you being so kind to me?” I ask, puzzled.

She laughs. “And why wouldn’t I be kind to you?”

“Because I smell strange? Because I’m a monster? Take your pick.”

“You don’t smell strange to me. Yes, I can tell you aren’t a full-blooded wolf, but then neither am I. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t bother me.”

She shrugs and plops herself on the sofa.

“Oh…I guess that makes sense. So, er, have you been assigned as my personal guard to ensure I don’t run or something?” I try to lighten the mood.

“Yup. Pretty much,” Dinah responds flatly, turning on the TV that’s now emerging from the unit.

She’s wearing a cream turtleneck that beautifully complements her bronze skin.

I can’t help but glance at her neck to see if she’s also been marked by the Alpha King, marking her as his property, one of his hybrid recruits.

I must’ve been staring for a while, because when I look back up, Dinah’s looking at me, amused.

“Are you trying to see if I’m a mated wolf? To see if you can have me all to yourself?” she teases.

“Er, er, no. It’s, er, I wanted to see if he had marked you,” I say, embarrassed.

“Who? The king!?” she asks, shocked. “Oh goddess, no, he’s like family to me!” she says, pretending to gag. “Why would you think he had marked me?”

“Well, earlier he asked to mark me… I just thought, maybe that’s what he does with all his recruits, like a brand,” I answer shyly.

“No, honey. He wanted to mark ~you~ for a completely different reason,” she says with a wink.

I blush and look down at my hands that I’m nervously fiddling with.

“Okay…so what else is on your mind?” she asks attentively.

I pause for a moment, thinking about how to phrase my question.

“Is it true what they say about him? That it’s either join his royal army or be killed? Is it true he killed his father for the throne?” I ask.

Dinah’s eyes widen in surprise.

“That’s some serious gossip you’ve been listening in on! All I will say is that no one is forced to join the army against their will.

“I’ve been acquainted with the Alpha King since we were just kids. There’s a lot more to those rumors than meets the eye. But I don’t think it’s my place to spill the beans,” she says, her tone serious.

I nod, understanding her stance. We fall into a comfortable silence before the conversation picks up again. We spend hours talking and watching TV, sharing laughs and jokes.

Dinah has a knack for humor, and in some ways, she reminds me of Daisy. I can see a strong friendship forming between us, given the chance.

Dinah seems lost in thought for a moment, then abruptly stands.

~I bet I know who just mind-linked her.~

“Well, I guess it’s time for me to head out! I’ll catch you tomorrow for some shopping!” she announces, waving goodbye as she heads out the door.

The enticing aroma of citrus and pine needles wafts in from the hallway. A mix of excitement and nervousness twists my stomach into knots.

~Oh my! What should I do?~

~He’s on his way back.~