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12 - The Bad Apple
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Marked by the Alpha King 13 - The Goodwill
“You sent for me, my lord.”The Alpha King rose and beckoned her to come closer. Baka kept her eyes trained on him, wondering what game he was playing at this time.“Look at Baka,” he ordered.“My lord?” came Odessa’s insipid reply.“Did I stutter?”Baka saw Odessa’s throat bop and knew the girl was frightened to death. She could summon neither pity nor glee.“Are you looking?” he asked, his tone menacing.“Yes, my lord,” Odessa replied as she stared at Baka, her lips quivering. The look in her eyes told Baka that she had begun to suspect what this was about.“Good. Now tell me what you see.”“My lord?”“Are you deaf as well as dumb? Tell me what you see.”“Nothing, my lord. I see nothing.” The air became brittle as the Alpha King walked slowly towards Odessa. She was visibly shaking.“Look again.”Odessa looked confused. “I see nothing, my lord.”“Is that so? Because I see bruises. Don’t you? On her lip, on her cheeks, on her neck, and even on her belly. Like she was attacked by a wil
Marked by the Alpha King 14- The Interrogation
“Massey the midwife is your mother?” the Alpha King asked with interest.Baka hadn't wanted to admit to anything, but she hadn't had a choice. He was a human lie detector. Plus, they only knew her as a midwife. Not as the wife of the infamous human rebel leader. “Yes, my lord.”Frankly, she was surprised he knew her mother’s name at all. It also surpised her that he chose to call her by her name when other werewolf masters and mistresses never even bothered to know it. They all chose to refer to her as “girl” or “slave” or—her personal favorite— “filth.”The door opened then as Emily walked in, carrying a tray of food. Her gaze fell on Baka and she quickly looked away. She was a petite black girl with a small oval face, thin eyebrows, and long, voluminous hair that she had braided into two pigtails. Her brown dress— modest and long like Baka’s had been— hugged her small frame. She was beautiful, more beautiful than Odessa whose face bore harsh, hard lines around the eyes and jawline
Marked by the Alpha King 15 - The Invitation
“I heard you fired my slave,” Takoda announced as he lounged on his couch. “Is that why you summoned me like a slave?” Tatum bit back. He stood a few steps away from the door with his arms crossed.Takoda’s mate, Tania, was sitting on their bed, rubbing her belly. She didn't seem particularly interested in their conversation.“I meant no offence, little brother,” Takoda stated in a tone that made it very clear that he did in fact mean to offend him. As Tatum always did, he refused to rise to the bait.Since his coronation as the Alpha King, Takoda had been looking for ways to set him off. Try hard enough and he might just get his wish.“I simply want to know why I am suddenly without a slave.”Tatum uncrossed his arms, realising that folding it in front of his older brother in that way made it look like a child throwing a tantrum.“You can get another one.”“What if I want to keep that particular one? Hm? Don’t I, as your older brother, have a say in who I want to retain? Or is this a
Marked by the Alpha King 16 - The Observation
Long after the Alpha King had left the room, Baka had gone downstairs to the slave’s living quarters.It was a much bigger room than what she was used to at her former prison and unlike it, there was proper ventilation.They each had beds of their own too. Odessa’s bed was cleared out. Baka felt nothing over her departure. Aja and Emily seemed to avoid her gaze altogether. It wasn't from resentment, she realised. They were afraid. They were no doubt aware of why Odessa had been kicked out and were simply keeping their distance. Although she understood their reasoning, the aloofness towards her didn't hurt any less. After twenty minutes of unbearable silence, Baka left the room. She found her way back to the Alpha King’s room and laid down on the couch. She still felt weak from the illness but she was beginning to feel strength returning back into her bones, and her fever was breaking.Unfortunately, her body still ached from the bruises Odessa had left her.Baka’s thoughts unwitti
Marked by the Alpha King 17 - The Confrontation
“Don’t rip his head off, Tatum. I’m right here,” Mother Tina announced as she traipsed through the long corridor decorated with images of their family.Relief flooded through him as he rushed to meet her.“Where have you been?”Mother Tina eyed him. “Am I a child that I should tell you where I’m going?”Tatum stared at her, looking for any signs of dis-ease. She seemed to be doing okay. At least on the surface. “I was concerned.”“How touching.” She was still bitter over their last meeting. Her long blonde hair had been pulled into a ponytail and the long floral dress she wore almost covered her toes which were covered in dirt.“Did you go for a walk?” Tatum asked as they both entered her room, she leading and him following closely after her. Alec remained at the doorpost. Mother Tina’s room was spacious and smelt of heavy incense. The smell had always affected him negatively, so he rarely ever came into her room. Even now, he felt the beckoning of a body-shaking sneeze on the horizo
Marked by the Alpha King 18 - The Visit
It was late noon when the Alpha King returned to his living quarters. He had been sorry his mother-in-law had decided to drive a wedge between them, but he had no regrets. Instead, he looked forward to seeing Baka and practically raced to his room. Not being around her made him feel unpleasant.It had barely been two weeks and she had started to have such an effect on him.As he pushed open his door, his gaze fell on the couch where she laid earlier this morning. It was empty. Maybe she had gone to see her mother. He had given her permission to, after all and she had wasted no time to act on it. But she was sick. Common sense would’ve told her to wait until she got better. She might be too sick to go wandering around. What if she collapsed under the blazing heat of the sun? Or became the unfortunate victim of one immoral guard?Tatum was aware that some of his guards could be barbaric.He cursed under his breath as he made his way to his cupboard, fishing out his dark cloak. He was
Marked by the Alpha King 19 - The Meeting
Alpha Wally was a huge man. He had muscles for days and could pass for a gladiator if they were into that sort of thing. Somehow, his bald head made his large stature even more severe, and he had a commanding presence that could fool you into thinking he was a barbarian.But on the inside, he was mush. Tatum often saw him with his fraternal twins, Winner and Winnie, being a complete moron just to make them laugh. He was an all round fun-loving dad. Everyone could see that his kids meant the world to him.If he wasn’t going hunting in the woods, he was with his kids, playing games with them and cheering them on when they got into trouble.Sometimes, Tatum felt jealous of their bond. Not because he had lacked it as a boy but because he wanted to be the same way, if not more, with his own kids.Yet he had no kids of his own. His mother had told him she believed he would have a girl.“I wanted a girl,” she had said, laughing at the thought. “But I think God knew I couldn’t keep up with on
Marked by the Alpha King 20 - The Realization
“Where have you been?” Tatum demanded, staring at her crossly.Baka wondered what he was mad about this time as she stood just before the door, her hands clasped in front of her. Had the meeting with Alpha Wally gone awry?“I asked a question,” he snapped.She lowered her head. “I was in the slave’s quarters, my lord.”She had met her mother and Bekon all within the same hour and her heart was glad of it. It was no surprise to have run into Bekon. They were bound to cross paths no matter who she served.The Alpha king eyed her for a minute, then let out a slow breath. “Look at me when you talk to me, Baka.”Why did she need to? Why did he always ask that of her? Most werewolf masters would slap her if she dared look them in the eye. But he wanted her to look straight at him.What was he hoping to find?“I said look at me,” the Alpha King growled. “ If I have to repeat myself every time, what use are you to me?”Her chest burned as she lifted her head up slowly and stared straight at hi
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Marked by the Alpha King Epilogue
Baka stared at her wedding gown, captivated. It was a gown made for royalty and it looked like it was painted on her body. It flowed into a delicate train that pooled around her feet. The floral embroidery on the train was accentuated with tiny pearls and ruffles which covered the bodice and sleeves of the form fitting gown, tapering off on the trumpet skirt.Her hair was pulled up in a messy ponytail with two strands of hair framing each side of her face.She could hardly recognise herself. The more she looked, the weirder she felt. In the best way possible.Henry appeared in the doorway, carrying little Dream in his arms. They’d become inseparable since Rohey’s unfortunate passing and he had taken it upon himself to become a father to her.“Still admiring yourself in the mirror?” Henry chastised. “By the time you’re done, Tatum will be on his deathbed.”Dream, who was playing with his curls, started giggling.Baka glared at Henry through the mirror. “Don’t influence the little gi
Marked by the Alpha King 100. The Sacrifice
“Well, well, well,” Takoda whistled, slamming the door shut. “What do we have here?” He sauntered into the cell, his gaze fixed on each of them, barely lingering on Aksana’s still form. “My disgraced brother, his lover, and her lover. I came to pay my last respects and this is the scene I’m greeted with.”Baka’s heart sank. They were too late. Her gun was useless, and her dagger was with Eugene. Aksana was too far away from her for her to grab her daggers. She was out of weapons and out of time.Eugene grunted. “I tried to stop them but as you can see…” he pointed towards his injured thigh.“Interesting,” Takoda barely whispered, staring at him. “I thought you two were friends.”“And I thought we were brothers,” Tatum spat, his body trembling underneath Bekon’s arms. “You killed my wife and child!”“And you stole what was rightfully mine. We’re even, don't you think?” Takoda argued without missing a beat.Tatum brushed Bekon off him and stepped forward menacingly. “No, Tatum,” Ba
Marked by the Alpha King 99. The Bargain
Someone was clapping. Loudly. The figure leaned off against the wall and sauntered towards them. “I gotta say I’m impressed.”Baka blinked. “Eugene?” She looked behind him, briefly wondering who else was hiding in the secret dark corners of the prison cell. “What are you doing here?”Eugene didn’t answer immediately. He seemed to look past her to Tatum’s cell, as though trying to confirm something.“What are you doing here?” he countered. “You should be at the safe haven. And who’s this?” He added, pointing demurely at Bekon. “A friend.” Baka didn’t have time for introductions. “If you’re going to help us, great. If not, please pretend you didn’t see us.”“Oh, I have no intention of doing either.”His tone sent chills down her spine. Baka lowered Aksana on the ground slowly but did not release her grip on her throat.“Please, don’t stop on my account,” Eugene advised with a strange smile. “Never liked that toad. Feel free to finish her off.”With her free hand and a wary eye on E
Marked by the Alpha King 98. The Infiltration
Baka watched the guards make rounds on the ground and the rooftop, waiting for her opportunity to sneak in undetected. The last time she’d come through these gates, she’d been in a truck. This time she was exposed, dressed to blend into her environment.This was suicide. She knew it. Her brother had said as much. But she wasn’t going to let Tatum die.“Now what?” Bekon whispered beside her. Of all people she didn’t think would come with her on her little rescue mission, Bekon was in the top five. His hatred for the king was well known to her. But when he and Henry had seen that she wouldn’t be convinced out of coming, they’d chosen to come with her. She believed she had a way in. When she’d been captured by Ares, she’d noticed that the cells had small air ventilators that led outside. They were big enough to house a human being. So somewhere behind the city was a direct way into the prison.“We need a distraction,” she replied. “One of you should distract the guards while me and th
Marked by the Alpha King 97. The Turncoat
Tatum was thirsty. As he sat in the stinking cell his brother had left him in, he tried to ignore all the things nature demanded. In truth, he didn’t understand why his brother hadn’t killed him yet. He’d gotten what he wanted. A seat on the throne. Tatum was of no further use to him.Unless he was keeping him around to relish in his humiliation. By now his people and all the territories knew of his connection with his slave. He’d been spared the worst, having been locked up for the most part. His brother had been here a couple of times to gloat. Yet Tatum couldn’t deny that a part of him was relieved that his secret was out. He may not have liked how it got out but there was such a weight lifted off his shoulders now that it was. After Fortune had gotten the truth out of him, he didn’t stand a chance. Takoda had succeeded in convincing the Alphas that his loyalties were divided and they could no longer trust him with the throne, the city or its secrets. But that was the least of
Marked by the Alpha King 96. The Word
Days passed and Baka learnt to fall into the routine of their settlement. She checked on Rohey often even when Rohey had shouted at her to stop babysitting her. The girl was too independent for her own good.Baka’s house, House Phillipi, were on kitchen duty today. She and the girls in her house, which included Mosann, were hard at work washing the dishes they had just used for lunch. The food made here held no candle to the palace food she had grown used to, but it was still pretty good.The girls did their chores in awkward silence as some of them didn’t know Baka and Mosann well enough to strike a conversation. Baka didn’t mind. She needed the peace of mind which ironically always came when working, especially doing something so mundane as dish washing.The boys fetched the water they were using to wash the dishes and some of them hung around waiting for them to finish washing so that they would return the plates back into the kitchen.“Is it true that you were Alpha King Tatum’
Marked by the Alpha King 95. The Toilet
Baka walked into the armoury where young boys were assembling a few weapons while others cleaned it or trained with it. Rohey wasn’t in the kitchen nor was she in her room and someone had told her to check in here. She spotted her brother talking quietly with a boy called Hassan. They’d been introduced during the week she’d been here. She’d found him to be a little weird.“Have you seen Rohey?” She asked once she reached them.Her brother turned to her sharply. “Wow, no hello or hi?”“Sorry,” she mumbled, sending an apology to Hassan with her eyes. “I’m in a hurry.”Henry stared at her for a second and then turned to Hassan, patting him on the shoulders. “We’ll finish our discussion later.”Turning back to Baka, he led her away from the armory and into the pathway towards the tree in the middle of their settlement.“What’s wrong?” Henry asked once they sat on the cemented floor. “You look worried.”Baka decided she didn’t have time to hide the truth from him. He’d only press her fu
Marked by the Alpha King 94. The Safe Haven
A week had passed since Baka left Khandom City behind. Her stay at the safe haven with the rebel group hadn’t been unpleasant. It was small yet spacious, hidden deep inside the woods with lots of armories and underground tunnels. There were about a hundred people living in the settlement and they were all divided into houses. House Philippi, house Rome, house Ephesus, house Thessalonica and house Corinth.They had a day-to-day schedule with routines on the upkeep of their environment, exchanging duties on a daily basis. It was very Henry to come up with such an arrangement. He was a big organizer. His idea brought order to their community.Baka was in house Phillipi. The community had been excited to have the sister and mother of their leader join them. They had welcomed them with open arms and ensured that they wanted for nothing. It was nothing short of amazing.It was as though Baka had regained her family again. It felt so similar to old times she could imagine it exactly as it
Marked by the Alpha King 93. The Vote
The room became more tense as the Alphas looked from the high priestess to Tatum. The high priestesses were known for one thing—power beyond imagining. The most powerful ones could inhabit the full power of the moon goddess herself. One of those special abilities was the power of confession. With one touch, they could get a man to spill any secrets, even those he believed he would take to his grave. It was a horrible invasion of privacy and the kind of sentencing they only gave to traitors who had committed high treason.Tatum had once witnessed a man being confessed when he was a teenager. It was both a fascinating and terrifying sight. It was as though the man had lost all free will, his tongue had loosened like running water, and he simply wanted to please the high priestess who had merely touched his cheeks.It was said that it worked differently for everyone. The weakest of men could become slaves to the high priestess until her death released them from her hold and vice ver
