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32. The Shift
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Marked by the Alpha King 33. The Alpha’s Wolf
Several minutes had passed and Baka hadn't left her seat. She couldn't muster up the courage to walk over to the Alpha King. She could barely stand him in his human form, how was she to contend with his wolf? Coax him, Blessing had said. Say sweet things to him, she had said. Baka had nothing sweet to say to him. Nor could she think of ways to help him remember himself. She was way out of her league here.With great consternation, she got up from her chair and walked extremely slowly towards his wolf.It was sitting on his hind and fore legs, looking straight at her. Blood pooled around it, dripping slowly from a wound in its stomach. It was a giant of a wolf and every instinct in Baka told her to turn around and head for the hills. But she pressed forward.It growled when he noticed her move towards it and she stopped walking instantly, standing very stiffly. She should run. She absolutely should just head for the hills.But after what felt like five minutes, she took one step fo
Marked by the Alpha King 34. The Apology
Three hours later, Tatum felt his wolf's hold against him weakening. His mind was a haze as he tried to remember what had happened and why he was in his wolf form.Did his headache return? Had he blacked out again?Baka’s scent filled his nostrils and he froze. Oh, God. Panic rushed through him as he wondered if he had hurt her in any way. No, please no. He wouldn't—couldn’t.Her steady breathing put his mind at ease and like clockwork, he was flooded with the events of three to four hours ago. His head was on her lap, warm and inviting. Her heart beat was steady and he knew she was asleep. Truly asleep this time. Gently, he urged his wolf to rise up and he strutted towards the bathroom.The sound of bones rearranging came next. He winced, it would no doubt wake her.Sure enough, when he had shifted into his human form and walked out of the bathroom, she was staring at him sleepily.She scrambled to her feet and lowered her head. “My lord.”Her voice trembled with a note of…was that
Marked by the Alpha King 35. The Kiss
The silence was palpable. Baka wanted to scream.“If you want me to stop, tell me now,” the Alpha king whispered slowly, his warm breath fanning her face. She opened her mouth, but no words came. It was as though she was hypnotized. Baka couldn't think of anything else but him at this moment, looking at her like she was the only light in his life. Touching her with so much gentleness and warmth. Talking to her like a lover, a lover she realized with great turmoil she wanted to be.On top of that, he smelled amazing. How? A few hours ago, he had been a wolf, for Pete’s sake. A big black furry looking animal. None of that was evident right now. No, in this moment, he was a man with a broad naked torso and a bulging member.“Please…” she begged. What was she even begging him to do? She wasn't sure if she was begging him to kiss her or to leave her alone. “Please what?” he whispered. His free hand lightly brushed through her hair and settled at the nape of her neck.Her vision blurr
Marked by the Alpha King 36. The Promise
Tatum took a quick shower and got dressed. Feeling a bit under control, he followed after Baka downstairs. Soft voices filled the small space and he slowed his descent. It sounded like Baka and Blessing.“Your man was going to get food for you both before the fight began,” Blessing was saying, holding two plates of food and setting them on the table. “I believe he ordered two sandwiches.”Baka reached for the plates. “Thank you. I didn't think you’d be up.”“I couldn't sleep. Matthew snores like a pig.”Baka grinned. The sight struck Tatum. He didn't think he had ever seen her smile. So little an action moved him to his core.“How about you? Why are you up? Your man isn't giving you trouble, is he?”Tatum held his breath.“Why do you keep calling him my man?”“Well, he is, isn't he? I've seen the way he looks at you and you him. It's clear as day.” Blessing eyed her, and then she suddenly smiled, nodding her head in understanding. “You two had a fight, huh?”Baka shook her head. “We're
Marked by the Alpha King 37. The Lesson
As they got ready to leave the following morning, they worked in companionable silence. The Alpha king was getting dressed while Baka inspected their belongings, making sure nothing was missing.Since their kiss, something had changed between them. Whether it was for the worse or for the better, Baka had no idea.“I didn't know your name was Ruby,” the Alpha king said all of a sudden.Baka looked up at him, then she let out a small sigh. “You were eavesdropping.”The Alpha King shrugged. “It's a pretty name.”“Thank you. It's my middle name. I was named after my maternal grandmother.”Baka went back to inspecting their belongings, going through them a final time. Hearing nothing from the Alpha king, she looked up again to see him staring at her.“What now?”“Just thinking about all the things I don't know about you.”She got up from her squatting position. “What do you want to know?”“Your full name.”“Bakady Ruby Clark.”“Date of birth?”“May twentieth.”“Mine is—”“I know what yours
Marked by the Alpha King 38. The Imposter
They arrived at Avenue City by nightfall.But before venturing in, Tatum reached for Baka’s hand and she looked up at him. “I haven’t been entirely honest with you. This visit may take a surprising turn. I don’t want it to, but it might. I can’t tell you everything just yet, but please, trust me. Okay?”She nodded. Tatum reached for a small container under the car seat. When he opened it, there were six soggy looking tiny brown branches. He took one out and handed it to her.“Chew on this. It’s called Imposter. It masks your human scent for a few hours.”Baka reached for it reluctantly. “Why do I have to mask my scent?”“Trust me, Baka. The less you know, the better.”He could tell she was still struggling with the trust part and he didn’t blame her. If someone had given him these same weird looking branches and told him to chew on them, he would have much the same look on his face.“Please, Baka. Trust me. I will not do anything that would bring you harm.”This was the ultimate test
Marked by the Alpha King 39. The Alpha King Boaz
The Alpha King Boaz’s palace was much bigger than Tatum’s. But the decor was lacking. Despite being a broad expanse of silver ornaments and marble plated tiles, Boaz’s domain was built more for style and elegance than for comfort.Baka couldn't help but note the vast differences between Tatum’s domain and Boaz’s. While Tatum had built his palace for ease and comfort, Boaz cared more for superficial aesthetics and grand interiors.There were at least three statues of him in the garden outside his palace. Inside, rows of family pictures lined the hallway and the throne room.The throne room harboured three chairs, the biggest one in the middle. They were gold plated and screamed lavish. As Baka drew closer, she noticed that so much attention was put into the details. Roaring wolves could be seen etched into all the chairs, a stark contrast to Tatum’s single throne which had wolf fur lining its length, beautiful and simple.They followed after the guard past the throne room and into a hu
Marked by the Alpha King 40. The Childhood Sweetheart
They had put Tatum and Baka in separate rooms. That displeased Tatum greatly. He had seen the way Boaz had looked at Baka, like he wanted to eat her, and it had gotten under his skin.He couldn't sleep and wasn't even remotely sleepy. All his thoughts were of Baka.He wouldn't put it past Boaz to go looking for her in the middle of the night. The man wasn't above rape. The thought chilled Tatum to his core.He found himself jumping out of his bed and heading to Baka’s room. He told himself he just wanted to check in on her, to make sure that she was okay and that that monstrosity of a man hadn't tried to venture into her room via a secret door.Opening his door very slowly, he tiptoed out of his room. He felt silly, acting like a thief in the night. When he got to her door, he pressed his ear against it.Her heart was beating rapidly. She too wasn't sleeping. How could she? She was in a strange palace with strange people and in a strange bed. A bed she wasn't used to.He was about to
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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
