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54. The Masked Man
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Marked by the Alpha King 55. The Lover
The kitchen was a mess. The dishes were voluminous. They filled the sink, the counter, and several huge buckets. Baka stared at them in horror.It would take all of them, a small village, and the king’s army to finish those dishes. Her body was beginning to revolt against her for the hardship she was putting it through.“How long do masquerade balls last?” she asked Aja who was standing next to her with a similarly appalling expression as she towered over the sink.“It's not set in stone,” Aja replied with her hands on her hips. “Guests just sort of…. start dispersing slowly.”“Okay, but from your experience? How long?”“Till dawn.”Baka whimpered. At the rate they were going, she would finally sleep next year. She was very positive that she was going to faint from exhaustion. “Instead of standing around and complaining, start washing the dishes now!” Carlton yelled from behind them as he toasted meat on the fire.He’d been cooking all night. Some guests kept asking for a refill or
Marked by the Alpha King 56. The Helping Hand
Long after the masquerade ball had ended, Tatum stood on the balcony in his room, watching the starry skies.It was peaceful and surreal, unlike the masquerade ball. He’d smiled and held idle conversations with Mother Tina’s guests when all he had really wanted to do was be in his room, enjoying the quiet solitude.He had put off joining the guests downstairs long enough until he couldn't hide anymore. His absence wouldn't have gone unnoticed. Takoda was better at events than he was. Attending them gave him a headache. In the past, he made excuses to get out of attending them because he didn’t want to have one of his spells and have people aware of his ailment. It would make him weak in their eyes, and they would’ve used the knowledge of his strange illness against him.Now he was somewhat free of his headaches, thanks to an oblivious Baka. She had freed him of a lifetime of pain, and she had no idea. Still, he was too much of an introvert to be around so many people. The only excit
Marked by the Alpha King 57. The Unwanted Guest
Out in the courtyard, Tatum watched as his betas exercised in the field. Some ran across it while others did push ups.It was early noon and the weather was extremely hot. Tatum had enjoyed running and sweating under the heat. His wolf purred contently as he sat under the Bantaba, pouring himself a cold drink. Before he had left, he checked on Baka to make sure that she had followed his orders to sleep in. She hadn’t been in the slave’s quarters. Both Aja and Emily were not sure when she left or where she had gone.He was annoyed that she hadn’t listened to him, even when it was for her benefit.She was as stubborn as she was beautiful.“Your widower days are almost over, I hear,” Thorin said from beside him. They were both shirtless, having drenched through their workout outfits with sweat.Tatum poured the water down his parched throat, slamming the glass down on the counter with a heavy sigh.The preparations for the selection festival were well under way. By the end of the week,
Marked by the Alpha King 58. The Unsolicited Advice
Tatum raised his brow. “What makes you think there's a woman I'm in love with?”“Just a hunch.”Like him, Eugene had trained his heart, blocking its rate and heat signature from every other werewolf. So Tatum had no way of knowing if he was telling the truth. But he was determined to find out. There was a knowing glint in Eugene’s eyes that unsettled him. Something he had said had caught his attention.“You implied that Gabriel is king because you could never accept being bound by duty to the city. But isn’t it the truth that he’s king because he’s the offspring of your parent’s true mate union?”Eugene shook his head. “It’s true, he’s a true mate kid. But that’s not why he’s king. Our father was ready to give me the title. I turned it down.”Tatum was bewildered. He had never known. He had simply assumed that was the case because his was no different. “Why?”“Why what?”“Why did you turn it down?”“Ah,” Eugene smiled, still sitting in his meditative position. “I knew what it would co
Marked by the Alpha King 59. The Shocking Reveal
Tatum looked at Aksana again. Blonde, pale eyes, plain, and curvy. He could see how she could play a spy. Whatever she did for Takoda, she was obviously betraying her own people in the process. For coin. For position. To be free from a life of slavery. The information she provided Takoda, she did so willingly, whether or not it directly harmed her people. She had completely turned her back on them.The knowledge irked him.“Good day, my lord.” She curtsied and looked him directly in the eye. He found her gaze unsettling, and her small voice didn't match her stature. “A pleasure.”He couldn't say the same. Instead, he nodded briefly and turned his gaze to his brother.“Same spy who informed you about the news from Yundum City?”“The very one,” Takoda snorted. “And she has a very interesting little story to share. Something you’d want to hear.”There was a strange note in his tone that triggered Tatum’s alert response. What now?A small wind caressed his exposed chest and back as sweat
Marked by the Alpha King 60. The Red Ribbon
Baka had woken up feeling awful.She wished she could say it was because she was so tired from the work she had done during and after the masquerade ball, but it wasn’t. Because that awful feeling came from guilt.Guilt over her growing interest for the masked man at the ball. Guilt over missing his laugh and charming charisma. Guilt over the fact that she replayed their electrifying encounter in her head so much that he had penetrated her subconscious and managed to slip into her dream like a thief in the night.And boy, was her dream scandalous. In it, the masked man was giving her a bath. Thoroughly. Teasing her soft spots. Whispering into her ears with his warm breath, making her tingle all over. She couldn't remember the last time she’d dreamt a dream that made her insides warm and had her wishing it was reality. Then she remembered Tatum and her guts tightened into hard knots. Was it possible to fall for two men? What had begun as a mild curiosity on her part had graduated in
Marked by the Alpha King 61. The Instigation
There was a good kind of attention and a bad kind of attention. Baka firmly believed the one she currently faced was the bad kind. The very, very bad kind.As she took every step towards the throne room filled with acute tension, her knees buckled and her heart made giant leaps within her chest.She tried to train her eyes on her mother but her back was to her. She couldn’t see her face—wouldn’t, unless she stood beside her.Her mind raised as she tried to figure out if there was any other reason why they were gathered here apart from the one clouding her thoughts. It could have something to do with that one little secret her mother had refused to tell her about. Something about the late Luna queen. Or more specifically, the baby. But Tatum knew her mother was the midwife who had been present at his wife’s delivery. He had interrogated her about it.If that wasn’t the reason, it could only be one other thing. Baka looked at Tatum again, registering the look of betrayal in his eyes.
Marked by the Alpha King 62. The Trial
All eyes were on Tatum as Takoda and his guards waited for his decision. It was clear what they wanted him to do, Takoda had made sure of it. But he didn't want to see Baka or her mother dead. Although he felt betrayed over her purposeful neglect to tell him about her background, wasn't he also keeping her in the dark on a lot of things that directly affected her?He understood her reasons for keeping the knowledge of her background to herself. But that was her past. it wouldn't be fair to blame her for the sins of her father. Just like he didn’t want her to blame him for his father’s sins. He didn’t believe for a second that she had anything to do with Tia’s death. But could she have also been behind the failure of their crops? Was she working with The Judgement? Was she playing two masters?He couldn't think that of her. But she was the daughter of a renowned war criminal. She had no doubt picked up some skills. There was no telling what else she knew or could do.The new rebel g
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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
