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Chapter 16 : Afternoon Heat in the Garden
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 17 : Hunting the Rogues
Finally, a solid lead on the rogues! Everyone starts talking at once, excited.Queen Elayna holds up her hands to quiet us. “You can’t hunt these criminals on an empty stomach. You can all take a few minutes to finish your dinner.”Jordan blushes with a frown. “She’s right. We’ll need our strength.”We all sit back down and attack the mouthwateringly rich stew. Elayna nags at us to slow down. “You’re not pigs at a feeding trough!”Her comments about my father aside, I admire the former Luna. We finish our food and even enjoy dessert. Elayna knows that she can’t hold us back much longer. “Go with my blessing, pun intended,” she says. “It’s obvious your sons got their wit from you,” I say with a smile. “Thank you. I’ll head out immediately.”This is why I came, why I’m here, and I’m eager to stretch my legs and do what I’m good at: hunt. Kent shakes his head. “We’re coming with you. This is our fight, too.”“You can go first and draw their attention, Aurora,” Jordan says, thi
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 18 : Team Effort
My teeth sink into the ear of the nearest rogue, a brown wolf with shaggy and extremely thick fur. It’s like biting into heavy wool yet it’s no match for my teeth. There’s a yelp of pain as the rogue tears away, shaking me loose. I slam into the wolf and hear the whoosh of wind being knocked from his lungs. The other rogues snarl and circle me. They don’t stand a chance. One of them is too impulsive and wastes all his energy leaping at me. I knock him out with my paws. The wolf I targeted first has the sense to run away, but I slam into him again, hitting his head and he drops to the floor unconscious. The third howls to alert the others, but I make short work of her as well.All three opponents lie on their sides on the ground, still and silent. The heat of battle is exhilarating. I haven’t had such challenging opponents in a while. It feels good to use all my strength and skills even though it’s for a temporary pack and now my own.The remaining rogues head for the valley at fu
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 19 : Troubled Victory
With the rogue lying dead at my feet, I stand, unable to move a muscle. Stole me from my parents?What slander is this? It has to be lies. The dead rogue couldn’t have been speaking about my kind and decent father. The rogue was about to lose her life and she had to salvage some self-respect and pride. She had to do something to try and even the score. That was all. But still, my heart is troubled.As I stand there bewildered, I don’t even sense the attack coming until too late.Burning agony pierces my side and I howl in pain, doubling over.I look down at my side to see the dagger piercing my skin. I can smell the silver emanating from the burning blade.“AURORA!”My mates all shout my name as I press my hand against my side. I’m determined to stay on my feet. I will not fall, I will not crumble, not before these rogues and not in front of my mates.The rogue gets in my face, his teeth sharpened. “I’m going to kill you slowly.”Wiley appears behind him, his eyes cruel. “Y
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 20 : The Royal Treatment
It takes every ounce of self-control not to scream that she’s a filthy liar.“Your father has always been power-hungry,” Jena continues. “I see,” I say, keeping my composure and a straight face. “Anything else?”She looks at me with more than a little sympathy. “That’s all I know, I swear.”My wolf whines softly. Jena Aldenwood is telling the truth. That is, she believes what she’s saying. It might be a disgusting lie, but to her, it's an absolute fact.She throws down her spoon. “When can I leave here?”“You tried to kill one of the pack Alphas. What do you think?”She leans forward. “They fed me the food that they ate themselves. I think they’re reasonable. I’d rather take my chances with them than try to escape.”“As if you could.”Jena shrugs. She has a pretty, delicate face. “Even if I could, it’s a different kind of prison out there.”“You’re tired of running and hiding, I bet.”She hugs herself, looking way too young for this life. “I’ve never known anything else.”
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 21 : Morning Love
I awaken marvelously refreshed with a warm body wrapped around me.Turning my head, I see Jordan’s face inches from mine. His chiseled features are relaxed and the sun kisses his face. I envy the sun’s rays. His lips are parted, his breathing soft.I look around but don’t see his brothers. We’re completely alone in the bedroom. I don’t hear or smell them anywhere around. It’s just Jordan and me.My wolf prods me to kiss him and I find I can’t argue.I lean in and gently nibble at his lips, then get down to the business of kissing him passionately. Heat surges throughout my body. His lips feel divine on mine, and his tongue wakes up and invades my mouth. His lips come to life and he kisses me back with rising passion. His manhood presses hot and hard and eager against me as he flips me on my back and continues to ravish my mouth. Our combined moans of pleasure ring in my ears. His body is a warm blanket, except no blanket has ever gotten me hot and bothered like this, or rubbed
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 22 : Kings' Weakness
So, lavender is Jordan’s Achilles’ heel, and his brothers’, too.Summoned by me, Phaedra Cascadia clicks her tongue while rubbing salve on Jordan and feeding him anti-allergy medicine. “Lavender, Jordan? Really?”He talks even though he’s coughing so hard he can barely breathe. “Phaedra, do you seriously think I–”“It was my fault!” I hover nearby. “I didn't know he was allergic. I just chose it because it’s relaxing and pleasant. And normally good for you.”It certainly didn’t appear in the information my father gave me. The great Haydon Blessing missed a critical detail? A weakness?Phaedra glances at me, then apparently decides I’m not on her blacklist. “And of course, there’s no lavender in the kings’ suite. We just assumed you’d be spending the night there.”I blush scarlet. How many people in the palace know about me and the Alphas? Is it going to get back to my father? But then, he was in the dark about their allergy.“Jordan!”Kent and Wiley blow into the room, twin hur
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 23 : Facing Elayna
I don’t know how many parlors this palace has, but I’d bet money that I’m sitting in Luna Elayna’s private parlor. Paintings of family members cover the walls. It has so many gorgeous antiques–intricately carved end tables and chairs, delicate vases, and a collection of nature figurines, especially elephants for some reason. She must collect them. This room doesn’t look too fussy, frilly, or overdone. The word is “classy.” We’re sitting at a table with half a bakery’s worth of breakfast pastries and every kind of fruit I could want between us. We both have cups of coffee, and mine is just how I like it. Jordan and I didn‘t eat breakfast, and I’ve worked up quite an appetite. Everything looks and smells scrumptious. I eat delicately, remembering my manners.“Is the food not to your liking?” she asks.Far from it! I could devour everything on this table. “It’s all wonderful.”She swallows a bite of cinnamon coffee cake. “Then eat, by all means. You’re too thin.”She’s a puzzle. “
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 24 : Up Close And Personal
I can’t get Jena’s words out of my mind. As I watch Kent pace in his study, his favorite thinking place, I consider sharing what she’s told me. Is he my enemy or just the kings’? Until I can prove there’s reason to doubt Lucas, I decide it’s better not to bring it up. To my lust-filled eyes, Kent is so mesmerizing and sexy when he’s wrestling with a puzzle. Between the manhunt and a minor crisis demanding the kings’ attention and planning for the Hunter’s Ball, we’ve barely had time together. We’ve spent the last two days investigating rogue hideouts and caught a handful of rogues who, unlike Jena, have clammed up tighter than the kings’ vault. They’re currently in the dungeon. We won’t get any of them to turn on Alpha Rollo. One of the kingdom maps in his study is dotted with thumbtacks indicating rogue hideouts. A couple have X-es indicating we checked them out and came up empty.“Why do some of these sites have more than one thumbtack?” “That indicates a site where Rollo mi
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Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 50 : Mistress of My Mates' Pleasure
Jordan thrusts out his chest. “We dare you to take control of us.”“If you can,” Wiley says with an impish grin.Kent gives me the understated bedroom eyes that always make my knees wobble. “Do your worst.”Relishing my role, I point to him. “I think we have a volunteer–get on the bed. Wiley. Jordan, your seats are ready.”With both his brothers in their chairs, Kent stretches out on the bed, smoothing it around him. I lick my lips and approach him, taking a moment to survey all that manliness displayed before me, his arms extended, his legs open. He looks, oddly, like a medieval painting. Or maybe an ancient Greek sculpture.“Kent, I’m going to drive you out of your mind until you beg for release.”He doesn’t repeat his prompt to do my worst, but his eyes speak volumes. “But first, I need something–and it doesn’t have lavender in it. It’s from Phaedra. Don’t go anywhere.”I dart into the bathroom and return with a bottle of pure sandalwood oil. I pour a generous amount of san
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 49 : Standing Together
Kent breaks the stunned silence. “We want it said that Alpha Arnold had no knowledge of this wicked plot, and was appalled when he found out. He did what any responsible Alpha would do and exiled Haydon Blessing on the spot. The traitor is not welcome in the Nightstalkers’ kingdom or ours.”The guests’ eyes turn to red and gold. Growls of righteous fury fill the room.Alpha Arnold raises a hand and Kent nods at him, beckoning him. When he approaches us, we move to make room for him. In a solemn voice, he says, “On behalf of our entire pack, I apologize for this betrayal. Haydon Blessing was my friend, but the man I saw tonight was not him. I’m certain that his mate, well-loved in our pack, knows nothing of this. I know this news will break her heart. She will be protected, make no mistake–if the traitor tries to get to her, the entire pack will come after him tooth and claw.”Jordan says in a strong voice, “Make that BOTH our packs.”Every Ruby Nightclaw shifter in the room howls t
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 48 : Aftermath
Their hands are in my hair, and their arms are around me, comforting me. Alpha Arnold murmurs something I don’t catch. It sounds sympathetic. Jordan answers him in a low voice, and I hear Alpha Arnold’s footsteps as he leaves us alone. “He doesn’t blame you,” Jordan whispers.“I should have told him.”It should never have gotten this far with my father. I wish I had said no to him. But who else would he have sent? At least this way I came here and found out the truth. In case he tries to recruit anyone else for this gruesome task, my mates and I will spread the word. The idea makes me quake, but I think we have a duty to warn people about the vile things my father has been saying about the Leavenworths. He might attempt to smear my name, too, although his influence disappeared with him. I didn’t even get to ask him about why he thought a stolen Alpha’s daughter would help him in his warped ambitions. Just as well. He’d just lie and twist everything around and play the victim. Thr
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 47 : The Quality of Mercy
“Do it, if you have the courage,” Haydon taunts my mates. “Kill me in front of her. You’d break her heart and you know it.” My heart is already broken by his actions and words now. “I should be running this pack,” he continues. “I’d be a much stronger leader.”“We’ll just see what your Alpha thinks of that,” Kent shoots back.“Right now, if I were you, I’d be more worried about Aurora.” Haydon looks sorrowful. “You claim to be her mates. You’ve moved her into your suite and been seen joined at the tail with her. Do you know what harming me is going to do to her?”He’s still the man who raised me, unfortunately, and I can hear the tenderness in his voice as he says my name.“Let him go.”I have to force the words out and feel sick when he looks at me. I wish I could say I was surprised.Wiley growls in disbelief–the wolf equivalent of “What the hell?”Jordan and Kent look at me pleadingly. “Aurora, are you sure?” Kent asks, always the one to think through things.My tears bu
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 46 : Never Let Them Go
I can just feel my father’s glee at the thought of me beheading the kings. The anticipation is almost more than he can bear. A little anti-silver medicine goes a long way as I throw it on the kings while my knife lowers to their necks.My father bellows, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” He’s noticed that something seems off. But then, this plan isn’t perfect. Almost perfect, and good enough to trap my father. He should have remembered that by the time the prey sees the snare, it’s too late to escape.The sizzling silver wounds heal instantly and my mates leap up. Fully alive, covered in blood, smiling with defiance. Magnificent. “You’re alive?” Even shouting, my father doesn’t sound so confident now.In fact, the veins are popping out on his forehead, a sure sign he’s panicking. His mouth is opening and closing as he fights for breath. “We’re alive and triumphant,” Kent says. “Clearly.”“Your fault for raising your daughter to be the world’s best hunter,” Jordan taunts my father, clea
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 45 : Silken Death
Halfway through the meal, Elayna gets up and strides to the lectern, then addresses the crowd, regal and poised. “It’s time, in this room full of friends and my dear late husband’s favorite color, to present the Morland Leavenworth Service Award. To give out the award, please welcome his sons and your Alpha Kings, Jordan, Kent, and Wiley.”The guests erupt in applause and cheers. Sneaking a glance at my father, I see something no daughter should have to see on her father’s face. Vicious hatred for my mates.I turn my attention back to the lectern where Jordan, Kent, and Wiley stand proudly in blue, red, and yellow. Jordan begins. “My father loved a good party. Nothing would have made him happier than to see this ballroom crammed with people. He loved to entertain. He was thrilled when his friends enjoyed themselves in his home. Although, as the night wore on, he often had his fill of socializing and would either take a walk in the galleries around the ballroom or in the garden. I
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 44 : Royal Debut
Peeping out into the ballroom, waiting to make our grand entrance, I see a sea of faces all talking, laughing, and bedazzling. Jordan adjusts my moonstone necklace, called the Tears of the Moon Goddess. Made of 24-karat gold, it has layers of moonstones linked together. The matching bracelets set the dress off strikingly, and he checks the clasps on them.“These are just breathtaking,” I say. “Thank you for this gift.”Jordan, radiant in blue and gold silk, kisses my shoulder. “Treasures for our treasure. Are you ready?”“Do I look ready?”“You look blindingly beautiful,” Kent says. He’s chosen to wear red velvet with gold trim. I spot Brynna in the crowd talking to one of the lords at court. “She looks fantastic,” I murmur, with a grumble in my voice.Sharp-eyed Wiley, in a yellow silk suit, follows my gaze. “So, what did she do to you?”I sigh. “Stole the boy I liked when she knew I liked him and never apologized. She could have had any boy in the pack, but she picked him.”
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 43 : Demanding Proof of Death
I spend the rest of the day planning the ball with the kings and Elayna. After much deliberation, we all take a vote on the theme. We vote by secret ballot and Natasha and Stewart get a vote as well. Jordan and Elayna vote for the red with wolf pups.Kent, Wiley, and I vote for the yellow.Natasha votes for the autumn-patterned one.Stewart votes for the green with the hunter’s bow. Elayna doesn't seem crushed that yellow won. “It’s perfect,” she declares.Kent and Wiley hug her. “It’ll look spectacular,” Wiley says. “I love yellow, just like Dad did. Now, about the music–”“We decided to give your friend’s band another chance,” Kent says. “It turns out that the tavern brawl was blown out of proportion.”Wiley howls with glee. “Thank you!”I shake my head, smiling. Elayna looks less than convinced, but she doesn’t make an issue of it. If her sons are happy, she’s happy.Elayna is still looking over the menu. “Well, I just wanted to be sure. I wanted to have those little b
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 42 : Old Friends and Old Lovers
“I’d be honored to be your date,” Brynna says to Jordan, deliberately ignoring the deafening silence and the stony looks.This must be breaking every rule of royal protocol, and considering my assassination attempt, I’m hardly one to throw the first stone. But Jordan didn’t exactly give her any encouragement. Whatever Brynna’s faults, I thought she knew how to read the room. And the room is saying, “Go away.”She’s always been the sophisticated one, even as a fellow hunter. When we were growing up, she’d spend hours doing my makeup and hair and trying on clothes with me. My mother approved of that because it balanced out all the hours hunting in the woods with my father and coming back with mud in my fur. To my mother, you could still be a hunter and be feminine. Shifter women have balanced both for centuries. I was always hungry for a sister. As an only child, I craved that sibling experience. Derric was a wonderful friend and I had other girlfriends in the pack, but there are thi
