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Chapter 22 : Kings' Weakness
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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
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 25 : Afternoon Love and a Massage
The next day, my quarry stands in the kitchen, arguing over the menu for tonight’s dinner. We didn’t get to eat last night’s meal because we got a tip about rogue activity that led to a late-night stakeout and short tempers when we didn’t nab Rollo.“No, no, no. You can’t serve steak tartare! And honestly, raw meat seems so primitive. They may be debauched degenerates, but Goddess forbid the dinner isn’t to their liking.”Mr. Bricker spins around in a huff and stalks away from the chef, coming face to face with me.“You’re a hard man to pin down, Mr. Bricker.” He points outside toward the kitchen garden. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m overdue for my break.”I follow him into the colorful vegetable, fruit, and herb garden. A cornucopia of freshly grown produce. The tomatoes shine like rubies, the blueberries like sapphires. “This is amazing,” I say.He sniffs. “Only the best for the Alphas.”I gather my courage. “What did you mean before?”“Just that if you had any sense, you’d le
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 26 : Deadly Touch
I’m stunned that my hands could knead bread dough at the moment, much less living warm flesh. I work Jordan’s muscles, rubbing the cream thoroughly into the skin. With the high concentration of lavender, he should experience a reaction any minute now. Nothing yet except his soft sigh of contentment. I tackle Kent’s tense muscles next, massaging between his shoulder blades. His soft sounds of bliss tug at my heartstrings. Next, I pummel up and down Wiley’s straight back, which is already fairly loose from our afternoon of love. If the Moon Goddess takes them now, let it be when they’re happy. They deserve that much, no matter what they’ve done.I can hear my father’s words ringing in my head: ‘They hurt me, Aurora!" I squeeze my eyes shut before I take a deep breath and continue massaging. The scent in the room is too strong because my eyes are wet and stinging.“I could get used to this,” moans Jordan.“Every day,” Kent murmurs, his voice gentle and mild.Wiley groans a
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 27 : Just Like Your Father
With Lucas’ grip clamping down like manacles on my arms, and with the vise of guilt squeezing my heart and soul, I decide to confess to my mates.“I didn’t know you. I didn’t have a bad thought about you until my father fed me a story about you being the worst tyrants in shifter history. That’s how he made it sound.”Wiley let out a hiss. “You BELIEVED that load of crap?”I let out a pained sigh. “And I believed him when he said he wanted to take over as Alpha, even though he’s never mentioned it before.”A contempt-filled silence meets this revelation.“That wasn’t the only thing he didn’t mention.” My voice trembles. “He completely lied about the incident between you–and about everything else to do with you. He said…he said he heard you were using me and were going to throw me away. He said that when I talked to him last night. Again, not something he ever mentioned in the files on you that he provided.”Kent is coolly biting. “Well, MY file on you was accurate–including blind
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 28 : Polite Kidnapping
How the hell did they get in the palace? Who let them in? If I have any future with the Alphas, I swear Kent, Wiley, and I have to have a serious talk about palace security. And by talk, I mean complete overhaul.After the shock wears off, I see one answer immediately. The Stealth Furs royal guards are dressed like the Ruby Alphas’ palace guards. I have no weapons, but I kick and claw and bite and scream until one of my attackers tries to shove a gag between my lips. I sink my sharp teeth into his hand and get the satisfaction of his cry of pain.One of the enforcers hisses, “Unless you want us to kill your guards and anyone who tries to help you, you’ll be a good hostage and come quietly.”My wolf hates these guys, even though I sense annoying self-righteousness from her.I wish she was wrong to feel that way, but part of me is certain I do deserve this ordeal for hurting the men I’ve come to care for—good and decent men and beloved rulers. I become as still and meek as a mous
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 29 : Never Let Her Go
Instead of locking me in my room again, Jordan has picked something that makes me want to bolt. Something that completely surprises me. But these men are nothing if not unpredictable. I’m not in the dungeon, or even in my room.I’m lying on an examining table covered in soft cream fabric while Healer Phaedra, with her cool, gentle touch, inspects every inch of me. “Did they do anything else to you other than foolishly try to take you out of this palace?”“Goddess, no. I did more damage to them than they did to me.”Her eyes narrow. “What did they want?”“Honestly, to start a pack war and unseat the Alphas which will never happen.”“Spoken like a fierce fighter and a true Luna,” she says.A true Luna. She knows. But then, the Alphas announced for all to hear that I’m their mate. And Phaedra is no fool. She’s also a close confidant of these men. I hope she doesn’t know everything. If she does, she hides it well. “You stalled them and kept them off balance and confused,” she conti
Mated to the Alpha Kings Chapter 30 : In the Royal Suite
The lock on the door to the Alphas’ joint suite clicks closed behind us, but I don’t feel one speck of doubt or fear. I’m standing in a living room that is the size of my current bedroom in the palace. A sunken conversation area with comfortable-looking pale red sofas dominates the room. A dining table sits close by. A huge bookcase lines one wall. Exquisite crystal vases full of flowers fill the room, along with a dozen scented candles. A long wet bar occupies one side of the room with all manner of wine and spirits displayed. A chess set sits on a game table. French doors lead out to the balcony. They’re all hovering around me, with sad looks in their eyes. I don’t mind. I could have lost them tonight in so many ways. I don’t want to let any of them out of my sight until morning. “Will you give me the grand tour?” I ask to break the tension. I want to move forward, start anew with them, and put my mistakes behind us. I want to savor this chance we’ve been given. A sizzling lo
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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
