หน้าหลัก / Paranormal / Mated to the Alpha Kings / Chapter 41 : Getting Ready For The Ball

แชร์

Chapter 41 : Getting Ready For The Ball

ผู้แต่ง: Claire Wilkins
last update ปรับปรุงล่าสุด: 2024-10-29 19:42:56
“You pick. I have no idea,” I say, gazing at a table full of themes for the ball. Wiley, Kent, Jordan, and Elayna are all gazing down at it like they’re studying Kent’s and my detailed plan to trap my father.

After the last five days, I’m swimming in sweet love with my mates, plotting to foil an assassination by staging one, and party planning details.

The party, as Elayna reminds us hourly, is as important as catching my father. After all, enough Alphas and important figures have RSVPed to make the upcoming ball even bigger than last year’s. Shifter feasts and balls are usually packed, but this one could break records.

Alpha Arnold was one of the first to respond weeks ago. I both look forward to and dread seeing him on the night of the ball a week away.

Wiley holds up an archery-themed pattern. “I like this one, and the green makes it pop. We are the Merry Men, after all.”

Kent rubs his chin. “We did green and silver last year. Aurora?”

“It’s certainly in my top five.” I hol
บทที่ถูกล็อก
อ่านต่อเรื่องนี้บน Application

บทที่เกี่ยวข้อง

  • 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

  • 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 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 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 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 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 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 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

บทล่าสุด

  • 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

DMCA.com Protection Status