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Chapter 43: Burning Question
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2024-09-11 14:03:39Chester POV
Outside of my doorstep was Juliana, helpless and in need of care. She was barely conscious by the time she made it to me. Rushing toward her, I caught her just in time before she fell to the ground. Picking her up, I carried her inside across the threshold like a sleeping child after a long car trip.
What was she doing here? She should have stayed in the hospital. Now that she had exerted herself, she could not answer that question. I'd have to wait until later to ask.
I had no choice. It felt like I was locked in a cage, and until she awoke, I wouldn’t be released. Her words were the only things that could set me free. For now, I’d make her comfortable.
Once we were in my palace, I ascended the carpeted stairs and entered my room. Without thought, I brought her to one of the beds. While I laid her down gently, I gazed upon her. With her long lashes and frail appearance, she resembled a baby doe.
Again, just like during our midnigh
Bab terkait
Picking Up an Alpha King Chapter 1 : Dream Dashed
I couldn't believe it. My letter from Moonlight College, one of the most famous colleges in the wolf world, arrived in the mail, and they had accepted me!I read it repeatedly. Was it really true? 'Dear Juliana Anderson,We are happy to say that your application to Moonlight College has been accepted! Congratulations. Here is a list of your next steps to prepare for orientation, enroll in your courses, and get to know where you'll be living.As if it wasn't already amazing to be one of the newly accepted, my happiness was two-fold. I'd finally get a chance to leave my family and live with my lifelong chosen mate, Carl. We could behave as boyfriend and girlfriend without the watchful eye of our parents. It would be great to make our own decisions, not to mention, have some private time. It wasn't as if I didn't like my family; in fact, we were very close, but things were tense between us ever since my stepsister Arlene became a member. Everyone, including my boyfriend Carl
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Squeezing the phone in my sweating hand, I swallowed hard. "A-Are you sure?" I asked, feeling tongue-tied."Yes, definitely. It was the dean who made the notes. We can’t make changes in the system without having our names attached. It’s all about accountability."My stomach was in knots, and my mouth went dry. All I could muster was, "Thank you, that's all." As I hung up, I held my hand to my chest. My heart was thundering as my footsteps dropped heavily on the carpet back to my father's office. I didn't want to stomp like a child, but I was outraged. I deserved an explanation. He wasn't in his office, however. When I rushed in, ready to argue, all I could see on his desk was a sticky note. Picking it up, I read, 'Orientation for Arlene' with a schedule written down. I gritted my teeth. I needed to find him and see what he had to say. After searching the study and the dining hall, I finally located him in his bedroom on the computer. I knocked loudly on the half-open doo
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-09-11Picking Up an Alpha King Chapter 3 : Slapped
Dropping my mouth open in surprise, I tried to comprehend the scene before me. I kept telling myself that I was having some drunk nightmare, still at the bar, dead asleep, but I couldn’t fool myself. It was real. "No," I mumbled, but not for lack of passion. I was too shocked to say anything else. I couldn't believe my stepsister and boyfriend could do this to me. I wanted to yell and maybe even attack them, but I suppressed my impulses. My only other option was to leave, but I was too stunned to move.I was frozen with horror when I heard Carl's soft yawn as he slowly woke up. At first, he seemed relaxed and calm, but once he saw me, he widened his eyes in horror and hopped out of bed, frantically pulling his clothes on. I gasped. Maybe I didn’t hear voices, after all. Perhaps it was just instinct. Although it hurt, I was glad I trusted myself to check. This was horrible!"Wait, Juliana, it isn't what you think!" he exclaimed pleadingly, pulling his clothes on. He banged his k
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My heart jumped into my throat, and I felt so devastated. In all of my eighteen years, this was the first time my father had ever put his hands on me. What compounded the pain and shock was that he did this in front of Arlene. His physical, visceral reaction had been to punish me in front of his stepdaughter, and of course, that sealed their relationship. He was my only blood parent left, and he had just turned against me. I covered my cheek, dropping my mouth open in shock, feeling tears collect in the corners of my eyes. "D-Dad?" I asked, as if he was a stranger. In a way, he was. This was not the father I had known most of my life. Instead of responding in any way, he ignored me, walking over to comfort Arlene."Are you alright, honey?" my father asked her. My chin was wobbling as I forced back sobs while watching him console her. The feeling of betrayal was so cutting, like a deep trench in my soul. The longer he pretended I wasn’t there, the more butchered I felt. Of cou
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-09-11Picking Up an Alpha King Chapter 5 : Captured But Not Alone
It wasn't the first time I'd experienced bloodshed, but it had been quite a while. A decade, in fact. When I thought back to that experience, a shudder ran through my body, and my heart ached from the memory of my mother's untimely death.I despised fighting and killing ever since then and avoided it at all costs, making this encounter not only terrifying in and of itself, but re-traumatizing.Flashbacks of my mother's corpse popped up like photographs in my mind. Having no control over my exposure to this violence was increasing the tightness in my chest as anxiety flooded me.Adding to the perfect ironic ill-fated icing on the cake, my mother had been killed not by another pack but by rogues, and this group seemed to share the same traits. From what I’d heard, rogues were so vicious they’d eat anything, even their own kind.As each slash from their sharp fangs cut through the flesh of my companion travelers, I cowered further. Blood painted the once lush chartreuse grass with cri
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-09-11Picking Up an Alpha King Chapter 6 : Shimmer of Light
The bottom slit of the basement door was illuminated with the faintest beam, and through that sliver of brightness, I knew I was staring at another person; a young man. What had taken me aback was his appearance. I didn't have all the experience in the world when it came to men, but as the tiny source of light flickered over his face, I realized I was staring at one of the most handsome faces I'd ever seen. For a moment, I lost my breath. He was strikingly gorgeous yet pale, perhaps an indication of how long he'd been down here. Feet from upstairs passed by, blocking the shaft of light causing a slow-motion strobe effect. The shimmer cast the brightness in different lengths over his body's sitting frame. It didn't take long for me to realize he was in specialized chains the rogues had designed, forcing him to remain down here. "What happened to you?" I whispered, unable to withhold my words. It was clear that he was in pain, but I wasn't sure why until I examined him more clo
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With my upper body mostly naked, he quickly removed my bra with a simple snap of his fingers. I shuddered in horror, suddenly realizing that he had done this before. Nobody could expertly remove the fastener in that swift a manner unless they had plenty of practice. After my breasts and stomach were entirely bare, he stood back, swaying, with a sick smile of lust on his face while he looked me up and down. I swore part of his enjoyment derived from the fact that he bound me with nowhere to go. He enjoyed that this was against my will. Even though I knew what was about to happen, I screamed “No!” so loudly my voice cracked. I tried pushing at him, wrestling with all my might against him. "Leave me alone, Alston!" I made efforts to kick anywhere on his body I could, but he was too strong."I can't leave you alone. You're too beautiful, and I want to devour you. I just knew you had a perfect body underneath those clothes, waiting to be taken by me." He laughed under his breath in a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-09-11Picking Up an Alpha King Chapter 8 : The Rogues' Maid
Chasel POVThe next morning, I woke up in Juliana's arms. Still groggy, I tried to recall what happened. I remembered that I was feeling sick, and she held me, using her clothes to keep me warm with her body heat. This was remarkable and unbelievable. Was it all a trick? I couldn't believe this girl had done such selfless acts for me. Her behavior, both mentally and physically, made me a little uncomfortable. I tried slipping out of her arms unnoticed. It didn't work, however. Maybe she was naturally a light sleeper, but her eyes fluttered open as soon as I moved. I noticed how long her eyelashes were as she asked, "Are you feeling better?"From the concerned expression on her face, it was as if my wounds were hers, too. She furrowed her brow, and her eyes became wet, threatening to spill with tears as she scanned me. I couldn't help but lower my guard after witnessing her compassion for me. Why did she feel this way for me? When I didn't answer her about my state of health,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-09-11
Bab terbaru
Picking Up an Alpha King Chapter 43: Burning Question
Chester POVOutside of my doorstep was Juliana, helpless and in need of care. She was barely conscious by the time she made it to me. Rushing toward her, I caught her just in time before she fell to the ground. Picking her up, I carried her inside across the threshold like a sleeping child after a long car trip. What was she doing here? She should have stayed in the hospital. Now that she had exerted herself, she could not answer that question. I'd have to wait until later to ask. I had no choice. It felt like I was locked in a cage, and until she awoke, I wouldn’t be released. Her words were the only things that could set me free. For now, I’d make her comfortable. Once we were in my palace, I ascended the carpeted stairs and entered my room. Without thought, I brought her to one of the beds. While I laid her down gently, I gazed upon her. With her long lashes and frail appearance, she resembled a baby doe.Again, just like during our midnigh
Picking Up an Alpha King Chapter 42: Royal Dreams - Angela
Juliana POVWhile I was in a coma, I didn't lose my senses entirely. Snippets of feelings like stinging pinpricks from inserted needles and muffled voices haunted me like ghosts. Though I should have been afraid, I wasn't. Even though I didn't have my wolf yet, my body was healing at an accelerated rate compared to humans. Somewhere in my subconscious, I knew I'd wake up soon. But in the meantime my brain was alight with activity. During my coma, I only dreamt of one person. Chasel. At times, my visions were filled with him rescuing me in Alston's dimly lit basement, covered in wounds and weakened from herbs. Though those visualizations were slightly negative, he was still my savior. My only other dream depicted him as a leader wearing an intricately designed golden crown encrusted with symmetric precious jewels. The lights above him glimmered against the rubies, causing pink reflections on the wall. His clothing was of the utmost quality as
Picking Up an Alpha King Chapter 41: Your Majesty
Juliana POVThe prison was a dank dungeon devoid of illumination except for the swinging light bulb from the torture closet. Before this experience, I had learned to treasure luminosity. Without it, I felt like a plant starved from my source of food. And just like that plant, I was wilting under the deplorable conditions I was forced into. Being locked in the basement as a child, then again with the rogues, and now here, these warriors were triggering me into an elevated state of panic. My adrenaline surged and somehow kept me alive, yet I wasn't sure how much longer I could take this.The lack of a clock jumbled my circadian rhythm, too. I thought that perhaps I'd find a digital clock with neon red numbers, but there was nothing. The ticking from the second hand on a battery-operated clock was absent, too. This prison was purposely created this way. Add to those disorienting features the fact that I was in and out of consciousness because of the ang
Picking Up an Alpha King Chapter 40: Tight Quarters
Arlene POV continuedListening to the maid struggle and choke was satisfying. It was a means to an end. What was she thinking, trying to blackmail me? She had no idea that I was the python and she was the baby bunny who crossed me.Luckily, my quarters had a closet with clothing in it, including neckties. Earlier, I'd laid one out on the bed. It was silky black and navy blue stripes with white accents. I wanted to practice looping it so I could flawlessly tie it for the Alpha King. When I won, of course. Now, it was my tool to teach her a lesson. There wasn't any way I was dropping out of this competition. I just had to get rid of this loose end. "I can’t let you live knowing what you know. You deserve this!" I twisted the tie taught, dragging her feet along the carpet until my back was against the wall. I positioned myself firmly, keeping her close. The maid gasped, grabbing at the necktie, jamming her thumbs, and mashing her knuckles against my arms. She was
Picking Up an Alpha King Chapter 39: Arlene's Plan
Arlene POVI was quite pleased with my life. Things were going exactly the way I'd planned it. The princess, whose name was Jennifer, had been poisoned. Even though the doctor had rescued her, she was weakened and had to be monitored at the hospital. There was too great a chance that she'd acquire a secondary infection. She also had an allergic reaction to it. That was the real deadly part. What she ingested wasn't something that couldn't kill her right away. It would take weeks or months and massive amounts. It was only meant to make her leave. Her almost dying was a bonus. She was more than likely going home, and consequently, she was out of the competition for the Alpha King's Luna. Jennifer's father was the alpha for Crystal River, a loyal ally to Moonlight, though. Because of their decades of connection, Jennifer had a better chance of becoming Luna if she remained here. Of course, this meant she was my biggest competitor if she was in Crystal River. I
Picking Up an Alpha King Chapter 38: Acute Accusations
Juliana POVMy anonymous visitor wasn't satisfied with my answer and didn't appreciate my opposition. He paused, taking a deep breath. I sensed he wasn't someone to be trifled with as he stood inhumanly still. The way he carried himself made me think he was high up in Moonlight's ranks. Otherwise, how could he free me?After adjusting his velvet hood, he continued, "If you want your freedom, this is your only chance. Consider this carefully." His voice was precise and confident. His offer wouldn't last forever, and I feared he'd renege if I made him angry.I wrestled with this moral dilemma. Obviously, someone constructed this crime, so I'd be charged. It wasn't food poisoning like Arlene suggested. The act was deliberate. Maybe the guilty party was this person standing in front of me. Whoever he was, he was probably in cahoots with Arlene or just an opportunistic, though ballsy, bastard. Trying to implicate the Alpha King was playing with fire. I wondered just who t
Picking Up an Alpha King Chapter 37: Poisonous Plans
I was shocked at their accusation. Leaning against the stainless-steel countertop, I took a moment to gain my bearings. Was I being accused of this crime for real? I felt faint; this was so sudden. The warriors converged on me, using their height and muscular bodies to box me in. "Poisoned a princess? How could you believe such a thing? I'd never do that–""Save your breath. You're the head chef here and our number one suspect."They cuffed my wrists, roughly jerking me out the door. As we left the kitchen, they led me down the marble stairs, by the fountain, to their car. Carelessly, they shoved me inside. I stared at the serene scene that Chasel and I had visited nightly. Did this mean I wouldn’t see him again?Heartbroken, I asked, "Where are you taking me?" "To the prison. That is where criminals go." They laughed in unison at his sarcastic drivel. I tried swallowing, but my mouth was dry from panic. Why would someone poison a princess? Surely, there wa
Picking Up an Alpha King Chapter 36: Secret Meetings
Chester POVJuliana...her name represented a part of my past, and when I thought to myself, I heard it in a whisper. This was a special experience for me. Since I'd been born, I knew I was Hartford's successor and now, the new Alpha King of the future. My name was known and never questioned. I came with notoriety. The Hartford Alphas were respected and revered. Most people avoided us. While I didn’t prefer being in public when I was, nobody approached me. If anything, they dreaded my cold stare. People only ever feared or admired me. Nobody took care of me like Juliana did. She did it without thinking. Here I was, the alpha, and this little girl was as free as could be around me. She didn't feel self-conscious or intimidated. Of course, she had no idea of my true identity, but something told me she wouldn’t alter her behavior, and I liked that about her. However, there was that risk, and I didn’t want to take it. Without my memories she could very well be manipulating
Picking Up an Alpha King Chapter 35: Chester or Chasel
The breath left my lungs. I'd never expected to see Chasel, period, much less in the castle. I could barely contain myself as I rushed up and hugged him tightly. He was here!"Oh, Chasel, my love! Where have you been?" I was nearly squealing, pressing him to me. “What in Moon Goddess's name are you doing here?" My heart was racing. ”Not that I don’t want you here. I’m so glad you are!” Instead of the affection I'd imagined, yearned for, and craved, I got nothing. No warm embrace or expression of pleasure. Instead, he pushed me away from him. His rejection felt like the cutting wind of a cold winter's day. Why was this happening?All this time, I'd been pining, unable to stop thinking about him, and this was the last thing I expected. I couldn't wait for him to be a part of everything I'd done, but this wasn't the Chasel I knew. He stared at me with a slight squint of bewilderment, like he couldn’t see me. I was unable to reconcile what was happening. "Who are you?" he as
