Chapter Four

* Zed *

It was wrong, I know I shouldn't have listened to the voice at the back of my head. But when I held her hands and I got to see her face up close, an urge to kiss her was too strong. Something that I have never felt before. The feel of her soft skin when I pushed the ring on her finger and her touch made me want to get more of her. I could've escape the kiss, the Priest would not insist on me to follow tradition since I am the Alpha King however I was curious of her lips.

As I lowered my head and felt her lips so soft like feathers, I became tempted to kiss her more. I nibbled her soft lips let out my tongue and brushed her mouth with a quick stroke. Damned sweet thing! I have to take all the courage to push myself away and face the crowd before the Priest announces.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Congratulations to the Alpha King and his bride!"

The cheerful announcement coming from the Priest echoes through the crowd after I move away from her just like nothing happened.

"Smile and greet everyone Althea, you have just become my wife. Congratulations!"

The sarcastic remark was to cover my embarrassment then I smirked and took a step away, leaving her starry-eyed innocent face. For I am not sure what I would have done next after that brief but devastating kiss. I gritted my teeth and groaned at the mistake that I made.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

My lead warriors move one by one to greet me. "Thanks, let's all celebrate! Bring everyone now, let them forget the job for for a while. Just don't leave the gates unattended and leave a few guards on the end of the territory."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

From the corner of my eyes, I saw my sister going forward to approach Althea. And I thought it was for the better since she doesn't know anyone yet and I am not going to stay by her side. My sister is a nice young woman and she would never let her feel out of place.

"Your majesty! Congratulations!"

Madine the beautiful warrior from my pack moves forward together with her friends. It's a shame that I have forgotten about her, I almost forgot that she was just around the Palace. I have to remind myself that she is always there to satiate my burning lust without questions.

"Hey, Madine. Glad you came! And ladies, enjoy the feast. Please help yourselves."

She motioned the other two she-wolves to move away, while both giggled and bowed their heads before they left us.

"I thought you forgot about me, Your Majesty."

Her eyes fluttered and her arms wrapped around my neck. Strange but I felt nothing from her touch, I made a glance behind my back and saw my bride's reaction to the sight of Madine in my arms. I smiled at her and then gently removed Madine's arms around my neck.

"Not here Madine, my Father is watching and so is the wolf that I just married."

She pouted and looked behind me. "Oh, but I know that you don't like her Your Majesty. And just look at her, I don't think she is experienced enough to make you happy."

"Right, so here you are ready for my taking. Come on, let's have a drink. Follow me in the wine cellar." My voice was husky as I whispered in her ear.

"Yes your majesty, please take the lead."

Madine's eyes sparkled like dark gems when she purrs and follow me. The smile on my face faded as I walked, I never liked any celebration with my father around. He would just disapprove of me playing around, but now that I accepted what he wants I think that he would leave me alone.

* Althea *

It was mind-blowing, the I felt his lips claim mine in a kiss that lasted for about almost ten seconds. Even when he walked away, I could still smell his scent on my nostrils, warm, manly, and enticing. What I don't understand is how a man's kiss would affect me this way, it's as if he is not as dangerous as he already is. But my heart loved the sensation he brought to my senses and the middle of my thighs, I was never aware that this part of me could throb and ache wanting to be touched just after a kiss.

"Oh, hey! Never mind my brother Thea. He is fond of that woman ever since she became one of the lead female warriors."

The voice of Zeina whom I didn't notice that stands beside me made me look away from him. "Oh, hi. I don't mind that."

She was talking about the gorgeous woman with a mini dress, she clung to him as if they were lovers. But I was still so devastated by the kiss that I couldn't find a way to give her much attention.

"Come on let us get something to drink, the celebration is until midnight or until my brother declares it over. But he would be busy with the greetings of his lead warriors, so we girls need to stick together."

Now that I heard her say that, I wonder what is the role of that female warrior in the Alpha King's life aside from protecting him and the Palace.

"Thank you, Princess Zeina."

She looked at me with wide eyes. "Oh no! Please don't call me that, I don't want my friends calling me like I am that privilege please."

I smiled and nodded. "If that is what you wanted then Zeina it is."

We walk together as the guests begin to gather inside the house, only a few of them barely look at me and bow. The rest just ignore me and only bow to Zeina as she is the Princess of this Palace. "Well, are you hungry Thea? Or shall I tour you inside the Palace? The guests will be eating and having a celebration you know but it seems like my brother has forgotten about you already."

She said that with humor but it is true. I am left with no one and thank goodness that Zeina is here. I looked around me and decided that it would be better, I was not hungry as I had my hunt before the wedding.

"A tour would be better since this place is huge."

"Oh yeah, it is. But it would be better if we head to the master bedroom first, you need to change from the white bridal dress Thea, I wouldn't want that to get spoiled. I believe your luggage is in the master's bedroom by now."

I looked at myself and sighed. Just like that the wedding was finished, I had just become the Luna and the Alpha King's wife but I felt no difference. As we took the huge steps of the stairs I looked around at the paintings and decors in the vast walls. My feet stopped when I saw his painting hanging next to his father, the aura in the painting looked so alive.

"Oh, lovely isn't it? That's my brother for you, he takes up after our great-grandfather. A dominant male Alpha deserving of the title that my father passed down to him. And don't worry too much Thea, I know you don't like how he treats you right now but that is only because he hates being manipulated by my Father."

"Manipulated?"

I furrowed my brows. "Yeah, you know my father was the one who bought you. So my brother got nothing to do with that you are not his choice of a Luna but he needs to follow my father or the throne will not fall to him."

I let out a gasp, is that the reason why he despises her? And he acts cold even when they have just gotten married?

"Oh, yeah I understand but there is no way we can break the wedding ceremony. And I am also honoring my late Father who goes after this will to marry me to your brother."

She smiled. "But you know what I noticed something in my brother's eyes while he was looking at you. Perhaps it won't be long before he changes his mind and eventually makes you his Luna for real."

I shook my head remembering how he had left me and how he was talking to that she wolf. But also I have a recollection of how much he kissed me.

"I doubt that but thank you for saying things that would make me feel better Zeina."

I started walking ahead of her following the steps. "Oh hey,don't be so down Thea, believe me. I know my brother, only that we aren't sure how long he could keep his pride for now and admit that he likes you."

She matched my pace and we headed to explore the vast interior of the Palace before the master's bedroom.