Chapter Thirty Two

ARIEL

Chloe and I exchanged a glance of disbelief as we stared at the coat in my hands. Xavier's name, clear as day, was imprinted on it. It was undeniable evidence that he was not only hiding something, but that he was also the Alpha King himself.

"He's the Alpha King?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. "But how? Why would he hide his true identity from me?"

Chloe's eyes widened with realization. "Ariel, think about it. The Alpha King has always been a figure of power and authority. If Xavier revealed his true identity to you, it would have changed the dynamics of your relationship. He probably wanted to be sure that you loved him for who he was, not for his position."

Her words made sense, but it was still difficult to process. I had fallen in love with Xavier, not knowing the truth about his true identity. The weight of the secrets he had kept from me suddenly felt heavier than ever.

Just as Chloe and I were about to discuss our suspicions further, the sound of footsteps interr