Thank you for reading, commenting and voting. You guys are the best. Love, Kiki
HAYLEE~~Jose—scratch that! At the moment, he was Leo, but the Leo I knew wouldn’t cut me off with a kiss that lasted longer than a minute. Leo tilted my head, and his hand supported my aching back as he deepened the kiss, pouring his passion into me.My eyes were wide open as shock zapped through me. My body was tense and rigid in Leo's—damn, Jose. My body was rigid in his arms as my arin tried so hard to process the situation. My best friend was kissing me. He was kissing me tenderly, and if I was being honest, this kiss could be my first kiss. Alpha Jett had never kissed me on the lips, yet as Jose kissed me, I couldn’t bear the thought of having my first kiss this way. I pushed against his chest with my palms, struggling to break free as soon as it clicked in my head that this wasn’t what I wanted. Or was it the way my body reacted against Jose’s touch? I couldn’t be sure, but thankfully, Jose didn’t try to resist my will to push him away. He pulled back, taking his hands off
ALPHA KING XALEN~~It was hard for Theo to decide if he wanted to be mad at me for referring to Haylee as a slave after many hours of looking everywhere in my home for her or kicking someone in the gut for putting his hands on his mate. But eventually, my wolf decided and seethed within me, “He can’t have his paws on her. Hell, she reeks of him.” And Theo was right. Aside from the fact that the warrior I now recognize to be Allison’s guard had taken a protective stance before Haylee, his scent was also oozing out of Haylee’s body. I would be dumb if I didn’t understand that the duo had been intimate in some way–“He wouldn’t dare!” Theo seethed within me, pumping anger but mostly jealousy into my veins, and my body accepted it, reacting to those emotions.I growled, “I believe I asked you a question.” Haylee tried to speak. At least that was my assumption as I heard her murmurs, but Allison’s guard beat her to it, saying, “She was at the clinic, Alpha King.” I have been the kin
HAYLEE~~“I didn’t mean to hurt you, Haylee. I’m sorry.” Alpha King Xalen said to me in a tone that sounded almost unrecognizable because it was too soft to be his, and for a minute there, the world as I knew it ceased to exist. I couldn’t believe my ears and neither could I get my tongue to function as his eyes locked with mine.“He didn’t say that. Has to be the bugs in your ears, Hay,” Liya said to me, unable to wrap her mind around Alpha King Xalen’s supposed apology as well. Liya’s statement was believable until Alpha King Xalen stepped closer to me, staring at me intensely and mumbling, “I was mad but not at you. Seeing another woman in the same bed I have shared with Laura for many years drove me off the edge, and I just needed to let Allison understand that I wasn’t okay with that.” He was explaining himself to me. Oh, dear goddess. Could I be losing my mind? “It’s no excuse for how I behaved, so I apologize again, Haylee.” Alpha King Xalen concluded, but I was still s
Princess Allison’s POV ~~My mission in the royal pack was simple—make his life a living hell, frustrate him until he abandoned the throne, give my family the chance to take over the rulership of this realm, or, even better, make him marry me in the next three months.If I were being honest, I wouldn’t want to marry a man who was still stuck on his late wife and mate. However, this was politics, and as my father’s oldest daughter, it was my duty to bring the crown home.“He either marries you or dies, Allie.” My wolf, Nala, seethed into my mind as I descended the stairs, heading over to the kitchen. “I mean, what’s the point if he leaves the throne or gets dethroned by the Elders? He has a son, for goddess’s sake.”Nala was one who never took chances. My wolf is the reason I’m so confident, even when Alpha King Xalen is yelling in my face. Nala was a hothead. Fuck that—she was a volcano that looks peaceful but can erupt at any fucking time.My wolf was the reason my dad trusted me t
ALPHA KING XALEN~~I still haven't gotten over the emotions from yesterday. The anger Allison called out of me. The worry and guilt Haylee poured into me. Plus the hunger I had to resist during the moment Haylee and I shared last night. Although she didn’t seem to notice, controlling my hunger around her was becoming harder. This explains the jealousy I felt when I saw her walk in with Jose, Allison’s guard—that reminds me! I need to tell Wyatt to find out who Jose was and how he got to know Haylee. I quickly sent a message to my Gamma, asking him to see me at my main office, where I would be going today, to avoid anymore drama from Allison and unwanted feelings from Haylee. Despite these demanding feelings, I got out of bed and joined my kids in the dining hall. As soon as I entered the hall, Sophia grumbled, “Why is breakfast not here yet? I’m starving."Haylee’s voice hit my eardrums, and I was this close to letting out a deep possessive growl, “I can make something for you,
HAYLEE~~As I rushed after Princess Sophia and Prince Asher with their little sister in my arms, I asked myself why anyone in their right mind would be hellbent on making kids as young as five and three years old sad. What is she driving at?What point is she trying to make? “The same point Dad and Kaylee had been trying to make all our lives,” Liya said to me. My wolf’s response made me realize that people like my dad, Kaylee, and Princess Allison really have reasons to be who they are. My dad claimed he was harsh with me because I was a replica of my mom, but that wasn't enough to abuse any child. Kaylee claimed the reason she hated me was because I stole her life, her mate, and everything from her, but I never did, and even if I did, it wasn’t enough reason for her to give me into slavery and wish me death. After all, she took everything from me, and I still don’t wish her death. In Princess Allison’s case, the desire to be Queen has blinded her enough to kill any sense of h
Princess Allison’s POV~~No reactions?Not even a single one from any of them?Yes, Sophia failed me first, but never in a thousand worlds had I imagined that Alpha King Xalen would also fail me. Or was my intention to wipe out their precious mom and beloved mate wasn’t clear enough? Was I not doing enough?Could I be losing my touch already? Hell, I just got here for goddess’s sake!“Relax, Allie. We aren’t losing touch.” Nala said into my mind, more like seethed. “This shows that we must go lower to get his attention.” “How low are you talking about?” I asked my wolf as I slammed the door to my bedroom. “Do you remember what Dad said before we left home? Nala asked me. I nodded instantly. “He said we have an ally within this pack. Someone close to the Alpha King and that this ally has enough to break Alpha King Xalen’s strong spirit.”“Exactly.” Nala chimed in response. “I believe it’s time we reach out to this ally.”Although my wolf was smart, I couldn’t agree with her at t
HAYLEE~~I was wrong to think the change in my title wouldn’t change my routine. I mean, I have become the talk of the pack, but also people approach me now. Just yesterday, I was walking around the palace with Princess Sophia and baby Jodie when a group of servants who walked past us greeted not just the princesses but me as well.They acknowledge my presence.“I hadn't noticed how much our scent changed when we were demoted by Alpha Jett, until the promtion from Alpha King Xalen,” Liya said to me, enjoying every bit of this new attention even though I knew I would soon shy away from them.I had just put Princess Jodie to bed for her afternoon nap. Prince Asher was also taking a nap, and Princess Sophia was somewhere in the palace, doing goddess knows what. I would have gone in search of the Princess if I hadn’t planned to get food from the palace kitchen, eat, and take a nap right after.However, my plan was interrupted when Benita and two other servants walked into the kitchen j
HAYLEE~~“I’m glad you gave me a chance. You gave us a chance, Haylee.” Alpha King Xalen’s rich voice echoed, hitting my eardrums and sending sweet vibrations through my body. His smile was even brighter than the day. "I promise you, Haylee. I won't let you down.”This was happening?I was giving him a chance.Heck! I would give him a chance because I could tell my life was about to take a new turn.Of course, I still couldn’t believe that the cruel Alpha King was mine. Not just my destined mate but a destined mate who had accepted our bond and vowed to never hurt me. At least not again.So why wouldn’t I smile when he took my hands and stared deep into my eyes? Why wouldn’t my heart flutter with joy and the kind of warmth I had never felt before? That has to be love, right?Was this what love felt like?“Yes, Haylee. This is love. This is our love story, and we have begun the sweet journey of love against all odds.”Alpha King Xalen replied, making it known that he was in my head
HAYLEE~~“Yes, Alpha King Xalen,” I muttered sadly, but his face lit up, which made me realize that my response wasn’t clear enough. So I added to clear up the misunderstanding, “Yes, I’m saying no to trying.”That was so hard to say, but looking into his eyes as the twinkle they once reflected vanished without a trace was so much harder.However, I couldn’t put myself in danger for a man who wasn’t sure about me.“What are you saying? He is asking you to try, Haylee. He is certain he wants this.” Liya chimed with disbelief, mostly because she knew how badly I wanted this.My wolf knew I had waited all my life to be loved by someone who was meant for me. By my mom. My dad. My sister. I longed to be loved by someone who I could call mine, and the one person who seemed to love me, I couldn’t reciprocate.I have waited all my life for this moment, but just like always, life has a funny way of putting me in a tight spot. Why give me a man I can call mine when he is tied to two other wo
ALPHA KING XALEN~~“Busted.” Theo mocked me as my body froze before the woman, whose presence suddenly felt like a magnetic force.One minute, I was ready to move her body away from the door or something, just to get to Allison and pour my anger on her, throwing everything I had planned since yesterday out the window, and the next minute, I felt Haylee’s body drawing me in.The energy was so compelling, and I could feel myself claiming her lips for the second time in what? Three days?And bam! Haylee gasped, “It was you who kissed me, not me.”Those words were a wake-up call from the slumber her scent and energy had dragged me into. I blinked rapidly, taking steps backward, not because I was scared of Haylee but because I was afraid of the fact that she would remember our first kiss as—“You kissed me, right?” Haylee asked this time as if she couldn’t believe I would do such a thing, and honestly, I wouldn't believe it either. “I didn’t initiate it; you did.”The longest minute pas
HAYLEE~~I finally saw it.The affection Jose was talking about, I finally saw it as Alpha King Xalen switched into what I would like to call killer mode. Storming after Princess Allison, who I knew would be back in the palace by now because she left the execution ground before I could get my feet to move, shock and pity perplexed my entire body.I finally felt it.I felt his concern for me, and goddess did it not feel like he hated me at that minute.However, because of what I assumed were Princess Allison’s fingerprints, the moment I didn't know I had been waiting to experience since I perceived this man was destined to be mine was cut short and replaced by anger.As I ran after him, Liya bubbled with joy for some reason, but I was so damn worried as I could see how badly this would end.“This is good, Hay. A man is fighting for us. The most powerful of them all, in fact,” Liya said to me, enjoying the moment more than she should.“This is bad. If he fights for me, Princess Allis
ALPHA KING XALEN~~She shouldn’t be here, not with my baby in her arms.And did she leave Sophia and Asher alone at home?I was trying not to be mad as I thought about why Haylee would choose to leave two of my kids at home and bring my newborn to the execution ground. It’s no news to anyone that children under the age of fourteen are not allowed on the execution grounds.“Might be news to her. She isn’t a member of this pack, after all,” Theo defended Haylee, speaking calmly before I could catch up to Haylee and demand she leave immediately.Or maybe it was the fact that I followed Haylee’s gaze and found Allison and Jose standing side by side that made me change my mind.“If you had made her a part of this pack, you would have been able to speak to her through the mind link without causing her pain,” Theo pointed out, reminding me that even though Haylee had been living here for the past forty-two days, she still wasn’t an official member of my pack.“I will see to that as soon a
HAYLEE~~The tension in the pack was undeniable, and the source of that tension was within the same palace I was living in. I could feel it during breakfast, and even though breakfast ended many hours ago, I could still feel it as Banita, Maeve, and Orla discussed the execution that would be happening soon.“His parents are old, and he is their first child,” Orla muttered with pity.Maeve rolled her eyes. “You can’t pity him, Orla. He dared to touch the Alpha King’s woman. That’s a big crime.”“But seriously, I have known him for years. He isn’t someone like that. I can’t seem to wrap my head around the whole drama,” Orla countered, talking about how the guard who was to be executed in a few hours was her neighbor growing up.Benita didn’t have much to say since she didn't know the guard. The four of us were in the kitchen as usual because that was the only place big enough for all four of us to be at once, and of course, I was holding Princess Jodie, who kept playing with the stra
ALPHA KING XALEN~~In spite of how the previous day drained me, I woke up in a better mood this morning. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I slept with my kids around me and in the bedroom where Laura and I created them.I couldn’t help but smile as I thought about those days.This was the first time I would be smiling genuinely at the thought of Laura, and also last night was the first I would spend in my matrimonial bedroom after Laura’s demise.I believed that was my way of trying to connect with her before I began the fight against Allison—a fight that would save my kids and the realm and probably secure a future with Haylee.“So, goodbye to Laura?” Theo asked me, even though he knew the effect those words would have on me.“She will always be a part of my life, Theo.” I wasn’t saying goodbye. I just couldn't.“If you aren’t saying goodbye, how will you take Haylee? What space will she hold in your life? Will she have to compete with the ghost of Laura?” Theo as
HAYLEE~~“Haylee, we need to talk. Meet me in the garden at dusk. It’s urgent and important. — Jose”My heart raced as I folded the note neatly, my eyes scanning the handwriting I was familiar with hastily.Surely the note was from Jose. He didn’t have to write his name on the note for me to know. A couple of emotions swirled within me: anxiety, fear, and maybe a bit of hope. I had been trying to get hold of Jose all day, but all my attempts were fruitless as he had been in court with Princess Allison.Why did he want to meet in the garden? Why couldn’t he wait by my bedroom door for me or find me somewhere in the palace? What’s with this secret meeting? I honestly hoped he wasn’t about to tell me about his feelings again.“I suspected something was bothering him this morning when he walked past us without uttering a word,” Liya said in my mind. “Whatever he has to say, it’s our chance to ask him about last night. We have to seize it.”Liya was right, yet my heart kept racing as I
HAYLEE~~From the rumors flying around, Alpha King Xalen had a long day—long enough to take his mind off punishing the servants for throwing a party. Or so I have heard. However, I believed I had a longer day because I had been juggling through my fuzzy mind, trying to remember what went down last night, especially between the Alpha King and me.Thinking and having to take care of the kids all by myself didn’t go well together, as the kids needed my full attention.I had been with the kids all day, and now Alpha King Xalen was standing in the living room where I had been with the kids and some man Princess Sophia had introduced as her uncle. I also saw the striking resemblance between the Royal Advisor and the unfamiliar man, but I still couldn’t leave the kids alone with him.This is why Alpha King Xalen walked in and found me in the living room.“There’s tension,” Liya muttered into my mind after Alpha King Xalen and Roy entered. “Definitely bad blood between the cousins.”Oh, I