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Chapter 33 - The King's Lineage
Huling Na-update:
2023-10-26 01:59:34
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The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 34 - Mine.
Niall gasps and cries out a little, tucking his head against me as the corpse lands in the center of the ring, a puddle of blood already spreading into the dirt. I move my hand to the back of Niall’s head, tucking him close.I reach to clutch Vivi closer as well, but she swats my hand away - she, like me, can’t tear her eyes away from the horrible scene before us. Coco peers with her, neither of them blinking as they take in of the blood, the full display of what her grandfather is capable of, before I grab her and force her to turn. Coco flutters, unbalanced, but Vivi grabs him and holds him close to her chest.“Does ANYONE,” Mahl roars, turning now in the center of the ring, glaring around at the crowd as if he’ll take on each and every one of us now if we challenge him at all. “Have ANYTHING to say on this subject?”And no one utters a single sound. The only noise is the wind whistling through the arena – no echo of a footstep, no clink of a glass - as we all stand perfectly still
Huling Na-update : 2023-10-27The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 35 - Tempers Flare
“Yes, a coup for Callista,” I say slowly, though everything inside me screams no! That too-sly Vendan Duke is not at all what I hope for Calli, for her future. “But…well, do you think his affection is genuine, sire?” I ask. “Or is he merely…playing with her in order to get closer to you, through me?”“Does it matter?” the Mahl murmurs, rolling his eyes in displeasure with the turn in conversation - and, frankly, a little drunk. Any veneer of delicacy or consideration for my feelings has been neatly wiped away. “She will be useful to us – able to report back what he has said. It is good for a woman to be useful.”I work very hard to hold my tongue now and just say nothing, locking eyes with Calli where she stands across the tent, still at Caspar’s side. She gives me a little smile, but I just shake my head subtly before looking up at the King. Then, determined, I begin to beg him to please let me go to bed, to take my sister with me so that I can warn her about the advances of indelica
Huling Na-update : 2023-10-28The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 36 - The Reality of this World
Auden loses his temper the moment the words leave my lips, but then I watch him reign it back in almost as quickly as it went.Honestly, a part of me would rather see him lose it – rather see him actually vent his emotions, instead of constantly tucking them back inside of himself. Because as much as Auden is Mahl’s double, I have no real fear of his rage.I know that Auden would never hurt me, never hurt my children. Our children. And part of me very, very much wants to push him across his edge, just a little bit, as I tonight have been pushed. I think it’d be good for him.“Are you – are you serious, Everleigh?” Auden growls at me, his shoulders shaking with the effort of keeping his anger tightly wound. “This is my fault now!?”I narrow my eyes at him, clenching my jaw as my wolf again nudges me, reminding me, deep down, that it is not at all his fault – that he’s been working, this entire time, to mitigate all of this – to protect the three of us.But this? What happened tonight?
Huling Na-update : 2023-10-29The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 37 - Misrule
**Midwinter, 5 and a half years ago**Auden takes a steadying breath as he stands at the doorway to the terrace, his eyes fastened on the girl before him who stretches her hands out above the warm brazier. His fingers clench hard around the two glasses of mulled wine in his hands, betraying his anxiety.God, does she even like wine?What if –But then he growls, shaking his head in frustration and forcing himself to take that first step forward. Because he’s being ridiculous, and it doesn’t even matter. The wine is just an excuse to talk to her – she can throw it off the balcony for all he cares.Auden begins to cross the terrace to her, his footsteps echoing on the stones.She turns when he’s about halfway across, just at the precise moment when her scent hits him again.He has to grind his teeth, resisting the urge to flinch, or groan, or drop the cups – because god damn it, but that scent –It’s incredible - black violets, and saffron, and plums, somehow spicy and sweet – conflicti
Huling Na-update : 2023-11-04The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 38 - Into the Woods
**Midwinter, 5 and a half Years Ago** I can’t help laughing as Auden winds us, fast, down the stairs, the butterflies in my stomach matching his pace as he turns and turns. It feels… I don’t know how to describe it - but something about the way we move reminds me of when I was a kid in spring, stretching out my arms and spinning and spinning for the joy of it. I reach a hand out, laughing and grasping at the snowflakes that fall around us now that we’re far enough from the ballroom that they’re not burned up in the heat. When Auden’s pace slows I almost regret the end of the staircase, mostly because it means he’ll put me down. I’ve rather liked the way that he’s holding me close against his chest, and the fact that both of us are pretending to ignore the way his thumb has slipped around to the back of my thigh. There’s nothing scandalous – not really – about that touch, but…well. We both know it’s there. And if my fiancé found out about it? He would not be happy. But the climb c
Huling Na-update : 2023-11-05The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 39 - Reaching for Her
“Be cool, Auden,” he murmurs to himself, resisting the urge to sprint for the guard house by the lake and shout for the guards to get the hell out of it.But no. There is no rush – no need to hurry any of this. So he forces himself to take measured steps across the snow and then up the short set of stone stairs to the door. When he opens it, the guards inside turn to him and freeze in surprise.“Out,” Auden says, nodding towards the still-open door.The guards just stare at him.“You have the night off,” Auden continues, making himself wear the mantle of command that he always assumes when commanding his troops. “I’ll take over from here. Go,” he says, jerking his chin towards the door. “Shift, run back to the castle. There’s still plenty of time to enjoy the festivities.”While the Alphas have their own party, Midwinter is for everyone. The Betas, Gammas, and Deltas who aren’t working have their festivities downstairs. A few Betas stand up eagerly, ready to go, but still others move
Huling Na-update : 2023-11-06The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 40 - A Change of Plan
I flinch away from Auden as he reaches for me, as memories of that night five years ago come suddenly flooding back -It, too, was a night that started on an open-air terrace with Auden offering me wine –And then, a little guard shack in the woods, when we shared a drink by the fire, and Auden reached for me, just as he’s doing now -My breath comes short in my throat as his hand moves for me -But his palm lands soft on my shoulder, not on my waist. He leaves it there a moment before squeezing, his skin warm against mine. “I’m sorry, Everleigh,” he says quietly, his eyes sad. “I was upset –“I gape up at him like a stupid fish for a moment before I force myself to blink, to come back to this moment –Because, of course, of course it’s just me imagining things, flashing back to the memories of a night that Auden doesn’t even know existed -“No,” I say, finding my shaky voice and taking a step closer to him. “I mean – yes – I accept your apology – but I was unfair too. I’m sorry, Aud
Huling Na-update : 2023-11-07The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 41 - Awkward Breakfast
Auden stares at the floor for a moment, not really knowing how to answer Everleigh’s question. Because he is shaken up by what happened last night – more than he wants to admit. Not so much his father’s violence – that he’s seen before.But her response to it – and…And how right she was, asking that question about whether his violence was part of his nature or just something he’s chosen to believe his whole life because it’s easier.God, he’d been up half the night turning it over in his mind.“Auden?” she asks, and he clenches his jaw, realizing that he’s been staring at the floor for too long.“I’m all right,” he says, raising his eyes and meeting hers, willing her to believe it. Because he is, really – he’s been shaken up before, he’ll be shaken up again. But what matters is that he’s…steady. That he’ll hold it together, for the kingdom, for the children…For her, if she’ll let him.But the way she stares at him now, her hands in fists at her side…He sighs, not knowing…what he wa
Huling Na-update : 2023-11-08
Pinakabagong kabanata
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 94 - Obey
I look at him wide-eyed and then down at my leg, which is perfectly smooth.“How did you do that?” I whisper.He shrugs. “It’s just a dream. Things are…the way I want them to be here.”I smile at him, liking that, even though it’s the opposite – things are as I want them to be. But I suppose that it’s not much of a surprise that the Auden in my dream world fixes things for me. “Come here,” I whisper, opening my arms to him, wanting him close.Auden complies, crawling over me again until our faces are even, his body above mine. To my delight, he moves a hand behind my back, lifting me slightly and dragging me down on the bed until I’m fully beneath him, lying flat. Then he lays his long body out against mine, every inch of him against me warm and delicious.I hum, slinging my arms around his neck, terribly pleased as he brushes his stubbled cheek along the length of my shoulder, nuzzling me softly, tingles starting where he touches and spreading out all over my skin.“You have no idea
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 93 - Peaceful Sleep
I sigh and take a tiny cake off the edge of the plate – a pale green one – and pop it in my mouth. I smile when I discover that it’s pistachio, the flavors rich and complicated on my tongue.“There’s cake?” Vivi gasps, leaping up onto the bed. “Nobody told me there was cake!”Niall gasps and jumps to his feet.“No no,” Auden says, laughing and putting the cake back in its drawer. “This is adult cake. It helps mom sleep.”“Mom, you have a secret cake drawer!?” Niall asks, looking between me and the bedside table, appalled.“I want one,” Vivi whispers, eyes wide.“You’ve created monsters,” I say, laughing and looking up at Auden.“You’re the one with a secret cake drawer,” he murmurs, shrugging and licking the last remnant of frosting from his finger. I laugh a little harder.“All right, come on, pups,” he says, turning to the kids. “Let your mother sleep – I’ll pack you into your beds tonight.”“Night, mommy!” Vivi says, crawling across the bed and throwing herself into my arms. Niall
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 92 - Strawberry
“I win!” Niall shouts, smacking his hand down hard on a big pile of cards between him and Vivi. Coco squawks, rustled out of his nap by the sharp sound.“No!” Vivi shouts, appalled. “Niall! You cheat!”“I’m not a cheat I’m just fast –““I’m way faster!”Niall just laughs, victorious, leaning towards his sister and picking up all the cards, pressing them tight to his chest in a messy, triumphant bundle. Vivi groans and falls snarling to the carpet, anguished.“Rematch!” she shouts. “We have to play again! You can’t win!”“I can and I did and I will win again – I’ll win six hundred times!”“Deal!” Vivi shouts, whipping herself up again and pointing vehemently at the floor. “Deal again, Niall! I hate you! This was a mistak
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 91 - Leave it to Me
My eyes move over Auden as I frown, taking in the muscled length of his body, all steady and strong stretched across my bed. “Why?” I ask, words tense. “Should I not be worried about the Night of the Stag? Did you do something?”He frowns. “No, Everleigh, I didn’t do anything –“I huff a sigh, turning my face back towards the children, who ignore us.“Seriously, Everleigh!” Auden says, stuck somewhere between frustration and humor. “Why do you care so much – it doesn’t have anything to do with you!”I gape at him and he laughs lightly like it’s no big deal.“It’s just going to be Mahl, and his buddies –““And you!”“Because I am obliged to be there,” he says, leaning towards me, his humor dropping a little. “And like, a bunch
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 90 - Routed
To my surprise, no summons to dinner and festivities comes from Mahl that evening. Instead, I’m brought a sensible little supper in my rooms alongside a note from the King saying that his war council is running late. I gleefully pack up the little dinner, taking it with me across the rooftop to the children’s suite where I cuddle Niall and Vivi in my lap and hear all about their trials and victories on their first day at school.The same happens the next night, and the night after – to the point where I’m starting to wonder if Mahl has gotten sick of me. I mean, a pleasant turn but…One which I’m not sure I fully believe. Margot has been coming to breakfast, after all, filling me in on her activities. Apparently, Mahl has been calling for her at midnight and beyond after long days in meetings – wanting someone willing in his bed, I suppose, instead of a reluctant bride whom he has to coax and seduce.She told me that their meetings have been consis
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 89 - Anxious Nights
I stare up at Auden, because he can’t possibly mean that he wants me to come to him tonight -But he frowns a me, confused, and my wolf slumps to the ground of my soul with a wolfish little moan of mortification. Because yeah! He can’t possibly mean that! It’s just me, with my filthy dream-addled little mind that was thinking that he could have wanted that.I clench my teeth against a groan.“Are you all right?” Auden asks, stepping forward, reaching out a hand to support me.“I’m fine,” I sigh, stepping away and turning towards the center of the children’s room, walking unsteadily over to Vivianna’s little bookshelf and placing the tiara on top. I take the opportunity of my turned back to pull myself together, my wolf regaining her feet and shaking out her fur, newly determined not to be such a mess.“So…” Auden says. I turn to see him watching me, still leaning against the wall, expression bemused. “Are you com
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 88 - Tonight?
“Mom won’t let me wear my tiara!” Viv shouts, stepping towards her papa, knowing he’s the easier mark. She lifts a hand to her head as she goes, holding the too-large diamond-encrusted headpiece on her blonde hair. I sigh as I watch, thinking that such an incredible piece of jewelry is far too fine for a little girl who is definitely going to drop it on the floor at any moment.Honestly, she should just give it to me. You know. For safekeeping.“Why on earth do you want to wear a tiara, Viv,” Auden murmurs, looking behind him and tossing the hand towel onto the table by his own room. “You’ll be playing and learning –““Because it is pretty!” she snaps. “And mine!”Auden grimaces, looking first at the clock and then at me, opening his mouth. I step forward, my jaw dropping, because I can see the concession on his lips.“Don’t you dare, Auden!” I snap, pointing a finger at him and glaring hard. “She ca
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 87 - Just a Dream
I blink awake, staring at the ceiling of my castle room in the dark, grief rushing through me alongside awe.Because that dream…it was so vivid. Like I was…there, feeling everything in the moment like it had been real. The feel of his skin against mine, god damn it, I felt it. It was like…a memory relived, more than a dream.I sigh, turning my face to the side, looking over at Margot’s good-dream cakes, wondering if the name is a lie. Because while the events of that dream were fairly fantastic and I have woken all limp and languid as if I really did just have the best sex of my life…God, but that’s cruel. To give me an experience that was so real, to which my actual life will never, ever live up. My wolf howls, wanting me to close my eyes so I can go back to that dream – but I shake my head, knowing that I can’t.How had the little cake
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 86 - Peace
He snarls, pleased, a predator now as he thrusts himself hard into me, claiming me with every stroke. My entire body shakes as I gasp again and again, what’s left of my mind ringing with the truth of it – with how fucking good and right it feels to make myself his, to give myself completely to him, to his pleasure –I feel it, somehow, building in him as it builds in me. My breath is nothing but fervid little gasps as he pounds me harder, his hand wrapped in my hair, pain mingling with pleasure as I dig my nails into the flesh of his back, begging him for more. I curl against him, my entire body tensing with every stroke, and I feel him watching me – taking pleasure in my helpless gasps as he strokes again and again –He growls, a command as I come to the end of it and I moan – heavy and true, my eyes pressed shut, my teeth finding his shoulder as that tension winds so tight –His fingers press
