All Chapters of The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

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

My mouth goes a little dry as I panic –Because this is absolutely what I did not want –I do not want, in any way, Mahl drawing lines between Auden and me. Perhaps if enough time passes I can pretend that our friendship and my relationship with the children grew naturally over time –But it looks like that plan has been neatly foiled, doesn’t it?Working hard to not let my panic show, I force a smile onto my face and take a step toward the King without any idea what the hell I’m going to say.But Vivi – thank goodness – saves me.“Grandpapa!” she shouts, dashing away from the gigantic horse and throwing herself at her equally gigantic grandfather, Coco flapping to keep his balance on her shoulder. Vivi wraps her arms around Mahl’s leg and beams up at him while Niall works to hide behind me, still afraid. “Make daddy let me have the horse! He says it’s too big, but it’s not!”Mahl laughs down at Vivi and then bends to scoop her up into his arms. “Really?” Mahl says, considering Vivi c

Mahl laughs a little. “Now you know all our secrets,” he murmurs to me. “Though we’d appreciate it if you kept this one discreet.”I tear my eyes from the fascinating women who have entered the room, not bothering to point out to Mahl the irony of what he just said – because, of course, I am a Luna, or am about to be. What sort of secrets will he be keeping from me?But, well. I guess I’m not one to talk.The women who enter the room now are people who have no rank at all, or are Deltas at best, and I find myself utterly fascinated by them. These women who mingle with the most powerful men in the kingdom - what on earth are their lives really like?The courtesans quickly make themselves at home, many moving to the sides of their favorite Alphas who greet them warmly and wrap arms around their waists. Some courtesans, I note, decline to make the first move, instead settling themselves mysteriously by the fire or on couches, waiting to be approached.My eyes brighten in particular when

I purse my lips, considering Margot’s offer to answer the inner door to the Royal passages of the palace long enough that she jumps out of her seat, turning towards it.“Oh, sit down!” I scold, laughing as I get up myself and give her a mock little shove back towards the chaise. Margot grins as she takes her seat again, gathering up the pornography into a single stack as I hurry towards the door, knowing that it must be answered – and that it must be me that answers it.As I pull the door open, I sweep into a curtsey before my intended husband, masterfully managing not to spill my red wine as I do. “My King,” I murmur.“My Queen,” he says, and when I straighten up I’m pleased to see him smiling down at me – in a good mood, apparently. “It is good to see you in high spirits.”“Please, come in if you would,” I say, gesturing towards the room, wanting to ensure that he sees that I have company before he says anything that I wouldn’t want her to hear.But, of course, being who he is, Mahl

Auden leans against the door frame as Everleigh sweeps into the children’s room, calling a soft goodnight to the two little souls he just tucked into bed a few minutes before. Neither are asleep yet and both burst out with happy greetings to their mom, though Coco just huffs on his spot by the pillow and lifts one wing to cover his head. Auden smiles as he watches Everleigh sit on Niall’s bed, stroking her son’s bright hair as she looks over at Vivianna, who is already sitting up to provide some details of her busy day.Inhaling a deep breath, Auden only half listens to the conversation, letting the soft light and sounds of the room calm him even further as he gets lost in his thoughts. Everleigh’s laughter at something Niall says – a bright, delighted sound - turns something inside Auden, makes him warm to her even more.Everleigh leans forward towards Niall, pressing a series of quick kisses to his cheeks and forehead that make the little boy laugh and swat her away, turning sleepily