Mated to the Alpha King (A Royal’s Tale Book 1)

A storm was coming. The branches of the trees swayed swiftly as if bearing witness to an upcoming danger.

Well, I might be exaggerating a bit. However, the storm really was in the forecast, and the branches really were swaying at the same speed as the Saturday morning breeze.

I walked out of the bathroom and, looking at the dull gray day outside, smiled before returning to bed. I lay beside the big bulk of a man who seemed fast asleep. It was only 6 in the morning anyway.

A smile made its way to my lips as I watched Bryce sleep, the scars on his chest shining silver against the tan of his skin.

Wonder what caused them.

He looked so peaceful sleeping.

Sighing happily, I ran a finger along the edges of a light scar just above his eyebrow before leaning in and placing a kiss on the tip of his nose. Instantly, his arm wrapped around me and pulled me closer.

I smiled and closed my eyes, letting sleep once more take over.

***

There was something wet moving around my neck. It was tickling me before causing a little bit of pain, then pleasure.

I frowned, the heaviness leaving my eyes, as clear thoughts began to formulate themselves in my head. Just then, the pain in my neck increased a bit, and I nearly jumped upright on my bed from the shock of it. My eyes now wide open, I directed them towards Bryce and frowned.

He was clearly having a field day with my neck. I smacked his large arm, which was resting on my tummy, and he looked up at me curiously.

“Yes?” he asked casually.

He is going around nipping and biting on my neck. And he doesn’t know what’s bothering me?—men!

After scowling at his seemingly innocent expression, I moved a bit, my attention shifting onto something entirely different—something completely raw and very masculine, something that was currently poking me in the side of my thigh.

“W-wha— It’s poking me,” I whispered hurriedly and was disappointed that I had stuttered.

“Mm-hmm,” Bryce hummed as he suddenly moved over me. With a wicked grin, he lowered himself onto me, rubbing the huge bulge against my pelvis.

A throaty moan escaped me as I clutched his biceps, and he buried his nose in the crook of my neck, placing soft kisses on it, as if he had all the time in the world for this one particular thing.

Bryce suddenly moved back and looked at me seriously, his eyes now dark, almost the color of midnight.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered before slowly leaning in and, never breaking eye contact, placing his lips on mine.

A dreamy sigh left me as Bryce’s fingers found their way to my naked belly, and he started drawing wonderful tiny circles around it as he kissed me.

After he pulled and nipped on my lips, his tongue dipped in my mouth, making any bit of resistance completely vanish.

I couldn’t help but let out a low moan as his fingers moved upwards and traced the edges of my breast.

“Theia Anderson! Open the door this instant!”

A growl ripped out of Bryce’s chest.

Shit, Marley!

“Bryce, go hide, please,” I whispered, trying my best not to choke on the excessive number of breaths I was taking.

“No. Stupid human should know not to disturb us early in the morning.”

I stiffened and turned to him. “And what are you exactly? Count Dracula? Just go and hide, please!”

As if I had never spoken, Bryce simply moved to lie on his back, brought his hands behind his head, and closed his eyes.

I rolled mine. “Bryce! Bryce!”

I sighed, giving up. I moved towards the wall-length mirror, fixed my hair, and after I managed to look as decent as someone could with three dark hickeys on their neck, walked towards the door.

“Thei—　Oh my Go— Mmm!”

I sighed, then with my hand still covering Marley’s mouth, I pulled her into the room, pushing the door closed behind me. Her eyes widened as they looked towards the bed before flickering back to me, bewildered.

I guess she saw Bryce.

I sighed again.

“Look, if I let you go, you don’t scream, alright?” I asked pleadingly, still holding her against me.

She glared towards the bed, then a whimper left her lips as she turned to look at me again.

“Okay?”

She nodded, my hand bobbing up and down with her head.

Nervously, I turned to the bed and saw Bryce sitting on it, still shirtless and leaning against the headboard. He grinned cheekily at me, and I rolled my eyes before turning back to Marley and smiling.

“Okay,” I mumbled softly as I removed my palm slowly, away from her lips.

I stared, wide-eyed, as she marched towards Bryce angrily.

“You! Why are you back? Haven’t you hurt her enough?” she hissed as she pointed a finger at Bryce accusingly.

Bryce, on the other hand, stayed still, his eyes directed towards mine.

“Hurt?” Bryce seemed to ask Marley, but his gaze never broke away from mine.

“Yes, hurt. Do you have any idea how much it hurt her when you just suddenly disappeared—how much she cried? Oh, of course you don’t! Because here you are, preparing to hurt her again. Leave her alone! She doesn’t need you. She’s going to get over you, and she’s going to burn all of those portraits of you that she painte—”

“Portraits? What portraits?”

I could feel a blush heating up my cheeks.

Well, damn it, this was embarrassing.

“Oh, she pai—”

I cut off Marley before she could spill it all out.

“There is no portrait! She’s just trying to intimidate you,” I spoke quickly, walking over to Marley. Moving an arm against hers, I pinched her slightly. “Right, Marley?”

She looked at me, pained.

I gave her a lopsided smile, and she sighed.

“Right. But that doesn’t tell me why you are with this jerk again. I mean, honestly, the majority of the male population at our high school would love to be with you! Why him?”

Shit.

Marley and I both stiffened as an unquestionable growl sounded around the room.

It was only when Marley started to stare behind me did I look back, only to gasp at Bryce, who sat on the bed, shaking with rage and glaring at the floor. The veins on his temple, neck, and arms had started to show, badly, as if begging to be released.

He looked lethal. I stilled. This was definitely not human behavior.

“D-do we run?” Marley whispered, sounding as freaked out as I was.

I frowned and shook my head. He wouldn’t hurt us. He was just angry and extremely jealous and possessive, and exhibiting actions that were not entirely human. But still, it felt like he wouldn’t hurt us.

“Well, then do something. He looks like a sociopath,” she whisper-yelled.

I turned to look at her desperately. “What do I do?”

She sighed and gave me a little push towards the still-fuming Bryce. “You’re the girlfriend. Do something! God, men are so possessive.”

I hesitated, looking at Bryce, and the pulsating vein on his forehead caught my eye. Oh crap.

Gulping down the intimidation, I took a slow step towards him and stopped. When he didn’t say anything, I continued to move towards him.

Getting onto the bed, I shuffled towards him and was instantly pulled into a hard chest. His face was now hidden in the crook of my neck.

I smiled softly while he breathed hard.

“You’re mine,” he whispered so softly that I thought it was just the wind for a second, but he repeated himself a moment later, his grip on me tightening.

“Woah, he is so possessive.”

I turned to Marley and smiled.

“I guess.” I suddenly blushed at the realization of how intimate Bryce and my embrace might look and how my best friend was witnessing it.

“So, erm . . . Theia, can I, like, talk to you in private?” Marley finally spoke after a moment of silence, sounding nervous and curious.

“Sure.” I smiled, dropping my arms off Bryce’s shoulders and trying to move back, the key word being “trying.”

Before I knew it, I was pulled back into a warm, hard chest, and two powerful arms slid around my waist, holding me captive.

“No,” Bryce growled into my ear, causing me to sigh at his aggressiveness.

The ping in the back of my mind began sounding again, and I pushed it down. “Chill,” I whispered back.

Looking over at Marley, I motioned her over to the bed. Once she sat down, I sighed before telling her what had happened.

Marley stared, shell-shocked, as I told her about the calls, the text messages, and someone blocking Bryce’s number while pretending to be me.

“So . . . someone is trying to separate you from the Alexander Bryce Wilhem? Why am I not surprised?”

“When I find whoever it is, I am going to make sure he regrets even trying!” Bryce growled.

I smiled softly, the lights going off in my head again.

Yep, he really is possessive.

***

Letting the towel loosen around me as I moved, I made my way into the closet, leaving the door ajar.

Two hours after spending half of the morning with me and Bryce, Marley finally left, after picking out a dress from my closet. Apparently, she had a date with Keith, and I was happy. I always knew he had a thing for her.

Bryce left just after Marley had. He used the window, much to my astonishment. I could only stare while he swung onto a tree and vanished.

I couldn’t stop panicking until he called and let me know he was fine. Frankly, I was having strong suspicions, which might have something to do with radioactive spiders and the living dead—or maybe, he actually was Superman?

I would have to ask him.

Curiosity still buzzing in me, I let the towel drop to the rug before picking out a smart black bra and panties, and slipping them on. I was smiling softly at the sweater I had my eyes on and casually moving towards it when a low growl caught my attention.

I stilled instantly. Bryce.

“You are so beautiful.” His warm breath fanned my temples as he placed his hands on my shoulders, then he turned me around to face him.

His finger found my chin, and slowly he tilted my head up until my eyes met his. I shivered. Gone were the ocean pools; midnight blue was back.

Bryce smiled at me mysteriously before moving down, his warm breath hitting my chest and belly as his arms found my thighs.

A surprised squeal escaped my lips when he hoisted me up, and my legs automatically twined around his waist. Groaning lowly, Bryce planted a kiss on the soft skin of my ear, making me shiver from the sensation.

How can he affect me like this?

It felt like having a dozen tiny lines of electricity just jolting everywhere, like butterflies were fluttering their wings around any part of my skin he decided to touch.

“Theia?”

I smiled. My name sounded so beautiful when he whispered it.

I hummed in reply.

“I’m so glad you’re mine,” he continued to whisper, placing another soft kiss on my chin. “And—” He smiled. “And I’m yours.”

“Good!” I beamed as I leaned closer, putting my lips on him—only long enough to get him riled up—and then pulling away.

His frustrated growl made me giggle loudly.

“You’re so cheeky,” he groaned, his head slightly pulled back, as he regarded me with amused eyes.

I smiled at him shyly, just remembering my state of undress.

“C-can you let go now? I need to get dressed.”

Bryce sighed but complied.

Once let down onto the floor, I quickly slipped into a navy-blue skirt and the cream cropped sweater I had been eyeing. I then moved towards the tiny vanity I had placed in the closet and unclipped my hair, letting it fall down in perfect waves.

It was rare, but I loved it when that happened, so I quickly sprayed my waves with hair spray, then turned around, only to stop dead in my tracks.

Before me was Bryce, looking at all of his portraits with a strange look in his eyes. As if he’d sensed I was looking, he turned to me.

“You painted me . . .” he spoke, his statement sounding more like a question.

I nodded. “I guess I did.”

“You made me look ten times nicer,” he muttered as he made his way to me, his eyes still holding that warm emotion.

“I painted you through my eyes; that’s how I see you, and you’re just as beautiful on the canvas as you are in real life, Bryce,” I murmured back, then once he was within arm’s reach, I pulled him closer before slipping my arms around his waist, holding him close.

Bryce sighed. I smiled. I guess he needed it.

“I want to take you out today.”

“And we’re not out yet because . . . ?”

Bryce pulled back and, holding my hand, led me out of the closet and into the bedroom. “Because I want to do it the proper way, Theia. I am . . . older than you, and . . . I really don’t want your father to have any objections to our relationship, you know.”

Oh.

I didn’t know what to say, actually. It was true that he was older than me, with a good difference of six years. But that didn’t matter, really. It didn’t matter to me.

Dad was home, and I was pretty sure even Mom was. And since Agnus and Lilly lived down in the cottage on our property, it seemed everybody was around.

Suddenly, the thought of Bryce formally introducing himself to my parents made me a bit woozy. Was this moving a little too quickly?

It quite possibly was. But what was I to expect? Somehow, what Bryce had said made sense. A formal introduction did seem nicer compared to playing hide-and-seek with my folks. Besides, in my household, boyfriends were expected to be introduced before dating and not three months after. I was already cracking the surface of that rule.

Tilting my head to the side unconsciously, I gazed at Bryce, who was staring at me, waiting for an answer. I smiled and nodded.

Instantly, his grin returned.

“Give me five minutes! I will be at your front door,” Bryce murmured smoothly before leaping out of the window again.

I blinked.

Kryptonite? Radioactive waste? Highly classified science experiment? Demo— Okay, enough.

Picking up my cellphone, I saw that there were three text messages waiting to be read before I shoved it into my bag and proceeded to do the same with my iPod.

Five minutes was coming up, and with much agitation, I ran a hand through my hair. I slipped on my black ballerina flats and, swinging my bag from my shoulder, walked out, down the stairs, and into the living room.

Dad was plopped on the sofa, his one foot placed over the other on the coffee table in front of him, as he read a novel I would never bother myself with. Mom, on the other hand, seemed to be doing the exact same thing her husband was doing: boring stuff.

I coughed a little awkwardly, causing both adults to look my way, and immediate smiles broke out on their faces.

“Hey, hunny, how’s it going?” Mom asked, smiling, as she closed the book and placed it on her lap.

A little tense, I padded to the couch across them and sat down.

“Mom, Dad, I-I have a boyfriend.”

There was silence.

“Ehem . . . aren’t you going to say something—ask me something?” I asked Mom nervously, avoiding Dad’s gaze.

Dad cleared his throat while a smile lit up Mom’s face.

My nerves eased off a bit.

“Who is he? What’s his name? Does he go to school with you? What does his Dad do? Since when have you two been dating? I don’t want to become a granddad just yet, Theia Ander—”

The doorbell rang just then, cutting Dad’s fit off, but instead of sighing with relief, I tensed up even more.

“That must be him. Dad, please be nice. Ma, don’t let Dad ruin this, please,” I pleaded urgently, looking in the direction of the door. “I really like him.”

“Is there something we should know before you open that door, Thi?” Mom asked softly.

I sighed. “He . . . He’s twenty-four.”

Dad stilled. Mom, however, smiled at me reassuringly.

“Go open the door, sweetie.”

Nodding, I got up and moved towards the front door.

This is it. Dad will kill Bryce, and Bryce will kill everyone. Ugh!

I stared at the closed door for a second or two, sighed, then opened it.

Bryce smiled at me smoothly and pulled me closer for a hug, which was kind of hard since I was only touching his shoulders.

“I’m scared,” I whispered against his chest.

“Don’t be, love. Everything is under control.”

After a hesitant pause, I nodded before moving out of his embrace and closing the door. We then walked into the living room.

My dad now sat on the sofa with a regal look on his face as he looked at Bryce with curious, warning eyes. Mom, on the other hand, looked like she had just seen an angel.

I nearly giggled as she looked at me and mouthed, “Oh my God!”

Mom down, Dad to go.

Bryce, seemingly too calm, took a seat on the couch across from my parents and slowly pulled me to sit beside him—a gesture my dad didn’t miss. He frowned.

“I’ll go get us some coffee,” Mom chirped kindly before walking away in the direction of the kitchen.

Both Bryce’s and my gaze shifted to Dad.

“You intend on dating my daughter?”

Bryce shifted, pulling me closer, but smiled. “Yes . . . sir.”

Dad’s frown deepened, and my hopes fell.

“Can I have a private discussion with you, Mr. . . .”

“Alexander Wilhem, and sure, sir.” Bryce smiled.

The air around the living room seemed heavy. I turned to Dad, only to see his eyes widen.

Oh yeah, I had forgotten Bryce was a billionaire. Oh well!

“Y-you’re the ki—”

Wait, what?

“With all due respect, Mr. Anderson, may I suggest we speak privately?” Bryce muttered, still sounding impeccably calm.

Dad glanced at me, his eyes still wide, then he looked back at Bryce and nodded. “Sure.”

***

“Where is your father, sweetie?”

I glanced up to see Mom placing a tray of steaming coffees on the table. I straightened up and looked around. It had been fifteen minutes since they left. I knew; I had been counting.

I shrugged. “Probably in the study. He and Bryce decided to speak privately.”

It irritated me that I didn’t know what was actually going on between Dad and Bryce. I mean, it was about me as well! Clearly I should also be included in this discussion of theirs.

As if on cue, Bryce and Dad both strode back into the room, Bryce towering over my father by a few good inches. Both their faces were lit with humor, their eyes twinkling with a good mood.

I wondered what had caused the change. I suppose so did Mom because I caught her looking at Dad with disbelief as both men resumed their original places. Bryce’s hand found mine, and he entwined our fingers.

I smiled softly at Dad when I caught him looking at us with a warm smile. Mom, after seeing the change in Dad’s demeanor, smiled at Bryce warmly before offering him a cup of coffee, then doing the same to Dad.

I, however, didn’t drink hot coffee.

“So I suppose you boys are on good terms now?” Mom asked both Dad and Bryce, yet she was looking at Dad as she spoke.

Dad grimaced before glancing back at her. “We are men, dear.”

“Well, of course you are, honey,” Mom cooed. She leaned in to place a neat peck on his cheek, which grew slightly red afterwards.

“Alexander has told me that he intends to take you out on a date today?” Dad smiled. He then took a sip of his coffee.

“Yes,” I mumbled back, clearly not knowing what else to say. All these changes were really shocking.

“Be back home by twelve, Theia,” Dad spoke in an authoritative voice, and although I heard Bryce growl a little beside me, I ignored him and nodded at my dad, smiling.

Mom giggled beside Dad, putting her cup down. “Oh. And, sweetie, be safe—if you know what I mean.”

“Honey!”

“Mom!”

Well, there she goes embarrassing me.