The Alpha King's Series

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

BRINLEY.

Xander never marked me like I thought he would. I don't know what he is waiting for, but I wish he would claim me like he has claimed my body, heart, and soul. I know Xander will mark me, no doubt, but it will be when he's ready.

We only have a week left until Dominic is born, and the closer that day comes, the more nervous I am. I have no doubt that I'll be a good mom, but Dominic's heart condition scares me, and it's something that will take me time to get used to.

Kelsy called me the other day and said Ryder and Axel are having so much fun together she didn't realize how incomplete they were until she met Axel. I was glad to hear her say that because he deserved a home with parents like her and Ryder.

Delores and Gabriel are getting along great as well. Delores has spoiled her already, Gabriel is excited to start school in a few weeks, and I think Delores is having separation issues already. "You'll never believe who's coming to adopt one of the kids," Katie says, taking a breath.

"Who?"

Katie wiggles her brow.

"Amanda and Gabriel will call and ask Xander's permission to come to the kingdom. You know, after what Gabriel did to you in all,"

I grimaced at the memory of Kelsy and Ryder's party when Gabriel attacked me.

"How do you know this?"

She narrows her eyes.

"Amanda called me. She hasn't been so good since her miscarriage a month ago,” Katie says. Amanda miscarried? I didn't even know she was pregnant.

Wait...

"Did you say a month ago?"

Katie nods.

"Amanda was pregnant the night Gabriel attacked you," Katie says, pursing her lips.

"Brinley, it's none of my business. But Amanda needs this. Do you think you could talk to Xander?" I sigh.

"I can try, but I don't know if he will listen,”

Katie purses her lips.

"I know. Thanks for trying to help her,” She says.

"Come in," Xander's baritone voice booms from the others side.

"Are you busy?" I ask when I enter his office. Xander shakes his head.

"Not when it's you,"

I smiled at that.

"I came to ask you for a favor," I tell him, sitting in front of the desk.

"What kind of favor?"

I purse my lips.

"One you won't like,"

The wrinkles in his forehead creased.

"What's the favor?”

I shrug my shoulders.

"Nothing serious. Do you remember Amanda, the girl from Kelsy's party, the one that is mated to Gabriel?"

Xander sighs, shaking his head.

"I know what this is about. Gabriel called earlier, asking for permission to adopt,”

"And you said?"

Xander scowls

"I told him he was lucky to be alive after what he did to my mate. I told him to fuck off,"

I shake my head.

"Xander, Amanda is my friend. She's hurting, and she miscarried her baby.”

"The answer is no,"

"You can't mean that,” I say, frowning.

Xander nods.

"I do. I don't want Gabriel near this kingdom,"

"What about Amanda? Could she come alone?"

Xander sighs, thinking about my words. He's silent for moments before finally speaking.

"Amanda can come alone,”

I nodded my head.

I understand why Xander doesn't want Gabriel anywhere near the palace. It's because of me that Gabriel attacked me. But, Xander doesn't want to risk trouble while our baby is in distress.

"I'll phone Amanda. Thanks, Xander," I tell him rising from my seat.

"Anytime, little mate,”

I messaged Katie and asked her to meet me in the gardens in the backyard. By the time I got there, she had sat at the patio table with Annabella on her lap.

"How'd it go?" She asked as I sat down.

"He said Amanda could come, but not Gabriel. So I need to call Amanda. Can you call her from your phone and let me speak to her?"

Katie nods and pulls out her phone to dial the number. Xander won't be happy about this, but I'm not letting Amanda come and choose a child to raise without her mate. I'm not heartless.

I may not care for Gabriel, but Amanda loves him, and if she is willing to give him a chance to mend their relationship, he needs to be by her side through this process.

"Hello?" Amanda says as she picks up the phone.

"Amanda,"

She's silent for a few moments before she asks.

"Brinley, is that you?"

"Yes. Amanda, I spoke with Xander. He said you could come and choose your child to adopt,”

She sniffles.

"But Gabriel called, and he said no,"

"Yes, he did. But I talked with him and settled things. How long before you get here?"

Amanda squeals.

"Give us a few hours. Thanks, Brinley,” She says.

"Anytime," I tell her and end the call. Katie looks at me in disbelief and shakes her head

"Why didn't you tell her? The king said her mate couldn't come?”

"Because Xander was wrong,"

She purses her lips.

"You know there will be trouble, right?"

I sigh.

"I love Xander, but he can often be a brute.”

Katie laughs slightly before she says, "What are you telling Xander?"

I shrug.

"The truth?" I say, but it comes out more of a question than an answer.

Katie sighs.

"I sure hope you know what your doing, Brin,"

I force a smile, "So do 1,"

"How can we choose?" Amanda looks up at Gabriel.

He leans into her and wraps his arm around her waist.

"You'll know who the right one is,” She grins and nods her head.

I give them some privacy and walk into the kitchen with Sister Mary Danvers.

"Thank you again. The remodel of this place is lovely, and we are grateful to you,"

I offer her a warm smile.

"It was nothing. It does look so much different, and the boys did more than I asked of them," I tell her.

She nods.

"It is wonderful."

She grabs two cups and pours us a cup of warm tea.

"Thank you,” I muttered, bringing the hot liquid to my lips.

"Are you good on food, clothes, towels, anything you need?"

The nun shakes her head.

"We are good for now, thanks to you. How are you feeling?” She changes the subject.

I don't bagger her and let the previous conversation slide.

"Tired."

She chuckles.

"As expected,”

I opened my mouth, but a voice cut me off, and I glanced over at Gabriel standing in the doorway. "May I have a word with you, Brinley?"

I shrieked at the thought of being alone with him after our last encounter at my sister's party and not to mention the time he sexually assaulted me. But, of course, in his defense, he didn't know it was me.

But still wrong.

I nod my head.

I excuse myself from the table and follow behind Gabriel as he leads us to the living room.

What could he possibly want with me?

Gabriel faces me, and his shoulders drop.

"I wanted to apologize for the way I acted at Ryder's victory party. I was mad at Xander for how he tackled me and wanted to seek revenge. I know using you to get to him was wrong, and I apologize for it,"

I shake my head.

"You said a lot of nasty things to me. I know I didn't come from a pure bloodline, but that doesn't mean I'm worthless," I tell him.

His forehead creased.

"I know you're not worthless,” He says, his voice low.

My lips part as I stare at him, confused.

Gabriel sighs.

"Brinley, I need to tell you something. But please know this was before you reconciled,”

"What do you mean?"

"I was happy when I found out you were mate. I knew a few days before you did. I told your parents; your dad laughed in my face and told me I'd be a poor excuse of Alpha if I accepted you. I told him I didn't care that no one would respect me; I was taking you no matter what. Owen tried everything to get me to reject you, tried having my title revoked as Alpha, and I was giving it all up for you,” He whispers.

"What Happened?" I found myself asking.

He shakes his head.

"My father stepped in and took Owen's side over mine. Said If I didn't reject you, he would disown me and have you killed,"

Gabriel took steps closer to me.

"I spent two days racking my brains on how I would give you up. The day came, and I had to for your sake. So, I did. I rejected you,"

I hadn't realized that I had been crying until Gabriel wiped them away with the pad of his thumb. "Does Amanda know this?"

Gabriel nods.

"I told her the day I found out she was my second chance. Don't take this the wrong way, but I wouldn't have found Amanda if I hadn't rejected you. I love her with everything in me, though at times it doesn't seem like it; I do,”

I smile up at him.

"I'm glad to hear that. Amanda deserves love,"

"Agreed," He grins.

"I am sorry, and I hope you won't hate Owen for it now,"

I shake my head.

"I won't. I forgave him a long time ago, and my dad finally had a bonding that can never discourage what we had made over those few weeks,"

Gabriel nods in understanding

"So, will you forgive me?”

"I do. Honestly, your rejection never hurt me as much as you think," I admit.

"It didn't hurt me that much either. Why is that?" He asks.

I shrug.

"Maybe the Goddess knew we would meet our true soulmates.”

"I guess your right,” Gabriel nods.

He leans down and hugs me briefly before pulling back and kissing my cheek slowly.

"Thank you,” He whispered in my ear.

"No problem,"

He grins and hugs me once more, but he is thrown away from and out the door before pulling back. A gasp left my lips as I ran after Xander, who threw Gabriel outside and pounced on him. "Xander," I yelled, running over to him and trying to pull him away from Gabriel.

Xander lands a punch on Gabriel's face. The sound of bones cracking filled the air, and I cringed. That sound always brings back the memories of the beating I took and the sounds of my bones breaking.

"Xander...please," I croaked.

He stopped mid-punched and glanced over his shoulder at me, and in a second, he was by my side. "Are you okay?" He asked, helping me to my feet. I didn't realize I fell to my knees from the sound of Gabriel's nose scrunching.

I nod my head.

"I'm fine," I whisper.

Xander turns his murderous gaze to Gabriel.

"What the fuck are you doing here after I told you not to come. Also, what the fuck is going through that small brain of yours thinking you can fucking touch my mate?"

"I didn't tell Amanda he couldn't come,"

Xander turns to me and narrows his eyes.

"It's not right, Xander. He deserves to be with his mate,”

Xander's muscles stiffened.

"Didn't look like he was with his mate. He had his dirty hand on you," He grits out.

"I was only apologizing. It didn't mean what you think, man,” Gabriel joins in.

Xander moves toward Gabriel in three vast strides and grabs him by the neck.

Gabriel's eyes widen.

"Owen told me everything. I know how you truly feel about my mate, touch her again, and I promise you I will rip you apart,” Xander says, squeezing his throat tighter.

I grab his arm, and he looks at me, and my chest tightens.

"Please, don't,”

Xander closes his eyes for a brief second, and when they open, they are stone cold.

He releases Gabriel, and he hits the ground with an audible thud.

He glares at me and says. "You'll pay for this,” And he walks away.

I gape, and his words repeat over and over in my mind.

"You'll pay for this,"

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

What have I done?