The Alpha King's Series

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

BRINLEY.

Xander stood there frowning in deep thought. Knox glances at me and shakes his head as he moves closer to his brother.

"Xander."

"I don't know." Xander says, shaking his head, "The curse has never skipped anyone.”

"But, your mate is Brinley,"

"Yes," Xander nods.

"Is that why you wouldn't claim me? Because you thought I was..." I paused.

"Yes, I couldn't let myself fall and get mixed up in the same shit my father did,"

"But, Brinley is not Caliana,” Knox says.

"I know,"

"Well, now that you know that. Claim her,”

Xander's body stiffens, and his palms fist at his side; the gesture causes my chest to tighten.

He only does that if he...

No.

Don't go there, Brinley.

"I can't,” Xander grits out.

My eyes start to blur with tears, and I hate myself for it. I hate how easy it was for me to fall for him, and he seems to not even care about how I feel.

"Knox," My voice breaks. And I hate how it falters.

Knox said nothing as he rushed to my side.

"Take me home," I whisper.

Knox nods, and without asking, he lifts me into his arms bridal style. He knew my knees were weak and wouldn't carry me. I half smiled at Knox, and my head fell into his chest.

"I'm sorry," Xander says.

Knox's body stiffens as he comes to a halt.

Knox glanced over his shoulder and says, "You will be,"

And with that, Knox started walking again.

I don't know what Knox meant by what he said to Xander.

"You will be,"

Those words replay in my mind repeatedly, like a song that gets stuck in your head that won't shut off.

And my head is full of chaos.

Knox sat me in the passenger seat; his hand reached over me and hooked my seat belt. I muttered and thank you and stared out the window. I cried when we were out of sight of Xander, and I hadn't stopped.

"Brin," Knox says. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths to calm down my erratic heartbeat. I don't want to see pity in K Knox's eyes.

"I'm sorry," I whisper.

Knox slams on the brakes and sends me forward. I would have gone through the windshield if it hadn't been for my seat belt.

"Brinley, you have nothing to apologize about. That fucking asshole should claim what's his. Instead, Xander is taking the coward way out,”

I stay silent.

"I may not be your baby's father, but I will treat the child as if it was mine. Lucy and I will take care of you both, and everyone will think this baby is mine. If that's what you want,”

I shake my head fresh tears peak my eyes. I love Knox for saying what he said, and I know he and Lucy will help in any way they can. But the truth is I want Xander to find the courage and claim his child, even if he doesn't claim me.

I'm thankful that he wants to keep our baby safe from the Mortaga's, but at the same time, I wanted him so badly to say none of that matters, and this baby would be known throughout the world as his CHILD.

"I want Xander to own his blood child, not Julia's baby. I want my age not to matter, and I want my mate to love me for me and not something that I'm not. I want Xander to love me how he loves Julia, but I know that will never happen. Xander doesn't love me, and that hurts. It breaks my heart knowing he will never claim me.” I yell. I'm panting, tears running down my face from my outburst. Knox sighs, "Brin. I know how you must be feeling, and I want you to know that my brother is a fool. I wouldn't let you out of sight if you were my mate. I would flaunt you for the entire world to see and for them to know that you were mine. I'm sorry you got stuck with that bastard.”

"Thanks, Knox."

He nods, puts the car back in drive, and heads back towards the Deluca kingdom

Knox pulls the car by the main entrance, and he steps out; he comes to my side and opens the door for me.

I step out of the car, and a cool breeze hits me, causing goosebumps to form on my skin. I wrap my arms around myself and mutter thanks to Knox before making my way into the house.

Once I was inside, Lucy ran to me and wrapped me in a hug. Knox must have told her what had happened.

"Knox told me what happened,”

I knew it.

"So, I made your favorite for dinner. Although it's probably not as good as when you make it," She says. I laugh, "I'm sure It's even better," I tell her, walking beside her towards the kitchen.

The smell of homemade beef stew fills my nostrils, my mouth waters, and my stomach rumbles. Lucy urges me to take a seat while she serves Knox and me and herself. She has worked so hard on this dinner that she must have been preparing for hours.

Lucy placed the bowel full of thick gravy soup with carrots and potatoes and cubed cut meat in front of me. I inhale.

"It smells divine, Luc."

Her smile reaches both her ears, "Thanks, I've been working on it since five," She says, taking her seat. Knox walks in and places a soft kiss on her lips. Her cheeks blush, and she turns her face away from him and me.

I love how Lucy and Knox's relationship is. He makes her blush by the smallest of things, and when he isn't looking, she stares at him with a look and so many emotions. Their love is real, and I wish I had that with Xander.

I lift the spoon to my mouth and moan at the exquisite taste, and It's way better than mine.

"You like it?"

"Like it? Luc, this is better than mine ever thought to be." Lucy's cheeks turn red, and she smiles brightly. "Do you think so?" I nod.

"It's damn good," Knox says, "I will say this.” He pauses, licking his lips, and glances from me to Lucy. "I'll have to go up a couple of pant sizes, and I have the two best cooks ever.” He says, smiling and digging into his food.

Lucy and I both laugh cause we know Knox meant that about going up a couple of sizes. Let's say there are never leftovers in this house because Knox will eat it all and leave nothing to save. "Brinley, Knox told me that he is going to claim your baby as his. I'm okay with that, but will this baby carry Xander's last name or Knox, as I discussed with Knox?"

I stop mid-chew and glance over at Lucy and Knox. This only happened a few hours ago; I hadn't thought this far ahead. I guess part of me is still hoping that Xander pushes past his insecurities and claims the baby.

"I hadn't thought about it,"

Knox nods, "It's okay. You have time until the baby comes if you want to wait to see the gender,” "That's a great idea,” Lucy says. "I'm sorry for putting more stress on you with whole whos last name stuff,” Lucy apologizes.

"Lug, It's okay. I'm not stressed about that, and I want Xander to come to his senses,”

"And if he doesn't?"

"Lucy," Knox scolds.

"She's right,” I tell Knox.

Lucy only spoke the truth. What if Xander never comes to his senses? What if he decides he doesn't want this baby or me? Maybe he will seek out this Caliana and make things work between them. "If I have a girl, I'll give the baby the Deluca last name. If I have a boy, he will carry the Caputo last name,”

Knox nods in understanding, and so does Lucy.

We finish our dinner without any more talk of Xander. After we ate, Lucy and I did the dishes, and we both headed upstairs to get ready for bed. I stripped off my clothes and headed towards the bathroom, and I started the shower. I brushed my teeth and scrubbed my face with my nighttime cleanser, I stepped into the shower and the hot water cascaded down my body, soothing my aching limbs

I don't take my time under the water; I'm too tired to enjoy the warmness of the water, afraid I might fall asleep if I didn't rush. Once back into my room, I grab a pair of panties and an oversized T-Shirt and crawl into bed.

I stared up at the lightly lit ceiling, and I was so tired until I got into bed, and now I can't sleep. So I grab my phone from the nightstand, usually playing ocean sounds, which soothes me right into sleep. I love the way the waves sound when it crashes into the water. So I frown when I see a text from Xander. But, being curious, I opened the message

Xander: Brinley, I'm sorry for what I said to you.

I don't text back; I have nothing to say to him. Instead, three tiny dots appear, letting me know Xander is typing another message.

Xander: I know what you must be thinking about me, and that's okay. I don't blame you, I hurt you, and I deserve the silent treatment. But I am only doing what I think is best for the baby. And despite what you might think, I will claim this baby and you.

My chest tightens at his words.

Claim me? Is Xander going to claim me? He says yes, but he hasn't moved towards doing so.

I sigh and start typing a message back. I know I will regret this tomorrow.

Brinley: When are you going to claim us? Before or after your are done fucking your slut, and being a father, her bastard child?

Tiny dots move along the screen. I know I shouldn't have said those things about Julia or her unborn baby, But I can't help it; he wants them, not us, making my blood boil.

Xander may have said he would claim us, but is he? or is he trying to pull me back in with more lies? I can't jump anymore. It's not just my life I have to think about; I have to also think about my child's life.

Xander: Jealous much?

I roll my eyes. Of course, he would get that out of what I said

Brinley: No!

... He's typing

Xander: Sure.

I clutch the phone tighter, the audacity of this bastard.

Brinley: Look, Xander, Knox agreed to be the father of my baby. As you said, I'm not going to wait around for you to be ready to be a father and a mate. I'm done being hurt by you, you might see this as a game, but I have feelings, and you hurt them.

Xander: I'm sorry.

I shake my head and turn off my phone, and I'm so sick of hearing, I'm sorry." He's my mate. He shouldn't do things to be sorry for, and He should love me no matter my age or some curse. Or even the stupid arrangement between the Caputos and the Mortaga's, he should see past all that, yet he can't.

Xander is so wrapped up in his own twisted game he can't just relax and be happy.

I roll on my side, and the image of Xander creeps its way into my thoughts. I sighed, shaking my head. I hate how he has profoundly imprinted himself, but I hate myself for letting him.

I'm not too fond of the fact that I've tried to hate him, but I can't. The truth is?

I love him.