The Alpha King's Series

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE.

BRINLEY.

"You're coming with me,”

My lips part at Xander's words; if he thinks I'll go with him in his right mind, he is insane.

I cross my arms over my chest and on top of my growing belly, Xander's eyes zeros in, and I frown and look down. Since I became pregnant, my boobs have grown about a cup size, and my arms only push them up, exposing them from my shirt.

I let my arms fall to my sides.

"I'm not going anywhere with you,"

"Brinley," Knox says, taking a step forward.

I shake my head at him, "Knox, you of all people know the situation, and you honestly think I'll go with him willingly?"

"You're father is dying," My eyes snap to Xander's gaze after he speaks those words.

"W.what?"

Xander sighs and strides in front of me and places his hands on my shoulders, and Tingles erupt on my skin from his gentle touch. "Delores called me this morning. He wants to see you and make amends before he passes,”

"Knox will take me,"

Xander's grip on my shoulders tighten, "No,"

I arch my brow, "No?"

"That's what I said. I won't repeat it," He says.

"I don't care. This is Knox's baby remember? Isn't this the way you wanted it? I won't go and pretend you want my child and me when you don't.”

"She's right,” Lucy says, stepping forward. "You want everyone to believe the baby is Knoxes. So why do you want to do otherwise now?" Lucy asks.

"In case you didn't know, lucy.” Xander pauses, "This baby is indeed mine. I fucked Brinley and made her cum, screaming my name. So if I want her family to know this baby is mine, that's my choice.” My cheeks heat as Lucy stares at me wide-eyed, and Knox smirks at Xander.

"I didn't think you had it in you, brother," Knox says, placing a hand on his shoulder. "If you ever need pointers, I'm your man,” Knox adds with a smirk.

"Knox!" Lucy hisses

"Not going to happen, Knox. I don't need your kinky shit,” Xander rolls his eyes.

Kinky-shit? Knox?

I should have known he would be the dominant type, and it was a red flag when he said he would spank me.

"Let's go,” Xander tells me, grabbing my elbow and pulling me with him.

"What about clothes?"

"I'm sure they have stores. You can buy some there. But, it's a long trip, and we need to hurry.”

I say nothing as Xander leads me out the door to his car. He opens the door for me and wraps the seatbelt around me.

"I can do that myself," I say.

"Maybe I wanted to do it,"

"Since when do you want to do anything for me? Other than hurt me every chance you get?"

"Drop the fucking attitude,” He says, shutting the door before climbing in the driver's seat. "Where's Julia?"

"At the palace,” I huff and stare at the window.

Figures he would still have her at the palace. I have to remind myself he is only doing this because Delores and Kelsy know he is my mate. In the end, he will still be with Julia.

"Brinley, wake up."

My eyes flutter open of light shaking my shoulder. "Were here," Xander says, getting out of the car and walking to open my door.

I stand at the steps of my once home, and nothing has changed. The two-story house with red brick siding and freshly mowed grass. Delores still has her rose bushes on either side of the concrete walk path.

What am I doing here? I can't go in there and face them. After everything I have been through, I can't do this. I may have forgiven dad long ago, but even so, it doesn't change the fact I was a prisoner in my own home. Abused and hated by the whole pack plus my family.

My breaths have come short pants, and my vision starts to blur. My chest tightens as a panic attack bubbles inside, threatening to emerge.

Warm hands cup my cheeks, and tingles spread through my face down to my toes.

"Hey," Xander's voice is calm, "Look at me, Brinley.” I shake my head, and I can't look at him. I can't let him see me like this.

"Look at me, 508," He says, lifting my chin with two of his fingers.

His silver eyes meet mine, and everything stops, like nothing else, exists except the two of us. "You're okay." He pauses, his thumbs rubbing the soft skin of my cheek, "You don't have to stay here. Go say your goodbyes, and I'll drive you home,”

"Home?" I repeat his words. He nods.

I take a few deep breaths, Xander's hands cupping my face.

"You ready?" I nod and follow Xander to the door with shaking limbs and trembling fingers. Then he laces his fingers through mine and slightly squeezes my hand. My eyes fall on in twined hands, and My chest contracts. Maybe Xander will choose me after all.

What?

Where the hell is this coming from? Xander will never want me. I shake my head mentally to get rid of the thoughts, Xander knocks on the door, and Delores opens it moments later.

"Your majesty,” Delores bows, Then her gaze meets mine, "Brinley," She breathes and engulfs into a hug. I hug Delores, and we stay like that for a few minutes, then she pulls away and invites us inside. "Can I get you two anything?" She asks. I shake my head, "No, thank you."

"I'll have a glass of bourbon,” Xander says. Delores nods and walks towards the kitchen. I follow her, leaving Xander in the sitting room.

I called Delores when I found out I was pregnant. I cried, and she told me not to worry, that things happen for a reason, and she would always be there for me. She told me I would be fine and be a good mom, and I needed that.

"How is he?" Delores sighs, "Not good,” She pauses, "It won't be long now. He has been asking for you." I nod.

"How are you? Do you feel okay?" I smile, shaking my head. "I'm fine, and the doctor wants me to gain more weight and exercise more. But I've been feeling more tired, so I nap a lot." Delores smiles, "I know, sweetheart. But you must listen to the doctor, okay?" I nod my head.

"I'll take Xander his drink. You should see your dad,” I don't protest; instead, I nod and make my way to my father's room.

I opened the door and slipped inside, and Papa was lying on the bed. I moved closer, and my eyes widened.

This doesn't look like Papa anymore. His once overall body and muscles have turned to nothing. His body is thin, maybe eighty pounds soaking wet. His skin is pale, and he has bruises all over his arms It could be from the doctor drawing blood all the time.

"Owen?" My voice was barely above a whisper. Papa never allowed me to call him Papa, dad, or father. So I had to call him Owen. He hated me so much that I had to call him Owen like a stranger. "Brinley?" He says, his voice weak.

I sit on the side of his bed and reach for his boney hand.

“It's me,"

Owen Smiles but's it a weak one, and he gently rubs my hand that's holding his with the free one. "I'm so glad you made it."

"Me too,"

"I know what I did to you is unforgivable,” He pauses, taking a few breaths.

"I forgave you a long time ago, Owen,"

"I'm sorry. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but thank you." I squeezed his hand slightly.

"Delores told me you're having a baby?" I wipe the tears from my eyes and smile at him, "Yes, sir." Owen opens his mouth to say something when the door opens, and Xander comes strolling in. "Mr. James. I'm Xander Caputo, your daughter's mate,”

I finch at his words. So, he wants to call me his mate in front of my dying father?

Typical.

Owen glances between Xander and me. He doesn't bow his head, nor does he say your majesty. "Do you treat my daughter well?"

My eyes snap to Papa. It's the first time he has ever called me "His daughter’ He would always call me omega, or mistake, but never daughter. Tears slide down my cheeks.

"I do," Xander tells him, and I glance at him.

Papa squeezes my hand, and I meet his concerned gaze. Then, finally, I nod at Papa, and he doesn't need to worry about my problems with Xander.

"Brinley, since your the mate to the king. Have you considered opening that orphanage you always talked about doing as a kid?"

"You remember that?" Papa nods, "I remember a lot of things about you.”

I smile, "I have looked into it. It's still out of my price range, but I have been buying the homeless kids and the sisters food and the things they need.”

"Why don't you help her open one?" Papa speaks to Xander.

"I didn't know that's something she wanted,”

"You're her mate, and you didn't ask her what she wanted to do?"

Xander shakes his head, "I did not,"

"If it never occurred to you to ask your mate the most important things, why should I believe your right for my daughter?”

"Papa,"

"It's time for my medication. Sweetheart, will you be a doll and tell Delores to bring them?" I nod, showing Papa a smile, "Of course,”

Xander starts to follow me, but Papa says, "I would like to speak with you in private,”

I meet Xander's gaze, and he gives me a nod.

"I'll be back, papa,” I tell him before I leave the room.

Xander and I spent most of the day talking with Papa and Delores. Then, I fed him dinner, and he went right off to sleep. Delores is having Kelsy, and her husband Ryder brings baby Rose.

I miss her chubby cheeks

Kelsy and I have been texting on and off for the last few weeks, though I haven't told her I was pregnant, and I'm sure she will be furious at me.

Delores told her we were here, and she decided to let me spend time with dad alone, and I'm glad she did. Papa and Xander seemed to get along after their long talk.

Mental note to ask Xander what they talked about.

Kelsy and Ryder walk through the dining room empty-handed.

"Where is Rose?"

Kelsy sighs, "She fell asleep, so we called her babysitter to watch her,"

"I wanted to see her,"

"Can't you visit her tomorrow?" Kelsy asks.

I glance over at Xander, who planted himself on my seat. He nods.

"Sure," I tell Kelsy.

"How have you been, Ryder?”

He smiles at me, "I've been good. Busy, though, since your dad gave me his position as beta. Did you know that?”

"Yeah, Kelsy told me."

He eyes my sister, "I see you've been talking about me. But you never once mentioned your sister was pregnant,” Ryder tells her.

She waves him off, "My sister isn't pregnant. And I don't talk about you much.”

"Brin, please tell me your pregnant and your not just fat?" Ryder says. Kelsy and I both gap. "Ryder!" She hisses.

"She is indeed pregnant.” Xander pauses, glaring at Ryder, "Call her fat again though I'll have to kick your ass."

"Brinley, your pregnant and didn't tell me?"

"I wanted to surprise you guys, so SURPRISE," I smile.

"How far along are you?"

"Two months," I tell her taking a bite of the alfredo Delores made.

"You should know the gender, do you?"

All eyes fell on me, and I swallowed my food slowly.

"N..no. I go to find out soon.” Kelsy nods and strikes up a conversation with Xander and Delores. Ryder joins in, and they all laugh.

Even though my family surrounds me, I feel like an outsider.