The Alpha King’s Virgin by Charmeleon (Raine & Amari)

Chapter 15

AMARIS

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“Your Majesty, shouldn’t we postpone the wedding?” Elder Mattias suggested after Beta Ross gave an update of the latest revolt between the packs about my Omega Queen. “Surely this would be the wise…”

“No, the wedding will go on as planned.” I tried hard to hold onto my patience. “Do we not have enough security?” No one will dare to cause trouble on my territory.

Elder Jonas wrung his sinewy hands and looked pained. “I beg you, Sire. I know you have your choosing the Omega she-wolf, but you can always have her on the side. Choose another queen.”

reasons for

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“Are y

you tired of living, Elder Jonas?” My hands shook as I gripped the edge of the conference table. How dare they! “I’ve had enough! She is my mate. Do you get that? There will not be another queen!”

The elders and the rest of the council gaped at me in shock. I didn’t want to disclose that bit of information to them, because I knew what their reaction would be. Silence filled the room.

“We are doomed.” Elder Mattias was the first to break it. He sagged into his chair.

That was the last straw for me. I stood, banging my hands on the table as I leant forward.

“You have no faith in my rule! Have I not brought peace to the kingdom? Have I not kept all of our people safe from human hunters? Have I not signed treaties with the other supernatural realms ensuring the peace?” | stalked around the table; my Alpha power made them cower in fear. “Do I need to select another council?”

My general at arms Lord Grayson held up his hands. “Please calm yourself, your Majesty. Let Elder Mattias explain himself.”

I valued Lord Grayson. Of all my council members, he was the one that always had my back. I stepped away from them to grab a glass of water, downing it I wished it was something stronger.

“Explain then.” I folded my arms across my chest, waiting for Elder Mattias to speak up.

Slowly he lifted bleary blue eyes to meet my glare. “I do not need to tell your Majesty that the bloodline of the king needs to come from a strong she-wolf of Alpha blood or at best, a Beta or Ga mma.”

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“And

who made these rules, Elder Mattias?” I rounded on the old man.

He swallowed hard and sweat pearled on his forehead. “It is the tradition, your Majesty, an unspoken rule.”

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“Tradition my a ss! Who says my offspring wouldn’t be strong enough?” I roared into his face. “So, you want to tell me that tradition is above our beliefs that the Moon Goddess in her wisdom chooses whom we shall have as

our soulmate? You would challenge that?”

Elder Jonas said in a small voice, “It’s not that we do not believe in the Moon Goddess, Sire. But you are the

king…”

“Exactly!” I exploded. “And I shall not take any other she-wolf than my true mate!”

“But for the sake of the kingdom, your Majesty, to keep the peace, we beseech you…” Elder Mattias caught my

arm.

“To hell with the peace. The packs wouldn’t dare defy me.” I shoved his hand away. “I will make my own rules.”

‘We need our mate.’ Rage howled in my head. “Before I rip their throats out!’

Lord Grayson stood up and confronted me. “Sire, I understand, you are blinded by the mate bond. But you need to understand, you have a duty to your kingdom and the packs,”

My mouth fell open at his words. “When have I ever not done my duty, Lord Grayson?” This, coming from a man whom I loved as much as my own father.

He bowed his head in submission like he should. “Of course, you have always done the right thing. Please listen to us, Sire. The king needs a strong queen, not some scared little girl to be his right hand, the mother of our kingdom.”

I hardly contained my anger. My body shook with it. “You are overstepping, Lord Grayson. Do not think my respect for you will keep me from killing you.” I kept my voice low. “None of you know her. You are judging her without so much as giving her a fair chance.”

“You are strengthening your brother’s position!” Beta Ross slapped his hands on the table, “For f uck’s sake, Amaris! His mate is pregnant, and she is from a strong bloodline.” If it wasn’t for the fact that Ross and I have been friends since childhood I would have him executed for speaking to me in such a way. A shocked murmur went up from the rest of the council,

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I took a deep breath to try and calm my wolf down, his hackles were raised, and he was ready to explode into

action. “Out! All of you!”

They didn’t need further invitation. They hurried out of the room. All except Ross.

I waited until I was sure they were well out of earshot.

“Never speak to me like that again in front of my subjects. Do you hear me?” I wiped the spittle from my lips. He has no idea how close I came to wiping the floor with him.

“Amaris, I’m sorry, but you know they’re right.” His tone was calmer than seconds ago, and he kept his eyes averted, hands clasped behind his back.

Every muscle in my body tensed up as I circled him. “No, Ross, I refuse to be guilted into taking someone I don’t love. Would you give Cara up?” Cara was his soulmate, and I knew he would kill to keep her.

He shook his head. “But this is different.”

“How is it different? I am a man.” I stopped in front of him. He kept looking down at his black boots.

“You are a king first.” He looked up at me and I hated the pity in his grey eyes.

I shook my head in disbelief. “You of all people I thought would understand.”

He sighed. “I do, Amaris. You are my friend and I support you as a friend, but as your Beta I have to put the needs of the kingdom first.”

“I have a task for you. Actually, it’s an order.” I waited for him to respond. “This is for the good of the kingdom as well as mine.”

He bowed low. “Of course, your Majesty. I am at your service.” No matter what I knew I could count on him to follow my orders.

“You will instruct Raine in her duties as queen. You will teach her everything she needs to know.”

“Amaris, even if I do that, I can’t teach her to be a leader if she isn’t one. Leaders are born, not made.” He was back to being my friend, second-guessing my every move.

I smirked at him. “As my friend I appreciate your opinion. But as my Beta, you will do as I say, or suffer the

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Chapter 15

consequences. She has strength, Ross. You will see it.”

“Of course, your Majesty.” He bowed again and I left him there to go and look for Raine.

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There was an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach, call it paranoia, but something was wrong. I hurried up the stairs towards the west wing where I’d left my mate.

I

The salon was empty. I went to our bedroom. No one was there. Following her scent, I happened to find Rona in

our kitchen, preparing lunch.

“Your Majesty.” She bobbed a curtsy when she saw me. “Lunch is almost ready.”

“Where is Raine?” Food was the last thing on my mind. I wanted to find my mate. The uneasy feeling was getting

worse.

“I don’t know, your Majesty. Isn’t she in your rooms?” She looked puzzled, frowning slightly.

“Would I ask if she was there?” I snapped at the girl for asking me such a stu pid question. Without waiting for an answer, I left.

Her scent led me down the corridor to the east side of the castle. Maybe she was lost, and it made me feel guilty because I should have tasked one of the ser vants to accompany her at all times.

“Raine!” I shouted as I ran down the long hallway.

A figure came careening towards me out of the gloom and I grabbed her.

“Oh! Amaris…” She was ghostly pale, her pulse raced like crazy. Something had spooked her.

“Raine, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Relief at having found her me . “Why do you have my brother’s scent all over you?!”

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