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

Chapter 19

RAINE

it was a beautiful day outside and I longed to shift and go for a run. But Amaris wasn’t with me. He had some urgent business to attend to and left with the older wolf, Lord Grayson. So, I opted for the next best thing, going for a walk in the gorgeous gardens, inhaling the crisp mountain air and the different scents from the abundance of flowers. I went to sit on a bench by the huge fountain, admiring the water feature in the shape of a howling wolf, spouting water from its mouth.

My peace was disturbed when Beta Ross c

came striding towards me. I had the feeling he didn’t like me very much. Not that he was the only one.

He nodded his head briefly at me. “Your Majesty, I need a moment of your time. I promise it will be for your own benefit.”

“Of course, Beta Ross.” I stood up, concerned but also a bit curious that he would want to spend time alone with me.

As if he read my mind, he said, “The king ordered me to instruct you. You can relax. His lip lifted a bit in derision. “Walk with me.”

Like the obedient Omega I was, I followed him, keeping a small distance from him at his back. He halted. “If you want to be a queen then act like it. Don’t follow me like some ser vant.” His voice was sharp, and it made me want to cringe, but Tasha piped up in my head.

She growled at me. ‘Find your strength.”

I straightened my back and went to Beta Ross’ side. He grunted in approval. “The wedding is in a few days and guests will be arriving soon. They need to be received in a proper manner. Are you listening, Raine?”

I

“I am, and you may address me as your Majesty. I said as coldly as I could, but my heart had dropped to my stomach. I clenched my hands into fists to stop them shaking.

He chuckled, a de ep thr oaty laugh that was surprisingly attractive. “Well done, your Majesty, not bad.” He turned to scrutinize me with his blazing blue eyes. “The most important thing to remember is to control your fear. If the guests can smell your fear as clearly as I can at this moment, you will lose their respect” Again, his lip lifted slightly in a sneer.

” see, so you have no respect for me. Am I a joke to you, Beta Ross?” A sudden unexplained rush of anger flared through me. “Do you think planned this? That I seduced the king to choose me?” I stepped in front of him. I could only blame Tasha for the unbidden rush of emotion Maybe the years of being tram pled on had finally made me snap.

Beta Ross frowned slightly, and the longer he looked at me, the deeper the frown got. I fought down the urge to bow my head.

“Strange.” The words left his lips on a whisper. “Well, maybe there is something to work with after all.” Then he smiled slightly, and a dimple appeared in his cheek, making him look less terrifying. “Now, your Majesty, let’s get to it.”

We walked down the pathways between the flowerbeds while he talked, and I listened. “I have to warn you, your Majesty, you will be under a lot of scrutiny. They wouldn’t hesitate to tear you apart, belittle you, talk behind your back.”

I stopped him. “Beta Ross, I am no stranger to bullying. I’ve endured it all my life. But I have had enough.” I folded my arms across my waist, hugging myself. “Just because some of us have a lower rank, why does it give the others the right to hurt us, treat us like sla ves or dogs?”

“That is something I have no answer to, Raine I mean, your Majesty.”

I couldn’t help but giggle. “It’s fine, Beta Ross, When we are alone you can call me by name.”

“Thank you.” he inclined his head, his hands behind his back. “I have many things to teach you, but for now, the most important thing is not to let them intimidate you without being aggressive. I’m sure you’ll be able to do that once you’ve learned to master your fear.”

“But Amaris w

be by my side, won’t he? I didn’t think I would be able to handle the guests alone.

Ross shrugged, “I’m sure for the most part.” He looked up and his eyes blinked. He was linking with someone. “We need to get you back inside. Raine. Now”

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Chapter 19

My heart ski pped a beat. “Why? Is there something the matter?”

He grabbed my hand and started walking fast towards the castle. I had to run to keep up with his long strides.

“Go to your room and lock it. Do not go anywhere. We’re under attack.” His words sent shivers through me.

Ross didn’t follow me inside. I ran up the stairs and met Helen halfway

“Raine! Come with me, I don’t want to be alone.” She held out her hands to me and seeing the panic in her eyes, I didn’t hesitate, but took her hand and hurried with her to their wing.

She locked the door once we were inside their living quarters. She was pale and trembling. I took her arm and led her to one of the lavish sofas.

“Thank you

eye.

for coming with me, Raine. I don’t know where Sorin is, and I am afraid for my baby. She pinked a tear away from the corner of her

“What is happening? Do you know?” I wasn’t able to link with the rest of them because I had yet to be initiated into the family,

“Didn’t Amaris tell you?” She looked shocked, “The packs are turning against him. Because of you.”

Oh no! This was my worst

y worst fear come true. My hand went to my throat as if it would stop my heart from jumping out. “Does this mean war?” | said in a small voice.

Helen

got up

up to pour us some water. She handed me a glass

“It’s not too late to stop it, Raine.”

I looked up at her, she smiled gently, but her eyes held no warmth.

“What do you mean? How do we stop it?” As if I didn’t know where she was going with this.

“If you convince Amaris to choose another queen…”

“He would never!” I jumped up and dropped the glass, the

soaked into the carpe

She reached out to clutch at my arm, her grip was strong, and it hurt. “Listen to me, girl! Think about who is going to suffer because of this foolishness. You can be his mistress. You don’t have to give him up.”

“Let me go, Helen.” I twisted my arm out of her grip. It left me with a bruise and looking at it brought back painful memories. Tasha growled low and menacingly in my head. “He loves me.”

She laughed, a high jarring sound. “Love you? He wants a child, and he doesn’t care who he beds to get it. That’s all you are, a breeder, a toy, and that’s all you’ll ever be!”

Before I could stop myself, I slapped her. The sharp sound shocked both of us. For a moment we stared at each other in mutual bewilderment. Her cheek flared crimson, my handprint embedded into her white skin.

The apology died on my tongue when the door banged open startling both of us.

“Amaris.” Relief washed over me. He was alive. He was there. Wild-eyed and bloodied, but alive.

“Ahh..” Helen grabbed her stomach and doubled over. “My baby, my baby…”

“Helen!” I reached for her, but she retreated from me.

“You tried to kill my