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

Chapter 20

“No, I would never…” I retreated from her in shock. Why would she say that? Amaris gripped my shoulders.

“Raine..” the tone of his voice made me shiver from the menacing tone. I wanted to explain to him that I did nothing to Helen, but Sorin stormed

into the room

“Helen!” He rushed over to his mate who was still doubled over and moaning. “What happened?” He glared at us over his shoulder.

Helen lifted a pained face and shook a trembling finger at me. The imprint of my palm on her face stood out like an accusation. Sorin touched the place with his fingertips.

“Who did this?! Amaris?” Gently he turned her weeping face towards him.

“She attacked me!” Helen walled.

“I didn’t! I only slapped her.” There was no point in denying it.

Amaris’ grip on my shoulders tightened. “You probably deserved IL” he said mildly.

Sorin’s face contorted into an ugly snarl. “You dare lift your hand to the consort Princess! That is a punishment deserving death!” He lifted Helen up and cradled her against his chest. “Amaris, I demand that you punish her!”

My legs threatened to give way but Amaris’ hold on me kept me upright.

“You demand? You demand!” Amaris snarled and the wave of Alpha aura coming off him made me feel faint. “She is your queen!”

“Not yet! She is yet to be crowned. For now, she is nothing but your bedwarmer.” Sorin threw back at the king. His eyes were blazing with uncontrolled rage, his wolf starting to take over. “You are so threatened by us, by my heir, aren’t you, Amaris that you’re using her to hurt my unborn pup. The council will hear about this.”

I felt Amaris shake with anger, claws pressing into my skin.

Sorin was far from finished. Helen clung to him; her face pressed against his chest. “You know how difficult it was for us to conceive and you are so afraid that this one will be carried to term. You are despicable!” he barked out a derisive laugh, “Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t have something to do with all the other miscarriages.”

“I am many things, but I am not a baby killer,” He pushed me aside to gain on Sorin who still held his mate close. “Stop hiding behind Sorin and let’s get this over with.” His muscles bulged through his tom shirt, black fur appearing on his skin.

your mate,

“Stop it! I slapped her because she insulted me.” I yelled at them. “I would never intentionally hurt anyone. If it makes her Highness feel better, she can slap me back.” I pushed my chin out and squared my shoulders, pushing my fear down. My fists were clenched so tightly against my sides the knuckles cracked painfully.

Both men turned their attention to me. Amaris’ glowing red eyes went back to dark brown

Sorin placed Helen onto the sofa, and she laid back moaning softly. Sorin came to stand in front of Amaris and me. my waist.

Amaris put his hand around

“So, you think that Helen’s slapping you back would make everything better?” The tone of his voice and the ice in his eyes made me drop my gaze, but Amaris’ touch gave me the courage I needed. I didn’t flinch from his stare.

e want to

“If that is what she wants.”

“There will be no slapping.” Amaris narrowed his eyes at his twin. “If anything. Helen should apologize to Raine.”

“Amaris, it’s fine. Let it go.” I said, looking up at him. “I should have controlled myself and I am sorry for slapping her Highness.” I was not sorry. but I didn’t want to cause more conflict between the brothers.

Chapter 20

Sorin sneered at me. “If anything happens to my mate and my unborn pup, I will have your pretty head, your Majesty.” He bowed low,

sarcastically.

“Do not threaten my mate, Sorin. You are on thin ice… brother.” Amaris pushed me towards the door. “Come, Raine.”

Amaris all but dragged me after him as he walked with long angry strides to our wing. He stayed silent up until we entered our suite. He locked the door. The anger on his face, tight jaw, drawn brows, his lips a thin, white line, it scared me to the point that I wanted to throw up. I-sagged onto the couch. He went over to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a tumbler of scotch which he threw back in one go. Immediately Peter came back to haunt me. He slapped the crystal tumbler down hard onto the end table.

“You disappoint me, Raine.” His voice stung as if he had whipped me.

I dropped my gaze

onto my

clenched hands in my lap.

“Weren’t you told by Beta Ross to go to your room and stay there?” He stood in front of me. His black boots were dusty and had stains on them which looked suspiciously like blood. “Answer mel” He snarled when I didn’t say anything.

“Yes.” I managed to say. This is where it ends. He was going to punish me. Like Peter. He sounded like him.

“Look at me.” The tone of his voice was softer but filled with son

so much anger that I hesitated. He lifted my chin. “I need an explanation.”

“Helen asked me to come with her. She was afraid.” hated that my eyes were misty with unshed tears. “I’m sorry. If you want to punish me, ! understand.”

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I was sick with worry. You weren’t here when I got back.” He pushed a hand through his hair, it was matted with dried blood. I longed to ask him what had happened but didn’t know if I should.

“Please don’t be angry with me.” I whispered to him. I didn’t think I would bear it if he’d hurt me. Tasha whimpered at the back of my mind. mirroring my thoughts.

He sank down next to me and took both my hands in his. “I’m not angry at you, Raine. I worry. You have to listen to me. It’s for your own safety.” His soft words made the tears fall. “What did Helen say to you?”

“Can we pretend like it never happened?” It hurt me to think about her words, because a part of me still thought she was right. I could never be

like them.

“No, we cannot” He noticed the bruises on my arm. “What is this?” His voice sounded strained.

“It’s nothing.” I’ve had my share of bruises to pretend that it was n nothing. It was difficult to avoid his intense stare.

“Raine, I will not stand by and let you be bullied by anyone.” Amaris lifted my arm to touch his lips to the bruising.

“You can’t protect me every single minute. I was touched that he wanted to, but I had to find the courage to stand up for myself. For once. I smiled at him. “It felt good to slap her, Amaris, I can’t lie.”

He smiled back, his eyes crinkling but only for a moment, then he was back to being serious again. “You have to be careful who you make an enemy of my queen.” He turned my palms over in his hands and kissed each one individually. “Whatever she said to than ever that she deserved much more than what she received.”

I’m sure now more

“Can I ask where you were? Beta Ross sald we were under attack.” My heart clenched at the thought of him fighting a war because of me. The packs had been at peace for as long as I can remember since Amaris took over as ruler and now.

“it was nothing, a few rogues that crossed the boundaries and caused hysteria.” But his eyes were guarded when he told me that

“Shouldn’t we postpone the ceremony?” I touched his torn shirt. There was a deep cut on his biceps that started to heal. A few rogues?

“Certainly not.” He got up from the couch, “Join me in a bath. I’ll call you when I’m ready. I just need to wash the stench off me under the shower first. Unless you don’t want to?” His lip curled into a se xy smile.

J

Chapter 20

“I want what my king wants.” I felt my cheeks heat up under his seductive gaze.

“Excellent.” And with a wink he left me breathless and needy in my anticipation of what he would do to me.