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

soon as the door slammed shut behind him, I turned my face into the pillows and screamed out my

frustration.

Chapter 31

AMARIS

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I needed answers and by the g ods, I will get them. I sent for the healer. The tea Raine drank sat on my desk in the office. Rhona said I ordered it for her for Raine’s health. If this was Gwyneth’s doing, I will make sure she has a slow, painful death.

“You asked for me, your Majesty? Is the queen’s condition worse?” She looked genuinely concerned. As well she

should be. For her own sake.

“She’s fine, considering.” I pointed at the tea. “Have a drink.”

“Your Majesty?” She frowned at me, questioningly.

“Is there a reason why you would refuse my offer?” I watched her intently and listened for the quickening of her heartbeat, a hitch of her breath, anything that would give me an indication that she was afraid.

Nothing.

“Well, of course not. It’s just unusual.” She shrugged and poured herself a cup. “What about you, your Majesty?”

“I detest tea.”

I watched her take a sip and grimace in disgust.

“Argh! What is this?” She put the cup down and wiped her mouth.

I

“You tell me. Did you not brew it for my queen?” I asked keeping my voice level and my wolf in check. He wanted to pounce on her and throttle the truth out of the woman.

If it were an act, she would be an excellent actress. “Why would I brew tea for Her Majesty? This is…” she took another sip of the tea, tasting it on her tongue. “Ginger root and cinn amon. And something else…” she took another sip, “I don’t know what it is.”

She told the truth. I saw it clearly in her green eyes. She was puzzled.

“Is it poison?”

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She shook her head. “No. But I can tell you that it is used as a contraceptive and also to induce… Oh!” A look of horror passed her face. “Your Majesty…. You honestly thought I would do this?”

“A contraceptive?” I mulled over that idea. Who had the most to gain by Raine not conceiving?

‘Sorin.’ Rage growled like a demon-possessed wolf. ‘I will end him!”

“Yes, although I never willingly prescribe it to the she-wolves who don’t want pups right away. It could lead to permanent sterilization.” Gwyneth clutched the cup in her hands. “This is horrible, your Majesty. I would never do that to you. I know how badly you need an heir.”

“And if a pregnant she-wolf were to ingest this tea?” A cruel thought entered my mind.

Gwyneth gulped audibly. “She could lose the pup.” She must have seen where my mind was going because she put the cup down and reached for my closed fist over the desk. “No, Sire, don’t do that. You are better than that.”

“They killed my pup, and I almost lost my mate. Tell me why I shouldn’t shove this tea down her throat?” I was holding onto my sanity by a thread.

“It could be someone else. You don’t know for sure.”

“Only one way to find out, Gwyneth.”

After I dismissed Gwyneth, I went back to check on Raine. I felt bad, I should have been gentler with her. But to my defense, I am anything but. I was brought up by my father, my mother had no time for me, no love for me, Sorin being her golden boy. I know my feelings for Raine, but it was hard for me to give it a name. I desired her, wanted to be with her all the time. Hell, call it love if you must.

was used to taking what I wanted. If I had my eye on a she-wolf, I took her and when I was done with them, they knew better than to expect something more.

Until I found Raine. Now all I wanted was her..

She was asleep when I arrived. Her cheeks were stained with tears, and I knew I was mostly the cause of them. I stoked the hair behind her ear, watching her long lashes kiss her cheeks. Goddess, she was so beautiful and breakable. I would do anything to see her smile again.

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“I will make them pay for this, my sweet Raine.” I whispered to her.

She moaned in her sleep and turned on her side. Her hand searched my side of the bed. Was she missing me?

‘Mate needs us.’ Rage growled at me.

I know, I told him. But we have to confront Sorin and Helen.

‘No, first Raine. Tasha is upset too.”

Who was I to argue with my wolf. I took off my shoes and climbed into bed next to her. When I took her into my arms, she sighed and slung her arm around my waist.

Rage purred inside my head, and I felt content as well. My anger and bitterness subsided with her scent enveloping my senses. I fell asleep, listening to her steady breathing and her heart beating close to mine.

I invited Sorin and Helen over to my private dining room for dinner.

“Well, Brother, this is unexpected.” Sorin helped Helen into a chair, smiling, but I saw him scan the room for

Raine.

“So nice of you, Amaris. Should we be worried? Are you ill?” Helen smirked at me. “Where is Raine?”

As if she didn’t know.

“Sleeping.” I told them, watching their reaction.

Sorin chuckled, stroking his scant blonde beard. “You should take it easy on the poor girl, Amaris.”

I chose to ignore his comment and linked Rhona to serve dinner. She also brought the tea which I had her pour into a different pot.

“That’s a pity, I was looking forward to chatting with her. Helen said, “We’ve gotten off on the wrong foot and I feel I need to apologize to her.” She toyed with the cutlery next to her plate. She seemed nervous. “I feel especially bad about what happened at the feast.”

Sorin stroked her hand and smiled at her lovingly. For all his faults, he adored his mate. I almost felt bad for what

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I was about to do.

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Keeping a straight face I offered, “Would you like some tea, Helen. It’s a special blend someone send especially

for Raine. But she doesn’t care for it.”

“Oh? Thank you, I would love some.” Helen smiled sweetly at me. “What kind is it?” She sniffed at it.

“Why don’t you taste it and tell me?” If she made it, she would know what it was for.

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