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

Chapter 32

RAINE

“Your Majesty! Wake up!”

Someone was shaking me, whisper-shouting to me.

“Raine, Raine, wake up!”

“Rhona?” I blinked and sat up painfully. “What is it?”

Rhona’s eyes were two dark saucers staring at me. “Quick! The king is making a huge mistake.” She threw the covers off me, grabbed my robe from the loveseat and dressed me like a doll. “That tea that made you sick, the king is going to make Helen drink it.”

“What? Why?” Did the tea make me lose my baby?

Rhona grabbed my face between her hands. I felt groggy from whatever medicine the healer gave me and it was

hard to focus.

“Hurry! He’ll only listen to you, Raine. Helen would lose that child if she drank that awful tea, and the king would be charged with murder. Do you understand?” Rhona shook my shoulders.

“Okay, okay! Where is he?”

“Come.” She pulled me along. “They’re in the king’s dining room.”

Every step was painful, but the urgency in Rhona’s demeanor spurred me on. Before I reached the dining room, I heard Amaris say, “Why don’t you taste it and tell me.”

I burst through the door just as Helen took the cup to her lips.

“Stop! Don’t drink it.” I shouted as loud as I could.

Startled, Helen dropped the cup onto the table, spilling the amber tea over the white tablecloth. Amaris pushed over his chair and came running to catch me as my legs threatened to cave in.

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“What is the meaning of this?” Sorin glared at Amaris. “Were you trying to poison my mate?”

Helen gasped, clutching her hand to her neck. “Oh, Amaris! Why would you do such a thing?”

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Amaris helped me to a chair. “Why indeed!” He smashed his hand on the table, his wolf close to the surface.

“Look at her!” he pointed at me. “This was given to Raine under the guise of my orders. A contraceptive. We lost our pup.” His voice broke on the last sentence.

I saw Amaris’ pain, saw his outrage and there I sat, feeling numb. Was I heartless or was I just used to loss and pain?

Sorin put his arms around a sobbing Helen. “And you think we did this? By the g ods, Amaris! Your paranoia almost made me lose another child!” His face shook with rage. “That makes me wonder… Maybe you had… Oh, I cannot look at you right now!”

Helen hid her face against Sorin’s chest, crying inconsolably.

“I had to test it. You had the most to lose if I produced an heir.” Amaris ran a shaky hand through his hair. The chair creaked as he sat down heavily. “If it wasn’t you and it wasn’t the healer, then who sent this?” he spoke as if to himself.

Sorin approached me and held out his hand. I took his hand guardedly.

“Thank you, Raine, for saving my mate and my pup.” He still held my hand while glaring at his brother. “Your saved the king as well, because if something happened to Helen, I would surely kill you, Amaris.”

Amaris nodded. “I would do the same to the person responsible for this.” His dark eyes held a warning. Could it be that he still suspected them?

I pulled my hand free. “I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.” I said as I looked at Helen.

“I’m sorry for your loss, Raine.” Sorin bowed his head in my direction. “We’d better go. The shock was too much for Helen.” Sorin lead her out without glancing back. “I have to protect what is mine. You understand that don’t you, Brother?”

Minutes passed in silence.

“Amaris…” I laid my hand on his

, not finding the words I wanted to say knew was to strike back. I was used to keeping the hurt to myself.

I

He was hurting and the only way he

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“You can say it, Raine. I am a monster for trying to kill my brother’s baby.” His face contorted in pain, “I won’t

hold it against you.”

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I climbed onto his lap and pulled his head to my breast. “But you didn’t.” I thanked Rhona through the mind link.

He held me close as I stroked his thick locks.

“I am strong. We will have another pup.” I promised him, hoping that it would happen soon. I cupped his face in my hands and kissed the deep sorrow lines around his mouth.

“Thank you for saving me.” He kissed me back, gently at first and then with more urgency. But then he pulled back. “You should be resting.”

Lifting me as if I weighed nothing more than a feather, he carried me back to the bedroom and tucked me into

bed.

“Stay with me.” I reached for him, and he sank down next to me on his side, facing me.

“Raine…” Amaris stroked circles with his thumb over my arm. “Don’t ever leave me.”

“Where would I go, your Majesty?” I smiled, but I was near to tears. Did that mean he loved me although he still hasn’t said so? It would have to be enough for now.

I crept into his arms, drawing comfort from his firm body and he held me, in silence, until sleep claimed me.

I woke to an empty bed the next morning. When I tried to link him to ask where he had gone off to, I received no

answer.

My chamber maids bustled into the bedroom, cheerful as usual. They hovered around me like bees, faffing over

my appearance.

“Oh, your Majesty! Look at those dark circles under your pretty eyes.” Lily pouted, shaking her head. “That won’t

do.”

“I’ll run your bath,” Sarah ski pped off to the bathroom, “you’ll feel better after a long soak.”

‘Did you tell them what happened?’ I linked Rhona when Lily was busy at my dressing table.

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‘Not exactly. The king would have my head.’ Rhona patted my hand, ‘No one else needs to know.”

“Where is the king?” I swung my legs over the bed. “Is he in his office?”

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“No, my lady, the king left early this morning with his warriors and Lord Grayson. I saw them when I was doing my laundry.” Lily laid out her tools – combs, brushes and a paraphernalia of cosmetics – on the dressing table.

So he was on a mission to find out if what the boy in the tower said was true. I couldn’t help but feel anxious for

him.

‘He’s the king and a warrior, Raine. Besides, mate is strong. Tasha purred in my mind. She was head over heels for Rage. ‘He’s the strongest wolf alive.’

‘You’re fawning over him,’ I laughed at her. ‘So much for not losing your heart. I was one to talk.

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Chapter 33