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

The King’s Choice

RAINE

A small scroll bound with a golden ribbon lay on our coffee table and being curious I opened it. I drew in a sharp breath. It was an invitation to the Alpha King’s Ball. I dropped the scroll when I saw that attendance was mandatory. There was no way I could possibly go. Peter would never allow it and I couldn’t show up in my old jeans and baggy shirt. I didn’t even have a proper dress. I sighed. Nope, no way would I go to have myself be humiliated even further.

Peter showed up earlier than usual, his normal scowl in place. He ignored me, picked up the scroll and read it. He laughed.

“A ball, eh?” He looked at me really hard and long so much, so I began to shuffle uncomfortably. “There will be a lot of males there. They will pay good money for a piece of virgin pussy.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “Assuming you are still one?”

Tasha growled gutturally and pushed at her boundaries. My eyes burned yellow, and my canines protruded over my lips.

Peter bellowed out a harsh laugh. “Get your wolf under control, bitch. Looks like we’ll be attending the King’s ball.”

I was about to say something when I was interrupted by a loud rap at the door.

“Don’t just stand there, see who it is.” Peter snapped at me and went into the kitchen to fetch a beer.

The man filling the door had an air of authority about him, commanding respect. “Are you Raine Grey?” he asked in a deep voice.

“Yes.” I clutched the doorpost, my hands feeling clammy.

He handed me a large packet. “This is for you. To wear to the King’s ball. It’s from a secret admirer.”

Peter peered over my shoulder at the man.

“What’s this then?” he asked.

“It’s for the girl. To wear to the ball.” The tall man’s lip lifted in disgust when he addressed Peter. The stench of alcohol wafted off him and it was still early in the day.

“Who sent this?” Peter made to take the packet from me, but the man lifted his dark brow at him.

“No one you know. Make sure she wears it.” he said and walked off.

Peter glared at me. “Open it.”

I shook my head. “I can’t accept this. I don’t know who it’s from.”

“I said open it,” he lifted his hand to slap me, and I winced.

Placing the packet on the table, I opened it carefully.

“Oh, my goddess!” It was a gorgeous dress in orange brocade and as I lifted it out of the package, I saw a golden necklace with matching earrings and a comb for my hair. Underneath all that was a pair of delicate heels. I’ve never owned a pair of shoes or a dress like it. It was almost too beautiful to wear.

“You’d better explain yourself, Raine. What did you do to get this?” Peter grabbed the dress out of my hands.

“Nothing, I swear. I don’t know where it comes from.” I was horrified that he would sell it.

‘I think it’s him, that wolf that saved us from those horrible triplets.’ Tasha said.

He narrowed his eyes at me, scrutinizing me from head to toe. “I guess it won’t hurt to let you wear it. I might just get more money for you.” He smirked, shoving the dress at me. “I’ll let you keep it. Now, get me my dinner.”

***

‘He’s planning to sell us, Raine.’ Tasha was fuming. ‘We can’t let him do that to us.’

“I won’t. When we get to the ball, I will slip away, and we will run.” I will go rogue, live in my wolf form until I get to a place where I could be free. Then I would sell the dress and all the accessories. They seemed expensive; it would give us a good start.

‘Peter will hunt us down.’ Tasha burst my bubble. ‘We’ll have to kill him.’

“No, Tasha! I can’t do that.” I was shocked at her violent outburst, but a part of me knew she was right. He wouldn’t give up. But killing him? I shuddered. Being a submissive Omega, killing another wolf was out of the question.

I couldn’t sleep that night, thinking of my so-called secret admirer. Was it the black wolf? Would he want us? No, I scolded myself for thinking that we were important enough for a man to want to spoil us. Unless he wants something in return.

I sat upright in bed. Fool, of course, he wants something! The same thing the triplets wanted. He must be someone important, someone with money. For a moment I thought it might be the Luna, but even she wouldn’t be able to afford the shoes, let alone the dress. I was just something to be sold and bought. I lay back down with a sigh. The moon goddess must truly hate me.

My thoughts turned to the Alpha King, and I shivered. He was said to be cruel and violent. I was not looking forward to meeting him. Although I have yet to meet a werewolf male that wasn’t violent and cruel, or maybe it was just my luck.

‘He does sound scary.’ Tasha piped up. ‘Maybe he sent the clothes.’ She laughed at her own joke.

I didn’t think it was funny, the thought filled me with dread.

***

It took forever to get ready. I wasn’t used to dressing up. Peter shoved some of my mother’s makeup into my hands.

“Do something with your face. Make yourself respectable. I don’t want to be ashamed.”

‘The nerve of him! Why does he have to come?’ Tasha growled, pacing my head.

I did my honey-colored hair up and fixed it with the gifted comb, quickly did a light makeup to highlight my cheekbones, nude lipstick and some eyeshadow to compliment my hazel eyes. For a while I stared at this strange, pretty girl in the mirror. But then I heard Peter call, telling me to hurry up.

He nodded his approval when he saw me. “Well, I’m sure you’ll attract attention. Get in.”

The castle grounds were packed with beautiful girls dressed to kill accompanied by their chaperones. And here I was with Peter… I felt so out of place among the excited crowd, laughing and talking. Peter had a firm grip on my arm as we made our way to the ballroom.

‘He is already looking for a man to sell us to. His wolf can hardly shut up.’ Tasha said irritably. She hated Peter’s wolf.

“Well, look at what the cat – or should I say the local drunk – dragged in!” Who else would I bump into but Sasha and her chaperone none other than Luke. The both of them stared at me. Luke’s jaw dropped when he realized that it was me, the dirty little slut Omega that he’d rejected. I liked the way he shook his head as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. Sasha, on the other hand, sneered at me.

“Who did you sleep with to get that kind of dress? No matter, an Omega is still an Omega no matter what you dress her up as.” She laughed and dragged Luke away with her. Luke frowned at me, glancing back over his shoulder.

“I’m getting something to drink.” Peter informed me, his eyes on the bar. “I’ll be watching you.”

***

Moments later a fanfare of trumpets announced the entrance of the royal family. Everyone bowed their heads in respect.

“Welcome.” A deep voice boomed over us, and I gasped when I dared to look up and met those dark eyes of the wolf who saved me. King Amaris Black. He looked right at me and smiled. “You all know why you are here. Tonight, I will choose my mate and queen.”

An expectant hush fell over the crowd. My palms started to sweat, and my heart pounded heavily in my chest. I was welded to the marble floor as I watched him mingle with the crowd. He towered out above them.

“But first, enjoy the feast.” He said and lifted a hand and at his gesture, soft music filled the room. Servants rushed to uncover the tables laden with food and I looked around to see Peter standing at the fully stocked bar chatting with some males.

‘Raine, it was him, wasn’t it? I’m not imagining it?’ Tasha paced nervously in my mind.

“I would never forget that face.” It was the face of a dark angel.

To say he was attractive would be an understatement. Luke was a boy compared to him. Hair as black as midnight curled onto his broad shoulders. The way he carried himself, like the whole world was his, confident and somewhat arrogant. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

‘He’s coming this way. Oh, Goddess help us…’ Tasha whined.

She was right. He made his way towards me, and I was still as stone.

“You look ravishing.” He said as his eyes bored into mine. “I made the right choice. That color suits you.”

I bowed my head. “Thank you, your Majesty.” I managed to get the words out of my very dry throat.

He bent down and said next to my ear. “My name is Amaris to you, Raine Grey. Remember it because tonight you will be screaming it as I make you mine.”

My legs came to life, and I ran, shoving people out of the way.