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

Chapter 77 

JOANNA 

“Blessed be, Sister.” I greeted Joyce Rowe the Coven leader and advisor to the High Magus. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” As if I didn’t know. She was here because of Raine, and I was deeply concerned. Not for myself, but for the king and the future of our kind. 

“Blessed be.” Joyce stepped into my humble home and made herself 

comfortable in front of the hearth. Shadow, my cat, jumped onto the table and regarded the witch with curiosity, switching his tail back and forth. His turquoise eyes were watching her balefully. She didn’t attempt to stroke him, credit to her, because he would have taken great offence. 

“Nice home you have, Sister Joanna.” She was as much impressed with my hut as my cat was with her. 

I smiled to myself. “It suits me.” 

“Indeed,” she murmured. “Strange that the werewolves allow you so close to the castle. Do they know about your daughter?” 

The coven knew about my affair with my werewolf lover and also about Rhona. At least they weren’t as judgmental as the wolves were, but I wouldn’t put it past them to use that as leverage and I was right. But fortunately, I had a Tarot card up my sleeve. 

“The king and queen knows.” I filled the kettle and placed it on the hearth to brew tea. “But you aren’t here to talk about my daughter, Sister Joyce.” I wasn’t about to let them use me like that. Rhona was close to Raine and from what I have noticed about her, she would protect my daughter. 

Rhona had also been close to Amaris since she came under his service. He’s always been good to her. I knew about her crush on him. Poor girl. Like mother and daughter, loving someone she would never have. 

Her smile did not reach her greyish eyes. “Did you hear that the king wants to change the laws about inter–species matings? I’m sure that would benefit you as well, Sister Joanna.” 

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Chapter 77 

That didn’t surprise me to be honest. “Really.” I put a plate of berries on the table. 

“Yes, especially after what happened earlier. The young queen had an 

outburst. She has no control over her power, Sister Joanna. But of course, I’m sure you are aware of it.” 

With a power so new it wasn’t surprising. So it was her. I thought as much. There had been a sudden change in the atmosphere earlier and the sun hid behind dark clouds that appeared out of nowhere. Even the forest was unusually quiet like it was waiting, holding its breath. 

“I can see by your expression that you felt it too.” Joyce said. She was so astute in her observations, I smiled to myself. Shadow yawned and proceeded to lick his paws. 

“I did.” The kettle began to boil, and I poured the tea. The flowery smell of jasmine curled up from the cups. “Honey?” 

She declined. “I’m trying to cut down on the sweet stuff.” She patted her midriff. 

“What do you want from me, Sister Joyce?” I wished she would cut to the chase because I was anxious to get to the castle. Raine needed my help. 

“Here’s the thing, Sister Joanna. You need to convince the king to let me take her to the High Magus. She is a danger to others as well as herself. She almost killed the prince.” 

What a shame… “I’m sure he deserved it.” 

“He did provoke her but that is not the point. That little show of hers is going to cost her dearly. The elders are divided between the two brothers, and I fear for her life, Sister Joanna.” Joyce seemed sincere in her effort to make me believed she cared for Raine. I didn’t believe it for one second. She was a power–hungry witch. She would up her rank if she brought Raine to the High Magus. 

“The king is stubborn and refuses to let her leave with us.” she said. 

“You have no idea how strong the mate bond is, Sister. Amaris already lost her 

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once to the Vampire King. Besides, you already said he would change the laws to keep her.” That was a long time coming. I believed in fate, and I believed. that was the reason Raine was sent to Amaris. 

“That is not to say he will be successful.” Joyce popped a handful of the tart berries into her mouth. 

“Then he will dispose of anyone against him. That is how it is with the werewolves and especially one as powerful as Amaris. He loves her.” 

“Hah! Love. Such a useless emotion,” she exclaimed with her mouth full. The juice dripped down to her square chin. 

“Then you have never experienced it, Sister.” I said mildly, crushing one of the berries between my teeth, the sharpness exploded deliciously on my tongue. 

I must have hit a nerve because her face went a shade paler than her scarlet spiky hair. 

Her expression turned sullen. She frowned at me, dabbing her chin with her sleeve. “That is beside the point. Are you going to help me or not?” 

“I am competent enough to train her. You can tell the High Magus that if he values the peace, he’d best leave her be.” 

She laughed loudly like I had just made a joke, “Are you threatening the Magus? You’re not even a Supreme.” 

“I know, but I have skills.” I sipped my sweet tea carefully. “And I am not threatening anyone. I’m just explaining to you what would happen.” 

She finished her tea. “Well, it will be on your head then if anything goes wrong, Sister. You’ll come looking to us for help and then it would have been too late.” 

“Give my regards to the sisters and the Magus.” I stood up to hold the door for her. Shadow rubbed himself against my legs, as eager as I was to get rid of Joyce. 

She huffed and dragged her considerable bulk out of my chair. Once outside, she teleported herself back to the castle.