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

Chapter 83 

AMARIS 

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Children screamed, running to their mothers afraid of the sudden darkness because all the fires went out like a giant breath had extinguished it. Confused wolves milled about, shouting, cursing the noise was overwhelming. 

– 

“What witchery is this?!” Elder Jonas shouted above the commotion. “Look at the castle! This is the witch’s doing. She’s going to destroy us all.” 

I shoved the elder out of my way and he fell at my feet. “Stop laying blame where it doesn’t belong, you fool!” I roared at him, and he scrambled out of my way. 

No welcome lights lit up the castle and grounds. Pitch dark all around. Even the stars seemed dimmed. This was no natural 

Occurrence. 

‘Athan!’ Rage roared in my head, “This is his doing. He’s coming for Raine!’ and he pushed for control, but I held back. 

‘We can’t leave now!’ Not while everyone is in a state of chaos. But what was more important? The safety of my kingdom or my mate. Raine would always come first. 

Vincent touched my arm. “Are we under attack?” 

“It seems that way.” I grabbed one of the guards. “Take the women and pups to safety. Go to the castle. Go now!” I shouted at the top of my voice to be heard. 

There was a foul wind blowing, chairs toppled over rolling like tumbleweed over the grass. The she-wolves needed not to be told twice, they grabbed their children and ran to the safety of the castle. 

“We’re with you, Your Majesty.” Vincent and the other males stood their ground. “We fight!” 

To fight an unseen enemy. Athan must have the witches on his side that would explain this unnatural eclipse. And I just let Raine leave with one. Who knows whether she could really be trusted. 

‘You should have never let her go! Rage scolded me but there was no time for his righteous anger. 

I linked Lord Greyson and Ross. ‘Secure the castle. I need every able wolf to fight. We’re under attack. 

‘Sire, I’ve already sent guards to secure the borders.’ Lord Greyson linked back. ‘You have to go now, find Her Majesty 

“I’m coming with you!” Ross was right behind me. “Tell me you sent guards with them.” 

“Of course I did!” What kind of fool did he take me for? And why did it concern him so much? 

I didn’t bother to undress I just let Rage rip through my clothes, discarding my crown and sword. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Ross and the others do the same. I led the way up the mountain road, tracing the SUV’s tracks with Vincent and his group following and Ross next to me. 

*** 

Soon I saw a dark shape pulled over to the side of the road. There I picked up her scent immediately. Where the fuck was the driver? And the guards I sent to watch over her? I tried to link them but got no response. 

‘Raine? Raine! Answer me.’ She couldn’t be that far. Nothing. Rage jumped onto the rocks and let out a howl, long and sonorous. His voice echoed between the mountain ridges. We waited. Only our voice was thrown back to haunt us. 

‘She’s not answering. Ross linked back. ‘We’re not close enough.’ His big, brown wolf was right beside me on that rock. 

‘Follow their scent!’ I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were too late. Sending a panicked prayer up to the Moon Goddess I charged through the thickets, jumped over boulders, crashed through the overgrowth, Don’t let me be too late. I will not let Athan take her from me again. 

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10:55 

Tue, Apr 

Chapter 83 

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Ross and I noticed it at the same time, the metallic, sour smell of blood and death. My heart dropped to my stomach. No words were necessary. We sprinted in the direction of the scent, fearing what we might find. She wasn’t there. 

‘The guards.’ Ross said. ‘What could have done this much damage?’ They were torn apart and almost unrecognizable. 

I’ve seen this before.’ This was the work of vampires. ‘Hurry! We must find Raine. This time nothing will stop me from killing that bastard Athan. 

‘Amaris, be careful. This could be a trap.” Ross, the ever cautious one whereas I didn’t care. I would plunge headlong into hell to save my queen. 

Raine’s scent led us to the top of the mountain. I took my human form, shouting her name out loud. Once again, my voice mocked me through the echoes. 

“Your Majesty, in here!” I recognized the voice as that of my driver, Bart. He came scurrying out of a cave of some sorts. 

“Where is my mate? Where is Raine?” I grabbed him by the shoulders bringing him face to face with me. “Answer me!” 

Ross went into the cave. “Fuck! Amaris, get in here.” He called out to me. 

I dropped Bart and bent down to peer into the cave. She wasn’t there. Instead, I saw Joanna and Rhona. Rhona was cradling her mother in her arms; sobbing. Both looked injured. No, no, this couldn’t be happening again. 

“Where is she? Who took her?” I crawled into the cave with them. Ross went out to search the perimeter together with Vincent and the others. 

They couldn’t have gotten far. Search everywhere!” I heard Ross shout. 

“Rhona, what happened?” I may sound calm, but I was far from it. I wanted to shake the truth out of them. “I trusted you. with her!” I could hardly breathe. A heavy weight lay on my chest threatening to crush my heart. 

“Please, Your Majesty… My mother is dying.” Rhona sobbed, holding Joanna’s head up. “You must help her.” 

I bent over Joanna, and she opened her eyes and grabbed my arm. Blood trickled from between her lips. “I’m sorry, Amaris. I tried to stop them.” She groaned and her head fell back to Rhona’s shoulder. 

“Who did this, Joanna? Was it Athan?” I took her chin in my hand and her eyes fluttered open once again. I needed an answer, dammit! 

“They took her, Your Majesty. The council.” Joanna was gasping for air. “They told me to give you a message.” 

Rhona lifted her mother upright. “Don’t talk too much, Mother. Conserve your energy.” 

“No, no… I must… They said you must renounce your throne if you want her alive, Amaris.” 

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