The Alpha King's Series
CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER NINE

BRINLEY.

I sold you.

I sold you.

I have sold you to another kingdom.

Those were the only words I could hear repeating, repeatedly playing in my head. Panic rose in me,and I fidgetted with my fingers, something I do when I'm nervous or scared. "Kyle, please.” Heclenches his jaw, "What's done cannot be undone. The kingdom has already purchased you,""When?" My voice was barely audible. "You have one month here. In the meantime, you still have topresume your work ethic. If you wish to tell anyone about your departure, it is your choice.” Inodded. "That's all. You can go now,” Kyle said as he returned to his paperwork.

Tyler escorted me back to my chambers. He asked what Kyle had wanted, and I told him it wasabout the strawberries. He believed me and asked if I had decided on the date. I took Katie's adviceand told him yes. Then, he asked where I wanted to go, and I told him to the pond. It has becomemy favorite place, and I plan on going every chance I get before I leave this place.

Tyler will make our food, and we will do a picnic which I've never done before, so I'm excited aboutit. Although part of me wishes Thomas was the one I was going out with instead of Tyler.

I'm trying hard not to let my emotions get the best of me. But, I also need to let Tyler know thatfriends are all we will ever be. Nothing more, Nothing less. I can't help but worry about this newkingdom, what their rules will be, and just what they purchased me for. I shivered at the thought.I've been at the pond for over an hour now. But Thomas still hadn't shown, and I'm beginning tothink if he ever will. A month is not a lot of time to spend with your mate anyway, but when yourmate doesn't show up, don't exactly help the situation. I shouldn't have walked away from him thatnight. But, if I'd known he wouldn't come back, I wouldn't have.

I waited at the pond for four hours, but he didn't show........

"Brinley, are you sure your alright?" I narrow my eyes at Julia, but she has done Nothing but be agood friend to me. I sigh, "Thomas, he is still upset with me," Julia raises her brow, "About the fightyou guys had?. It was over three days ago.” I shake my head, "I know. My date with Tyler isTomorrow." Julia nods, "I know. And am so excited, I want deets this time.” I laugh and shake myhead. "Are you going to tell me what the fight was over? Between you and Thomas?" I purse mylips, "I'd rather not get into it. It hurts too much to think about," Julia nodded her head, and we bothcleaned up the standing room for the party the Alpha king was hosting tonight.

Julia and I were almost finished setting up for the party when the door burst open. Katie camerushing in and ran straight to me. She was breathing ragged, and I put a comforting hand on hershoulder, "Katie, calm down. Breathe," I told her. " Breathe, In," I did the motion with my hand,inhaling as she did, "And, breathe, out,” Again doing it with her. Julia was standing on her other sidein case she lost her balance. "Now, what are you doing?" I asked her. Julia frowned, "You know thebeta, female?” I nodded, "We came from the same pack.” Katie told her. Julia nodded inunderstanding.

"The party tonight. Are you helping serve the guest?" I nodded, "All slaves must help," I exclaimed."The shadow pack Alpha is coming with his mate.” My forehead creased. Then it dawned on meGabriel was the pack Alpha, and Amanda was his mate. "Oh, my Goddess. Katie, what am I going todo? Better yet, why are they coming here?" She shook her head, "I don't know. But they need TheKing's help on a matter. You better replace a way out of that party if you don’t want to see him," Katietells me.

"Okay, someone fills me in," Julia said, placing her hands on her hips and shaking her head. "Gabrielwas my mate. The one that rejected me, the reason I'm a slave. And his second chance mate was mybest friend whom he accepted.” "That asshole,” Julia snarls, "You don't know its half," Katie tells Julia."Go back before your miss. I will help Brinley replace a way out of this mess.” Julia said to Katie, whonodded.

Katie embraced me before she left and whispered good luck in my ear. I will surely need all the luckI can get.

"C'mon, on Mrs. Bates. Please, I can't be in that room and face him after what he did to me.” Shesighed, "I'm sorry. The Alpha King has given strict orders. All slaves must tend to the guests.” I couldfeel tears welling up in my eyes, but I blinked them away. "However," Mrs. Bates said. "I can helpyou. But just this once.” I nodded, "Thank you so much.” She nods, “I'm only doing this because Itoo was rejected by my pack Alpha, and I remember pretty well how I never wanted to see himagain.” "I'm sorry," She shook her head, "Don't be. Now have all the girls come into my office intwenty minutes. I will have the plan ready.” I nodded and stood from my seat. "Thanks again,” I toldher before I left the office.

Mrs. Bates had managed to get her hands on perfume that masks your scent. She had brought usred uniforms with no numbers and red masquerade masks to wear over our eyes. And each of ushad the same blonde wig. Mrs. Bates told us that if anyone asks our number, not to say anything. Sotonight, we were all just servers, no numbers, no enslaved people.

We all stood in a line as Mrs. Bates looked over. After finishing that, she spoke. "I don't smell yourscents. You all know I am doing this.” We all nodded. "Good. Now, remember what I said. You are allservers. Do not give out your slave number." Again we nodded. "Okay, the cooks are done and havetrays for each of you with drinks and appetizers. Go serve them.” She told us. We all headed to thekitchen, each grabbing a tray of different things. One by one, we walked into the party. I held mybreath as I stepped into the room.

Oh, Goddess. Would you mind letting this work?

So far, so good. My tray was full of red wine glasses, and I walked around the room, offering one tothe guests. I hadn't seen Amanda or Gabriel yet. I was hoping they wouldn't show. My tray wasempty, so I picked up all the empty glasses back to the kitchen. I sat the tray down, and the cookremoved the glasses and began to fill them. He sat out new glasses and began to fill them withmore wine. I grabbed the other tray of tiny sandwiches and was heading back. Julia grabbed myarm, "They're here." I nodded and walked to the closed door. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breathbefore stepping into the lion's den.

I was walking around the room, and someone would take a sandwich ever so often. My eyesroamed the room, looking for where not to go. Part of me was also curious about what The AlphaKing looked like. I was scanning through the faces of the crowded room when my eyes landed onone, and I froze.

Thomas.

And at that moment, our eyes met. I tried to look away, but I couldn't. Those silver eyes drew me,and I was sinking in quicksand. His forehead creased, and I knew he was about to recognize me, so Ilooked away and offered someone a sandwich.

I tried my best to avoid Thomas most of the night. I still hadn't seen Amanda or Gabriel. They mustbe mingling.

I picked up my next tray of white wine and headed back to the party. That's when I saw her,Amanda.

Her blonde hair was curled and hung past her shoulders, and her skin looked even paler in that darkgreen dress she was wearing. Her lips were painted red, and the green dress only made her greeneyes pop. I shook my head when I realized I had been staring for too long.

I hope no one noticed.

When I turn Thomas's silver eyes, we're staring at me. A shiver danced down my spine when his lipcurled at the side. My heart rate quickened as he strolled over to me, grabbing a glass of wine. Hiseyes fell on my chest, looking at my pushed-up boobs ready to spill over the dress.

So typical of a man to look at a girl's breasts when they have a mate.

"Nice tits, 508." My eyes widened, and I gaped. He smirks and walks back over to the crowd of men.I swallowed hard, watching him walk away in that tight black suit that I wanted to tare off his body.Goodness, Brinley, calm the hell down. My cheeks heated just at the thought, and I hid my face withmy hand.