The Alpha King's Series
CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER FOUR

XANDER.

Her scent was strong when she first arrived at the palace, and it took all the strength I had to keepmy distance. The rumor of me hating women spread far beyond the kingdom when I explained toall my people that I had no intentions of replaceing my mate. I knew that once I saw her, I would haveto end her life before she could destroy the kingdom once again. The Caputo men that would rulethe kingdom were all cursed with the same mate. Caliana. Her mother was a powerful witch, and herfather was the strongest vampire known.

The curse was placed on my ancestor Lorenzo who fell in love with a peasant, and his father forbadetheir love and shipped Gemma off to the states. Gemma was devastated that Lorenzo didn't comefor her; Gemma soon moved on and found Hugo. They had a daughter together named Caliana.Lorenzo found Gemma after some time, but what he did was unthinkable, and he killed Caliana atthe age of one. She was asleep in her bed. But Lorenzo didn't know that Gemma was a solid andpowerful being; Gemma cursed all of Lorenzo's descendants, the heirs to the throne. Cursing theCaputo men with Caliana as our mate. So when the heir to the throne kills Caliana, she comes backto the next person in line.

My father killed her, and now the curse falls on me. I swore that I would do everything in my powerto protect my kingdom, even if that meant I would have to end my mate's life.

Even though I didn't want a mate, I couldn't bear the thought of her being branded. I told Kyle tostop it, but he informed me she was already there, so I took the liberty to get her myself. And manwas I pissed as I saw her lying on the complex metal table; it took everything I had in me not to ripthose men's throats out. So instead, I scooped my mate into my arms and walked her out of there.After only moments of being in my arms, she fell asleep.

I wasn't about to take her to the enslaved person's quarters. So instead, I took her to my room. Iplaced her gently on the bed and covered her with the quilt, and she cuddled to it. I then went tomy office; being near her was too much for me. I didn't want to fall for her knowing I'd have to KILLHER.

I ran my fingers through my long hair. There was this uneasy feeling in my gut when the knock onthe door came.

"Come in," I called out. Julia came through the door and walked over to me. She sits half on mydesk before me, spreading her legs. Julia was wearing a silky green nightgown that hung to mid-thigh. I can smell that she's aroused. I would bend her over my desk any other time and fuck thatpussy hard and rough until she couldn't come anymore. But seeing my mate touching her made mefeel sick at the thought of touching Julia. "I'm busy. What is it you want?" Julia raised her thineyebrow, "I want you. is that not obvious?" “I can't right now. I have work to do,”

Julia stood to her feet. "Well, that's too bad,” She said, putting her left knee on my right leg. "I'm sowet for you, baby,” Julia half moaned, placing her right knee on my left leg, straddling mecompletely. I stood to my feet, grabbing Julia by her ass so that she didn't fall. She wrapped her legsaround my waist. I walk over to the door and open it. I grabbed Julia by her hips tightly, and she letout a shirking moan. I pried her from my body and placed her feet on the floor, she opened hermouth to say something, but I closed the door in her face.

I walked over to the couch that was off to the left of my office, and I lay down. My mind wouldn'tstop thinking about my mate—her long brown hair, bright green eyes, pale skin, and small stature.The girl couldn't be any more than 5'2 in height, and I chuckled.

“Mate is beautiful,’ My wolf Bane said. I nodded in agreement. “Don't get attached, Bane,’ I remindhim. He growls, “How do you know our mate is even Caliana? You haven't spoken to her,’ Banemurmurs. “The curse skips no one. She is Caliana, and she must die. You and I both know she alwaysChooses her bad mate.’ Bane shakes his head, "We can change that,"

"How?" I asked him. “Show Caliana how much we love her,’ He replied. I shook my head, “We'll see.But don't get your hopes up, Bane," He huffed, 'l never do when it comes to you, Xander," I pushedBane to the back of my mind to get some sleep. My mate's face flooded my mind as I closed myeyes.

I woke up at 4:00 am for my morning run. I let Bane run and take control for about an hour; I ran inhuman form. To keep my body in shape. I opened the mind- link to Kyle.

'Kyle,' Yes, Alpha?’ Kyle replied. 'I'll be there for breakfast in ten minutes. Have a tray set up withfood for the new slave. But tell no one who it's for," I told him and cut the link so I could finish myrun.

I ran into the palace and up to my room to shower. Once I was done, I went downstairs forbreakfast. My mate was still asleep when I finished my shower. I didn't want to wake her. That's whyKyle is having her tray made so I can take it up to her when she wakes. "We have the phoneconference with Mark Mortaga," Kyle Informed me. I groaned; that's all I needed. Mark has beenbadgering me to replace my mate and have kids so we could set an arranged marriage. Mark Mortagahas been trying to merge with my kingdom for some time now. Even if I had a daughter, I would diebefore letting her marry a Mortaga. "Fine. But no merger, make that clear before I waste my time,”Kyle nods, "Already done, Alpha, this is about another matter,” I nod. "Very well,"

I walked through my bedroom door with the food tray in my hand. My mate was sitting up, lookingconfused as to where she was. "You're awake. How are you feeling?" Her eyes met mineGoosebumps were evident on her arms. "My stomach and side hurts. But I'm fine," I sat the traydown on her lap, "Eat," I told her. She nodded, "Thank you," She mumbled. "Do you want some?"She offered. I glanced at her from over my shoulder; she was so beautiful. "I ate already. It would bebest if you ate,” I told her, and she dug into her food. I was sitting at the front edge of the bed whenshe spoke again. "What's your name?" I stood from the bed and met her gaze. Her bright greeneyes pulled me in, and for a moment, I lost myself. “Say something to her,’ Bane urged me. "Why doyou want to know?" She pursed her lips, "Curious, I guess.” "Thomas." My middle name rolled offmy tongue smoothly.

"Thomas," She repeated. I nodded. The way her soft voice said my name made me quiver, "And yourname?" I asked. Kyle doesn't replace out the girl's name, and if he did hers, he never said anything tome about it. She shakes her head, "508," "You had a name before coming here. What was it?" Againshe shook her head. "Why don't you ask the Alpha King? I cannot tell anyone my name, so ask himif you want to know it." I arched my brow, and I stared at her intensely. So I am the Alpha King. Iwanted so badly to tell her. But gaze fell on her plumped pink lips, and I swallowed hard. My matelooked down at the half-empty plate of food, and she took another bite of Bacon. "Tell me 508. DOyou feel strange around me?” She swallows the Bacon, looks into my eyes, and says, "Yes," "Why doyou think that is?" She asks. My forehead creased. Does she not realize we are mates?

"You don't know?" She nods, "I know about mates. I don't know why I am feeling that towards you.”I walked over to her, lifted the tray from her lap, and sat it on the bedside table. "You have a mate?""I am a slave, am I not?" "I didn't ask you if you were a slave. I asked if you have a mate," I said,clenching my jaw. She shook her head, "I was rejected. So no, I don't have a mate,"

'How could anyone reject her? She's such a prize,’ Bane said. 'I'm not sure, but whoever he is, he'scrazy,’ Bane nodded.

After some time, she finally spoke, "I have to go. I'm going into town with one of my slave friends.”She said and stood from the bed, our bodies ever so close. "I'm your second chance,” I informedher. She shook her head, "Half-breeds like me don't get second chances,” She whispered. I brushedmy lips lightly against hers and tingles spread throughout. "Do you feel that?" She nodded, "Yes,but..."

"No buts," I cut her off, " I'll only let you leave this room if you promise to meet me.” Her eyebrowsfurrowed, "How am I going to that?" I smirked, "Figure it out. I'll be waiting by the pound,” I told herand walked to the door to escort her back to her room.