The Alpha King's Series
CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER FIVE

BRINLEY.

Julia and I spent most of the day in town, and she helped me pick out new clothes. Julia couldn'tunderstand why I had brought so few clothes with me, and I didn't tell her that was all I owned.Some things are better left in the past. Darkness had already fallen upon the kingdom by the time Ishowered and slipped on a pair of jeans and a yellow striped t-shirt with a v neck. I followed Julia'sinstructions and slipped out the kitchen's back door. After five minutes, I found the greenhouse. Thepond I am supposed to meet Thomas is a mile through the woods after the greenhouse.

The woods were dark; I could barely see anything. “Tap into my wolf sight," Sage tells me. I shake myhead, “No, I will replace it." I replied. 'So stubborn,’ Sage murmurs. Yes," I nod, “But you love me anyway,’'l will always love you, my little human,’ Sage purred. 'I love you too, Sage.’

After some time of walking through the woods, the sound of water in the distance caught myattention. So I walk my way towards the sound of the water. My father's words came to mind, andthe horrible things he said to me. "No one will want to be mated to a pathetic human like you.Gabriel rejected you for it, and if you get lucky enough to get a second chance, he will reject youtoo. You are Nothing Brinley but the worst mistake I've ever made.”

I stopped walking; my father was right. Thomas will reject me. Why even get my hopes up? Just tobe let down again. I turn to walk back the way I came to the palace. I didn't want to be rejectedagain. I was happy at the thought of a second chance, but at what risk? My sanity? Sage's sanity? It'snot worth the risk. Someone grabbed my hand, and I knew it was Thomas when I felt the tingles. Heturned me around to face him, "Where are you going?" "Back to my room, " I shook my head,""Why?" I inhaled, "I don't want to get hurt," I told him honestly. He frowns, "And you think I wouldhurt you?" I shrug, "Maybe,"

Thomas lets out a breath, "I won't. You have to trust me,” "I can't, I'm sorry.”

"Close your eyes. I wanna show you something before you go," I shook my head and removed myhand from his. "Please." What is it about his voice that I can't refuse? The way my body reacts andfights against my mind. I sigh and nod my head. I closed my eyes as he asked of me, and I felt himgrab my hand. Then, using my free hand, I gripped his shoulder when he started moving so that Ididn't fall. My clumsiness hasn't changed over the years. I was nervous, not knowing where Thomaswas taking me. The sound of the water was louder now, and Thomas came to a halt. "Don't openyour eyes," Thomas tells me and lets go of my hand. And I already missed the warmth of his hand,the way my skin felt from his touch. The bond was already substantial, but I'm not 100% sure how Iwill avoid the mate bond.

"Open your eyes, 508."

I slowly crept my eyes open, and they widened in astonishment. The pond was large, and the waterpoured from the rocks like a waterfall. The sound was soothing, and the scene was even morebreathtaking than imagined. "Wow," Thomas chuckled, "I knew you would like it." "It's beautiful,” Itold him. "Not as beautiful as you,” Thomas whispered, making my cheeks heat. I covered my facewith my hand, a habit when I'm embarrassed. "Even more so. When your flushed,” Still hiding myface from him, I shook my head, "I have to go," I whispered. "What are you so afraid of?" I purse mylips, "Nothing. I have to go," I tell him again. I walk past him, but he grabs my hand. "Are you afraidof me?" Our eyes locked, and his silver orbs pulled me. "No. I...I have to go,” I say and move my armfrom his grasp so that I can leave.

"You won't give me ten minutes?” I stop walking and glance back at him. Thomas had his hair fullydown, no bun, and boy, is he sexy. I never thought long hair could be sexy on a man, but boy was Iever wrong. "Fine. Ten minutes,” I tell him and walk back over to him. I sit on the blanket Thomashad laid on the ground over, looking the pond. Thomas sat next to me, and I pulled my knees to mychest and stole a glance at his chiseled face. "How do you like living in the palace?" I shrug, "It'sokay. How about you?" He smiles, "I never wanted to live in the palace. I always dreamt of building ahouse in living in silence,” "Why don't you?" Thomas inhaled a deep breath and stared out at thewaterfall. "I have duties in the palace.” I nodded my head in understanding because I had duties tothe palace as well.

"I don't like the idea of you being a slave. But I can't change it.” I frowned and looked up at him."I've been a slave all my life Thomas. So it's Nothing new to me. At least we get paid wages here.”His forehead creased, "You were a slave before you came here?" I nodded, "Being a half-breed and amistake. I was tilted Omega by my father and Alpha of the pack I lived in before I came here. I hadto do everything at my house, and the Luna would make me do things at the packhouse,"

"I had no idea," I forced a smile on my lips, "It's okay. I always dreamt of getting out of that pack. Ithurt when the future Alpha rejected me, but simultaneously. I was relieved.” "He was a fool,"Thomas told me. I covered my face when I felt my cheeks grow warm. "Come on, let's go for aswim," I arched my brow, "Are you kidding?" Thomas stood to his feet and walked near the pond.He turned to face me and removed his shirt. "Doe's it look like I'm kidding?" My eyes dropped fromhis face to his nice toned chest, abs that looked like mountains rolling down his abdomen. And theV line, oh Goddess. I Involuntary accepted the knew feeling that was swirling in the pit of mystomach. My limbs trembled ever so slightly as Thomas took down his trousers, tossing them to theside.

His dark blue boxers clung tight to his thick muscled thighs. Thomas turned towards the water, and Inoticed a tattoo filled most of his back. A dagger was piercing a heart. "Are you coming?” Thomassaid, breaking me from my train of thought. I bite my lip and look away.

My body is urging me to join Thomas in the water. However, my mind is worried about what willhappen if I do. "508. Come on." I shook my head, "I don't have a swimsuit," "Neither did I. I won'tlook."

"No," I shook my head, "I'm not going to strip in front of you,” "508. I'll come to get you and throwyou in if you don't get in this water,” Thomas teased. "You wouldn't?" A smirk played on his lips,"Wouldn't 1?" I sighed, "You promise you won't look?"

"Promise," He said, "Look, I'll even turn around,” He told me and turned in the opposite direction. Istood to my feet and walked near the water. I stripped off my clothes and threw them next toThomas's stuff. The water was warm as I stepped in, and once the water came to my knees, I doveunder and swam past Thomas.

"See, that wasn't so hard, was it?" I rolled my eyes.

I then realized Thomas had told me Nothing about himself. Other than he doesn't want to live in thepalace. "Tell me something about yourself,”

"What do you wanna know?" Thomas said, swimming over to me. "How old are you?" "Twenty-eight,” "Your eighteen?” I shook my head, “Seventeen,” He ran his finger through his long wet curls."Doe, 's my age bother you?" He asked. I shook my head, "No." Thomas grabbed my hips, pullingme closer to him. Even in the water, I can feel the tingles on my skin. "Doe,'s my age bother you?"Our eyes met, and I was lost in his silver eyes for a moment. "A little," He admitted.