CHAPTER 3: THE ALPHA KING

TWO YEARS LATER

Elysia’s POV

It had been two years since my mother died. Two years since that night in the forest. Two years since a stranger fucked me against a tree and told me I was the biggest mistake of his life.

I thought about him sometimes. Late at night when I couldn’t sleep. I’d replay it in my head—the way his hands felt on my skin, the way he’d made me feel wanted for five whole minutes before ripping it away.

I didn’t even know his name.

But it didn’t matter anymore. Because three months ago, everything changed.

I found my mate.

Killian Lockwood. The Alpha’s son. Strong, handsome, ambitious. The kind of wolf every girl in the pack dreamed about.

And somehow, impossibly, he was mine.

I’d been carrying water from the river when it happened—the bond snapping into place like a rope pulling tight around my chest. I dropped the buckets, water spilling everywhere, and looked up to find him standing there, his amber eyes locked on mine.

For a second, just a second, I thought I saw something. Recognition. Maybe even relief.

But then his jaw tightened, and he looked away.

“Clean that up,” he’d said, his voice cold. “And don’t tell anyone.”

I should have known then. Should have realized what kind of mate he’d be.

But I was so desperate to believe the moon goddess hadn’t forgotten me that I ignored every red flag.

He just needs time, I told myself. He’ll come around.

Spoiler: he didn’t.

“Move faster, Elysia. You’re slowing everyone down.”

I gritted my teeth and scrubbed harder at the stone floor, my knees aching from kneeling for the past two hours. My hands were raw, the skin cracked and bleeding in places, but I didn’t stop.

If I stopped, someone would notice. And if someone noticed, they’d find another reason to call me useless.

“She’s always slow,” another servant muttered. “Scentless and lazy. What did we expect?”

My wolf stirred, a faint, tired presence in the back of my mind. *Ignore them.*

I was trying.

The pack house was chaos today. Everyone was preparing for the royal feast tomorrow night—the biggest event of the year. Alphas from across the territories would be gathering, and rumor had it the Alpha King himself would attend.

Rhaegar Draven.

Even his name made people nervous.

I’d never seen him, of course. Someone like me wasn’t allowed to. We weren’t even supposed to look at his boots, let alone his face. But I’d heard the stories. Everyone had.

They said he was ruthless. That he’d killed his way to the throne and ruled with an iron fist. That he was impossibly strong, impossibly cold, and if you crossed him, you didn’t live long enough to regret it.

They also said he was devastatingly handsome, though I figured that was just people romanticizing a man who could snap them in half.

“Elysia!”

I flinched and looked up. Mira stood in the doorway, her arms full of linens, her face flushed.

“There you are,” she said, rushing over. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. You need to come help in the kitchens. Now.”

I pushed myself to my feet, wincing as my knees cracked. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. We’re just drowning in work and Cook is losing her mind.” She grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the door. “Come on.”

As we walked, she leaned in closer, her voice dropping. “How are you holding up?”

I knew what she was really asking. How’s Killian treating you?

“Fine,” I lied.

Mira’s eyes narrowed. “Ely…”

“I’m fine, Mira.” I forced a smile. “Really.”

She didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t push. She knew better.

The truth was, Killian treated me like I didn’t exist. In public, anyway. He’d pass me in the halls without so much as a glance. He’d sit at meals with his father and the other high-ranking wolves, laughing and talking like I wasn’t scrubbing floors ten feet away.

But in private? That was different.

He’d pull me into empty rooms and kiss me like he was starving. He’d press me against walls and touch me in ways that made my brain go fuzzy. And for a few minutes, I’d let myself believe he actually wanted me.

But then it would end, and he’d pull away, his expression hard.

“Don’t let this get into your head,” he’d say. “And don’t tell anyone.”

Every time, it felt like a knife twisting in my chest.

But I kept coming back. Because what else was I supposed to do?

He was my mate. The moon goddess had chosen him for me. That had to mean something. Right?

By the time the sun set, I was exhausted. My back ached, my hands were bleeding, and I smelled like sweat and dish soap.

But I wasn’t done yet.

Killian had sent word earlier that he wanted to see me. Privately.

My wolf stirred, a faint flutter of hope in my chest. Maybe this time will be different.

I cleaned myself up as best I could, scrubbing the dirt from under my nails and tying my hair back. Then I made my way to his quarters, my heart pounding.

He was waiting by the window when I slipped inside, his back to me. He didn’t turn around.

“Lock the door,” he said.

I did.

He turned then, his amber eyes sweeping over me. For a moment, I thought I saw something—warmth, maybe, or desire—but it was gone before I could be sure.

“Come here,” he said.

I crossed the room, stopping a few feet away. He closed the distance, his hand coming up to cup my jaw.

“You’ve been working hard,” he murmured, his thumb brushing over my cheek.

“I…yes. I wanted to make sure everything was perfect for the feast.”

His lips twitched. “Always so eager to please.”

There was something mocking in his tone, but I ignored it. Because his hand was sliding down my neck, his fingers tracing my collarbone, and I couldn’t think straight.

“Killian,” I whispered. He kissed me then, hard and demanding, and I melted into him. This was what I needed. This was proof that he cared, even if he wouldn’t say it.

But when his hands started to wander, something in me hesitated.

“Wait,” I said, pulling back slightly. “Can we…can we talk?”

His expression darkened. “Talk about what?”

“About us. About the bond.” I swallowed hard. “Why haven’t we told anyone? Why haven’t we had a ceremony?”

His jaw tightened. “Because it’s not the right time.”

“It’s been three months…”

“I said it’s not the right time.” His voice was sharp now, cutting. “Don’t push me on this, Elysia.”

“I just don’t understand..”

“You don’t need to understand.” He stepped back, his eyes cold. “You just need to do what you’re told.”

I felt like I’d been slapped.

“Killian..”

“Get out.”

I stared at him, my chest tight, my eyes burning. But I didn’t cry. I wouldn’t give him that.

I turned and walked out, closing the door softly behind me.

And as I stood in the hallway, alone again, my wolf whimpered. *Why doesn’t he want us?* I didn’t have an answer.

The next day passed in a blur of preparation. By the time evening arrived, the pack house was transformed. Lanterns hung from the trees, tables were laden with food, and wolves from all over the territories had started to arrive.

I stayed in the background, where I belonged. My job tonight was simple: serve, clean, stay invisible. I’d done it a hundred times before.

But tonight felt different. There was a tension in the air, a hum of excitement and fear. Because he was here.

The Alpha King.

I didn’t see him arrive. I was too busy hauling trays of food from the kitchens. But I felt it—the way the crowd shifted, the way conversations dropped to whispers. And then I heard someone say his name.

“Rhaegar.”

My hands tightened on the tray. I didn’t know why, but something about that name made my chest ache. I shook it off and kept working.

An hour later. I was behind the main hall, dumping scraps into a bin, when I heard footsteps behind me.

“Well, well. Look who it is.”

I turned, my stomach sinking. Garrett. A beta from the southern territory. He’d been harassing me all night—brushing against me, making comments, grabbing my arm when I walked past.

“I’m busy,” I said, trying to step around him.

He blocked my path, his grin widening. “Come on, sweetheart. Don’t be like that.”

“Please. Just let me go.”

His hand shot out, grabbing my wrist. “I just want to talk.”

“I don’t…”

His other hand slid around my waist, pulling me closer, and I froze.

“Let go,” I said, my voice shaking.

He laughed. “Or what?”

I looked around desperately, but no one was paying attention. A few wolves passed by, saw what was happening, and kept walking.

Of course they did.

“Please,” I whispered, hating how weak I sounded. “Please, just…”

“Let her go.”

The voice was low, cold, and absolute.

Garrett’s hand dropped like I’d burned him. He stepped back, his face going pale, and I turned.

A group of guards stood a few feet away, their armor gleaming in the lantern light. And in front of them—

I dropped my eyes immediately, my heart slamming against my ribs.

I couldn’t see his face. I wasn’t allowed to. But I could feel him. The weight of his presence, the power radiating off him like heat from a fire.

The Alpha King.

“Your Majesty,” Garrett stammered, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched the ground. “I…I didn’t…”

“Leave.”

Garrett didn’t need to be told twice. He scrambled away, disappearing into the crowd.

I stood frozen, my head down, my hands trembling. Say something. Thank him. Do something.

But before I could, he was already walking away, his guards following.

I lifted my head just enough to see his back—broad shoulders, a dark cloak, silver streaking through black hair. And then he was gone.

“Thank you,” I whispered to no one.

I felt my chest aching, that pull—like something inside me reaching out.

I shook my head. You’re imagining things.