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37. The Lesson
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๋ฐ์ดํธ:
2023-11-28 05:02:13
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Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 38. The Imposter
They arrived at Avenue City by nightfall.But before venturing in, Tatum reached for Bakaโs hand and she looked up at him. โI havenโt been entirely honest with you. This visit may take a surprising turn. I donโt want it to, but it might. I canโt tell you everything just yet, but please, trust me. Okay?โShe nodded. Tatum reached for a small container under the car seat. When he opened it, there were six soggy looking tiny brown branches. He took one out and handed it to her.โChew on this. Itโs called Imposter. It masks your human scent for a few hours.โBaka reached for it reluctantly. โWhy do I have to mask my scent?โโTrust me, Baka. The less you know, the better.โHe could tell she was still struggling with the trust part and he didnโt blame her. If someone had given him these same weird looking branches and told him to chew on them, he would have much the same look on his face.โPlease, Baka. Trust me. I will not do anything that would bring you harm.โThis was the ultimate test
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-11-29Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 39. The Alpha King Boaz
The Alpha King Boazโs palace was much bigger than Tatumโs. But the decor was lacking. Despite being a broad expanse of silver ornaments and marble plated tiles, Boazโs domain was built more for style and elegance than for comfort.Baka couldn't help but note the vast differences between Tatumโs domain and Boazโs. While Tatum had built his palace for ease and comfort, Boaz cared more for superficial aesthetics and grand interiors.There were at least three statues of him in the garden outside his palace. Inside, rows of family pictures lined the hallway and the throne room.The throne room harboured three chairs, the biggest one in the middle. They were gold plated and screamed lavish. As Baka drew closer, she noticed that so much attention was put into the details. Roaring wolves could be seen etched into all the chairs, a stark contrast to Tatumโs single throne which had wolf fur lining its length, beautiful and simple.They followed after the guard past the throne room and into a hu
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-11-30Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 40. The Childhood Sweetheart
They had put Tatum and Baka in separate rooms. That displeased Tatum greatly. He had seen the way Boaz had looked at Baka, like he wanted to eat her, and it had gotten under his skin.He couldn't sleep and wasn't even remotely sleepy. All his thoughts were of Baka.He wouldn't put it past Boaz to go looking for her in the middle of the night. The man wasn't above rape. The thought chilled Tatum to his core.He found himself jumping out of his bed and heading to Bakaโs room. He told himself he just wanted to check in on her, to make sure that she was okay and that that monstrosity of a man hadn't tried to venture into her room via a secret door.Opening his door very slowly, he tiptoed out of his room. He felt silly, acting like a thief in the night. When he got to her door, he pressed his ear against it.Her heart was beating rapidly. She too wasn't sleeping. How could she? She was in a strange palace with strange people and in a strange bed. A bed she wasn't used to.He was about to
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-12-01Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 41. The Breakfast Table
Baka sat before the grand oval mirror as a slave girl attended to her, fixing up her hair. It felt weird being the one attended to and she fidgeted a little.The small girl, whom sheโd come to know as Fatima, had wanted to give her a bath minutes earlier. โNo!โ Baka had screamed, then caught herself immediately. โI mean, donโt worry. Iโll handle that myself.โThe slave girl had paled, thinking that she was somehow in trouble. Baka noticed the bruises that adorned her otherwise lovely skin tone. She reminded her of Mosaan. Too young and too innocent for this cruel world.Her big doe eyes pierced Baka and her lower lips quivered. โBut M-master said I should attend to you fully, my lady.โBaka had briefly wondered if she had meant Boaz or Jerome, finally concluding that it was Boaz.She understood that for the girl, it was obey her master or bear the consequences either by lashes or death. But she really, really couldnโt bear the thought of being washed by her. It felt wrong.โFatima,โ
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-12-02Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 42. The Proposal
Boazโs idea of a menโs day out included slaves being used for target practice. They were on the training field, wielding daggers while two male slaves ran around every which way, wearing a wooden board. Boaz sent his dagger flying. It hit one of the slaves on his leg and he cried out in pain, sinking to his knees.Boaz barked out a laugh as blood pooled down the slaveโs ankles. Jerome looked sick to his stomach. Tatum hid his disgust, having had enough time to practice how to school his expression to one of bored indifference.โYour turn,โ Boaz declared, pointing at Tatum. He chanced a glance at his son and shook his head in disappointment.โIโm convinced I did not father you. If your mother were alive, I would have her tell me who she spread her legs for because it most certainly wasnโt me.โAs usual, Jerome said nothing as his face began getting some of itโs colour back. Tatum felt a strong need to stand up for his friend. His father hadnโt been this cruel. He was tough on his sons
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-12-03Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 43. The Surprising Discovery
After spending over an hour in Sarahโs company, Baka had concluded that she really didnโt like the lady. This was outside the fact that she was possibly jealous.The woman was diabolical. She had spent half of their walk asking Baka about her background and the other half talking about her and Tatumโs lives as teenagers, and so many other details Baka didnโt care to know.It was obvious to Baka that Sarah still harboured strong feelings for Tatum. Why else would she be talking about their past constantly and making a point to emphasise on their โlife-changingโ relationship?She clearly felt threatened by Baka, and Baka knew Sarah had narrated their entire history to her deliberately to make her feel small in comparison.An โIโve known him longer than youโ sort-of game.Baka scoffed. That was Tatumโs past. Baka was his present. But Sarah didnโt need to know that. Once again, Baka found herself grateful that Tatum had introduced her as a woman of few words. She didnโt have to suffer ans
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-12-04Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 44. The Introduction
The palace was abuzz with dancing and singing as night fell. But Baka could barely join in the merriment as she tended to Stephan. The guard from earlier had helped her for a while but had to return to his post. So she had been the only one tending to him.She had managed to stop the bleeding and hoped she had cauterised his wounds enough to avoid an infection. Thankfully, the dagger hadnโt pierced any important organs. He had simply lost an alarming amount of blood and needed to eat a lot of food with iron. He had a mild fever and was currently asleep. But the worst of it was over. Now he just needed to heal. And she had to find a way to get him out of here.But how? She was only huโA thought struck her at that moment and she paled. When was the last time she felt a tingle? Night had already fallen. She had last taken Imposter at nine am in the morning. The last time, Imposter had taken a little over five hours to wear off.Her mind raced as panic shrouded her vision. Oh, God n
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-12-05Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 45. The Feast
It had been a while since Tatum was scolded about anything, especially so passionately. The more he got to know Baka, the more he wanted to know more.She had a fierce will and was not beyond putting herself in danger if it meant she could help someone. She was afraid, but she never let her fear stop her from voicing out her opinions. Even before they became close, she defied him with her glare and mutinous curve of her mouth.He loved her with everything that he was. Yet he was afraid it wasnโt mutual. She might have feelings for him, but she still saw him as a tyrant. And he knew a part of her hated having feelings for him.But she couldnโt stop it no more than he could stop his. In time, their feelings for each other would overwhelm them. They would be one in every sense of the word. He wanted that with every fibre of his being. But maybe it was just wishful thinking.He gazed down at the fragile human in front of him. Stephan, Baka had called him. Ajaโs brother. He wondered if
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-12-07
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Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย Epilogue
Baka stared at her wedding gown, captivated. It was a gown made for royalty and it looked like it was painted on her body. It flowed into a delicate train that pooled around her feet. The floral embroidery on the train was accentuated with tiny pearls and ruffles which covered the bodice and sleeves of the form fitting gown, tapering off on the trumpet skirt.Her hair was pulled up in a messy ponytail with two strands of hair framing each side of her face.She could hardly recognise herself. The more she looked, the weirder she felt. In the best way possible.Henry appeared in the doorway, carrying little Dream in his arms. Theyโd become inseparable since Roheyโs unfortunate passing and he had taken it upon himself to become a father to her.โStill admiring yourself in the mirror?โ Henry chastised. โBy the time youโre done, Tatum will be on his deathbed.โDream, who was playing with his curls, started giggling.Baka glared at Henry through the mirror. โDonโt influence the little gi
Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 100. The Sacrifice
โWell, well, well,โ Takoda whistled, slamming the door shut. โWhat do we have here?โ He sauntered into the cell, his gaze fixed on each of them, barely lingering on Aksanaโs still form. โMy disgraced brother, his lover, and her lover. I came to pay my last respects and this is the scene Iโm greeted with.โBakaโs heart sank. They were too late. Her gun was useless, and her dagger was with Eugene. Aksana was too far away from her for her to grab her daggers. She was out of weapons and out of time.Eugene grunted. โI tried to stop them but as you can seeโฆโ he pointed towards his injured thigh.โInteresting,โ Takoda barely whispered, staring at him. โI thought you two were friends.โโAnd I thought we were brothers,โ Tatum spat, his body trembling underneath Bekonโs arms. โYou killed my wife and child!โโAnd you stole what was rightfully mine. Weโre even, don't you think?โ Takoda argued without missing a beat.Tatum brushed Bekon off him and stepped forward menacingly. โNo, Tatum,โ Ba
Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 99. The Bargain
Someone was clapping. Loudly. The figure leaned off against the wall and sauntered towards them. โI gotta say Iโm impressed.โBaka blinked. โEugene?โ She looked behind him, briefly wondering who else was hiding in the secret dark corners of the prison cell. โWhat are you doing here?โEugene didnโt answer immediately. He seemed to look past her to Tatumโs cell, as though trying to confirm something.โWhat are you doing here?โ he countered. โYou should be at the safe haven. And whoโs this?โ He added, pointing demurely at Bekon. โA friend.โ Baka didnโt have time for introductions. โIf youโre going to help us, great. If not, please pretend you didnโt see us.โโOh, I have no intention of doing either.โHis tone sent chills down her spine. Baka lowered Aksana on the ground slowly but did not release her grip on her throat.โPlease, donโt stop on my account,โ Eugene advised with a strange smile. โNever liked that toad. Feel free to finish her off.โWith her free hand and a wary eye on E
Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 98. The Infiltration
Baka watched the guards make rounds on the ground and the rooftop, waiting for her opportunity to sneak in undetected. The last time sheโd come through these gates, sheโd been in a truck. This time she was exposed, dressed to blend into her environment.This was suicide. She knew it. Her brother had said as much. But she wasnโt going to let Tatum die.โNow what?โ Bekon whispered beside her. Of all people she didnโt think would come with her on her little rescue mission, Bekon was in the top five. His hatred for the king was well known to her. But when he and Henry had seen that she wouldnโt be convinced out of coming, theyโd chosen to come with her. She believed she had a way in. When sheโd been captured by Ares, sheโd noticed that the cells had small air ventilators that led outside. They were big enough to house a human being. So somewhere behind the city was a direct way into the prison.โWe need a distraction,โ she replied. โOne of you should distract the guards while me and th
Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 97. The Turncoat
Tatum was thirsty. As he sat in the stinking cell his brother had left him in, he tried to ignore all the things nature demanded. In truth, he didnโt understand why his brother hadnโt killed him yet. Heโd gotten what he wanted. A seat on the throne. Tatum was of no further use to him.Unless he was keeping him around to relish in his humiliation. By now his people and all the territories knew of his connection with his slave. Heโd been spared the worst, having been locked up for the most part. His brother had been here a couple of times to gloat. Yet Tatum couldnโt deny that a part of him was relieved that his secret was out. He may not have liked how it got out but there was such a weight lifted off his shoulders now that it was. After Fortune had gotten the truth out of him, he didnโt stand a chance. Takoda had succeeded in convincing the Alphas that his loyalties were divided and they could no longer trust him with the throne, the city or its secrets. But that was the least of
Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 96. The Word
Days passed and Baka learnt to fall into the routine of their settlement. She checked on Rohey often even when Rohey had shouted at her to stop babysitting her. The girl was too independent for her own good.Bakaโs house, House Phillipi, were on kitchen duty today. She and the girls in her house, which included Mosann, were hard at work washing the dishes they had just used for lunch. The food made here held no candle to the palace food she had grown used to, but it was still pretty good.The girls did their chores in awkward silence as some of them didnโt know Baka and Mosann well enough to strike a conversation. Baka didnโt mind. She needed the peace of mind which ironically always came when working, especially doing something so mundane as dish washing.The boys fetched the water they were using to wash the dishes and some of them hung around waiting for them to finish washing so that they would return the plates back into the kitchen.โIs it true that you were Alpha King Tatumโ
Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 95. The Toilet
Baka walked into the armoury where young boys were assembling a few weapons while others cleaned it or trained with it. Rohey wasnโt in the kitchen nor was she in her room and someone had told her to check in here. She spotted her brother talking quietly with a boy called Hassan. Theyโd been introduced during the week sheโd been here. Sheโd found him to be a little weird.โHave you seen Rohey?โ She asked once she reached them.Her brother turned to her sharply. โWow, no hello or hi?โโSorry,โ she mumbled, sending an apology to Hassan with her eyes. โIโm in a hurry.โHenry stared at her for a second and then turned to Hassan, patting him on the shoulders. โWeโll finish our discussion later.โTurning back to Baka, he led her away from the armory and into the pathway towards the tree in the middle of their settlement.โWhatโs wrong?โ Henry asked once they sat on the cemented floor. โYou look worried.โBaka decided she didnโt have time to hide the truth from him. Heโd only press her fu
Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 94. The Safe Haven
A week had passed since Baka left Khandom City behind. Her stay at the safe haven with the rebel group hadnโt been unpleasant. It was small yet spacious, hidden deep inside the woods with lots of armories and underground tunnels. There were about a hundred people living in the settlement and they were all divided into houses. House Philippi, house Rome, house Ephesus, house Thessalonica and house Corinth.They had a day-to-day schedule with routines on the upkeep of their environment, exchanging duties on a daily basis. It was very Henry to come up with such an arrangement. He was a big organizer. His idea brought order to their community.Baka was in house Phillipi. The community had been excited to have the sister and mother of their leader join them. They had welcomed them with open arms and ensured that they wanted for nothing. It was nothing short of amazing.It was as though Baka had regained her family again. It felt so similar to old times she could imagine it exactly as it
Marked by the Alpha Kingย ย ย 93. The Vote
The room became more tense as the Alphas looked from the high priestess to Tatum. The high priestesses were known for one thingโpower beyond imagining. The most powerful ones could inhabit the full power of the moon goddess herself. One of those special abilities was the power of confession. With one touch, they could get a man to spill any secrets, even those he believed he would take to his grave. It was a horrible invasion of privacy and the kind of sentencing they only gave to traitors who had committed high treason.Tatum had once witnessed a man being confessed when he was a teenager. It was both a fascinating and terrifying sight. It was as though the man had lost all free will, his tongue had loosened like running water, and he simply wanted to please the high priestess who had merely touched his cheeks.It was said that it worked differently for everyone. The weakest of men could become slaves to the high priestess until her death released them from her hold and vice ver
