The King Gets Jealous

Knox had never considered himself a jealous man. Jealousy was for insecure men. Men who didn't know what belonged to them.

He was Alpha King.

He had never needed to compete for anyone's attention. Until Ross. It started with laughter. He kept hearing it. Her laughter. It floated through the palace corridors at the most inconvenient times. And every time Knox followed the sound, he found the same person standing beside her.

Nash.

“I'm telling you,” Nash said one afternoon, “the cook hates me.”

Ross looked up from the papers on her desk. “Why?”

“Because yesterday I asked him for soup.”

“That doesn't sound unreasonable.”

“It wasn't the soup he was angry about.”

Ross raised an eyebrow. “What did you do?”

“I asked him if he could make it less hot.”

Ross stared. “You asked the royal cook to make soup less hot?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

“He told me to drink water.”

Ross burst into laughter.

Nash smiled proudly. “See? I'm entertaining.”

She scoffed. “You're just always being ridiculous.”

“Same thing.”

Ross laughed again.

Knox stood outside the doorway. His expression remained cold. But his wolf stirred. He watched Nash lean casually against Ross's desk. He always did watch. Watched Ross smile at him. Watched her shoulders relax. She looked comfortable. Happy. His hands curled into heavy fists.

He couldn't remember the last time Ross had laughed like that around him. Actually— He couldn't remember the last time she had laughed around him at all and it was because he had never given her a reason to. It hurt him so much.

He finally walked away. He told himself it didn't matter but deep down within him, he knew it mattered.

---

Later that evening, Knox found Nash in the training yard. “Nash.”

His Beta turned. “Your Majesty.”

Knox stopped in front of him. “Why are you always with Ross?”

Nash blinked. Then smiled. “Oh.”

Knox narrowed his eyes. “Oh what?”

“You're asking about Luna Ross.”

“Yes.”

Nash slowly folded his arms. “Are you jealous?”

The air went silent. Knox's eyes darkened. “No.”

Nash nodded. “Definitely jealous.”

“I am not jealous.”

“Of course not.” Nash nodded solemnly. “You just happened to notice how often she laughs around me.”

Knox's jaw clenched. “You're my Beta.”

He used his finger to make a gesture. “Correct.”

“You're supposed to be assisting me.”

“I am.”

“How?”

Nash pointed toward the palace. “I'm keeping your wife from becoming bored.” Knox stared at him while Nash grinned. “And apparently, I'm doing a better job than you.”

Knox stepped closer. “Be careful.”

Nash laughed. “There he is.”

“Who?”

“The terrifying Alpha King.” Knox's wolf growled beneath his skin. Nash immediately raised both hands. “Fine. Fine. I'll stop.” He paused. “After one question.” Knox said nothing and just stared at him. Nash smiled. “When did you become jealous?”

“I didn't.”

“Today?”

“No.”

“Yesterday?”

“No.”

“Five minutes ago?”

“No.”

Nash nodded. “Definitely five minutes ago.” Knox turned away before he did something that would give his Beta another reason to tease him. Behind him, Nash called out. “Don't worry, Alpha. I won't steal your wife.”

Knox stopped. “She isn't mine.”

Nash's teasing expression disappeared for a moment. “That's the problem.” Knox threw his gaze at him. Nash shrugged. “You spent two years reminding her she wasn't important to you.” Then he walked away.

---

The next morning, Knox saw Ross in the eastern courtyard. She was wearing a long dark cloak. The wind suddenly picked up. The clasp at her neck came loose. Ross tried to fix it herself.

Nash appeared beside her. “Hold still.”

Ross looked up. “I can do it.”

“I know.”

Nash carefully fixed the clasp. “There.”

Ross smiled. “Thank you.”

“No problem.”

Knox groaned from where he stood several yards away seeing Nash's fingers near Ross's neck. Then, his wolf growled. Loudly.

Ross froze.

Nash froze.

The courtyard went silent as Knox's eyes had turned dark. His wolf was pushing against his control. He didn't even understand why.

Ross slowly turned. Her eyes met his and immediately, Knox forced his wolf back. But it was too late. She had heard it. Everyone had.

Nash looked between them. Then a slow grin appeared on his face. “Oh.”

Knox glared at him. “Don't.”

Nash immediately raised his hands. “I didn't say anything.”

Ross looked at Knox. Then she looked at Nash. Then back at Knox. A tiny smile appeared on her lips. It wasn't a nervous smile. It wasn't the polite smile she gave nobles. It was knowing. Almost amused.

Knox's chest tightened. She knew. She knew exactly what that growl meant. And judging by the way her eyes sparkled, she was enjoying it.

Ross slowly adjusted her cloak. Then she walked past him. As she passed, she whispered softly enough for only him to hear. “I thought you didn't care.”

Knox turned sharply. She was already walking away. Nash followed her, struggling not to laugh.

Knox remained standing in the courtyard. His wolf growled again but slowly this time. He knew he was jealous and the hurting part was that Ross also knew it.