All Chapters of BOUND TO THE ALPHA KING: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

KATHERINEJessie and her mother stayed close together while they talked about the high lord heirs they wanted Jessie to meet at Lord Shekel’s ball and they both looked excited as we all moved toward the vehicles and the guards spread out around us and the staff kept opening doors and bowing as if the whole morning was planned around Jessie’s introduction into that world and I stayed a little behind them because the more they talked about heirs and alliances the more obvious it was that I didn’t fit into their conversations.Stephen came out of the manor before they entered the cars and he stopped in front of me and said he was going to the ball as well and that I should come with him and I didn’t bother arguing because we both knew he would drag me there anyway and he looked too calm for me to waste energy fighting him on something small like a ride.The drive to Lord Shekel’s estate wasn’t long but it felt slow because Jessie’s mother kept fixing her daughter’s hair and Jessie kept a

KATHERINEStephen walked ahead while I followed him toward the area the guards had blocked off and I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want him to think I was concerned for him, I only needed information and I wanted to know if anything here could help me bring him down or damage his name and that was the only reason I stayed close. The courtyard smelled of smoke and the air felt unsettled and the Citadel guards were already rounding up the smugglers who had been hiding in the abandoned building at the edge of the palace grounds and more guards kept moving in until the whole place looked like a full operation.Stephen gave out orders in a calm voice and told the guards to keep everyone indoors and he moved with that cold focus he always had during tense work and I stood a little behind him while he questioned one of the smugglers. When he stepped away to check another area I took my chance and slipped past two guards who were dragging a group of smugglers toward the transport vehi

KATHERINE It was stupid late. Like the moon was all bright and judgy outside my window and I was just sitting on my bed in my ratty sleep shirt trying not to think. Then I heard a sharp knock on the door like someone’s tryna knock it off the hinges. I knew it was him before I even moved. Only one person knocks like that, like the door personally pissed him off.I dragged myself up, yanked the door open, and there he was. Stephen. Leaning on the frame looking like he just walked out of some dumb fantasy poster. Black shirt half open, chest showing, hair all messy like he’d been pulling at it, eyes tired but still doing that cocky sparkle thing. He looked hot and I hated him so much for it.“What do you want?” I basically growled.He didn’t even answer. Just pushed past me, walked in like he owned my room—which technically he kinda did since he owns everything, and flopped on my little couch. Legs all spread out, arms over the back, total asshole king energy.“Miss me?” he asked with

KATHERINE I barely slept. Again. For like the third night in a row. The stupid bet was stuck in my head on repeat. If I fall for Stephen, I have to accept the bond, accept him, kneel, submit, call him Alpha in bed and everywhere else like some perfect little Luna. If I don’t fall, he lets me walk free. No chains. No nothing. Forever. I’d rather swallow nails than fall for that murderer. But before I walk out that gate with my head high, I’m going to burn every single thing he loves to the ground. His throne, his reputation, his whole fake-perfect kingdom. He’ll be left picking up ashes and wondering how the girl he thought he broke actually broke him.That’s the plan. That’s always been the plan.Breakfast was the usual torture. All the fancy plates and fake laughs and people pretending they weren’t watching my every move. I was stabbing my eggs like they owed me money when Leona showed up looking like she’d spent an hour making sure she was the prettiest poison in the room. Dr

STEPHENShe walked in gracefully, clearly oblivious to the stares she received—or maybe she just ignored them. Everyone marveled at how she comfortably walked in with Rowan and that too in my presence.The growing feelings in my chest annoyed me. I hated the way it controlled me, and my mood depended on it. She was the only who had such power, and I couldn't even tell if this was intentional. But whichever one it was; it was definitely working.Rowan took a seat, and tapped the next chair signifying her to sit beside me. For a split second—just a split. I noticed the uncertainty that appeared in her eyes. They disappeared as quickly as it came.As though as if she weighed the pros and the cons, but decided it was fine pushing everyone to the edge. Giving them something to really talk about.The fact that I never even wanted a mate, but she messed so easily with my head. The elders forced me to take a mate leading to my throne. I knew I shouldn't feel this way. It shouldn't affect me.