All Chapters of FAKE BRIDE OF THE ALPHA KING : Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

Azrael's POVThe guards had barely dragged Aaron out the door before Briar turned on me, her eyes burning with something I couldn’t name. She stood there, fists clenched at her sides.I didn’t initially intend to fuck her right in front of Aaron. But seeing them that close together, seeing the intent in his posture and the way she didn’t pull back, that broke the camel's back. I had been holding myself together for days, trying so hard to stay composed. But endurance has its limits.Every time I saw them together, something ugly burned in my chest. Aaron was always just a step too close, always finding reasons to lean in, to touch her when he handed her something. And Briar never pushed him away. She allowed it, and it grated against me. It made my blood heat, made my jaw ache from how hard I clenched it. I was already at the edge.I had enough of all that bullshit. And I had to put him in his place and show the both of them who Briar belonged to.“We need to talk, Azrael,” she sa

81Briar's POV The quiet between us shifted after the kiss. Azrael’s hand was still resting lightly at my waist, yet his expression had grown distant again, like something unresolved was pressing at the back of his mind.“What is it?” I asked.He didn’t answer immediately. His thumb brushed once against my side before he let his hand fall away.“The stake,” he said.“What about it?”His jaw tightened slightly. “I have been thinking about it… and its purpose.”I folded my arms. “And that purpose is?”“To kill me.”The words landed heavily, and I held his gaze.I could sense he was worried about me using the stake against him. It wasn’t loud or obvious, but it was there, sitting behind his eyes.But it would never happen. I would never even think of killing him. And the fact that he believed it was a possibility meant maybe he didn’t feel entirely safe with me.The thought hurt more than it should have.I didn’t want him carrying that fear. I didn’t want him wondering if one day I migh

Briar's POV We left Azrael's study and made our way to the palace garage. Azrael got into the car, started the engine and drove out a little, before I got in and he drove off into the night.In just a few minutes, we got to the forest that stretched wide and dense, and I got down from the car with the stake in my hand, while Azrael went to the trunk of the car and pulled out a shovel. The night air was cool against my skin, and the fallen leaves crunched under our shoes as we walked deeper in, far enough that no visible path marked our way.“This is far enough,” Azrael said finally, scanning the area.I nodded. There was nothing distinct about the spot. No unusual trees or markers that could be an indicator for where we'd bury it.“I’ll dig,” Azrael said.He struck the shovel into the ground and started digging. The sound of metal breaking soil filled the silence between us. He dug very deep, making sure it wasn’t shallow enough for an animal to disturb.When the hole was finally de

Briar's POV The next morning when I opened my eyes, we were tangled together in my bed. His arm was around my waist, heavy and warm, and his face buried partly in my hair.I stayed still for a while, just watching him breathe.He stirred eventually, his arm tightening around me before his eyes slowly opened.“Good morning, sleeping beauty,” I said.He blinked at me, still half asleep, then let out a quiet chuckle.“Sleeping beauty?” he repeated, his voice deep and rough.“Yes,” I replied, pushing myself up slightly and leaning on my elbow so I could look at him properly.He shook his head with a small smile and started to turn away, like he intended to get up from the bed.I reached for his arm quickly and held him back.“Where are you going?” I asked, a brow raised.“I’m getting out of bed,” he replied, already bracing his palm against the mattress.“You’re allowed to stay in bed with your wife, Azrael.”His eyes flickered at that.“The kingdom won’t crash if you spend this morning

87Briar's POV I stepped fully into the role of Luna the way someone steps into a pair of shoes that are slightly too big. At first, it felt awkward. But after a while, you learn how to walk in them without stumbling.There were events almost every week. Meetings that lasted hours. Formal dinners with important dignitaries. Charity galas and balls that required planning down to the smallest detail.That morning started with a meeting in the east wing. Abel and two Fangshire officials were already seated at the long table when I walked in. They stood immediately.“Good morning, your Majesty,” Abel said.“Good morning,” I replied, taking my seat at the head of the table.It still felt a little strange sitting there, even though I had done it a few times already.One of the Fangshire officials slid a folder toward me. “We need your approval on the education fund allocation for the next quarter.”I opened it and skimmed through the figures, taking my time. “Why is the southern district