All Chapters of Bride of the Sea-King Alpha: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

LyraMy eyes widen as the Alpha King offers his muscular arm to me, bent at the elbow. It’s a familiar gesture, one I accepted from many of my father’s courtiers. I never felt a sense of hesitation to take a man’s arm offered in escort.But now, sharp emotions wash over me and cause me pause, and many of these feelings I simply do not understand. Just a brush of the Alpha King’s hand caused a jolt of electric pleasure to wash through me, back in his mother’s quarters.What will happen when I actually hold his arm?Not only that, but I am meant to be this man’s bride. My status as a princess shielded me against any untoward suggestions before, especially since all of the courtiers escorted me in the presence of my father.But here, the empty hallways echo every unsteady shuffle of my feet. We are alone, and I am completely at his mercy for any advance he would make. The one chaperone I’ve been assigned—awful as she is—has run away under the Alpha King’s threatening commands.And what w

Cassian“I’ve called up everyone on leave, as ordered,” Turgan tells the council. “We’ll be organized and ready to attack by morning if needed.”Darragh, the eldest of the council members, turns to me. His once-black hair is fully gray now, though he is still as spry as he was when he fought alongside my father. I remember watching his moves as they sparred on the training grounds, hoping one day I could be as swift and cunning as he was.“As always, this is your call,” he says. “But Assanan’s actions have moved beyond a threat, and you have the blessing of this council to take preemptive action.”I nod, appreciative of his support.“I agree, but I have another concern.” All eyes turn to Nolan, another of the council members, as his voice rings out across the table.“Speak it,” I tell him.“It’s rumored that the human girl is now running about the castle,” he says. “Is this true?”My wolf sparks with a low growl inside, but I show no hesitation in my words. “My mother requested that s

CassianMy wolf is on fire, and it’s taking every ounce of self-control to keep from grabbing Lyra and carrying her off to my bed. Her porcelain white skin begs for my touch. Even brushing by the sleeve of her gown moments before caused a jolt of lightning to snake up my veins, and I felt her have the same reaction.I have to scoot my chair a bit to the side as I sit, but even that doesn’t calm the craving inside me.But it’s my mother’s dinner party, and carrying off my mate to savor our passions isn’t appropriate, and neither is revealing in front of all these ladies and staff that my mate is a human.I can’t even stand the fact myself.It doesn’t mean I wouldn’t enjoy a taste of her, though.Shoving the thought down, I turn my attention to my mother, who is busy introducing Lyra as my bride.“Through an agreement with her father—” She pauses, turning to Lyra. “I’m sorry, dear. What is your father’s name, and the area he controls?”“King Chez of Maelie,” Lyra answers politely, thoug

Cassian‘Assanan has his warriors well into our territory,’ Turgan tells me in a private mind-link.I’m already crossing the castle at a fast pace, but I break into a run, feeling the lag of the mate pull that doesn’t want me to leave Lyra.Dammit. Giving into it has made it stronger. I should have kept my distance from the woman.‘Activate everyone,’ I tell him.‘Already done.’I crack a grin, having expected as much from my Beta. ‘What are we hearing from the front lines?’ I ask him.‘That every wolf there is an easy kill.’‘The bastard is sacrificing his own warriors to wear us out.’ The mate pull tugs at me again, but I curse it down. I don’t fucking have time for this. ‘Shorten the fight times and double the rest periods. Keep everyone fresh.’‘Aye, Alpha,’ he says.‘I’m headed to the front.’‘Aye.’I close the mind-link and quicken my steps again, knowing they’ll lag more the farther I get from the castle. Memories of my mother’s words flood my mind. I was an adolescent when she

CassianBeing back in the castle has calmed my wolf, and my mind feels clear without the ache of mate distance clouding my thoughts.I should never have given in to the pull. I don’t know what evil trick the Moon Goddess has played on me to give me a human mate, but the idea is completely untenable.If anyone finds out, they’ll find me weak as an Alpha. That would be the perfect opportunity for Assanan to move in and take over control the way he’s wanted to all this time.I can’t let that happen.But my wolf cries in agony at just the thought of rejecting Lyra. It’s something I’m going to have to do regardless, but I’ll need time to research ways to bypass the mate bond. I don’t wish for my mind to rot like my mother’s has.Dealing with a mate bond is something I’ve never had to think about before.‘Do you have a moment?’Turgan’s voice in the mind-link pulls me from those thoughts. ‘I’m in my suite,’ I tell him. I’ve been expecting him. My performance on the battlefield was strange,