Chapter 79 Chapter 78
Morticia.
The kingdom was swathed in an eerie silence, an unsettling hush that clung to the castle walls and the very air we breathed. It had been days since the Alpha King's mysterious disappearance, and each passing hour only deepened the anxiety that knotted within me. As his mistress, this unnerved me more than I would like to admit. Especially, since it was revealed that Evelyn was his second chance mate. I feared that would have marked her already. If he did, it would run all of my plans to the ground. Tired of waiting for something to happen, I decided to go seek him out.
I made my way through the dimly lit corridors, my senses keen and alert. My path led me to the Alpha King's chambers, where he conducted his duties and held court. It was time to find him, and find out what his plans were from now on. The guards stationed outside his chambers recognized me immediately. Their stiff, grim expressions softened as they nodded in acknowledgement. But their firm stance did not waver, and their arms remained crossed, barring me from entry. "I'd like to see the Alpha King, please get out of my way." I gritted out, trying to get past but they wouldn't let me through.
"Your highness," the senior guard began, his voice low and respectful. "The Alpha King is not granting an audience at the moment. We've been ordered not to let anyone in."
The words grated on my nerves, causing my anger to flare. "That's what he's been saying for days now. I can't just sit down and wait. I'm worried about him. Why don't you go in and get permission from him? I need to see him." It was a rare occurrence for the Alpha King to remain out of reach for so long, and it unsettled me deeply. I needed to know what was happening, and I needed to know now.
"I'm afraid, I can't let you see him. He's not available at the moment. You would have to come back later." He said, his voice resolute.
Completely pissed off now, I tried to struggle my way in but was cut short by approaching footsteps. I turned to see who it was and discovered it was the maid that was always with Evelyn. Though she was still in her maids uniform, the air around her felt different, as if she had been marked already, her aura exuding authority. Her gaze met mine and her eyes narrowed as she hurried towards me.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, glancing at the guards who stood at the entrance of the door.
"None of your business. Why do I have to answer to you?!" I snapped back, enranged.
Anger flared in her eyes but she pursed her lips, taking in a deep breath. "If you're looking for the Alpha King, he's not available at the moment. You would have to come back later." She stated, her voice firm. Her words struck me like a bolt of lightning, my mind racing to process the implications. "Is he in there with Evelyn?" I asked, my voice tight with a mixture of shock and anger.
She nodded, her eyes watching me carefully. "Yes, he is. She's his second chance mate, after all." Her words stung like a harsh slap to my face, and the realization hit me like a sledgehammer.
In all the chaos and secrecy surrounding the Alpha King's disappearance, he had already marked his second chance mate, Evelyn. The very thought of it, the swiftness with which he had moved on, shook me to my core. I thought he hated her! Was that all an act!?
Anger coursed through my veins, fierce and unrelenting. "He marked her so quickly?" I muttered under my breath, my fists clenched. "This is madness. All the more reason I should see him. Get out of my way and let me get to the Alpha King!" I yelled at all of them, breathing heavily as anger coursed through me.
"I'm sorry, but that cannot happen. You would have to come back later. You keep insisting and the guards here would have no choice to haul you back to your chambers and make sure you never come out." Amaris declared.
"How dare you speak to me like that!?" I yelled at her, moving closer to hit her but another voice stopped that from happening.
"You lay a hand on my mate and you may not like the consequences." The voice said and I turned to see Duke Ethan coming with a group of guards behind him, a grim look on his face. He stood directly behind the maid, placing a hand on her shoulders and drawing her closer to himself. I glanced at both of them, my eyes widening. That's why she had that aura, she was his mate.
"You heard what she said. You cannot see the Alpha King. He's not granting anyone audience, whoever it is. You would have to come back later." He repeated, pinning me with a cold glare.
"He can't let me in, but he's there with Evelyn!?"
"Well, she is is second chance mate." He said and I bit back a scream. That darn sentence again! Letting out a breath, I balled my hands into fists, glaring at each and everyone of them.
"I'll deal with all of you, one by one. You just wait." I seethed at them. With one final glare, I turned away from the Alpha King's chambers, my determination fueling my steps. I returned back to my chambers, slamming the door behind me as I let out a scream, unexplainable anger and bitterness driving me to the edge of insanity. How dare him!? How fucking dare him!?
He's already disposing me, focusing only on Evelyn. Why does it feel like I have lost him? I thought to myself, pulling at my hair, more tears streaming down my cheeks. Maybe I have, when last has he come to seek me out, or even summon me? Unable to help the raging emotions inside of me, I sank to the ground, crying bitterly.
After everything I have done, everything I have sacrificed, I still never had a place in his heart, let alone be in his life. Cleaning off the tears that has streamed down my cheeks, I stood to my feet. Well, it's high time I stopped clinging to him. If he found no use of me, I'll find no use of him. Damn my loyalty.
I remembered the masked stranger I met at the forest and a sinister smile tugged at my lips. I already formed an alliance with him but I had been hesitating to actually go through with it. Not anymore, this time around, I'm going to help him. Help him her rid of Evelyn and the Alpha King and make me Queen.
I'm going to make Kieran pay.