Chapter 6: Is the Alpha King my Second Chance Mate?

Lya’s P.O.V

After my escape, I quickly realize that the Rogue King has no intention of giving up. As I leave the airport with the intention of settling in the wolf kingdom, I feel like I'm being watched. But I look around and notice nothing out of the ordinary. I don't have time to dwell on it. I have an appointment to acquire an apartment in the heart of Cinéa. The werewolf who receives me is smiling. We quickly tour the apartment, and I settle the agreed amount without discussion.

"Miss Amadylia, I wish I had more clients like you," he declares enthusiastically.

"I don't see the point in wasting your time," I say simply. "The apartment suits me, it's as simple as that."

"I wish you a good installation. And above all, welcome to Cinéa!"

The agent leaves my apartment, the same smile still plastered on his face. It's only a few meters away that he turns into an alley, and his smile disappears. He turns to a woman with a cold and dangerous look.

"It's her."

"His Majesty will be delighted to hear that. I will personally take care of her capture. Go, and I won't see you again."

The wolf grunts. He has no intention of crossing paths with this witch anyway.

Once my belongings are sorted, I decide to go out to do some shopping. Even though I don't know the city yet, I know there's a shop nearby. The weather is gloomy today, and the streets are deserted. But the closer I get to the store, the more I feel a bad feeling. Once again, I feel like I'm being watched. And this person's intentions are not friendly! I enter an alley and wait. Sensing a presence nearby, I take the first step.

"What do you want from me?"

"Oh, you spotted me," a surprised voice says.

"Already at the airport. But you didn't answer my question."

"I was sent by a friend of yours."

"I have no friends."

As soon as the response is uttered, I understand. She was sent by Ethan.

"If you follow me nicely, everything will be fine."

"If I were the kind to surrender without resistance, I would never have fled. You talk, but you don't think much. Let me guess. You think you have the upper hand, don't you?" I interrogate disdainfully.

The witch doesn't reply, but it's futile; I've spotted her now. I turn to her. She was a beautiful woman, but she exudes such coldness that it's almost frightening. I cross my arms over my chest and challenge her with my gaze.

"So, how do you plan to do this?"

She begins to recite a spell, but I interrupt with a disdainful snort.

"So much time wasted on reciting your spells," I say with scorn.

Her words abruptly catch in her throat, and she puts a hand on her neck. I smile at her and tap my temple.

"Just think. Speaking is good for children!"

She looks at me with horror. I know she's just starting to wonder who I am. But it's too late for that. My trap is deadly, and I set it up while she was wasting her time talking to me. It seems it's not only the Rogue King who is arrogant. It's rather amusing. Her terrified gaze shifts from me to the dark pit opening beneath her feet. It's deep and black as night. But occasionally, spectral lights appear here and there.

"I offer you a one-way ticket to the other side. No, there's no need to thank me," I add with a flamboyant smile.

Hands start grabbing her ankles, then her calves, moving up her body, little by little. I remember that I had planned to do some shopping. I walk around her to leave the alley. She tries to stop me, but the specters prevent her and begin to pull her mercilessly downward. By the time I reach the main street, the witch who tried to kidnap me has disappeared without a sound. But I can't let that happen again. I could put other people in danger. I have to suppress my powers to avoid attracting attention; it's my only solution.

The following week, as I enjoy the warmth on a café terrace, I consult a newspaper and note with satisfaction that Soren has started to move to counter the Rogue King. Excited murmurs catch my attention. I look up and see a group of men on the opposite sidewalk. One of them stands out from the rest by more than a head. I'm not sure I recognize him, but he would make an excellent subject for a drawing! So, I start doodling in my sketchbook while casting furtive glances at him. He has medium-length black hair tied back, a square jaw shaded by a very short beard, broad shoulders, a powerful torso, V-shaped, and very tall. No wonder the women around him are sighing with love. I look at the final result of his drawing. Quite similar. I nod, satisfied.

It's at that moment that I see a picture of him in the newspaper. It's King Alpha Caleb. He's returning from the Lycan kingdom where he had a meeting with Soren regarding the Rogue King issue. Even though the relations between the two kingdoms are tense, they are fully cooperating on the Rogue issue. I continue to observe him. He gives me a much warmer and more approachable impression than the Lycan. He smiles at the people around him, and this genuine smile is reflected in his eyes. I'm suddenly dizzy. For some reason, my inhibitor bracelet spell is experiencing "malfunctions." For brief moments, my powers are perfectly discernible. And it has to happen now. I sigh in frustration.

But in doing so, I notice that my right hand has continued to scribble on my sketchbook on its own. And the words I read drain the blood from my face. "Soulmate," right next to my portrait of the alpha king. Mentally, I curse the moon goddess. "Seriously? Wasn't the Lycan king enough? Now it's the Alpha King?"

"Madam?"

I look up and see two men in black suits standing in front of me.

"Yes?"

"His Majesty would like to speak with you."

I turn my head and notice that the whole group has stopped, and Caleb is looking at me, arms crossed. I can't decipher his expression. I sigh. Cursed fate. I pack up my belongings and follow the two bodyguards. I bow politely.

"Hello, Your Majesty."

"What's your name?" he asks neutrally.

"Lya Amadylia."

"Why were you staring at me?"

"I'm sorry if you found my behavior disrespectful, but I'm an artist and I couldn't help but draw you, Your Majesty," I reply, unsurely.

"May I see?"

I raise my head abruptly. The Alpha King is looking at me with a small smirk. But I can't show him my drawing, can I? Not when it says soulmate on it! As if he left me a choice anyway. With a sigh of defeat, I take out my sketchbook and open it to the page of my last drawing. I hand it to Caleb, who takes it and looks at it in silence. When he speaks again, I expect the worst.

"At least we already agree on one thing, Lya."

"Which one, Your Majesty?"

"You are my mate. And call me Caleb," he says with a hint of amusement.

After escaping from the Lycan King and the Rogue King, here I am facing the Alpha King. Even though I'm not a wolf, I know that my doodling is just the concrete manifestation of what my subconscious already knows. And if I have to be honest with myself, Caleb is a man whose beauty surpasses that of Soren.

"We will continue this conversation in private," he concludes.

"Okay."

Caleb returns my sketchbook, but my mind is elsewhere. Is he like Soren? Will he despise me and impose me to be his mistress because I'm not queen material?

"Thank you for this visit, Alpha Ryan. It was very informative."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a personal matter to attend to."

"Of course, Your Majesty. No problem," says the Alpha with a glance in my direction.

A group of three huge black SUVs stops beside us. Caleb makes me get into the middle one before joining me. The journey to the city's most luxurious hotel is silent. The King leads me to his suite, and I find myself alone with him. Will he simply reject me? Do I have to run away again?