My Alpha Mate
Prologue
"Be a good little boy, and bend for your master," the king's seducing voice echoed in the room.
Raphael's eyes burned with rage, his jaw clenched in a silent scream as the king's laughter echoed through the room. His hands were tied to the bed, and his legs were widened apart, exposing his hard cock.
The king burst into another round of laughter as he stared at the angry man's excited cock.
“Oh, Raphael!” The king taunted, his fingers teasing Raphael's shaft. “You hate this sexy Alpha king, but your body has fallen deeply in love with him.” He continued with a seducing voice.
Raphael was angered by the king's words, and he spit on his face, trying to show his distaste. But the king wasn't offended, he cleaned his face, and a menacing smirk appeared on his lips, as he took off his pants, leaving him naked in front of the handcuffed horny Raphael.
Raphael's Point of View:
I trudged through the dusty village streets, my feet heavy with the weight of my father's expectations. The sun beat down on me, its warmth a stark contrast to the chill in my heart. I had always known this day would come, but that didn't make it any easier.
As I approached our inherited manor, I could see my father, Timothy, pacing outside. His eyes narrowed as he watched me approach, his expression a mixture of frustration and anticipation.
"Raphael, where have you been? Why are you so stubborn like your mother? Do you derive joy in making me furious?" he demanded, his voice low and even. "We need to leave now. The royal ball is tonight, and we can't afford to be late."
I sighed inwardly, feeling the familiar resentment rise. Why did I have to attend this ball? Why did I have to marry some princess I'd never met? The questions swirled in my mind, but I knew better than to voice them. My father wouldn't listen.
"I'm ready, Father," I lied, forcing a smile onto my face. "Please, let's get this over with."
Timothy could sense the sarcasm in my voice, but his greediness for riches and power blinded his eyes, and a smug smirk settled on his lips. “Go get your brother, and meet me in the carriage!”
As we traveled to the royal ballroom, my mind wandered back to the conversation I had with my father. Why was he so insistent on me marrying the princess? He knew I wouldn't be able to be the man she wanted, so why was he so determined? Those questions swirled in my head, but I knew I wouldn't find the answers anytime soon. Before I knew it, we had arrived at the grand estate, and the sound of music and laughter drifted through the air.
When the carriage finally stopped, I peered out the window, catching my first glimpse of the royal ballroom. Its grandeur and beauty suffocated me, and a chaotic mix of excitement, fear, and uncertainty swirled in my chest, threatening to overwhelm me.
“You can do this, Raphael! Yes, you can!” I assured myself, and took a deep breath, trying to calm my wolf.
Lost in thoughts, I didn't notice my brother, George's worried gaze until he whispered….
“Brother, are you alright? Your face looks pale, and your heart is beating really fast,” George whispered into my ears. His face scrunched up in worry, and I noticed that he was biting his lower lips.
I gently touched his shoulders, and George hugged me tightly, sniffing quietly. His warm breath tickled my ear, and I had the urge to kiss his tears away.
“I will be okay, little brother, trust me,” I promised him, and although George didn't look convinced, he nodded his head, and came down from the carriage.
“Come down, Raphael, we haven't got all day!” My father's husky voice boomed from outside the carriage, the sound muffled slightly by the wooden door.
I winced at the impatience in my father's voice, and a low groan escaped my lips as I stepped out of the carriage. As my feet touched the gravel, I gazed up at the royal ballroom, its majestic grandeur unfolding before me. The fading light danced across its stone facades, casting long shadows that stretched and twisted. The air vibrated with the murmur of voices, the occasional burst of laughter, and the sweet, cloying scent of perfumes.
Everyone looked excited to be here, and they happily interacted with one another. But for me, the reverse was the case. I didn't want to be at that royal ball. The only reason I came was because my father had threatened to disown my younger brother and send him to the streets if I disobeyed him.
I had the worst type of relationship with my father; we never seemed to agree on anything. At first, I thought our strained relationship was due to the changes that occurred after my mother's death, when I moved to the village to live with my grandmother, while my brother stayed with my father. But later, I realized that it was because of my sexuality. My father had lost his sanity when he caught me kissing one of his male servants.
“You are possessed, and the only way to save you is by getting you married to the princess! That way I will become a notable lord, and no one will find out that you’re a disgrace of a son!” My father would yell at me whenever we were having a conversation regarding my sexuality.
According to him, I was his greatest mistake, and the only way to make me useful was by marrying me off. You see, I now understand why my mother's dying wish was for me to live with my grandmother. If it wasn't for the sudden sickness that killed my grandma, I wouldn't have returned to Ashley's kingdom. My father wouldn't have remembered I existed, and that would have spared my brother and me from his endless blackmail.
As I stood there, lost in thought, the sound of George's excited voice brought me back to reality. “Father, look, we're one of the first people to arrive! We came early, father!” George cried out excitedly as he ran towards the main entrance. I smiled broadly at him, happy to see that he was having fun at last. This was his first time at a royal ball. On a normal day, he would be locked up in his room, learning how to impress a lady or become a lord.
Unfortunately, it was as if my father could read my mind because he quickly ran after George and held his shirt's collar, before spanking him on his head.
“Ouch!” George winced in pain and gently rubbed his head. His eyes dropped in sadness, but he masked his emotions and acted like he was fine.
I didn't like watching my father hit George, but I knew better than to intervene. Speaking up would only provoke him to inflict more pain on my brother. As we walked into the ballroom, I subtly wrapped my arm around George's shoulders, trying not to draw our father's attention. George leaned into me slightly, and I could sense his hurt and frustration. I gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze, a silent reassurance that I was there for him.
I surveyed the stunning ballroom before taking another step forward. Despite my reluctance, I decided to go with the flow, wanting my younger brother to enjoy his first royal ball. In my mind, I decided to reveal my sexuality to the princess, hoping she'd keep my secret and lose interest in me. But it was as if my father could read minds, because, at that very moment, he stopped in his tracks and turned to face me, a deep frown on his face.
“Before I forget, Raphael, make sure no one knows you are gay! You are already a disgrace to me, and if the king finds out he will split your head into two, and George will not be spared either! Also, remove that cloak you are wearing, the princess will be unable to see your face, and will not be impressed!”
Timothy's strict voice echoed in my ears, but I paid no attention to him and walked into the main ballroom. Leaving my father with gritted teeth and my brother with confused gazes. “Split my head into two!” I scoffed as I walked and hissed loudly, “Wow, the king must be an old ugly man who thinks he's god!”
As I stepped into the grand ballroom, I was immediately entranced. The space sparkled like a canvas of diamonds, with chandeliers and candlelight dancing across the walls. The soft blue hues of the walls glowed warmly, inviting me to linger, while the marble floor shone like polished stone, reflecting the vibrant colors of the fresh flowers that adorned the room. The air was alive with the gentle hum of conversation and the sweet strains of music, weaving a spell that was hard to resist.
I was mesmerized by the ballroom's beauty, and I looked around in awe.
My presence quickly caught the eyes of the crowd and everyone turned to look at me. Some people's gazes lingered, clearly taken by my appearance, while others seemed more intrigued to see the face of the man behind the black cloak.
“Once again, Raphael steals the show,” I mumbled under my breath, clearly impressed by my handsomeness. Yes, I've always been called a cute young man, and my red lips can be described as enchanting.
But as I scanned the room, my gaze met my father's disapproving stare. His eyes seemed to bore into my soul, reminding me of the countless times he'd criticized my appearance, my mannerisms, and my very existence. My confident smile faltered for a moment, and I felt a familiar pang of insecurity.
As I struggled to shake off my father's disapproving gaze, I overheard him muttering to himself.
“Oh, the king will really love my suit. Once he sees me he will immediately appoint me as his special advisor,” he said, adjusting his cufflinks. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of satisfaction at his own reflection, a harsh reminder of the disdain he'd shown me just moments before.
My father was a royal messenger, he wasn't part of the men allowed to see the king. And right from the start, he had made it clear that he was willing to do anything to sit at the same table as the king. Not minding if he broke his son's confidence in the process.
Suddenly the sound of trumpets came from the entrance, and the king and princess' arrival was announced. Abruptly, the room became quiet and everyone gazed at the entrance.
Everyone was curious to see the princess, and so were my brother and I. Our eyes were glued to the door.
As the young lady entered, the room fell silent, with collective gasps and awestruck stares. The princess's stunning beauty left everyone breathless, but I remained unmoved, scrutinizing her with a furrowed brow. To me, she seemed more like a delicate doll than a prospective partner, and I couldn't help but wonder how I'd ever make a life with her.
Suddenly, the main deal, the king entered, accompanied by four men, and the whole atmosphere in the room changed. People were staring at the man's heavenly beauty, but they were also terrified at the king's menacing smile.
I wasn't terrified, instead, I was mesmerized, the king's beauty was unearthly, and unlike anything I had ever seen before. He had an aura that commanded attention and respect, and his pitch-black eyes awakened both lust and panic.
The king walked with elegance. His four courtiers followed closely, their handsome faces reminiscent of heavenly angels. A diamond crown sat comfortably on his head, and his royal robe was adorned with rubies, slivers, golds, and emeralds.
I got lost staring at the king's eyes, and although I'd been warned never to look into the king's eyes, I couldn't help myself, and I wondered what secret those black eyes hid. The king turned to face me, a cunning smile on his face, and we both stared at each other, our eyes unblinking and our urge longing for the other's company.
I couldn't explain it, but as I gazed at the king, I felt an inexplicable tug, like the moon's pull on the tides. It was as if I'd known him all my life, and I felt a lump growing in my chest. As my eyes fell on his well-carved lips, I could swear I saw a hint of blood on the king's lips, but my unholy fantasy ended when a woman with porcelain skin and raven-black hair appeared at the king's side, her eyes locked on his as she leaned in to peck him on the cheek.
A low growl rumbled in my chest as I watched the lady flirt with him. My heart pounded, and my fingers curled into fists. 'Mine,' a primal voice whispered in my mind. Unfortunately, just as I was about to unleash my demon, a cold hand landed on my shoulder, and I froze.