The Alpha King's Breeder

*Isla*

“Are you still a virgin?”Alpha Ernest’s eyes glazed over a bit when he saw me and a smile split his face.

His question made me cringe. But in order to help my family pay the debts, I had to answer it.

“Yes, my alpha, I'm still a virgin.”

“Good! I can help you, but you have to sign this first.” Alpha Ernest was satisfied with my answer, and he placed a file in front of me.

I wanted to read the terms and conditions in the file, but he would not allow me to do so, and he urged me sharply to sign it. I was so nervous that I did what he asked without much thought.

Then he told me to go home and pack all of my most prized possessions. He also told me to say goodbye to my families, if I was serious about paying off my family’s debts. Until now, I hadn’t asked any questions other than for him to put it in writing.

“John and Constance Moon are no longer in debt to Alpha Ernest Rock if their daughter, Isla Moon, follows through with the agreement made with said Alpha on this day….” Dated, signed by both parties and here I am. Still not sure what that agreement is.

***

Two Hours Later

Alpha Ernest took me to the Alpha King’s castle. The rain pounds my back as I follow Alpha Ernest up the wide marble steps to a home I never expect to see in real life. I look around quickly, but he is walking fast, and I don’t have much time to see the outside of the mansion. I only know it resembles a castle. The dreary sky seems fitting, considering my bleak outlook. Likewise, this castle is fitting for an Alpha King.

Under the wide porch, there is a bit of shelter from the wind. I pull my thin cloak around my shoulders. When Alpha Ernest’s fist pounds on the door, I jump. Everything about this day is unexpected and has me on edge.

“Greetings! Greetings!” When the door opened, Alpha Ernest says in his jovial, exceedingly loud voice. He laughs in the back of his throat, his gruff tone as raspy as the thunder in the distance.

“It is I, Alpha Ernest of Willow pack! His Majesty is expecting me.” The butler looks him over and then his eyes fall on me for a moment as if he isn’t sure whether or not the rotund, sweaty man in the white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows could possibly be an actual Alpha.

The detail of the Omegas that are hanging out in the car that brought us the two hours makes it more convincing.

“Come in,” the butler says, pulling the heavy wooden door open.

“Thank you, thank you,” my Alpha says, and I follow him inside, absently wondering why he must say everything twice.

I try to keep up with our guide while my eyes roam over objects that are worth a hundred times more than what my parents make in a year—a thousand times more.The sale of just one of these objects would have been plenty to pay off my parents’ debts. If I’d had just one painting to sell, I wouldn’t be here now. I can’t think of that at the moment. My fate is sealed.

“Wait here,” the butler suddenly stopped me when we arrived a big closed door. Then he opened the door just for Alpha Ernest.

I am tempted to strain to see inside, too, but I don’t. I’ve never seen him before, the Alpha King, the head of all of the Alphas and all of the territories in our region, for thousands and thousands of miles.

I’ve heard lots of stories about him. Word of his cruelty proceeds him, and it is said that he is just as brutal as he is handsome.

“You may sit,” the butler says, gesturing to a chair near the door that has closed behind Alpha Ernest.

I nod, but I am not capable of thanking him verbally right now, not when my teeth are near chattering with fear.

I sit down, still grasping my bag in my hands. I wish I had put on more than the thin cloak my mother had given me last winter. Cloaks were cheaper than coats, so that’s what I had. I wouldn’t hide the trembling that was beginning to ravage my body, though.

Doing my best to ignore the shaking, I tried to focus on the faint voices I could hear coming from behind the thick wooden door.

I didn’t expect to be able to hear because the door looked sturdy, but Alpha Ernest was loud. And Alpha Maddox…. Well, he just sounded agitated.

“Thank you for seeing me on such short notice,” Alpha Ernest is saying.

When Alpha Maddox replies, it is harder to hear. He isn't as loud.

“I don’t know why you’re here unless it’s to pay me the money you owe me.” At least, that’s what I think he is saying.

“Unfortunately, sir, I don’t have the money—not exactly,” the other man replies. I hear Alpha Maddox grumble in response.

“But I have something else to offer you instead. Something better.”

“Something better than the one and a half million dollars you owe me?” My heart catches in my throat and I nearly choke. One and a half million dollars? Did I hear that correctly? What in the world could Alpha Ernest have that is worth that kind of money?

“Oh, yes!” Alpha Ernest says.

“Please, sir, hear me out. I have a bargain for you. One that will allow me to settle our debt and help you with a certain… problem you have.”

Problem? What problem could Alpha Maddox possibly have—other than the fact that he might have killed all of the people that he wanted to yell at?

I sit with my feet flat on the floor, my eyes focusing on the eggshell wall across from me, listening, not believing what I am hearing.

“Ernest,” Alpha Maddox says, “you are the last person on earth I would turn to to help me solve a problem, not that I even know what you’re referring to.”

“Sir, you have just turned twenty-nine last month, and everyone knows you expected to have an heir by the age of thirty. So, you need someone who can bear you a child, someone with no complicated relationship involved, someone who is beautiful, with good, healthy genes. A strapping mother who has born many children and proven herself to be from good stock.”

With every word Alpha Ernest speaks, my heart leaps higher into my throat, even though my brain still doesn’t want to compute what he is saying.

“What are you proposing, Ernest?” Alpha Maddox says. “I don’t have any problem picking up women. You know that, don’t you?”

“Yes, yes, of course! But women at court are complicated. They have expectations. I know you don’t intend to marry again. So… what you need is a willing, compliant, beautiful girl who is eager to spread her legs to earn money, bear you a child—or two or three—and then fade away. And I have just the girl for you.”

I take a deep breath and hold it. Now I know Alpha Ernest is talking about me! He wants me to bear a child-or more for Alpha Maddox! I can not believe it!

*Maddox*

“I'll keep the girl,” I say in a loud voice and the gums flap in Ethan's fat cheeks shift into a smile, his greasy mustache dancing as he tips his head up and blinks at me. He’s like a shoddy used car salesman, trying to convince me to take something I don’t want or need.

Something that’s broken and doesn’t even work correctly—something that will never serve its intended purpose.

What he doesn’t know is that I’ve already been considering finding a breeder for the last few months. I just haven’t had the time to try to find a woman who would fit the requirements.

Everything he’s said is true. I certainly don’t ever want to marry again, no matter what. Even thinking about my wife makes my heart tighten up and my eyes begin to water. I have to immediately push her beautiful face from my mind. No, I will not ever take another bride.

That means, in order to have an heir, I have to find a woman who’d be willing to carry my child knowing that there are no strings attached. That simply cannot happen with any of the women in court. They all want something more. They all want me.

Finding a woman from one of the other pack lands has always been a possibility, and I’ve had a few Alphas mention their daughters from time to time, but I’ve never wanted to put a loyal Alpha in a position where I’d be using their daughter in such a manner.

Whoever carries my child will essentially be unable to ever marry and have a normal life. What other man would ever want her? Even if she found her fated mate, he’d know that she’d been with me, the Alpha King, and he’d never, ever be able to live up to those standards.

She’d live the rest of her life by herself, discarded and alone. Who would want that? Apparently, Alpha Ernest has found someone who won't mind. I need to know more.

“Who is the girl?” I ask, wanting to know more about the girl.

“Her name is Isla Moon, Alpha Maddox. She is a member of my pack. Today, she came in and asked if I had any odd jobs she could do to pay off the debt she owes me, and I offered her this one. She accepted.” He is holding something back.

I can tell by the way his eyes are wide, and the way he shrugs his shoulders as he speaks. There has to be more to Isla’s story than this.

“Why does she owe you money?” I ask him.

He only shrugs. “Family debt. I’m not sure.”

I study his face. He is lying. He knows exactly what it is. I wonder if the girl has been manipulated to be here or if she came of her own free will. Had she heard about the handsome, mysterious Alpha King and wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to spend some time in his castle and frequent his bed? I also want to make sure she isn’t some prostitute who is going to make me sick.

“Has she been… inspected?”

“No,” he says. “But that’s not necessary. The girl is a virgin.”

I scoffed. “How do you know that?”

“I’ve known her for her entire life,” he says quickly. “My pack is small. I know everyone. Of course, if you are worried, you can send your physicians in to see. If I am lying, I would gladly pay you twice what I owe you, sir. I would never deceive you about such a thing.”

I raise my eyebrows.

He realizes he slipped up. “I would never deceive you about anything.” Somehow, I doubt that.

“What does she look like?” I ask.

“She’s beautiful,” he tells me. “She’s outside the door.”

I shake my head. I don’t want to see her yet.

“She’s a small girl, about this tall.” He raises his hand to show me she’s about five foot two or so.

“She has long, blonde hair that is curly, and her eyes are wide and blue. Her skin is smooth like porcelain and bright. She’s a bit skinny, I think, but she has large breasts and curvy hips.”

I close my eyes and slowly shake my head at his crassness. It shouldn’t surprise me. I wonder if the girl can hear us.

“Is she intelligent?” I don’t want my heir to be an idiot.

“Oh, yes. She did very well in school. Top of her class. She went to college for a couple of years but had to drop out for… some reason.” Again, he is holding back. He knows why. “She’s a sweet girl. You will enjoy her.” He winks at me, and I know he means sexually.

It makes my skin crawl because I know he wishes that he could enjoy her. I don’t know why the girl has decided to come with him here, but I won’t be sending her back home with him, not today anyway.

“How old is she?” I ask him.

“Twenty, I think,” he says. Twenty. She is young. When I was twenty, my father was still alive. I wasn’t even the Alpha King yet. It seems like a very long time ago. The image of my wife’s face flutters in front of my mind, and my mouth wants to move of its own accord.

“Rebecca….” I won’t say her name. I’ve learned not to. It makes people question my sanity, and since they already do that enough over my alleged viciousness, there’s no reason to have them think I’m seeing ghosts as well.

If there’s one thing they don’t need to worry about it's me seeing Rebecca. I’ve looked everywhere for her and have never seen her, not even once. Not even in my dreams.

***

*Isla*

“This way..”

A man says politely to me, as he leads me through the hallways, but I have no idea where we are going or why we are going there.

I didn’t hear much of the conversation between Alpha Ernest and Alpha Maddox. Once Alpha Ernest offered to sell me to Alpha Maddox to get rid of his debts, they began to negotiate much quieter, and I don’t know what’s happening now, the man came much later, after Alpha Ernest left, then he asked me to come with him.

I walk through narrow halls, through larger openings that have pieces of artwork like vases and paintings, and even some suits of armor. Everything is regal and expensive as it had been before. The grandeur of the residence reflects the wealth and power of its owner.

“You should get used to your map..” The man leading me speaks out, but I remain silent as I'm too scared to speak or even utter anything.

“Can't you speak?” He pauses, turning to face me. I have never answered any of his questions or even utter a word, that must have led to his curiosity. I feel the weight of his gaze upon me as his green eyes study me intently and a shiver runs down my spine.

“What's your name?” He asks me, not looking back again.

“Isla” The echo of my voice sounds like a distant whisper in the grand halls.

“Isla,” he repeats. “Remember your place. The Alpha is a generous one, but he has no patience for those who cross him. Besides, I hope you know there are new responsibilities you have to take as the breeder.”

“Breeder? What breeder?” I whisper to myself, my mind racing as I try to understand it.

“You will be the Alpha's breeder. It is your duty to provide offspring for the lord, to expand his lineage. You will be pampered and well-cared for, but you must also perform your duties.”

*Isla*

“Obey the rules and you'll have nothing to worry about, by the way, I'm Beth. The Alpha's beta” he introduces himself.

“Beth,” I repeat his name under my breath. The Alpha's Beta; is a position of authority within this hierarchy.

“Rules?” I finally utter, my voice barely audible in the emptiness of the halls.

“What are the rules?”

Beth turns to face me, his face hardened.

“You will follow the Alpha's orders without question. You will bear children for him, and those children will be raised to be the Alpha's heir” he explains as he soon stops at a door.

“We've arrived, have your bath, and change into better clothes. Take care..” he says, opening the door for me and I slowly walk in. The moment I walk in, he closes the door after me, giving me the moment I want, to be alone.

I sit on the bed in my new room, not sure what to do, grasping my bag. I look around, but I’m not sure what to think.

Why am I here? Am I really to be a breeder? The breeder of the Alpha King, no less? If I touch anything else, will someone come flying out of the closet and slap me again? Beta Seth has assured me that this is my room, and I can do whatever I want, but I am still hesitant.

I can’t help but think that this is all a huge mistake. If I get too comfortable here, I will just have to go. And this is the nicest room I’ve ever seen. I haven’t been sitting here too long when there is a knock at the door.I look up, and a girl with brown hair and wide hazel eyes is staring at me, just her head sticking in the door.

“Hello, Miss,” she says. “May I come in?”

“Yes, of course,” I say, starting to get up.

“Oh, no, don’t get up!” she insists, flying into the room like a flurry, a small, contained tornado.

“I’m Poppy, Miss Isla,” she says with a small bow of her head. “How do you do?”

I hesitate to respond because I’m not used to being addressed this way, but then I say, “I’m f-fine, thank you.”

“Good! Beta Seth sent me to take care of you. I will be your personal maid. So… what can I do to assist you, miss?” she asks, standing at attention with her hands folded in front of her.

I don’t know how to respond to her because I have never had anyone bring me anything in my life, not since I was a child and needed my mother’s help.

“I don’t know,” I admit to her. “Do… Do you know why I’m here?” The last part is a whisper tinged with a silent plea of confirmation. Not a Breeder, surely. I keep telling myself there’s been a mistake.

Poppy laughs, and it sounds a bit like a melody.

“No, miss, I’m afraid not. But don’t fret. I’m sure there’s a good reason if you don’t know. Now, let’s see…. Food is on its way from the kitchen. A meal should be arriving shortly. Is that your bag?” I look down at the pathetic bag I’m clutching in my hands, my knuckles white, and I nod.

“May I?” she asks, extending a hand. I don’t want to let go of it, but I do. She takes the bag from me and looks through it.

“All right,” she says. “We have plenty of clothes in the castle. We keep them in case guests forget their bags. Or so they say.” She takes my things over to the armoire and begins to put them away.

“Although I have to say, I think it’s also in case they are robbed on their way to the castle. You know there are plenty of rogues out there. And some Alphas who can’t seem to remember who is king.” She shakes her head, and I am surprised.

I didn’t know that there were any Alphas who would rise up against the Alpha King.

“At any rate, I will go and get you more clothing. You should have a regal wardrobe. I will get what I can, but we will see that you have everything that you need. Alpha King Maddox said that you are to be treated as the finest ladies in the castle.”

My eyes bulge. “He did?” Why? Aren’t breeders part of the lower class? I admit, I don’t know about them. It feels like such an archaic concept, especially in such modern times. Why on earth would someone like Alpha King Maddox need a breeder? I’ve never seen the man, but I’ve heard whispers of him from time to time. Ruthless, cut throat, the kind of man who makes men and women tremble, for different reasons, of course. He’s supposed to be exceedingly handsome, and I’m sure there are plenty of women in his court to choose from for this purpose. So why me?

“Yes, he did. Now, what size are you?” I have no idea. I shake my head. “My mother makes my clothes.”

“Well, do you mind standing up?” I manage to slide off of the bed, and she looks me up and down.

“Tiny thing, aren’t you!” Poppy proclaims. She is rather thin herself, but she is much taller than me. My hands are trembling a bit, and I don’t know what to do with myself. I’ve only been here a few hours, and I already miss my family.

Poppy goes into the bathroom, and soon enough I hear water running and smell roses. She comes back a moment later with a big grin on her face.

“Do you need any help getting undressed?” “No, thank you,” I say. I can’t imagine needing help with that. Rich people are… strange.

“All right. Do you need anything else before I go?” “No, thank you.” She smiles at me and says, “I’ll be back soon.”

“Thank you, Poppy,” I say before she goes. She nods and then heads for the door, and I can’t help but think that we might be friends—if I stay here. If I survive this place and this man.

****

I sit on the edge of the bed for a few minutes after Poppy leaves, contemplating what to do. She’s turned the bathtub on, so I know I have to go into the bathroom eventually or else the tub will overflow.

I want to take a bath. It sounds luxurious. I can’t remember the last time I did anything like that for myself. For the last few years, everything I’ve done has been for my family. But… the idea of taking my clothes off and soaking in the tub in this amazing room seems frightening and foolish.

All of this has to be a mistake, and when they find out about it, shouldn’t I at least be dressed? Still, if I take a quick bath, maybe I can be in and out before Poppy returns. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about this castle it’s that it is huge.

Setting my bag down on the chest at the end of the bed, I head into the bathroom and take my clothes off, hanging my wet, dirty clothes on a hook on the door, embarrassed by my old underwear and bra that doesn’t really fit me correctly. I decide to leave the door open a crack so I can hear if Poppy comes back in. I turn the bathtub off and notice there are hair clips on the sink, so I grab a few. I want to wash my hair, but then I plan to clip it up out of the way so I can be sure to wash well.

The moment my feet touch the warm water, I feel a soothing sensation ripple through my body. I’m not sure what Poppy put in this water, but it feels amazing. I sink into it and my whole body relaxes. Not only does it smell wonderful—like roses and lavender—but it wraps around my body like a warm blanket.

I may never get out of this tub. Remembering I was going to try to hurry, I sink down and wash my hair, using the bottles of floral-smelling shampoos and conditioners on the side of the tub, I scrub my hair and my scalp before clipping my hair up out of the way and using the body wash and a soft sponge to wash myself off.

Once I’m sure I’m clean from head to toe, I sink back into the water, telling myself I’m just going to soak for a minute and then I’ll get out. I must’ve dozed off because when I open my eyes later, the water is a bit cooler, and I realize I’d been asleep.

But then I also realize that what had woken me was the sound of the door opening in my bedroom.I sit up quickly, remembering that I had that robe but not remembering exactly where it is. I see a pile of towels nearby.

“Poppy, is that you?” I call, praying it is just the housekeeper coming back with the clothes she’d gone to find for me.

“No.” I get my answer when a deep, rumbling voice answers my question. I inhale sharply and hold it for a second. There is a man in my room—and I am naked.

*Isla*

Quickly, I get out of the tub, drying off as best I can. At least my hair is dry. I am frantic, and clearly, I am not thinking straight. I wrap the towel around myself, thanking the Moon Goddess that it’s so huge that it will wrap all the way around me and then some, and then walk out to see who he is.

I stick my head out first, and he is just standing there, his hands on his hips, near my bed. It’s the same man who’d walked into my room with Beta Seth. Oh, Goddess. Is he here to hurt me? To take advantage of me?

“Who are you?” I ask in a pitifully small voice. A guard, perhaps? He’s not dressed like one. Someone who works for the Alpha King, then? A ghost of a smile touches the corner of his mouth before flickering away, but amusement dances behind his eyes.

He is gorgeous. My breath catches in my throat, and I stand there, wide-eyed, glad he’s not looking directly at me while I fight to get control of my racing heart. In an instant, I feel the truth pulsate through my veins.

This is no ordinary man. This is the King. He’s tall, at least six foot four, with dark brown hair and eyes that glow like emeralds. His broad shoulders are ripped beneath the white button-down shirt he’s wearing, and he looks to be nothing but lean muscle.

Visions of what lies beneath his clothing come to mind, but I can’t let them linger because I am aware that I am still naked. His eyes land on me then, and they widen slightly as if he’s just realized he’s interrupting my bath. I clutch my towel to my chest.

“I’m sorry, your Highness,” I say. “Poppy is getting me something acceptable to wear. I don’t–I don’t have any clothes suitable–”

“Good,” he says, cutting me off. He looks me up and down, but he doesn’t let his eyes dawdle on the part of me that’s covered with the towel like some men would do.

“Do you have a robe, by chance? Or has your maid neglected to give you one?”

“I do.” He nods. “Good. Go put it on.” My cheeks flame with a heated blush so intense I feel it creeping over my neck and chest. I rush back into the bathroom and see where Poppy has placed it. I drop the towel and put the robe on, tying it tightly and running back out through the partially ajar door.

When I’m back in the bedroom, I still don’t know what to say to him, and he seems to be a man of few words. He hasn’t moved and sits like a statue, watching me with those emerald eyes that I feel see right into my soul.

“I wanted to see if you were all right,” he finally says, his voice a low rumble that makes my body tingle.

“Oh, yes. I’m well, thank you,” I reply, bobbing my head.

“I guess Alpha Beth told you a few things that needed to be done?” he asks. I blink, furrowing my brow at the strange thoughts and sensations rippling through my body. This is the king.

“Yes, Your Highness. He did” I reply to his question. “Well, I should go. I just wanted to check on you. If you need anything, I’m sure Poppy will get it for you.” “Yes, Your Highness,” I say. “Thank you.” I manage to smile at him, but I am not very confident, not that I doubt Poppy.

He takes a step backward, toward the door, but before he can turn to go, the door comes flying open, and Poppy bursts through.

“I’m back!” she announces. “And boy have I got some beautiful outfits for you! You're never going to—Oh! Your Majesty!” Immediately she drops the dresses on a chair by the door and bows low to the ground. He shakes his head and turns to walk out.

“You can get up, Poppy,” he says as she lifts her head.

“You know my name?” Poppy asks.

“Yes, of course, I know your name, Poppy. Everyone knows your name.” He opens the door to walk out.

Blushing with pride, she says, “Thank you, Alpha King Maddox.”I sink to the edge of the bed, my mind reeling.

“I’m his breeder, aren’t I? I’m the breeder for the Alpha King.” My eyes water as my life as I knew it flashes before my eyes. Poppy makes a little sound in her throat, refusing to meet my eyes for a moment before she gives a quick, tight nod.

“Best not to dwell on it,” she says tightly, swallowing hard.

“Let’s start by getting dressed.” I open my mouth to reply but choke on whatever words were lingering on my tongue.

“But you know you're very lucky” Poppy begins as she brings out some clothes, and as she does so, she talks about King Maddox.

“He’s so handsome. He has women from all over the kingdom throwing themselves at him all of the time, of course. And he doesn’t like it. You know, he’s sworn never to take another Luna.”

“Yes, that’s what I’ve heard,” I say.

“Luna Rebecca was the love of his life, his true mate. He loved her so much. Some people say they’ve never seen anyone so much in love with their mate. He’s even said that if the Moon Goddess gives him another mate, he will reject her.

That’s what I’ve heard anyway. It’s not like I converse much with him.” I don’t have much to say about that. He did say he knew who she was, after all. I only smile at her and keep eating, trying to remember to chew and not scarf it down.

“But… he is lonely and sad, I think, and he’s too young for all that. I hope, one day, he meets a beautiful young woman who will make him forget all of his sadness.” She smiles at me with a twinkle in her eye, and I think she’s trying to imply something.

“Well, I hope he finds someone. He seems like a nice man.” I reply in a low voice. She chuckles.

“Yes, I hope you do.” I look up at her, not understanding what she means. The way she said that implies that I may have had an ulterior motive in what I said, and I most certainly do not.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean… it’s only natural that someone in your position would want him to find… someone to make him happy. I think you should put this on when you’re done.” She smiles and sets out a pajama set for me on the bed.

I have no idea what time it is, but if the king is eating dinner, maybe it is time to get ready for bed. I think those dinners usually start late.I finish eating and take another sip of my water before I ask,

“What do you mean, someone in my position? I’m his breeder.” I get up and walk over to the bed where she has laid the pajamas. The pajamas are very nice–soft, and silken. I run my fingers over them absently. Poppy walks to the door and opens the door as she says.

“You know, someone in your position. Someone like you will obviously grow attached to him. I know I would.” She makes a face at me, wide-eyed, and smiles before she goes out. I am lost and wait for her to come back in. “Attached to him?” I ask as she reenters the room. “Why on earth would I become attached to someone using my body to give them a child? A child that’s mine, but I’d have no… no right to keep?” My eyes burn with tears.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispers. “I shouldn’t have said–It’s just–I don’t know much about breeders. I just know you’ll be with him, often, and… and cherished, especially when–when you—” Her eyes gloss over as she makes a weak motion toward my belly.

“Did you not agree to this?” “I thought I’d been sold as a servant,” I choke out, the words cracking and shattering between us. Poppy looks struck and lowers her gaze for a moment before saying,

“He’s not a horrible man, Miss Isla. He won’t mistreat you.” she adds, before leaving. I turn from the pajamas and sit down on my bed, scooting back until I’m resting against the pillows. I take a deep breath, and say, resigned, “What happens now?”

*Maddox*

“Alpha Jordan?” I say, eyeing the man across from me and wondering what he’s doing in my office when we are meant to have dinner in less than two hours.

“What is it that you need?” He looks at me and a small chuckle escapes his lips as he rubs his chin with a fist. He’s at least twenty-five years my senior, maybe more, and it’s easy to tell. His hair is gray, his face is wrinkled, and he looks worn—tired. Will I look like that in a couple of decades?

Being an Alpha takes its toll. Being an Alpha King is worse.“Thank you for seeing me, Alpha Maddox,” he begins, withdrawing his hand from his mouth. “I do appreciate you letting us stay here for a few nights. Traveling all the way through the kingdom is tiresome.”

“Of course,” I say, folding my hands on my desk. He still hasn’t answered my question. I am a patient man until I am not. He clears his throat.

“I guess I should get straight to the point, then?” he says, that rumbling chuckle back. I wait, not needing to say that he most certainly should do just that.

“A few of the Alphas have been speaking about the… conflict that is going on now. The problems we’ve been having.”

“I know all about that,” I say, not wanting to get into it right now. “What have you been discussing?”

“Well, only that… with the instability in the kingdom and the unrest, it would be best for the people if they had something to celebrate, something to… cheer them up and stay focused on that is more positive.”

I continue to look at him, my forehead wrinkled. I am trying to figure out where he is going with this, but I don’t want to attempt to guess because if it is where I think it might be… I might leap over my desk and cause bodily harm to the man.

“What are you getting at?” I finally ask him. He shifts his weight in his chair. It creaks under the strain as if it also wants to protest whatever it is he’s about to say to me.

“You need an heir.”

It is exactly what I thought he was going to say, and exactly what he should have never let come out of his mouth. Keeping my face stoic, I glower at the man.

“I have a beautiful daughter who is a few years younger than you. She has gone through her first few heats. She is ripe for breeding. She could give you an heir, Your Majesty. It would be good for the kingdom. Zabrina would make a wonderful Luna.” He takes a deep breath as if he is satisfied that he has gotten the message out.

The air settles around us, and I lean back in my chair, remembering what Seth always tells me about thinking before I react.The man is introducing the idea of his daughter to me in similar language to the way Alpha Ernest mentioned the girl he brought me, though there was no talk of her heat.

I suppose that’s only because he had no way of knowing. He had told me the girl was a virgin, though. Alpha Jordan had not made any mention of that for his daughter…. I shake my head.

“Alpha Jordan, I thought I had made it clear that I didn’t intend to marry again. Your daughter deserves to find her mate and—”

“She’s found him,” he says, interrupting me. Waiting, I stare at him, anticipating he’ll tell me more.

“It was the son of a Beta from a neighboring kingdom. She met him at a ball. The mate bond was not strong, but it was there. She rejected him, and he left.” Alpha Jordan shrugs like this is of no consequence.

“But everyone knows rejecting one’s mate has consequences,” I remind him. “I believe that the consequence was that our territory was attacked shortly thereafter, but we were victorious. Nothing else has happened. Zabrina is fine.”

“And she’s had no physical pain from the rejection?” This goes against everything I’ve ever heard.

“No, not that I’ve heard her complain of,” he says nonchalantly.

“Strange.” I have to wonder if perhaps this man wasn’t actually her mate. Losing my mate has caused me nothing but torturous heartache. And the only way it will ever end is if the Moon Goddess grants me another mate…. “Nevertheless, I don’t intend to take another Luna, Alpha Jordan,” I tell him dismissively.

“But what about an heir?” he asks. “Our kingdom must have an heir, Alpha Maddox.”

“I am aware,” I tell him, my tone sharp. “Why don’t you let me handle that for myself, Alpha Jordan?” His face turns a bit pink as I put him in his place, but then, he feels it is necessary to tell me, “Of course, but… know that the other Alphas are discussing the situation. There’s… chatter.”I clear my throat and lean forward in my chair a bit, looking into his eyes.

“I hope that those Alphas who are speaking against me understand that there will be consequences for traitorous behavior.” I see his eyes widen slightly.

“Oh, yes, sir. No, nothing like that. We are all loyal to you, sir. Only… concerned. That’s all.” I nod, but I don’t trust him. I’m not sure I trust any of them.

“Thank you, Alpha Jordan. I appreciate your concern, and I’m sure your daughter is a lovely person, but I am not looking for another Luna. Rebecca was my Luna and that’s how it will remain.” He adjusts his tie and cannot look at me as he says, “Yes, of course, Alpha Maddox. But if you change your mind—”

“I won’t.” I stand, and he does as well. He offers his hand, and I shake it before showing him to the door. Once he is gone, I go to the cabinet and pour myself a drink. Downing it, I refill my glass. I need to go get ready for dinner soon. I am so tired of hearing about how we need an heir as if I don’t know that. The whisky burns my tongue as it goes down. Maybe Alpha Ernest isn’t such a fool after all.

As the whiskey blooms through my system and blurs my inhibitions, I begin to think maybe it’s time to pay the breeder I’ve just bought, a visit. I arrive at her room and notice nobody presence at all, I barge into the room, with wild thoughts in my head, what if she runs away?

The room is empty, I look around the room and my eyes dart to the bathroom. She's in there. … I need air. I need to think. I need to get away from… that woman.It’s a good thing that Poppy came into the room when she did, or else… I’m not sure what might’ve happened, but it might’ve gotten heated very quickly. I walk down the hallway a short distance to my own room, dragging my hand down my face as I go.

I know I shouldn’t have even stopped there on my way to my room to get ready for my dinner with the visiting Alpha, but curiosity got the better of me. The urge to see her for myself overwhelmed me, so I made a stop. Part of me is very glad that I did, but the other part of me wishes that I had just let it be….

I had no idea she was going to be in the bathtub when I walked in. Then, she’d scurried out, dripping wet, her pale skin glistening with water droplets, the scent of rosewater enticing me to step closer. Her hair, golden curls, pulled up on top of her head in the back, were damp and not secured all the way.

Ringlets framed her beautiful face as she stood there, wide-eyed, her sapphire eyes staring at me, trying to determine what I was doing there. Her luscious lips, slightly parted, were so plump and perfect, that I could imagine what they must taste like. I wanted to step across the room and take her bottom lip between my teeth.

I could have lifted her tiny body up onto the bed, the towel sliding onto the floor as my hands wandered all over her body. She had no idea that when she went into the bathroom to put on that robe she’d left the door slightly ajar, and in the mirror, I’d seen her perfect backside reflected in the mirror, the curve of her breast, her erect nipple….

I pulled the door open to my room, my erection straining against my pants, and headed straight for my shower, turning the water to cold. I knew I’d be thinking about the girl, Isla, all through dinner.

If the Alpha’s daughter, whatever the f*ck her name was, threw herself at me again, I might have to take her up on the offer only to get rid of the enormous hard-on I’ve got growing in my pants just thinking about her.

I’ve got to get her off of my mind. Undressing, I jump into the shower and let the cold water wash away the stiffness in my groin. I try to think about the work I need to do, and the conversations that need to be had with Alpha Jordan and others.

If I think about work, maybe I won’t think about the girl. I should be used to not thinking about women I don’t want to think about.Flashes of Rebecca’s beautiful face flicker before my eyes, and I push them away as I have been doing for years. Ever since that fateful night.

Since then, I’ve been with lots of women, mostly to drown the pain of losing her, but none of them have meant a thing to me. I definitely haven’t had any issues with getting them off of my mind.

Isla’s bright blue eyes come to mind, and I have to wonder if she just might be different. I turn the water so that it’s a tad colder and stand beneath it a bit longer before I finally get out and get dressed for dinner.

When I’m dressed in a suit with a jade green tie that’s nearly the color of my eyes, my hair is styled, and I’m ready to go, I take a moment to stand in front of the mirror and wonder why I even have these formal dinners.

“Why can’t we just retire these dinners and make them a thing of the past?” I ask myself aloud. I hate them so much….

But visitors to the castle like them, so we continue to have them. And we, theoretically, get a lot of work done at them…. A knock at the door alerts me that Seth is there to collect me. I grumble a bit before I say, “Yeah,” and he sticks his head in.

“Ready?” he calls. “No,” I say. He looks around my room. “Why don’t you ever turn on a lamp?” he asks. Rather than answering the question, I reply, “Why don’t you ever mind your own business?” and walk to the door. We head down the hall together, past Isla’s room, and I take a deep breath as we go.

I smell rosewater, and my pants begin to tighten. It seems I can’t do anything to escape the allure of the woman, no matter what I do. I will just have to keep my mind on something else.