Alpha K 127

The carriage sways gently as we leave the palace behind. My hand never leaves the Queen’s elbow as I guide her inside and help her to her seat. She doesn’t need the assistance–her bearing is as regal as ever–but something in me refuses to let go. Whether out of respect, instinct, or the gnawing fear that my uncle truly draws his dark magic from her necklace, Icing to her as though my grip alone could shield her life. 

For the sake of my mate, they cannot be torn from each other so soon. 

When we arrive, a small house sits tucked among wildflowers, their colors glowing even in the pale moonlight. I stare at it longer than I should, the simplicity of it pulling at me. 

My chest warms at the thought of living in a place like this one day–with Kali by my side, gray- haired and still bickering with me like she does now Jasmine too–if she never finds love, she’ll need somewhere safe. Somewhere where I can protect her. But the thought twists inside me, because without her wolf, she’ll age like a human, fragile and short–lived. And I- 

“This would be a place to retire with your loved one wouldn’t it?” the queen’s voice cuts through my thoughts. She’s watching me closely, her lips curved in something that isn’t quite a smile. 

I clear my throat, forcing my jaw to relax. “You can retire in a place like this with the King–after everything,” I tell her. 

She sighs softly. “Only time will tell… if I make it.” 

Her words hang heavy in the air, pressing down on me. I know exactly what she means, but before I can say anything more, the door to the house creaks open. A man in a wheelchair appears in the doorway, his face breaking into stunned joy. 

“Your Highness,” he breathes. “I can’t believe you’re here. You should have sent word–I would have come to you myself.” 

The Queen bends down, wrapping her arms around him with genuine affection. “And how could I ask that of you when you’re in a wheelchair? Would you fly?” she teases gently, her voice carrying both fondness and sorrow. “But tell me… now that you’ve found your son, shouldn’t you be walking already? The hole in your heart is being filled, is it not?” 

His eyes shine with something unspoken as he leans closer to her ear, voice low. “I can walk,” he admits. “But I don’t want Tom to know. If he believes I’m helpless, he’ll stay longer and take care of me. I can’t risk losing him again.” 

The queen chuckles softly, though I see the shadow of understanding in her eyes. She straightens and guides him inside. 

I follow, though my attention shifts the moment Kali’s scent hits me–thick, sharp, enchanting. My pulse quickens. She’s here. I can feel it, but as my gaze scours the room, she’s nowhere in sight. Then another detail makes my chest tighten: Jasmine’s scent. It’s faint, barely there at all, like smoke slipping through my fingers. Where the hell 

Fury strides in from the hallway, his arm wrapped protectively–no, possessively–around a 

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enchanting. My pulse quickens. She’s here. I cap feel it, but as my gaze scours the room, she’s nowhere in sight. Then another detail makes my chest aighten: Jasmine’s scent. It’s faint, barely there at all, like smoke slipping through my fingers. Where the hell- 

Fury strides in from the hallway, his arm wrapped protectively–no, possessively–around a woman. She’s tucked against him like she’s his entire world. For one wild, sickening second, I think it’s Jasmine, and my fists clench so hard my knuckles ache. How dare he hold my sister like that. 

But as they step into the light, I see her face–and it isn’t Jasmine. Relief crashes into me, tangled with confusion and a sharp bite of anger. 

“Fury,” I snap and he blinks at me, startled. “Where’s Jasmine? I can’t find her. And her scent-” My nostrils flare, panic threading every word. “It’s almost gone.” 

Fury scratches the back of his head, his eyes flicking away. He only ever does that when 

he’s nervous. 

“About that… please know I’m as surprised as you are.” 

“What the hell do you mean? What are you saying?” My voice drops into a snarl, all restraint gone, not caring that he only just clawed his way back from death hours ago. When you woke up–thanks to my blood–don’t tell me you didn’t see Jasmine. Don’t tell me she didn’t follow you here to see your father, because that’s a damn lie. Her scent was here. I can still smell it.” 

Fury’s throat bobs, his eyes betraying him. “That’s right, Alpha Jack… we all came here together. But Jasmine left without telling me, and there was nothing I could do to stop her. The sound that tears out of me is half–growl, half–snarl, shaking the room. The woman, clinging to Fury gasps, stumbling back in fear. In a heartbeat, I’ve got Fury pinned to the wall, my hand crushing his throat, the wood groaning beneath the pressure of his back. His face burns red as he chokes for air. 

“What do you mean she left without telling you and there was nothing you could do?” I roar. “You know she’s weak–human–weak. How the fuck couldn’t you protect her, like you promised? Why didn’t you go after her?”