The Alpha King and His Human Queen

I Have No Choice

Alexandra

I find myself alone. Again. But this time I am relieved. One minute with the prince is too much, four or five is a near-death experience.

I don't know how far from my room I’ve walked because I was too busy being angry with Nathaniel.

Calling me spoiled? Seriously? That's why I told him he should look at himself. I repeat the exchange in my head. I should have been more direct, even. He is so full of himself that he will explode. He is the most unbelievably rune man I’ve met. Not that I am surprised. I was pretty sure he would be like that before meeting him. Rumors don’t appear out of nowhere.

He told me to do things by myself.

“Fine, “ I tell myself lifting my chin and fixing my garment. “I don't need anyone to tell me what is what and where.“

I keep walking but pretty soon I learn perhaps it would be more useful if there was someone to help me.

“I hate this place, “ I mutter through clenched teeth as I take another turn that takes me nowhere when I catch the scent of food. My stomach grumbles and I hurry up, hoping that this time I am taking the right way and it will take me to something to eat. A few more turns and I find myself in the kitchens.

I was right. I am at the right place for the first time since I arrived.

People and wolves walk around carrying dishes. No one pauses to look at me, they just continue doing their job.

Back home things were so different. If I showed up in the kitchen everyone would stop and bow to me, or they would be asking if I needed anything. When we were little Laura and I would often sneak into the kitchens to steal food and - most of the time- candies, but as we grew up we were going there less and less.

Now that I stand here I am again reminded how nothing is as it used to be. I step in and one of the women glances at me, making a face. I am pretty sure it's because of the way I am dressed but she looks away again and busies herself with what she is doing. No one cares that I am here.

I cross the kitchen and head towards the tables lined in the corner. There is food on one of them - most likely leftovers from the breakfast that was served to the staff.

I am so hungry I consider eating this, too. Some dishes look untouched from this far. Are they?

I walk towards them to find out. This kitchen is much bigger than the one in my father’s castle, but there are at least ten times more wolves and humans lining here.

As soon as I approach the wooden table, however, I see not everyone has finished with their food.

One of the maids is sitting on the table while the rest of the women walking around give her looks of disapproval but no one says anything to her because she's not alone.

One of the prince’s betas is standing right opposite her.

And that’s Lave.

The servant is smiling brightly at him, playing with a long lock of hair that’s escaped her braid. Lave is eating an apple and she is looking at him as if he is the most amazing man in the world.

To be honest, looking at him now he is kind of… interesting.

Lave is big and strong, the kind of man who looks like he can save you from anything.

Unless he is not subject to the man who hates you, I remind myself.

This morning Lave is wearing a thin wide shirt but the cloth is still unable to hide his muscles. Just like last night, his hair is put back in an intricate braid. The morning sun has started peeking through the windows and under this light he looks… attractive. And he uses his looks to his advantage so well right now…

Lave is smiling widely, the apple he is eating looks so fragile in his hands. He approaches the fruit to his lips seductively and the maid’s lips part. The young woman is blushing hard and it’s obvious from a distance she likes him.

When her eyes flutter in my direction she wriggles in her seat and gets up. Lave remains where he is and turns to look at me. He must have sensed I was there but I guess I'm invisible to whoever here so he didn't think it was necessary to register my presence.

Then the girl frowns at me, her expression saying something like “Don’t interrupt us”. But Lave breaks the spell of the moment between them and grins at me.

“Alexandra. Good morning. “Did you get lost?”

He takes a step away from the girl and throws the apple into the nearest can.

“I… I was just looking for food. “

I really get annoyed at having to explain what I am doing all the time but I guess it can’t be helped.

“Lave turns back to the girl.

“Will you bring food and water for Alexandra? She is the prince’s…”

He doesn’t finish because he - too- is not sure what I am. The girl looks reluctant to do it, that's why he leans in and kisses her.

Lave kisses the girl deeply and her feet go unsteady.

“Gods above me, “ I think and shake my head, looking away. Lave lets go of the girl and she

obeys his order to bring me food.

“I still have your coat, “ I mention when it’s just the two of us.

“You can keep it, “ he says, lightly. Lave doesn't look like a flirt, but the more time I spend with him the more I discover that he is.

“I didn't know you spent time with the servants. “ I point out.

“I was just killing time. “

“Before what ?” I ask and he shrugs.

“Nevermind. By the way- I am assuming you haven’t been anywhere yet.”

“Not really. “

“So let’s go, “ he says. I look at him puzzled. He is suspiciously nice and I doubt it’s because he is a flirt. I don't remind him of what Blade did becaue I doubt he's forgotten it too.

“Where are we going? “ I ask, instead.

“Do you want to go to town?” then he gives me a lookover, “Maybe you can get clothes or anything you need. “After you have breakfast, and maybe change your clothes? I will tell Cara to prepare something for you for now. “

I give him another look, this time my suspicion has turned into confusion.

“If this is some kind of trap I am not buying it. “

Lave grins at me.

“And yet - you have no other option but to take the risk and trust me?”

And unfortunately, he is right. I have no other choice.