Alpha King’s Bride (Moon Provinces Series #1)

Part 1

Her cheerful giggle rang in his ears, the sound so delicate and soothing it automatically bought a smile to his lips. Ellis strode closer, watching as she elegantly moved on her feet, putting grown ballerinas to shame. Her pink skirt matched her flushed cheeks, feet pattering in the empty room.

He was impressed and wanted to ask for a dance, his cheeks coloured red. The Alpha saw his parents dance together all the time during tea parties and balls, impressing their guests.

Sadly his feet didn't move on his command. His mother often said that his shy personality would eventually lead him to miss out opportunities.

The six year old inhaled sharply, puffing his chest with air and tapped on her shoulder. Holding his hand out, he smiled at the faceless omega. "Will you dance with me?"

She threw her head back, laughing again. "That is not how you ask, silly!"

His lips quirked down, head bent down. She was supposed to be his friend! Not make fun of him. Maybe he should go and tell his parents that. Before the little boy could move, she tugged on his sleeves.

"Where are you going, Prince?"

"To my mummy"

"Don't you want to dance with me?"

He huffed. "But you made fun of me"

"I'm sorry" She sounded sincere, eyes shining with guilt. "Don't go. I will be nice."

"So can we dance?"

The five year old omega bobbed her head in excitement, taking his hand. "Yes. But we don't have music."

"I will sing for you. My housekeeper taught me a song"

She looked hesitant and he was afraid that the omega would make fun of him again. To his surprise, the five year old nodded her head. Ellis hummed with fondness, as they swayed with ease around the room. The fire behind them warmed their surroundings while their souls danced with one another.

They were barely moving in sync, a mesh of limbs and stepping on each other's toes one too many times. It was the most fun he had in a while.

With his eyes crinkled, he matched her stare. "When will I see you again?"

"Very soon."

***

As the sun crept over the horizon, the Kings room in the Palace became illuminated in a rosy haze. Filtered rays of light trickled past the glass windowpanes. He was stark naked and wide awake under the sheets.

Every single day he dreamed about his childhood, mostly about the summer he spent with his mate. In her Palace. That was the last time Ellis visited Shone town. He got the news of their family's death shortly after that.

The biggest tragedy was he had no memory of her face, always a faceless omega giggling and playing with him in the dreams. He tried to remember, used witch's potion but no use. There was not even a single painting of them together, everything burned down in the Palace fire.

Just then he heard the footsteps approaching the door, familiar clicking of heels getting louder with each passing second.

"Your Highness, are you decent?"

King Ellis looked to his side, lips twisting as he stared at one of the beta. She appeared untouched and more than eager to accompany him. How could he say no? Only problem, he didn't pop a knot. Then again, betas are unable to handle Alphas knot. Much to his disappointment.

"My lord?"

"Give me a minute, Adam" The King yelled back.

He arched his back against the plush mattress, cringing as air bubbles crackled along his spine. The Alpha wiped crusted sleep from his eyes and slowly sat upwards. He thought of waking up the beta and maybe asking for a blow job but changed his mind in the end.

He pushed himself off of his bed and with a lethargic pace, began to get ready for the day.

Every morning, it was the same routine.

Once daylight basked his Palace, the King would be woken up by a chambermaid. If he didn't respond to that, then bigger forces would be called aka Adam—his right hand man and beta.

The commander general, Adam who's been along with his father as well never entered the room. He always hung back, calling out in curt tone or in urgency depending on the King's schedule throughout the day.

Ellis dragged himself into an adjacent plush bathroom. A sigh escaped his lips as he glanced at the porcelain tub already filled with hot water. Washing off the sheen layer of sweat that licked his body, the King walked to the closet. He didn't appreciate the help touching his clothes, annoyed at getting their scents left behind in his sensitive nose. That's why the King chose to do that himself.

Hurriedly he dried himself off, hearing another painful knock echo in the air. Ellis stood in front of a perched vanity, the tiled floor cold underneath his feet. With a bit of effort, he untangled the knot of his messy brown hair, sweeping them back. In the vanity, his moss green eyes stared back at him. His skin was flushed tan from the hours underneath the sunlight, his nose speckled with freckles.

Once he entered the bedroom, the beta sat up in bed, sheets pulled to her chest. He gave her a fleeting glance, busy in picking out his shoes.

"Show yourself out and asked the maid to replace bed sheets"

He would have called her name but in the heat of moment, the King forgot to ask. Then again it didn't matter. Not that like they would be crossing paths any time soon.

An audible gasp rang in his ears. "Your Highness! Are are you really throwing me out?"

He tied the laces before glancing back at her, lips pressed in a straight line. Walking straight to the chest resting against the wall, he picked a shiny looking chain. The King had them lying around, mostly gifted by his fellow friends or other nations Kings.

Ellis handed it to her. "Here take this. Thanks for last night"

She opened and closed her mouth, clasping the pearls among her fingers. The beta looked like she wanted to say something but thought against it. He turned his back on her, barely acknowledging the sniffles and walked out.

The Palace was filled with mumbled conversations, voices becoming clearer as he descended the grand staircase. His heels lightly clicked against the floor, drawing attention as he passed by different members of the staff. Ellis acknowledged their greetings with a simple nod of his head.

Ellis passed by a portrait of his father in the hallway, heart twisting in a painful way. Its been a year since he lost his dear father to life long illness. The Valerio Sr. started taking bed after his Luna passed away, barely able to invest in pack duties. Ellis was away for college and his training.

When the Alpha came back from States after completing his degree, his father had already passed away. They performed last rites and he immediately took over the throne.

"Good morning, my lord. Beautiful day," The older man politely greeted, snapping him out of his thoughts. It was Adam. He was thankful for the distraction.

The King curtly nodded back. "That it is. How is my day looking so far?"

"You have a meeting with all the Kings of adjoining provinces in an hour at the Castle."

Right. It almost slipped his mind. As the Palace of Shone was burned down, people were left without a heir. No King meant constant attacks by the enemies in order to establish their rule. King Ellis didn't want that to happen. It was the last memory of his mate and so he wanted to preserve the land by all means even if it meant constantly meeting other Alphas.

At the moment, the Palace of Shone was unoccupied and he wanted to keep it that way.

There were total five provinces—Moons (ruled by him), Shone (unoccupied and without a King), Eclipse (King Caleb), Orbit (King Arnold) and Phase (King Alexander)

"Let's go then"

***

King Ellis flickered his eyes around the room, noticing only two Kings seated across from the seat.

"Adam," King Ellis addressed his beta directly, "there are five provinces, where is the fifth King? Did you not send him a message?"

A silence hushed through the entirety of the meeting room. Fires raged around to keep the warmth of the entire room, crackling of the torches only thing echoing around.

Adam lifted his head, hands wrung together. "Your Highness, King Caleb refused to step into a kingdom without Luna. He has stopped responding to our letters as well"

At this rate, King Ellis may as well loose business with their kingdom. Eclipse supplied them with high quality oils for cooking and they lose the partnership. All because he didn't have a mate by his side. It felt like a cruel twist of fate.

Arnold, King of Orbit began to chuckle at the reply and looked at the others who kept their tongues to themselves. Shaking his head, he turned towards Ellis, "This is why you shouldn't ascend without a Luna. It was bound to happen."

King Ellis looked away in anger, loss at words at the snide remark. He had to find a Luna as soon as possible. That’s the only way to keep their mouths shut.

***