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

Part 4

This chapter is dedicated to Ms.J you’re awesome! A huge thanks for all your support.

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The sun was on its way down, and the dimmed light allowed the omega to see clearly. Squinting, Anna tried to make out everything she studied in the blueprint. Then again, that book was four decades old, and many changes might have been done. A bead of sweat rolled down her forehead, hands gripping the hem of her tight old tee.

She peeked out of the window, pulling away from the hook while also watching for any sign of movement around the castle. There were no patrols, no indication of guards, only the peaceful breeze rustling the leaves of the trees.

Her lips twitched at that. Maybe this is what the universe wanted as well—for the Alpha King to die. Anna didn't enjoy killing; contrary to that, she never killed anyone before. Never had to. The hut she lived in with Mimi was located in the middle of the city, so no one disturbed them. Occasionally there would be robbery nearby, but a secure lock to their place avoided that problem.

Lately, the crimes have been increasing tenfold in number, people getting angsty and more violent due to the ongoing crisis. The omegas were murdered on a large scale, some taken away and others left to die on an abandoned road.

Just then, the thought of Lily flashed across her mind, and her lips pursed in a straight line. That poor omega had so much to live and look forward to, all taken away in a blink.

The moon was not quite complete but provided her enough light to slink through the surrounding.

Anna plastered her body against the stone of the wall and again waited for any signs that they were aware of her presence. Everything remained silent past the buzz of the spring night.

It took her a few moments to collect herself after the stunt she pulled. Her lungs ached within her chest, her heart feeling like it may give out any time soon. Lack of stunts or training did that to anyone. Anna spent most of her time on foot, in the orchard or walking down the market. That's the extent of her exercise, unlike before, where she had time solely dedicated to training her body.

Every last ounce of her strength went into hauling up and over through the window, making several attempts before she finally heaved her weight inside. That was a moment, exhilarating and blood pumping in her vessels with twice the intensity.

With her heavy breaths, there was absolutely no way she could ignore the strong scent of an Alpha that filled her senses. Anna tried not to focus on the earthy musky scent, abdomen clenching painfully. She never experienced such a concentrated and intense scent in her life before. Even from her spot against the wall, she could tell it was soaked deeply into every surface on top of the thick fresh scent that reminded her of something else.

Anna shook her head at the thoughts flooding in her brain, cheeks flushing red.

"I cannot believe I made that without breaking a leg," The omega whispered to herself, giving the window sill one last look. Turning around, she noticed that the room was far from what the blueprint showed. Anna could not find the sight of King anywhere in there.

She cursed under her breath. He must be somewhere around if the scent was so intense. The omega took a lungful of air, standing on her tip toes as she followed the heady smell.

On her way, Anna passed the dark hallway, trying not to bump into anything. The dagger kept digging in her side, helping her focus on the mission at hand. Just then she spotted, a faint glow coming from one of the rooms.

That must be the Alphas room. She thought to herself and made her move. Her foot clashed against the wall, making her wince in pain. A hiss left her lips.

"Who's there?" A gruff sound came from downstairs when she hurriedly stepped inside the room. The omega closed the chamber's door, leaning against it to catch her breath, hand slapped over her mouth. No amount of training could have prepared her for that.

Anna was facing away from the lump

of the body on the bed, and she was pretty sure that the King still didn't know there was another person in the room.

The omega slowly turned away, blinking at the huge lavish room. Her eyes fell on an elegant king size bed with far too many pillows. The dim light from the moon revealed silky looking thick sheets covering the body. Anna scowled at the sight in front of her, shooting daggers at the back of King.

Here, the King was sleeping peacefully in his luxurious looking bed while the people of her pack stayed up late, fearing for life. No one knew when the next attack might come. They rarely had a peaceful life, to begin with.

Rage simmered inside her belly, arms twisting to pull out the dagger from the side. Lily’s lifeless body flashed in front of her eyes and filled with courage to take a step forward. The scent got intense, making her eyes roll back, a pitiful whine escaping her lips.

What in the moons name was happening to her? She thought with clenched teeth, nails digging painfully into the flesh of her thigh. Anna cannot possibly be attracted to King Valerio Sr, who made their lives living hell.

Her palms felt clammy as she gripped the edge of the dagger, raising it in the air when she heard footsteps. She froze in the place. There was something strange about the sound of the boots crunching against the floor. Like one was limping to get to the door.

As she heard the sound of the knob being turned, Anna hurriedly turned around, elbow knocking against the nearest vase. She cringed, watching in horror as the delicate piece of clay clattered on the ground and broke into pieces. With that, her dagger slipped and clattered as well.

The sound reverberated through the walls, causing the Alpha to stir in his sleep. At that, he immediately scrambled off the bed and stood on his feet, a swell of fresh scent still warm as it rolled off his body. The lamp beside his bed flicked on, making it straightforward for her to stare at his features.

Her mouth fell open as Anna took in a young mid-twenties handsome man glaring at her. Who was he? She was here to kill King Valerio Sr. not this Alpha dressed in one of his expensive robe that was long enough to pool at his feet. The omega was so shocked at the discovery that her mouth hung open, and her eyes widened at the view.

Just then, the sound of several footsteps padding against the ground echoed in her ear; the door to the chambers harshly pushed open as guards barged in. They all stood on the edge of the door, patiently waiting for the Alpha in front of her to say something.

He had a blank look etched across his feature as he strode closer, coming to stand inches away from her. Up close, Anna could gawk at him, take in the sculpted face, sharp jawline that could cut diamonds and a pointed nose. The curly mop of his hair was sticking out in a different direction, almost wanting her to run a hand through them.

His full lips were pressed in a line.

“Who are you?” The Alpha asked, his deep, sleep roused voice making her knees tremble.

She closed her eyes at the question, ears ringing at his octaves. What was happening to her? The omega could not explain the feeling, but something felt off.

One of the guards pointed at the vase, “Your Highness, she’s a thief. Look at all that gear.”

A relieved sigh escaped Anna’s lips; she slowly pushed the dagger under the bed with her feet, quickly looking up. If they wanted to think of her as a thief, she wouldn’t be opposed to that.

Then it hit her. The guards referred to him as their King. Before she could process any of it, his voice rang in her ears again.

"Give me your hands."

"I will not," The omega protested.

"Then I guess we're doing the hard way."

The Alpha reached forward and took hold of each of her wrists to tie them tightly together. A sudden rush of heat bloomed across her cheeks, travelling to her neck. Just at the mere touch, a chill ran down the entire body. From the look on her face, the omega only allowed him the access out of pure shock.

The King took a deep breath, his mouth twisting as lines marred his face. What was going on in his mind? He must be thinking of the way to execute her. Anna’s gut clenched painfully. She promised Mimi to be back only to get caught and face the worst punishment.

“Take her to the dungeons downstairs. I’ll see her tomorrow.”

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Anna couldn’t sleep the entire night, staring at the tiny four by four room. There was not even a single window inside, only the grills of the door her source or ventilation. Suddenly she regretted not bringing poison along with her. At least that would have killed her.

Then again, the guards patted her down last night before pushing her into the dungeon. She was doomed now, with no one but guards in sight.

Seconds later, the door was opened, and she sat up, eyes bleary, blinking at the new King. He radiated power, standing in front of her with those green irises digging into her skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps. Two guards stood beside him, equally menacing glaring at her.

“Omega…”

“Anna”, She sharply corrected him, to which he merely rolled his eyes, hands folded behind his back.

The Alpha inhaled sharply, “Where are you from?”

“Shone” There was no point hiding anyway. He would be able to find out. Anna, for some reason, could not come up with a lie in front of him. Maybe it’s the effects of last night and staying up for hours.

Something unrecognisable flickered across his face, quickly replaced with a sigh. “That explains the break-in last night. The crime rates in your town have increased from the past few years, so I cannot blame it on you.”

“For a reason”, Anna scoffed.

“What’s that now?”

“Shone used to be a place of harmony, but now people don’t even know that word anymore. We are sleeping on empty stomachs most of the nights, jobless, fighting wars simultaneously.” Nausea crawled up her throat but Anna continued. “Innocent lives are lost every day, our family, friends, people we see daily suddenly turn up dead. How can anyone not be motivated to follow the same crime trail in order to survive? Should they sit back and do nothing for themselves? Their families?”

“That’s the reason for crime rates, your majesty,” She snarled, mocking addressing him.

The Alpha face twisted in anger, fingers curling into fists by his side. “Let me make this easy for you, omega. Stealing from royalty is a punishable offence, sometimes a death penalty.”

Anna visibly gulped at those words, eyes averting.

The Alpha cleared his throat. “But…”

“You have only two options in front of you, omega. Either accept the punishment for breaking in my Palace or be my Queen. What will you choose?”

She chewed on her bottom lip, voice breaking as her eyes clenched shut. “I-I will be your Queen, my lord.”

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This chapter went longer than expected haha (500 words more) Anyways there won’t be any update tomorrow.

Target for Monday update:

20 comments (you can do it!)

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