The Alpha's King Curvy Mate

Wanting More.

**Ariel**

The golden rays of dawn filtered through the curtains, signaling the start of a new day—and a new chapter for me.

I rose from bed, the events of the previous evening still fresh in my mind. It's one thing to be mated to an alpha King, and it is another to be claimed by him.

I was happy that he had claimed me as his mate in front of those people who had ridiculed me.

But despite my excitement of wanting to go with Alpha Magnus to his pack, there was this part of me that had its reservations.

The thought of leaving my pack and stepping into Alpha Magnus’s territory filled me with a mix of apprehension and reluctant curiosity.

I prepared for the journey, hoping the familiar motions might calm my racing thoughts.

Steam from the bathwater rose gently in the cool morning air as I steeled myself for the unknown.

Magnus had shared the room with me last night, but true to his word, he’d taken the sofa, leaving me the bed.

It was a small gesture, but one that brought me a fleeting sense of comfort amidst the whirlwind of change.

Dressed and ready, I sat by the window, waiting. When Magnus entered, he asked softly, “Is there anyone you want to say goodbye to before we leave?”

I shook my head slowly, avoiding his gaze. Outwardly, I might have seemed indifferent, but inside, I clung to a faint flicker of hope.

I wished—prayed—that my father would come, even for a moment, to offer a farewell that would remind me I still mattered to someone. But the seconds ticked by, and he didn’t come.

When Magnus and his men were ready, we set out. I sat stiffly in the convoy of sleek black SUVs, the hum of the engine filling the silence.

As the familiar sights of my pack faded into an unfamiliar wilderness, my thoughts spiraled with questions I dared not voice.

What awaited me in Magnus’s pack? Would I find a place there, or would I always feel like an outsider?

Magnus must have noticed my silence because he glanced at me, his expression a mix of concern and frustration.

“What’s wrong, Ariel?” he asked, his tone softer than I expected.

“Nothing,” I replied curtly, though the knot in my stomach told a different story.

He sighed and leaned back in his seat.

“You have nothing to worry about,” he assured me. “You’re my destined mate. My pack will accept you, and you’ll find your place there.”

His words, meant to comfort, did little to ease my unease. If I truly was his destined mate, why did I feel so out of place, even with him?

Hours later, the convoy entered Magnus’s territory. The pack’s village unfolded before us—a blend of rustic charm and modern elegance.

At its center stood the pack house, a grand mansion exuding power and authority. Members of the pack gathered to greet us, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and cautious respect.

Among them was a striking woman with golden blonde hair cascading in waves down her back. Her tailored outfit accentuated her beauty, and she carried herself with confidence and poise.

As Magnus stepped out of the car, she approached with a beautiful smile.

“Ariel,” Magnus said, turning to me, “this is Clarissa, my chosen mate.”

His words hit me like a thunderclap.

*Chosen mate?*

My heart sank as I stared at her, she was the embodiment of perfection. My breath caught, and my mind raced with questions. Why had Magnus brought me here if he already had a chosen mate? Why not reject me and let me return to my old life?

Magnus continued, seemingly unaware of my turmoil. “Clarissa, this is Ariel, my destined mate.”

Clarissa’s expression barely flickered as her gaze raked over me with thinly veiled disdain. She didn’t say anything to me, instead turning to Magnus with a warm, familiar tone. “How was the journey?”

“It went well,” he replied curtly, his voice devoid of the tension I felt.

I watched in silence as Clarissa placed a hand on Magnus’s arm, the gesture intimate and possessive.

Pain flared in my chest. Magnus was supposed to be mine, my mate, chosen by the Moon Goddess. Yet here I was, forced to share him with another woman.

“Take Ariel to her room,” Magnus instructed one of the attendants.

I followed the attendant into the mansion without a word. The interior was lavish—spacious rooms, elegant furnishings, every detail exuding wealth and power.

My assigned room was no different, fit for royalty with its plush bed, golden chandelier, and fresh flowers filling the air with a subtle, sweet scent.

But despite its beauty, I felt no comfort. The sting of Magnus’s revelation overshadowed the room’s opulence.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I replayed the events of the day, my chest heavy with frustration and hurt.

A soft knock on the door broke my thoughts. A young girl entered, bowing respectfully.

“My name is Ella,” she said. “I’ll be your maid. If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you, Ella,” I replied, forcing a small smile.

After she left, I sank into the plush armchair by the window. The beauty surrounding me couldn’t distract from the reality of my situation. The pack’s standard of living was impressive, but the thought of sharing Magnus with someone else was unbearable.

As the sky darkened, my thoughts churned. I couldn’t live like this—not as a second choice, not as a shadow in someone else’s story.

I had always believed the mate bond was sacred, an unbreakable connection between two souls. To be one among many felt like a betrayal of everything I held dear.

By the time the moon hung high in the sky, I had made my decision. Tomorrow, I would confront Magnus and demand he reject me. This wasn’t the life I wanted or deserved.

I deserved more.