One Night with the Alpha King

Chapter 35

A week had passed since I left the hospital, and I had made my decision. When John called to ask when I would return to serve at the Alpha King's court, I told him the truth.

"I'm not coming back," I said into the phone, keeping my voice steady.

The silence on the other end stretched for several seconds. "Aurora, are you certain about this?"

"I won't work for anyone with the Hudson name again." I didn't owe him more explanation than that. The arrogant Alpha King could find someone else to order around.

John sighed but didn't push further. We both knew why I was leaving.

The threats against the Alpha King had intensified over the past week. His guards now carried silver weapons openly, and Jack himself had thrown his considerable resources into hunting down whoever wanted him dead. I heard whispers throughout the kingdom that he barely slept, too consumed with finding the enemy lurking in the shadows.

That afternoon, I was preparing to meet Nonna and my other friends for lunch when my phone rang. I glanced at the screen and felt my stomach drop. Father.

I almost didn't answer. Every conversation with Ned Bluey lately ended with him pushing me toward a marriage I wanted no part of. But something made me press accept.

"Aurora, are you testing my patience?" Emily's shrill voice assaulted my ear before I could even speak. "Your engagement to the eldest Keyamo son is happening this weekend. You will come to the house and meet him, or I swear I will—"

The phone changed hands. My father's voice came through, cold and calculated. "You will come home, Aurora. Unless you want me to expose your mother's secret. I will ruin you. I will desecrate her grave and make sure everyone in this kingdom hisses at the mention of her name."

My hand started shaking. The phone nearly slipped from my grip. "What secret? What are you talking about?"

"I raised you when I didn't have to," he said, each word sharp as a blade. "I kept your true identity hidden and made you my daughter because I promised your mother. But if you refuse to marry into the Keyamo pack, I will break that promise. Everything will come to light."

The line went dead.

I stumbled backward until my legs hit the couch. Beads of sweat formed on my temples despite the cool air in my apartment. My heart hammered against my ribs.

What secret could my mother have kept? What did he mean about my identity? Was I not really a Bluey by blood?

The questions spiraled in my mind, but one thought cut through the chaos. He had threatened to disturb my mother's grave. That I could not forgive.

My phone buzzed again. Nonna.

"I'm almost there," I answered, forcing my voice to sound normal.

"Okay, but hurry up. We're starving," she said cheerfully.

I washed my face in the bathroom, checked that my makeup still looked presentable, and headed out. I would deal with my father tonight. Right now, I needed to act like everything was fine.

The Moonstone Tavern was the most popular gathering place in the kingdom's central district. When I arrived, I noticed several dark vehicles parked outside. Then I spotted Eduardo standing near the entrance with other guards.

The Alpha King was here.

I walked toward the tavern doors, trying to ignore the tight knot in my stomach. A young man suddenly stepped into my path.

"Excuse me, miss. I need to talk to you," he said urgently.

I studied his face. He looked familiar, like a younger version of the wolf I had saved from a beating by one of Jack's men weeks ago. But this man had lighter hair and sharper features.

"What is it?" I asked, stepping to the side with him.

"The Alpha King is going to be killed today. There will be blood. You need to leave this place now. I don't want you getting hurt."

I blinked at him. "Leave? My friends are inside. How do you know about this?"

His eyes flashed with anger. "I'm trying to repay your kindness. You can choose to save yourself or not, but don't say I didn't warn you."

He turned and walked away before I could ask anything else.

I stood there, torn. Should I believe him? He seemed genuinely worried, but something about this felt wrong. How would he know about an assassination plot unless he was involved?

I couldn't leave Nonna and the others inside if something was about to happen. I started toward the entrance, then froze.

The Alpha King emerged from a side door, his tall frame unmistakable even at this distance. His dark hair caught the afternoon light as he moved with that confident stride that marked him as royalty. He hadn't seen me, and he was walking straight toward his vehicle.

Something pulled at my instincts. Call it a warning or intuition, but I glanced back toward where the young man had disappeared.

Two figures crouched behind a parked car. Silver gleamed in their hands.

Guns. Raised. Aimed directly at Jack Hudson's back.

Time seemed to slow. The Alpha King kept walking, completely unaware of the weapons trained on him. Eduardo and the other guards were too far away, focused on the wrong direction.

I had seconds to decide.

My body moved before my mind caught up.