Alpha King Kane part 18

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“Are you sure you want to agree without knowing what I seek?”

A warning. A way out.

She dips her head again, sealing her fate.

I grin from ear to ear.

PRESENTLY…

ROSALIE

Every time I exit a room, I forget how massive the Alpha werewolf is. But I’m stunned with realization every time we reunite and I set my eyes on his immensity and dwarfing shadow.

It’s his arms that are particularly alarming to me. They rest casually at his side–palms unclenched, arms unmoving. And yet it is a deception, because those muscles are flexed with intention. Veins bulging with resolve.

When he touched my face with his rugged hand, I nearly melted.

I cannot fathom what would happen if he wrapped those steely arms around my waist. I don’t know what would become of me if he pressed his chest against mine.

I am more animal than I thought. Although I am a wolfless omega, I hear a feral creature inside of me calling out to be ravaged.

Kane is a calculated man. Every step and gesture holds meaning. He does not brandish his power carelessly.

That’s why I know I must thread lightly as I listen for his command with my breath caught.

I’ve negotiated with him for the betterment of my family’s life. I agreed to obey. 

To what end, however, I’ve yet to find out.

“You must…”

I exhale shakily, awaiting my fate.

“You must bathe with me. In my chambers, which you’ll relocate into.”

I can only blink in shock. Bathe with him? In that tub much too small for the both of us?

“What?” I rasp. “Bathe?”

Not to mention moving into his fucking bedroom. I don’t even know where to begin with that absurdity! Surely, I would never sleep again!

Sharing a bed…it is too intimate of a union. 

“What is the reason for this?” I ask, my voice shaken. I sound more like Eryn than myself. 

“Of all the things you could have asked for…”

“You wore my scent for your games and then disregarded it like a ragged t-shirt. I want you to bask in it. Appreciate it for what it is: your mate’s scent.”

What a…peculiar request.

“Can’t I just…wear a set of your clothes?” I whisper.

“What’s the fun in that?”

Fun? He thinks I could find joy in any of this? I am too preoccupied clinging to my sanity! With everything that has happened, I feel on edge like I’m about to snap.

I do not have this man’s cool demeanor nor grasp of control. 

“You do not have to…oblige,” he says slowly, voice deeper as if pushing the words out. “I will not force you.”

But I already agreed to this madness. There’s no backtracking now.

I try to picture the foolish image: Both of us in a tub, knee-to-knee as I cover my chest with my hands and his growls make the water ripple.

“Will you…”

“I will not touch you,” he says, reading my mind. “I respect you.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, swallowing. “I’m sure your wolf…”

Kane grunts, standing taller. “Do not worry about him.”

But I do. I’ve heard how rebellious wolves can be. Fueled by primal desires, Kane’s wolf must be at war with him to mark me. I can sense that side of him. I can see it peering at me through Kane’s darkened green eyes. Looming; waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

“Very well,” I reply, consenting to his proposal.

I force strength into my tone, refusing to look weak although my knees are barely supporting me.

I’ve made a deal, and it would benefit all omegas if I saw it through. This is what I came to the North, anyways: to petition for the Southern Territory to be stopped from imposing on omega lands.

“Are you sure?” He asks again, giving me a lifeline. A final escape as if he knows what awaits me.

It’s ironic; how he cares for my autonomy while cornering me with his games.

I am no werewolf, but he is still my king. He was sworn to protect us all, and yet his charisma and appeal do not make me feel secure. One glance at the man has my mind muddled as I daydream of all things I could do to him. I have this feral, innate need to climb him like a fucking tree. This is a new, confusing side of me. I have no wolf who I can blame for these wanton desires; it’s all me. I am the wanton one.

I cannot blame Kane for putting me in this situation. I am no victim in this, because I could walk away if I wanted to. I choose to stand before him and agree to stepping into fire because I want to influence political moves even if it comes at the cost of a heart attack. My greed might just be the end of me.

So I stay rooted in my spot and nod mutely, because I fear my voice would betray me.

“Prepare the tub,” I whisper. “I will join you. I only ask to…to speak with my family beforehand.”

Seeing them will ground me and clear my mind, if only for just a few minutes.

He nods. “I forbid you from approaching Lyssara again. It is done.”

I lower my head. “Yes, my king.”

“My mate,” he corrects with a snarl. “I am more than your king. Do not cower behind etiquette. It won’t save you from the truth.”

I swallow, the intense waves rolling off his body coiling around me. I feel him everywhere–my hands, my back, between my legs. The energy is invisible, and yet as true as every breath I draw. 

The energy between us is charged. Loaded. Ready to combust.

Just like my pleasure when I finger myself at the lake. The very same lake I rescued him from.

“Rosalie,” he snarls. “Control your fucking scent.”

I slam my thighs shut. “I–I cannot help it.”

“Remember this. The next time you err me–the next time you cause chaos in my kingdom–your punishment will be to confess what you were thinking of at this very moment.”

I look at him in shock.

I can’t share these mortifying, sinful daydreams!

“Excuse me,” I mutter as I turn away and dash for the door to meet with my family. 

I haven’t seen them since last night, but I’m sure they’ve heard of the rumors by now.

Throwing Eryn’s door open, I find her looking out the window with her arms crossed. She must’ve been pacing all night, thinking of what trouble I’ve gotten into this time.

Oh, plenty, dear sister. 

I never seem to disappoint in that regard.

“Rosalie?” she frowns as she scans me from head to toe. “What did you do? I’ve heard whispers coming from the hall all day!”

“Where is father?” 

She gestures to the open window. “Roaming the lands, taking in fresh air. This is all very frustrating for him. You were supposed to be long gone by now. I…I am sorry I struck you.”

“That’s over now,” I reply, frowning. “But you must never let anyone humiliate you again.”

“Is this what the rumors were about?”

I lift my head and set my shoulders. “Yes. I had to right Lyssara’s wrongs.”

And I don’t regret a moment of it.

Eryn shakes her head. “I don’t even want to know what that means, so I won’t ask. But if you’re choosing to stay in this place–”

“I don’t have much of a choice, Eryn. The king…well, he won’t see past the bond! He is deluded. He thinks we are a good match when you and I both know I am not fit to be queen! Hell, I am not fit to be a chambermaid for a queen!”

She sighs, reaching to scratch at her hair. “You must not anger him. He is a dominant wolf. I don’t want him to hurt you.”

I can’t see Kane hurting me. I’ve known the man for days, but he has not chained me down or throttled me for my transgressions.

Although he twists and coils me with confusion, lust, and intimidation, that is as far as his sway goes.

“He won’t hurt me,” I reply, hoping to ease her.

I debate whether I should tell her about the deal I’ve just made with the man. 

My face heats at the mere thought of sitting nude in a tub, our bodies united by lukewarm water. The slick between my thighs washed into the water, reaching for Kane.

“Why do you look troubled?” asks my sister.

I sit on the bed. “Oh, goddess…why have you entangled me with the most unreachable man?”

I would’ve been content with an omega who loved me. Things would’ve been simpler then…but I’ve got no such luck.

“Maybe we should swap places again, Eryn. How does a bath with the fucking Alpha King sound?” I cover my face in trepidation. “I’ll surely not survive this endeavor.”

“I beg your pardon?” she blurts.

I am joking, of course. There’s no way out of this situation.

Sighing, I look up and set my shoulders.

“Where is your luggage? I must borrow a brasserie.”

READ PART 19 >