Chosen By The Cursed Alpha King (Emilia) novel Chapter 217

ADELE’S POV

The kindergarten room was alive with the kind of pure, unfiltered joy that only kids could create. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting golden patches on the colorful mats scattered across the floor.

Toys were everywhere-blocks stacked in wobbly towers, crayons rolling under tables, and in the center of it all, a group of about a dozen little ones giggling as we played handball. It wasn’t some fancy game; just a soft, bouncy ball we tossed around in a loose circle, no rules except to have fun and cheer each other on.

I caught the ball from little Lia, her chubby hands barely able to grip it properly, and tossed it gently to Timmy, who beamed like he’d won a medal. “Nice catch!” I called out, my voice light and easy.

These kids were my escape lately-their innocence a balm against the storm brewing in my life. Ever since Naomi dropped her bomb about Andrea being Lucien’s son, I’d been walking a tightrope of emotions. Hurt, anger, fear.

But here, with them, I could forget for a while. Pretend everything was simple.

Then came the throw from shy little Emma. She was the quiet one, always hanging back, watching with wide eye but never jumping in.

Today, though, she grabbed the ball when it rolled herway, hesitated for a heartbeat, and lobbed it across the circle. It wasn’t a perfect throw-wobbly and a bit too high —but it landed right in Sammy’s hands. The kids erupted in cheers, clapping and whooping like she’d scored the winning goal in a championship.

“Good job, Emma!” I said, grinning wide, my heart swelling with that warm, proud feeling. “See? You’ve got a killer arm there!”

She ducked her head, blushing, but a tiny smile tugged at her lips. The other kids swarmed her with high-fives, and for a moment, everything felt right. Laughter echoed off the walls, the ball bouncing again as the game picked up speed.

I was in the middle of it, dodging a wild toss from one of the boys, when I felt it—a prickle on the back of my neck.

Eyes on me. Not the playful gaze of a child hiding a toy, but something sharper. Colder.

I turned slowly, keeping my smile plastered on for the kids, and there she was. Naomi. Standing in the doorway, arms crossed over her chest, her dark hair pulled back tight like she was ready for battle. Her eyes locked on mine, unblinking, filled with that smug intensity that made my blood boil. What the hell was she doing here?

This was my space, my time with the pack’s little ones.

She had no business invading it.

I tried to ignore her, tossing the ball back into play, but she didn’t move. Just stood there, watching. The tension started building then, a slow coil in my gut. The kids didn’t notice-they were too busy laughing, chasing the ball as it rolled under a table-but I felt it like a shadow creeping in. My wolf stirred inside me, hackles rising, sensing the threat.

Finally, she stepped forward, weaving through the scattered toys with deliberate steps. The kids glanced her way but kept playing.

She stopped a few feet away, her voice cutting through the giggles like a knife. “We need to talk.”

caught the ball mid-air, holding it against my hip as I straightened up. “Can’t you see I’m busy?” I said, keeping my tone light for the kids’ sake, but my eyes shot daggers at her.

Her lips thinned. “It’s urgent.”

Urgent. Right. I ground my teeth, feeling the muscle in my jaw tick. My wolf growled low in my chest, urging me to snap back, but I held it together. Not here. Not in front of the children.

I turned to the kids, forcing a smile. “Hey, munchkins, I’ll join you later, okay? Keep that ball flying!”

They pouted in unison, little faces scrunching up. “Aww, Adele!” Lia whined, tugging at my sleeve. “One more throw?”

I blew them a bunch of kisses, making exaggerated smooching sounds that got them giggling again. “Promise I’ll be back soon. Go on, show Emma how to do that super throw!”

They scattered back to the game, the ball bouncing once more, but I could feel Naomi’s impatience radiating off her like heat from a fire. We walked to a quiet corner, away from the kids but still in sight of the windows overlooking the palace gardens. The air felt thicker here, charged with whatever poison she was about to spit.

I crossed my arms, mirroring her stance. “Hurry up. I don’t have time for games.”

Lucien stood there, his broad frame filling the space, eyes dark and unreadable.

Naomi scrambled up, rushing to him like a damsel in distress, clutching at his arm. “She hit me! I didn’t do anything, Lucien, I swear-”

He pushed her aside-not roughly, but firm enough that she stumbled back, mouth gaping in shock. He walked straight to me, his gaze scanning my face, my cheek where her handprint still burned. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, flexing my stinging hand. “Yes. My hand just hurts from slapping her.”

Naomi’s face went slack, disbelief twisting her features. ”

She hit me! And you’re going to act like nothing happened?”

Lucien didn’t even look at her. His eyes stayed on mine, steady, protective. “She wouldn’t hit you if you didn’t provoke her.” He took my hand gently, his thumb brushing over my knuckles, soothing the ache. “Let’s go.”

I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face-warm, victorious. As we walked past her, Naomi stillstanding there like a statue, mouth open in shock, I couldn’t resist. I stuck out my tongue, quick and childish, showing her exactly who had won this round.

I wasn’t going to let this stupid bitch anywhere near my man ever.

The thought echoed in my head as we left the room, Lucien’s hand warm around mine.

But even as the adrenaline faded, a new tension crept in.

What had brought him here? And why did his grip feel just a little too tight, like he was holding on for dear life?