Marked By The Mad King Alpha (Phoebe and Perry) novel Chapter 26

Timothy, the royal gamma, appeared with an easygoing smile and a small bag in hand, his relaxed demeanor making him seem completely unthreatening. From the bag, he pulled out two skewers, each threaded with fluffy marshmallow sweets.

“Consider this a peace offering,” he said casually, a playful glint in his eyes. “You like cartoons and sugar—looks like we have something in common.”

His presence was light and cheerful, a stark contrast to the cold, rigid atmosphere that always clung to the king or Flynn. Despite myself, I felt some of the tension in my shoulders ease just a little.

“Oh, you watch that show?” Timothy chuckled as he dropped down onto the couch opposite me. “Classic stuff. Move over, I’m not missing this episode.”

He handed me one of the marshmallow skewers, and I took it out of politeness. I bit into the sweet, expecting sugary softness, but instead, a strange heat spread across my tongue—no sweetness, just a sharp burn. I quickly masked my surprise, chewing carefully so I wouldn’t seem impolite. Maybe sweets in Central City just had a different flavor.

Timothy’s eyes never left me, watching every subtle movement, though his smile never faltered. After a pause, he said, “So, you’re the king’s mate.”

His words hit me like a stone. I nodded faintly, voice barely above a whisper. “Yes… I think that’s true.”

“And before that, you were bonded to Alpha Kevin.”

My fingers instinctively brushed the scar on my neck without me realizing it. “He rejected me,” I murmured, the words heavy on my tongue.

Timothy muted the television, and the sudden silence filled the room like a thick fog. “Then why do people say you still want him?”

The air felt thinner, harder to breathe. “I don’t,” I said quietly, barely loud enough to be heard.

He studied me intently, the lightness in his expression fading. For a brief moment, the friendly mask slipped, revealing a sharp, calculating mind—exactly the kind of mind that thrived in royal circles.

“That’s not the story I’ve heard,” he said finally. “But I’ll trust your word over gossip.”

I swallowed hard, unsure if he truly believed me. The tension crept back into my shoulders, but Timothy simply sighed and leaned back, easing the pressure between us.

When I couldn’t meet his gaze, he spoke softly, “Whatever happened out there, you seem like someone who’s learned to flinch before she even breathes.”

The room fell into a heavy silence, two predators circling a thought neither wanted to voice aloud.

“Why don’t you just ask her?” Timothy suggested, glancing toward the king. “Start with a question instead of a threat.”

But Perry was already rising, jaw clenched tight. Words had never been his weapon of choice.

—

I left the study before their argument could drag on. Words never seemed to fix anything.

Her door wasn’t locked when I reached it. I stepped inside to find her curled up on the couch, strands of sweat-damp hair sticking to her temples. Her breathing was shallow, uneven, as if she were struggling to find calm.

Whatever nightmares haunted her sleep, they were merciless.