The Alpha King's Claim novel Chapter 60

The Alpha King’s Claim chapter 60 by desirenovel

Aero

As much as I didn’t want to part with my queen, I had to. Elijah had confirmed my meeting with the guardian of Ehnrelil and I believe he was already waiting for me in the throne room when Serena and I left Greece.

Serena told me she wanted to change into her gown and head out to the south wing to check the progress of the fire victims. I let her while I too changed my casual clothes, choosing an ensemble that would fit the occasion: a royal-grade button-up shirt and slacks, and a dark blue embroidered frock coat.

As soon as I finished, I marched out of the walk-in closet, but then I was impatient already to meet him, so I decided to teleport there.

“Nevannir, I hope you didn’t wait for me that long,” I said the moment I materialized next to my grand seat with my hand touching a fang of my enormous wolf statue. Just as I ordered, there was no one but the two of us inside the throne hall.

Dressed in fine Ehnrelil silk, he slowly shifted to me, taking his eyes away from the ceiling painted with Phanteon’s royal crest.

“Your Majesty,” he lowered his head and executed a calculated bow. “Quite sublime to meet you again. The Crown Prince said you wanted to discuss an important matter with me.”

My brow arched up as I eyed the rich gold of his long, braided locks. It was a silver back when I last saw him…when Ehnrelil crowned a new king. He must have changed the colors to fit the new rule, but really? Gold? Quite showy for my taste.

Sitting down the throne, I cleared my throat and went on, “Yes, I want to. Recently, I have had recurring visitors in my kingdom; winged creatures that I am sure is native to your realm.”

On my signal, William entered bringing with him a metal birdcage. Inside it was two insects I had told him to capture while I was still in my impromptu honeymoon. They were as still as stone, perching on the vertical wooden beam at the center of the cage as if they weren’t concerned they were captured.

“Care to explain what these bugs are and their purpose?” I added once William placed the cage at the base of the stairs and left.

Silence ruled the hall first. Nevannir examined the creature without even moving an inch of his feet to at least take a closer look. I gave him time, during which I also took note of his expression to get some clues. Even though guardians declared honesty and fairness with their treatment in all realms, Nevannir was still a fae, and faes, based on my experience, couldn’t be trusted.

Well, except for a few handfuls like Adamar and Adaen.

“My…” he finally spoke and cracked a small smile, “this is unusual.” Judging from his reaction, it was obvious he had seen them in the fae realm.

He neared the cage, stooped low, and opened the hatch, effectively freeing the bugs.

I didn’t mind them escaping. They already served their purpose well.

“These creatures are not bugs, Your Majesty,” Nevannir said whilst standing up. “They are called ‘Filliyaen’ or Familiars in simple terms—energy spirits in the form of animals or insects that are rare in Ehnrelil. To find one is considered a blessing in the fae realm but to find one in Phanteon makes me confused.”

“My thoughts exactly. I’m also confused,” I confessed, but smartly chose not to mention Serena’s connection with their presence. He didn’t need to know. “What are the purpose of this so-called Familiars, Nevannir, especially these special bugs?”

“Hmm,” he lowered his lids and acted as if he was contemplating something. “I could tell you more about these ‘bugs’, but…this is going to cost you, Your Majesty.”

My fists clenched upon hearing his subtle hint of blackmail. Huh. Just as I thought.

“I’m aware, so continue. Name your terms, but don’t hold back on whatever information you have on these Familiars.”

“Well, I’d be happy to, Your Majesty.”

Beaming a smile, he continued and I, silent and unmoving, digested all the information as much as my head could hold…

Serena

Visiting the south wing again sure brought me back to reality. Being with the king, making love with him, just spending time and getting to know each other seemed like heaven to me. I didn’t want it to end, but as royals, we had to return to our duties.

I found Rhea fixing the buffet table when I arrived in the mess hall. There were also other volunteers with her, but I specifically called her attention, signaling for us to meet outside. She followed me when I exited the building and in a shaded area a few feet away from the doorway, we talked.

“For you and Elijah,” I said, handing her six bottles of extra virgin olive oil and four bottles of high-grade honey all in one box. “The king and I went to Greece this morning and I figured I could bring you two some souvenirs.

Her face was a picture of happiness immediately. “Wow, thank you, Serena!” Taking out one bottle of honey from the box, she lifted it up and positioned it against the sun. “Yup, this is their product alright. The golden yellow color is a good hint. Let’s open one bottle and try it!”

I nodded at her whilst flashing a smile. She certainly read my mind.

We went inside the mess hall again and in there, we called the volunteers for a little snack together. One of them neared me and smiled. She was a beauty: long, black hair with streaks of white, pale face, bluish-black lashes, and eyes that have an icy blue shade. She was as tall as me but looked to be four years older or maybe more by Phanteon standards.

“Hello everyone, try this, it’s uhmm…my special recipe,” I stated, deciding to lie since they didn’t still know yet I came from a different realm.

With Rhea holding up the tray, the volunteers started sampling the snack: a piece of toasted bread with Greek honey spread on top.

The black-haired volunteer smiled again and picked her share all the while she gazed at me. “Thank you, Your Highness. This is delicious,” she said.

“You’re welcome. Are you one of Alpha Aaron’s pack?” I asked, thinking that with her beauty she could well be a partner of a very capable Alpha.

She chuckled first before facing me fully. “No, Your Highness. I don’t belong in Alpha Aaron’s pack or any other pack for that matter. Let me introduce myself formally.”

Stepping backward, she then executed a curtsy, much like the ones humans do on Earth. It was a surprise to watch.

“I am Farryl, Guardian Extraordinaire of the Realm of Werewolves, Your Highness. I am well pleased to finally meet you.”

The moment I heard her name, I gaped. I had wondered when I could meet her. Although he didn’t promise, Prince Elijah did say he could arrange a meeting for the two of us. Was this what he was talking about?

“Farryl,” I muttered, not at all breaking my gaze with her. “Thank you for accepting Prince Elijah’s invitation to meet me.”

Her brows furrowed as if confused, then she laughed a little. “There must be some mistake, Your Highness. I hadn’t met the Crown Prince yet. I came to meet you at my own free will.”

“Oh,” I blinked. “Then, let me extend an even greater appreciation for your visit.” I lowered my head and placed a hand on my chest, acting all respectful, but at the back of my mind, I was hoping this was how a queen was expected to behave under such circumstances.

Rhea saw the exchange and was sensitive enough to give both of us privacy. She ushered the other volunteers in another table a few feet away from us and there, they continued eating.

“I asked Prince Elijah to invite you to the castle as my guest out of courtesy since you’re this realm’s guardian,” I started, explaining my side. “I wanted to meet you and maybe establish a bond. How about you, then? What are you here for? Why do you want to meet me?”

She stayed silent for a moment, then signaled me to follow her. We exited the mess hall, walked past the front door, and continued to a garden nearby. Maybe because she was posing herself earlier as a volunteer that’s why I didn’t notice, but now I certainly could see how determined she was with her footsteps.

The garden we chose had mostly untrimmed grass. It had shrubs of flowers and slim trees, but still, the placed looked grim. Mentally, I noted to have them tended later.

“If I had the chance…” she started, facing a pathway towards another area of the garden, “I would have warned you of this realm’s king. I would have sent you back to Earth to be safe from him and his awful attitude. But, I see now that you have grown accustomed to life here as his queen, so I had to ask…” She turned to face me with her brows furrowed, marring her beautiful face, and then continued, “What did he promise you? I’m sure he struck a deal with you. With such a despicable character, I’m sure the king forced you to marry him.”

Her teeth clenched, but it wasn’t the kind when a woman gets jealous. It was the kind when injustice was done. I was taken aback. Sure, at first, King Aero was exactly the man she described, but…

“I want to help you out of his control,” she went on. “Tell me, Serena, what agreement did you make with him?”

‘Our agreement…’ my mind blankly wondered. Didn’t that turn out to be null and void now that we consummated our marriage? Now that I decided to stay for the time being in Phanteon? Our wrist marks certainly weren’t an issue anymore so…

“There’s nothing of the sort,” I told her, partly lying, partly telling the truth. “I simply agreed to marry him.”

Her expression turned into a full-fledged frown.

“You lie,” she declared without hesitation. “I can see it in your eyes that you’re lying. Are you made to do so because he ordered you to? That damn king would do everything to crush your spirit simply because you’re a woman. I have the power to ease your pain. I can send you back to Earth, Serena. You only need to ask and all this hardship with him will disappear. Think about it.”

And I was. Heck, I was. Her offer was indeed tempting, but having experienced my husband’s kindness and passion, and the endless possibilities while we’re together, I couldn’t accept it.

“No, but thank you for the offer, Farryl,” I declined, smiling serenely at her.

This, however, she didn’t accept well.

“You’re insane. He hates women don’t you understand? You’re nothing but just a tool for him!”

“Your Highness,” William’s voice cut through the air, effectively saving me from an awkward moment. Immediately, I turned around and faked a smile.

“Yes?” I said.

“Alpha Trevor needs your presence at the construction site,” he informed; his eyes shifting from me to Farryl with uneasiness.

“Right, I’ll be there,” I said. Returning my attention to her, I sighed and lowered my head.

“Farryl, I understand your concern, but really you don’t need to worry about me.” We held gazes; hers still a raging fire while mine a calm river. “I am here on my own free will. Plus, I can’t leave Phanteon just yet. I have a mission to fulfill.”

I began to walk but then paused halfway and glanced at her over my shoulder. “Thank you for volunteering by the way. If you wish to continue serving, you are welcome to do so. I’ll see you around.”

“You’re making a mistake, Serena. A grave mistake,” she voiced out; her tone a dead warning. I decided to ignore it and just continued to walk towards the awaiting stallion with William guarding me.