Mated to the Alpha: Sold to the King

Lorelei POV

It was only a theory, but it was a terrifyingly convincing one because I couldn’t think of any other reason that made sense.

Now I couldn’t stop wondering if they already knew I was with Kaelen. Were they planning something right now? Had they been looking for me this entire time?

The questions kept circling through my head for a few tense seconds, making my heart race until I finally forced myself to push them away.

No.

I couldn’t keep letting myself get trapped in the past.

When I agreed to stay with Kaelen, I knew this was exactly the kind of thing I would eventually have to face. It was just happening sooner than I had expected.

And even if the banquet was only two days away, at least this time, I wasn’t going to face it alone.

With that thought, I forced a small smile onto my face before wrapping my arms around Kaelen’s neck.

"I would love to attend," I whispered.

The tension immediately disappeared from his body, and the serious look on his face softened. He cupped my chin in his large, warm hand before leaning down and kissing me again, deep and lingering enough to make me forget what I had been worrying about only moments ago.

A few minutes later, lunch was brought up to the room because neither of us had eaten anything since morning.

Kaelen pulled the heavy tray onto the bed and, almost out of habit, took a small bite of his food first before holding out a spoonful for me. I couldn’t help but laugh at the familiar gesture, especially knowing he was probably still trying to reassure me that nothing had been tampered with.

I took the bite before grabbing my own fork and feeding him in return, and somehow, we quickly fell into an easy little rhythm until neither of us could eat another bite.

Once the plates had been moved onto the side cart, Kaelen reached over and picked up a glass filled with thick milk.

The second I saw it, my face immediately scrunched up.

"I don’t like it," I complained, gently pushing his hand away. "It tastes bad."

Just remembering the strong flavor made my stomach turn.

"Just try it," Kaelen insisted patiently, holding the glass out again. "It was made specifically for you."

I frowned, not entirely sure what he meant by that, but before I could ask, he was already bringing the rim of the glass toward my lips.

Against my better judgment, I gave in.

I opened my mouth and squeezed my eyes shut as I swallowed the bitter milk.

Fuck.

It tasted even worse than I remembered.

"Are you happy now?" I muttered with a deep frown, repeatedly wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

Kaelen only chuckled, setting the empty glass on the bedside table before leaning forward and burying his face against my stomach. His thumb lazily traced little circles over my skin, and I couldn’t help staring down at him.

It was such a strange sight.

Then again, Kaelen was a strange man.

It wasn’t until the next morning that I was finally able to leave his chambers.

He had to leave early to deal with the mountain of unfinished work waiting for him, but not before giving me a full rundown of everything I had to do that day. The designer would be coming to take my measurements and start working on my dress for the banquet, Princess Nala and Prince Kalu would be leaving soon, and I still had to help choose the interior design for my new permanent suite.

And, because apparently that wasn’t enough, Mrs. Whitmore was also scheduled to give me some emergency etiquette lessons so I wouldn’t completely embarrass myself at the banquet.

I had barely returned, and I was already being bombarded with a million different things to do.

And the worst part was knowing this was probably nothing compared to what would be waiting for me if I actually became his Queen.

Just thinking about it made me want to crawl right back into bed, pull the blankets over my head, and pretend none of it existed.

The second I stepped into the hallway, however, the sight of two familiar faces immediately made some of the tension in my shoulders disappear.

Isaac and Paul were standing nearby, and the moment they noticed me, their faces lit up.

"I’m so happy you’re back, Miss," Isaac said almost immediately.

His words caught me off guard because, out of the two of them, he was usually the quieter one.

I smiled warmly and took a step toward him, almost instinctively wanting to hug him, but I stopped myself before I could.

"I’m really happy to be back too."

"Does that mean you’re going to be the Queen Luna?" Isaac suddenly blurted out, his eyes widening with genuine curiosity, causing Paul to immediately smack him on the shoulder.

"What’s with the sudden interrogation?" he scolded under his breath, but I immediately raised a hand, chuckling softly to ease Paul’s worry.

"It’s okay. I don’t mind," I said.

Then I turned back to Isaac, my expression softening as I thought about his question. "Honestly, I don’t know yet... I don’t even know the basics of running a court. I want to take my time before making any huge decision like that."

"It would be nice if you were our Queen," Paul said, nodding in agreement with Isaac.

I looked at him, genuinely surprised. "Really?"

"I think you’d make a wonderful Queen," he said without hesitation.

My curiosity immediately got the better of me, and I tilted my head. "What makes you say that?"

"Well, for starters, you’re kind," Paul replied, his expression completely sincere. "And you actually think about other people before yourself. Most of the she-wolves who spent years trying to get the Alpha King’s attention were snobbish, entitled, and completely obsessed with themselves. I mean, who in their right mind thought drugging the Alpha King was a brilliant idea?"

A small smile tugged at my lips.

I couldn’t exactly argue with him there. Although, if I was being completely honest, a tiny part of me was grateful it had happened. If Kaelen hadn’t been drugged that night, there was a very good chance I never would have ended up in his bed, and none of this would have happened.

So what should we call it? Fate? A twist of twisted luck? Or maybe just a very chaotic blessing in disguise?

Either way, I should probably thank that woman if we ever crossed paths.

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