The Alpha King’s Broken Mate

A deadly pact

Namiko

The dungeon was cold, but it wasn’t the stone or the chains biting into my wrists that made me shiver. It was the silence, the brutal, expectant silence of judgment. Three guards stood in the shadows like statues, and in front of me, seated on a chair like a throne, was him.

Alpha King Caspian Ravenwood.

He looked like death had kissed him and lingered. His pale eyes were shadowed with pain and suspicion. And now. . . now he looked at me like I was the blade pressed to his throat.

I opened my mouth, but no words came. Just a sharp exhale. My throat burned with desperation, but I didn’t dare cry. I didn't dare say anything until he spoke first. The healer is not here to help me. I doubt she would be able to do anything where the Alpha King is concerned.

“You,” he said finally, voice low and rough, “are either the most stupid little traitor this kingdom has ever known, or the most brilliant liar I’ve ever met.”

“I didn’t do it,” I whispered, my voice trembling like a leaf in winter. I really didn't do anything on purpose, if they keep saying I did, it must mean that it had happened but I have not recollection of doing something so heinous purposefully.

He leaned forward, elbows on knees, eyes flickering gold. “That’s what you said before. It was something in your blood! It's stupid to say you don't know”

“I didn’t. . . ” I sucked in a breath, choking on the truth I couldn’t explain. And then it hit me! He was the big white wolf, it was not the other wolf who knocked me down? “I didn't know. It must be something I didn't know I was doing. You ganged up on me. I would never do this on purpose, why would I when I know you can have my head?”

“Why? To kill me?” he offered like he was listing the weather. “To gain power? To weaken the pack from within? For who? I heard you have only been here a few days. That’s long enough for a clever girl.”

“I don’t want power or any of that nonsense,” I said sharply. “I want to live. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.” I have to convince him before he starts to investigate where I am from. It's crazy why this mighty man is giving me this much attention.

He stared at me for a moment, then stood, slow and commanding. The guards straightened as he stepped closer, his boots echoing on the stone floor. He was close enough now that I could see the sheen of sweat on his brow, the tremor in his jaw.

“Tell me, Namiko. Who are your parents? What's the name of your pack? Maybe they’d like to know their daughter is a traitor.”

No. Panic roared in my chest.

If they found out. . . if they were summoned. . . I’d be dragged back to Darkmoon, back to him. My stepfather would kill me, he would not want his secret out, especially to the alpha king. His dreams of getting to rule two or more small packs will be ruined.

My mother, if she even still lived, would stand by and watch. I couldn’t go back. I’d rather die here, torn apart by the Alpha King’s wolves, than ever set foot there again.

“I’m an orphan,” I said, too quickly. “They’re dead.”

Caspian’s eyes narrowed. “Are they?“

I nodded, swallowing the lie like poison. “They died in a fire when I was ten. I’ve been alone ever since.”

He stared at me for a long, long time. “And your pack?” He believed that too quickly.

“I have no one, I don't belong anywhere” Lies had weight. I could feel them settling in my chest, heavy as iron. But this one, I had to wear it. If I told the truth, I’d be found, taken, and used.

Better to be a liar and a prisoner here than a prisoner somewhere I should have felt the most safety.

“I don’t believe you,” he said finally.

“I don’t care.” My voice cracked. “I’m not leaving this pack. I won’t.”He laughed then, a rich, sweet laughter. He must think I am stupid to try to be stubborn with him.

“And what would stop me from throwing you to the wolves?” he asked. “You think I care that you’re small and afraid? Half the realm wants me dead. My enemies wear prettier faces than yours.”

“I’m not your enemy.” My breath hitched. “Let me prove it.”

He raised a brow.

“I told you I can help you,” I said, stepping forward, chains rattling. “I can heal you if you let me. If something in me did this, I find a way to heal you”

Silence fell.

“I know what poisoned you,” I whispered. “It is my blood” I replied,

“I already know that”

“I know, It is because I’m not just a werewolf,” I said quietly. “I’m a hybrid.”

A sharp inhale from one of the guards.

Caspian went still. The air shifted, sharp, charged, and electric.

“Half-werewolf,” I said, each word a confession, a death sentence, a plea. “Half-lycan.”

He blinked once then twice. “That’s not possible.”

“It is. My mother is a werewolf. My father was a lycan. I have just found out. . . Hmm, some years ago. If anyone knew. . .” I almost slipped.

“You will become a thing everyone wants.” He completed,

I nodded. “Or worse.”

He turned away, hands clenching into fists. I could smell the rage in him, the confusion, the disbelief. Hybrids weren’t just rare, they were almost out of existence. The last one had been murdered before I was even born.

But I wasn’t lying.

“I’m not asking you to forgive me,” I whispered. “I’m asking you to let me help you. I can survive poison meant for lycans. I can burn it out of you. I just need time.”

He turned to face me. “And after that?”

I lifted my chin. “I will do whatever you ask. I will prove I’m loyal. I will . . .I will give you an heir.”

His eyes widened.

That hadn’t been planned. It spilled out of me, raw and trembling, but I meant it. I could feel the truth of it in my bones. No werewolf has been able to carry a child to term in many years since the curse, many have tried, but not without dying. But me? I was both. I can. That's why my stepfather wanted me in the first place.

“You’d give me a child?” he asked, voice low and unreadable.

“Yes.”

“You don’t even know what that means.”

“I know enough. I know you don’t have one. I know you need one.”

He stepped closer, his gaze searching mine like he was trying to peel back my soul.

“And what if I say no? What if I don’t trust you?”

“Then kill me now,” I said, lifting my chin. “But don’t send me away.”

He stared at me like he could rip me apart with a thought. But he didn’t, he reached out and touched my cheek. His fingers were warm. Too warm.

“You’re burning up,” I murmured. “The poison’s moving faster now.”

“Fix me,” he said hoarsely. “Prove yourself.”

“I will,” I breathed.

“I’m not a kind man, Namiko. So don't mess this up”

“I won’t. Not when my life depends on this” Then he nodded once, sharply.

“Unchain her,” he ordered. Just as if the guards had been waiting for the order, they immediately went into action.

The cold metal fell from my wrists. I rubbed the angry bruises as he stepped back and held out a hand.

“You want to stay?” he said. “Then stay. But if you lie to me again, if you ever betray me. . .”

He didn’t finish the threat. He didn’t have to. I took his hand. I didn't think this was going to be this easy, I guess the goddess is really on my side.

“I won’t.” And I wouldn’t.