Page 16 of The Alpha King's Mate

It’s all right, little one. The purr wrapped around my spine like a blanket.I’m not going anywhere. I was always here. I was just too tired to speak.

Too tired.

She hadn’t abandoned me.

She’d been starving alongside me. All those years I’d begged the Moon Goddess for a wolf, mine had been curled somewhere deep inside, too weak to answer—and no one had fed either of us enough for her to try.

I cried harder. Not for me this time.

For her.

? ? ?

As soon as the early morning alarm blared, my eyes snapped open and my hand flew to my chest. She was still there.

Always, she whispered.

I sighed happily, rubbing my sternum.

I want to see you.

I want to show you.

How about tonight?I asked—and then my fingers brushed the collar.

Joy drained away. I couldn’t shift.

No, I said. Don’t worry. I can earn my way out of this collar.

The Alpha King had said everyone who wasn’t a pack member wore one. Fine. I owed no loyalty to the Silvermere pack. They’d all known who my mother was, and they’d all watched how I was treated after her death.

The alarm blared again and I slapped my hand over it. I wanted to see Zira. I wanted to run with her. I’d integrate the shit out of the Bloodborne pack until the Alpha King had no choice but to remove the collar.

I climbed out of bed, fixed the covers, and straightened the pillow. I was already mentally aligning myself with the King’s schedule. I would become indispensable.

First step.

Coffee.

The house was deadly silent, but it didn’t bother me as I reached the kitchen. Silence was better than Cora and Deeana’s jibes. I paused halfway through adding the roasted beans to the machine.

None of the Bloodborne pack had bullied me. I mean, the Alpha King was naturally high-strung. He was capable of great violence, but he had yet to direct any of it at me.

I don’t like him, Zira sniffed.

Hmm. He did feed us.

You can be a philanthropist and an asshole.

Fair enough.

The coffee machine began its cycle while I set the cup and tray.

I did enjoy what he did to your family, she conceded.That was fun.

Father earned that. What was he thinking?

The scent of coffee was wonderful, and I took a sneaky sip from his cup before topping it up. I glanced at the time and moved a little faster. I still had to lay out his clothing, and he had his workout after. I was still pondering the collar when I knocked briefly and pushed his bedroom door open.