Claire POV

I was dumbstruck by what he said, my emotions swirling inside, not knowing what to feel.

His words kept playing in my head: “You are the last pure thing in this kingdom.”

“Pure thing? I’m being considered as a thing?” I started to feel angry. I felt I was being objectified after being used by a man I thought was my mate and would spend the rest of my life with.

Nora rushed in and asked me why the Alpha King had asked me to stay behind. I told her what the King had said. At first, I could see shock on her face, and then she was smiling.

“What are you happy about?” I asked her. She said,

“I’m surprised you are not happy. The Alpha King wants you.”

I scoffed. “I don’t see how being objectified should make me happy.”

Nora looked like she was disappointed. “Do you know how many she-wolves dream to just be looked upon by the Alpha King?”

I was starting to get irritated. I don’t care how many she-wolves want him. I will not be objectified.

Nora tried to see reason with me why this was not entirely a bad thing. “My lady, you forget we don’t have anywhere to go, and you’ve spent most of your inheritance on Damian and his despicable pack.”

I felt perturbed. How could I forget about my dire situation? Nora went ahead to try and convince me. “Why don’t we stay here for a while till we figure out what to do next?”

It didn’t sit well with me. I don’t want to admit it, but I’m afraid of the Alpha King. His presence always sends shivers down my spine. His aura is not like any Alpha I’ve met. I guess that’s why he’s the Alpha King.

I was deep in thought when the guard who was asked to escort us to our quarters disturbed my train of thoughts. “The King asked me to take you to your quarters.”

He was a fine young wolf with brown shoulder-length hair and brown eyes. I thought I saw admiration in his eyes towards Nora. I just brushed it off, thinking I was seeing things because I was nervous.

He brought us to the West Wing of the castle. Taking a look at the interior of this palace made me think of the rumors of the Alpha King being different from his old-school father.

Werewolves have been around for a long time, and we live way longer than the average human. So the previous King embraced the old age, including having an ancient palace.

I was stunned when we got to our designated quarters. It was so beautiful. The interior was modern-like, with a retro style. It maintained a royal aura but in a modern way. There was a garden and a small pond with exotic fishes. Nora and I were stunned.

While taking in the beauty of the place, a voice that sent shivers down my spine resonated behind me, and I became stiff for a second.

“I can see you like your quarters.” I turned and found the Alpha King behind me, staring at me intently—the type that feels like a person is staring into your soul.

Nora and I bowed. He dismissed Nora so casually, but you could tell even if you wanted to disobey, one couldn’t. He carried so much authority and elegance.

Next, he said, “Follow me.” His voice so deep like cello. Now that I looked close to him, he was very handsome. He had grey eyes that looked like there’s a storm brewing. His jet-black hair fell on his shoulder so elegantly, and they looked soft, but his beauty emitted danger, like if you come too close you will be burnt.

That word was like a spell, like I would do whatever he says.

I followed him into the garden. He stood with his back in front of me. I just stood there rooted to the ground like a spell was cast on me.

He turned, looked at me like he was eyeing his prey. I became alerted by his stare. I stepped back. He then said, “Do you have questions?”

He was asking if I had questions, but it felt like whatever my questions or objections are, I don’t have a choice.

I decided not to cower in fear and ask a question. “Other than me being pure, why do you want me to be your mate?”

It looked like he did not like my question. I could see his jaw tick, but I used every bit of self-control and confidence I had to stand with a straight face.

“I need a mate because the elder of council thinks a King without a mate and an heir might cause a civil war and threaten my throne, and there’s a bigger war coming.”

My heart skipped a beat when he said bigger war. What kind of war? I thought the war was over.

He continued, “The Nile region Alpha King is planning a war on all werewolf regions. He wants to be the one true Alpha King, and he plans on enslaving humans, making them livestock.”

That really shocked me because there was once a prophecy that a true Alpha King will arise and rule all werewolves. Where that wolf would come from wasn’t mentioned. Now someone is taking destiny in his own paws.

I was more shocked the Alpha King was trusting me with such classified information. I asked him,

“Is this not council secret? Why tell me this?”

“Because I need you to know the severity of the situation.”

“But you can pick any she-wolf of your choice.”

“You are pure.”

He said it like it was all that mattered, and it infuriated me.

“I will not be objectified by anyone.”

He walked closer to me, held my chin with his slightly callous hand and said:

“Who said you have a choice?”

He said it so leisurely, and he smirked. He really smirked. There was a devious glint in his eyes. Then he added:

“Remember you don’t have anywhere to go, and think about it. What better way can you take your revenge on Damian than marrying his King?”

He was looking straight into my eyes like he was trying to make me see his point through his eyes. His face was so close to mine that I thought he was going to kiss me. Then he just left abruptly.

I was left just standing there, my emotions in a mess.

I first thought about the possibility of the Nile King taking over all the regions and enslaving humans. Only the thought gave me goosebumps. Then I thought about Damian’s betrayal, how I spent my inheritance and time on his pack just to be treated like trash.

What better way indeed than to become the mate of his King and being head over him.

Should I really take the Alpha King’s proposal, which wasn’t really a proposal, it was more like a command.

Can I really stand by the Alpha King?