Chapter 20
I swallow thickly though I am thankful he can’t recognize my scent, it goes to show how much I reeked of Rhett and his pack last time we met.
“Hmm, interesting. Unmarked, unmated, and pure.” he purrs while inhaling deeply. “Now that is worrisome indeed,” he adds, letting me go abruptly, I stumble back. “Dangerous even,” he warns and my cheeks flame with not only the heat of him so close but the humiliation.
The King’s eyes bore into mine, demanding answers. His presence is overwhelming, filling the room with an oppressive energy. “My Beta said you haven’t registered. Is that true? Why didn’t you register?”
I struggle to keep my composure, aware that the slightest misstep could have grave consequences. “I… I forgot,” I lie, hoping he’ll believe me.
The King strides forward, his intimidating presence making my heart race. I can feel his eyes burning into me, assessing me with a critical gaze.
“You dare to trespass on our land without registering, knowing the risks of being not only a werewolf but an unmated one, unmarked one. You would put my son in such a risk by merely being near you so close to the next full moon,” the King growls, his tone menacing.
“No, I was trying to help… I… didn’t know he was your son… I…”
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Chapter 20
788 #louchers
“You thought what? Any wolf can tell his aura is not normal for a boy his age and you expect me to believe such words. You said so yourself that we met before or didn’t meet, which is it?”
“Only in passing,” I lie, knowing we met in the city definitely would raise more suspicion now he already thinks I am some she wolf after a strong alpha. Let alone stalking him and his
son.
“You have no pack affiliation, no identification. You are nothing but a rogue and I am expected to believe you just happened upon my son?” Max stares up at his father and tugs at his hand.
“I was just trying to help Max.” I chew my lip.
“Help Max?” The King snaps. “How do I know you haven’t kidnapped him?”
“I swear, I wasn’t trying to kidnap him,” I protest desperately. “I found him at the park.”
The King studies me closely, his gaze piercing and intense. For a moment, there is silence as we stand there, locked in a tense standoff.
Before the King can respond, Max interrupts, rushing to my side. “You won’t hurt my friend Daddy. She is my friend!”
“Your friend failed to register, Max,” the King explains, his tone gentle but firm.
“But she didn’t mean it, right, Brielle?” Max looks at me with pleading eyes, the hope in his expression nearly breaking my heart.
Chapter 20
288 Nouchers
I chew my lip, uncertain of what to say. “Please, Dad, she did nothing wrong but try to walk me home. She didn’t even know who I was, I had my mask.” he says holding up his Spider–Man mask. The King stares at his son but then sighs heavily.
Finally, the King speaks again. “Very well,” he says in a low growl. “I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt this time.”
The King watches me intently, then looks down at his son, who stares up at him pleadingly. “I’ll give you a one–month grace period for returning my son. You are to register within that time, don’t let me cross paths with you again while unregistered are we clear?” I nod letting out a breath of relief while Max beams up at me excitedly.
As I leave the palace grounds, my heart pounds in my chest, and my legs tremble beneath me. I can’t help but replay the encounter over and over in my head, each time feeling the weight of the king’s scrutiny and the warmth of Max’s innocent trust. I head back to work to explain my absence before heading home and back to Granny.
The walk home I feel like I am being watched, that I am just one step away from this facade I’ve built to come crumbling down around me, today was a close call. Fear has me uneasy, what if they figure it out.
Figure out who I am.