Queen Midknight: The Wolf's Bride
Due to an ancient curse, anyone that wears the crown of Aradale becomes a cursed wolf. To live the rest of their lives separated from the other half of themselves. To be both human and a wolf but separated forever. In a world where werewolves are almost extinct, King Alexander of Aradale, must find a way to unite his wolf side with his human side. And at the same time stop his Queen from escaping or killing him. Will this wolf king achieve the impossible or will he die trying? This is a story of love, lost, curse and betrayal but most of all it is a wolf story like never before. Excerpt from the book. "Do you think Sir Judd and Queen Eileen are alright?" Jamie asked him. "Judd won't let anything happen to his wife. Western men are protective of their brides, Monisha" Alexander reassured her. "I know that but are they alright? Did I destroy two lives today, Alexander? I can't believe I did that to Eileen. I can't believe I trapped her with a man that doesn't feel anything for her" Talking about the marriage binding that took place that morning made Jamie sad. "Or maybe, you did them a favor. Maybe he will wake up to realize his imposed bride was the best thing that could ever happen to him. Maybe he will be willing to spend the rest of his life convincing his bride the same. Maybe it was meant to be" Alexander spoke in whispers to her. His voice was smooth and hopeful. But Jamie couldn't shake the feeling that he might be talking about himself not Judd. She decided to answer him. "What if his wife wants to feel the same for Judd but she can't. Because admitting she felt anything other than hatred and resentment for the man that stole her first life from her, might be too hard for her to imagine. Maybe she wants to relax in his arms every night and allow herself to feel something and she wants to feel it but she can't. Not without betraying everything she stands for. Not without knowing that everyone she left behind to start a new forced life was okay. Maybe she wants to feel it too but...maybe not. She has no choice in the matter" Alexander knew Jamie was talking about herself too. He felt the little happiness that always seemed to originate from the abdomen and slowly to the rest of the body. She wanted to feel! Alexander kissed her hair. It was the best news he has heard all day. "What if everyone she left behind was okay? What if they gave their blessings to our union?" Alexander was done trying to pretend they weren't talking about themselves. Jamie sat upright and turned to look at him. Her eyes glittering with unshed tears. "Don't you get it! My father would never give you his blessing! You are the reason he lost two of his daughters and you are the reason I lost my kingdom, my sister and my inheritance. Even if I wanted to feel something, I couldn't. Because that would be too painful, Alexander. Hating you is just easier" Jamie felt the tears run down her cheeks. Alexander sat upright. Using the back of his palm, he wiped the tears from her face. Then he kissed her lips. "I understand, Jamie" He whispered to her. Credit for the cover goes to its rightful owner. P.s if you are the owner and wants me to take it down, contact me on discord
Chapter Nine: Don’t call me Alex
Chapter Nine: Don't call me Alex
Grab the rope!
Alexander's wolf growled at him. He saw the tree branch snap but before it was too late, King Alexander swallowed his pride and grabbed the rope.
Jamie prayed to the gods of the sun that the Arabian horse would obey her gentle command. She mounted the horse with great ease. She knew absolutely nothing about Arabian horses. Did they follow regular horse command or does she have to speak Arabic to it?
"Okay. Since I don't know any of your native command, I am going to use a regular horse command and if I die, I will haunt you and your master" Jamie whispered to the horse.
Using both legs, she squeeze gently just behind the horse's girth and the Arabian beast obeyed. Jamie expected a slow gallop but the horse took off on full speed dragging King Alexander out. Alexander was able to let go of the rope before he was slammed into a tree but he knew that Janessa was now in trouble.
Millie was standing just a few inches away from King Alexander and he attempted to mount her and go after the princess but it was too late. He heard a scream and then a clashing sound.
"Janessa!"
Alexander took off as fast as his legs could carry him, he was a fast runner and he knew the forest well enough. In about a minute or two, he located her still body on the ground and the horse was nowhere to be found.
Alexander checked to see if she was breathing and thankfully she was. He could see the point the horse kicked her and the cut on her face. She was lucky the force of the fall knocked her out or she would be in excruciating pain. He raised her head slowly and placed it on his arm as his eyes searched for other injuries. When it became apparent that he need something other than curious eyes to assess her injury, Alexander took the risk and lifted her up.
She weighed considerably lower than his men, whom he had carried on occasions during the heat of battle after they were injured. Compared to the weight of a knight, Janessa weighed just a little more than a feather. She stirred with every step he made like his movement caused her further pain. She murmured something he couldn't hear and Alexander stopped to listen.
"Monisha?"
Alexander waited for some seconds, to know if she would say any other thing but she merely groaned and slipped back to unconsciousness. Alexander decided to take her to the king's cabin in the forest. It was a place he came to whenever he needed to escape public eye and it was considerable closer than the castle. The two guards that guarded the king's cabin from enemies' intrusion in his absent came forward when they saw their king carrying a young injured maiden.
"His highness?" they bowed to him. One of the guards came forward to relief the king of his load but he declined with a threat "If you touch her, you will lose an arm"
Alexander took her to his bed and laid her on it, he tried to leave but Janessa wrapped her hand around him "Don't leave me" she whispered.
Alexander went still.
"I am here. Go back to sleep, Janessa" he commanded.
He lowered himself next to her and stroked her cheek until she went back to sleep. He kissed her hand before he gently left the bed.
When Janessa opened her eyes again, someone was forcing a bitter portion down her throat. She tried to resist but she was too weak to do anything.
"It is for your own good, Monisha. Just take another sip"
Jamie obeyed but the sip turned to two and another until she slipped back into total blackness.
Alexander sat by her bed side with his legs crossed. It was dark outside and he was tired and he was getting worried. It has been three days since Jamie fell from the horse and yet she was only able to slip in and out of consciousness a couple of times. The royal doctor assured him it was completely normal but it didn't stop him from worrying about her. After all, she had hurt herself trying to save him.
"Alex?" Her voice was barely a whisper. Alexander moved closer to her. He dabbed her forehead with wet cloth and kissed the spot just below her eyes.
"Alex?" She whispered again.
"I am a king. You can't shorten my name, Monisha"
"Alex?" then she started to fidget like she was fighting off someone.
Alexander realized she was having a dream about him and that she was still asleep. She looked terrified and hurt. He kissed her forehead to sooth her and then her cheeks and before he could stop himself her lips. They were soft and she made a throaty sound. Alexander didn't know whether it was from pain or pleasure, she wasn't fully awake.
He tried to go back to his seat but her weak hand grabbed his tunic. Alexander took it as protest and that she wanted him to stay. The feel of his frame leaning on hers as his arms wrapped around her gently felt forbidden.
What are you doing, Alexander? His wolf cautioned him.
Alexander wanted to pay attention and listen to his wolf. But Janessa wouldn't let go of his shirt and anything short of prying them off wouldn't work on her. Now, she was no longer fidgeting. It was like the nightmare was over. Alexander wondered why she was having a nightmare about him, was she terrified of him except Janessa didn't seem like someone that scare easily or was she just good at hiding her feelings just like him?
Before Alexander could think straight and become aware of her wandering fingers, they had already slipped under his shirt, his skin smooth and radiating heat.
Just when Alexander thought it wouldn't get any worst, Janessa opened her eyes.