The Alpha King's Claim

The Alpha King’s Claim chapter 34 by desirenovel

Aero

I tried to hide it, but my displeasure was evident on my face as soon as the vampire entourage entered the ballroom. I clenched my fists and growled out low. I wished for an interesting night tonight, but I didn’t mean this at all.

The announcement of their presence was too late, but it was enough to catch the attention of the guests. They parted in half to allow the odd group passage and all waited with curious eyes as they neared my throne.

From the periphery of my vision, I saw my queen gasp; her mouth slightly open and her hand splayed over her chest. Somehow she didn’t look at me. No. Nothing. Not a single glance and yes, somehow this made me feel a little—no, a lot—disappointed. I couldn’t read what was in her mind. I couldn’t read what she was feeling. Was she happy about this vampire’s presence? Was she afraid? Or irritated even. Was she…excited?

Urghh…

This was the first time I wished I could feel her emotions just like I do with Elijah.

She just stared at Hale and the vampire, with all his despicable bravado donned in fine clothes and his signature cape, met her gaze.

“Your Majesty, King Aero,” he stated with a short bow once he was near us. A flight of stairs separated us from him. It was enough a distance, but at the back of my head, I had the unsavory urge to push him further…further…further away from the queen.

“What’s this?” I raised a brow and gripped my armrest, “I didn’t get a notification as to your visit here tonight Lord Hale.”

He broke into his diplomatic smile that I had been accustomed to but never liked.

“I did inform your realm’s guardian about my entry, Your Majesty,” he stated with ease. “Didn’t she inform you?”

A tick on my jaw appeared. “Obviously, Farryl didn’t.”

He managed to shrug his shoulders and acted innocent. “Well, that’s unfortunate.”

Naturally curious, my guests continued to listen to our conversation. They didn’t return to eating or dancing nor did they return to their boisterous conversation like earlier. I couldn’t blame them. It was an unusual sight for a vampire lord to grace the Kingdom of Phanteon especially when it wasn’t for official reasons.

“State your business, Lord Hale,” I ordered, wanting to get it over and done with. For some reason, I had a bad feeling about his visit tonight.

“I heard about the queen’s return of health,” he answered swiftly, this time his red eyes resting on her. “I wanted to celebrate and the best way to do this is to celebrate with her.”

I knew it and with that, my temper rose. I didn’t like how audacious he was. He wasn’t welcomed in my castle, more so in this banquet. I was seconds away from stating that but then he turned to the queen’s way and expressed:

“Your Highness, Queen Serena, how wonderful it is to see your healthy glow again.”

vampire,’ my lycan

watched with pointed eyes as the queen sat perfectly still; her

unpleasant results. I could only hope those poor women I

Hale shook his head and bowed

incident wouldn’t happen again, Your Highness. It was

exchanged glances, knowing what it was he was talking about. I gave him a

husband’s reputation precedes him. How he lived his life before he met me shouldn’t concern me or my safety but I am his wife now. It’s expected I would be targeted too as I am a lesser threat.

vampire chuckled. “Oh no, Your Highness, you most certainly are not weak. I see you as a strong individual. You

Hale’s words, but to my surprise, I read no

taught him about lunas or did she learned it from Earthly definitions? I was curious

the kind words, Milord,” she

opportunity to

looked at me and

urge to rip out his

It’s just a dance,’ my brother

off, Elijah,’ he growled

wouldn’t mind at all,” was the queen’s statement as she stood

look haughty like any other females in the presence of a handsome man, but no, her face was unreadable still. What captured my attention was how her eyes appeared to convey a message…an emotion. Like she was…afraid and

up to my feet before

Lord Hale,” I quickly stated and gestured to a half vacated table near Elijah’s. “Your entourage should

was fleeting. He bowed low again and smiled a small smile. “Indeed, you’re right, Your Majesty.” He glanced at the queen and tipped his head to

side expressed the

time I was finally able to pick up the fear in her stiff tone and for a moment, I had the strong urge

once the vampire entourage

but I kept that feeling buried in the deepest, darkest pit of my thoughts the same thing I did when I crazed her taste this morning. These feelings, they were

dance first,” I told her and then went back to sitting. She followed me and sat too. “Your act

so are werewolves, but I fear the vampire race more than your kind. With

are not allowed to like another man,” I blurted out faster

chuckled a little in response.

with her reply. Even if this was a fake marriage, I expected her to be faithful to me. My pride

sensed from the crowd earlier with the vampires’ presence was all gone. Maybe it was the alcohol that lifted their discomfort, or maybe it was that the vampire group didn’t give the crowd any reason to be vigilant.

but it failed to catch my attention. My mind was elsewhere. I was preoccupied with watching Hale watching my queen