The Alpha King's Mate novel Chapter 14

Sir Hugo enters the room and presents me with the scrolls of signatures.

"My King," Sir Hugo says, bowing. "If these numbers are correct, your army will have grown to thirty-five thousand men," Sir Hugo says triumphantly.

"Good work, Sir Hugo. I knew I could count on you to increase our numbers," I praise him, and he nods.

I relay my soldiers' encounter with the Forest Princess to Sir Hugo, and he guffaws at it.

"What hogwash! A magical princess with powers," Sir Hugo says, rubbishing the tale.

Everyone else is stoic and serious, registering the expressions on their grime-encrusted faces, Sir Hugo composes himself. The soldiers inform Sir Hugo. They all indeed saw her, that she summoned fire with her hands.

I recall my grandfather's stories from when I was a child. The tale of witches, sprites, mages, fae, vampires and even orcs has been a tale in every generation. My men stand around with their hands on their hips, awaiting my next instruction.

"Do you all recall the tales, as children, about supernatural species that supposedly once roamed the lands of Mysteria?" I ask my men, swigging the contents of

my glass before my squire refills it again.

"This alleged Forest Princess could be a fae or a sprite we have been told about in the stories,"

The tent buzzes with chatter and the toing-and-froing of differing opinions among the men.

"Find her and bring her to me," I say, indulging in the possibility this tale could be true. My men nod except for Sir Hugo, who stands with his arms crossed, unamused.

"Sir Hugo!" I say, watching him dithering.

"Yes, my King,"

"You're to go with the soldiers, track down this girl, and bring her to me. If she does exist, tell her I offer her safe lodgings at my castle during this war,"

"Surely not, my King?" He asks.

"Most certainly," I say. I'm not being flippant. I glare at him.

Returning to camp after my run, I walk past a tent and overhear some of my comrades discussing my recent emotional state. Some call me absent-minded, some haven't been affected by my behaviour at all, and some sympathise with me.

Those who suggest replacing me temporarily with another Alpha, they state who has his head screwed on, anger me.

It was easy for them to say all this when they found their mates years ago. They don't know the pain I feel each day, and it gets worse as time goes on without her. My wolf is always fighting me for control. And the pressure of not only being Alpha, but a King as well – no one in their right mind would cope.

I mind-link my close circle and tell them I'll be back tomorrow. I shift and follow the river and run as fast as possible in the moon's direction.

After a few hours of running, I find a nice spot by the river and collect sticks to make a fire. The wind suddenly picks up, bringing a waft of violets and honey, a scent so alluring and intoxicating. I drop the bundle of sticks.

"Mate!" I say, sniffing the air around me.

The moon glows brighter, and I see her not far from me, washed up on the riverbank. Knowing she is within my reach makes my heart beat quickly, but I'm soon filled with dread as I run toward her and her still body. I kneel on the ground beside her.

She has the same long dark hair that I dreamed of. I brush her hair aside to see dried blood on her forehead and cheek.