The Alpha King's Mate novel Chapter 23

"What are you doing?" I ask him, shocked.

He stands there, breathing heavily, with black eyes and fangs bared.

"I want to mark you and make you mine," he says.

"What do you mean? You can't bite me like you're biting into an apple," I say. I rescind from him and get out of the water. "I don't even know if I could love a…." I explain, gaging his reaction, which isn't a good one. He looks hurt, and his arms are crossed against his chest.

"A?" He says.

"A werewolf," I whisper, and my shoulders drop, in self-disappointment, for fear I have offended the only person I have ever felt attached to. He stands in front of me and exhales. His eyes are their deep brown again, and his

teeth have returned to normal.

"I told you I'd never harm you. You say you don't think you could love me. What do you think you've been feeling this whole afternoon?" He asks, annoyed.

"l don't understand love. I don't understand lust – this is the first time I have ever felt like this. My body burns for you, but I don't know how I feel in my heart," I say.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. As for you loving me, I know you will, if not now, but one day." He says, smiling.

"I'm sorry. I don't know enough about werewolves yet," I say.

"It's okay," he says.

"I think we should go to sleep." He says, and we dress before he scoops me up and takes me inside the cave.

"How? What?" She asks.

"Accept me as your mate, and take your position by my side as my Luna. Having a Luna will make the pack twice as strong. It will aid strength, stamina and agility, and with your elemental powers, we can finish this war," I explain.

"I don't think I can use my powers to hurt anyone. I have friends in West Wallow who are human. I can't help you fight this war. I'm not ready to commit to being your Luna, mate, or the Queen just yet." she says.

A dull ache shoots through me at her words. If only she knew the pain her words inflicted on me.

"I don't know if I can win this war without you by my side. I don't want to see my pack die or be wiped out. I feel miserable when you're not near, and I've been so happy since we met. I feel a warmth I've never felt before. I become lost in your smile and your eyes. I feel so strong with you. Maia. You're my Luna and the queen of my heart, and you always will be even if you don't accept me. My heart will always belong to you," I say earnestly.

"I don't know what to do. I have feelings for you. I do care deeply for you. I'm hoping with time, it will become clearer. Being your mate, the Luna of your pack, and the Queen of Moon Crest Valley, it's a lot. And I'd have to leave my home and everything I have ever known," she says.