The Alpha King's Mate novel Chapter 25

Damon wouldn't lie to me. He wouldn't pretend to be kind to me, would he? Does he really only want me for my powers? I haven't met any other werewolves to know. But he does know I'm a primal sprite.

Confused, I realise it's quite possible Damon could be fooling me. Maybe werewolves really are ruthless creatures.

"I don't want to believe you," I say. Sir Hugo smirks and walks over to me.

"You can believe what you want, kitten. King Fenris has ordered I find you, and you are to lodge at his castle," he says.

"Well, you can thank King Fenris for his offer, but I'll be fine right here," I say. Sir Hugo grins.

"I was hoping my sweet charm would persuade you to let me escort you back to King Fenris."

"Sorry, but you lack the sweet charm. Better luck next time."

My response angers him, but I stand my ground because I don't fear him. "Alpha King Damon will be back here any minute, so I suggest you leave before he returns. Or before I set you on fire," I shout.

He doesn't flinch and glares at me with his arms folded across his chest. Sir Hugo grabs my wrist and snaps a thick, heavy iron cuff around it.

"Let go! What are you doing?" I yell, quickly casting a flame in each hand. The iron cuff burns my skin. I cry out in pain and close my cuffed hand to extinguish the flame. Clunk. Another iron cuff attached to the first

one by a chain is snapped onto my other wrist.

The only way I won't burn myself is to refrain from using my powers.

"Take these off me!" I scream. Sir Hugo smirks at me.

"Every time you try to use your powers, the iron cuffs will burn you. Iron is a sprite's weakness," he says.

Ember runs toward Sir Hugo and bites down hard on his ankle.

"You little-' He yells, picks Ember up, and throws him a fair distance.

Before I can see if Ember is okay, Sir Hugo scoops me up, drapes me over his shoulder, and walks away from the cave.

"Stop! What are you doing!? Where are you taking me?" I demand, kicking and screaming and punching his back until I feel a sharp, unexpected sting on my backside.

Zayden trails a couple of metres behind Troy and is a little reserved, given all he has been through.

"You must be Zayden," I say, crouching down to his eye level and putting my hand out to shake his. Zayden kneels lower still, on the ground in front of me.

"Alpha King Damon. It's a real honour to meet you," he says with a beaming smile.

"Most people just call me Alpha Damon. You can too if you like," I say, smiling at him—Zayden nods and smiles.

"I can't wait to meet our Luna! Let's go," Troy says excitedly.

We arrive back at the waterfall, and there is no sign of her.

"She must be resting inside the cave," I tell them, and they follow me into the cave. They're in awe of the thousands of glow worms inside. We reach the small room with her bed and the tree stump table and stools, and she isn't there.

"How strange. Maybe she has gone to pick some fruit?" I wonder aloud. We leave the cave and go to the plum tree, which has remained unchanged since I last walked past it. I start to worry, and Troy is also concerned.

"I don't understand. She was right here, by the waterfall. I told her I wouldn't be long,"