The Alpha King's Mate novel Chapter 40

We return to the tavern.

"Girls. Zayden. Troy and I have something to tell you," Vivian says, her hands clasped in her lap. The girls and Zayden look up and listen.

"Troy and I have decided that we are going to be together. We are going to be your mother and father for all three of you," Vivian says, beaming with happiness.

"Really?" The girls squeal and run up to Troy and hug him.

"This means you're our new father?" They chime, and

Troy chuckles.

"It does indeed," he says, hugging them both.

"Congratulations," I say and shake his hand.

Zayden runs into Vivian's arm, and they lovingly embrace each other.

"Thanks," Troy says, and I don't think they could be happier.

"Right. We're all dressed and ready?" Vivian says to the kids, helping Zayden with the last buckle on his boot.

"Yep!" Zayden says, standing up and running down the tavern stairs after the girls, who are well ahead of him.

Arriving on the castle grounds, Vivian loops her arm through Troy's and takes in everything around us. There are lanterns lit every metre, and musicians play a symphony at the top of the stairs.

"Split up and mind-link each other if we see her," I say.

After familiarising ourselves with our surroundings, I still hadn't seen Maia yet. I kept making my way through the crowd of people and looked around for her.

Any signs of her yet, Troy? I mind-link.

Sorry Alpha, not yet. Troy replies.

The ball is only just beginning, so she may not be here yet. Plus, I haven't seen King Fenris yet either. I link back.

Walking across the room, I lean my back against a pillar. Many women are giving me seductive looks and slowly approaching me. I roll my eyes and sigh. The women are giggling and fanning their faces. They attempt to hook their arms in mine.

"I know it doesn't look good, but there's an explanation, I'm sure. We need to go back in there and see if we can talk to her and hope an opportunity arises for us to take her back to Moon Crest Valley." Troy says.

"You're right. There has to be an explanation, Vivian? Do you think you can lure her away from the ball briefly?" I ask.

"I will most definitely try Damon," she says.

Now composed, I take a deep breath, "Okay, time to go back inside," I say.

King Fenris and Maia are dancing the waltz amongst other couples dancing with their partners. King Fenris pecks Maia on the cheek, and she looks uncomfortable.

My wolf wants to growl and tear his face off. I can feel myself sweating as I try to control my wolf again.

Once the dance is finished, other men and women approach Maia, complimenting her eyes and beauty. King Fenris has his hand on her waist and follows her around as if she is some kind of prize he has won.

Other men ask Maia for a dance with the approval of King Fenris. Of course, as much as I don't like other men dancing with her, she was very good at it and very graceful in her movements.

I have to have her. I need to hold her, to touch her. I need my mate back. As soon as she finished the dance with the second man, I approach her and bow and reach my hand out to take hers.