The Alpha King's Mate novel Chapter 41

"Shall I have this dance, Princess?" I ask. Maia smiles and takes my hand. She flinches back from the touch of sparks.

I quickly take her hand before she can pull away again and pull her closer to me, she lets out a small gasp, and we waltz. Her eyes glisten from the tears forming in her eyes. She knows it's me.

"Damon," she whispers.

"Yes, it's me, Maia. I have been so worried about you." I whisper back.

"What are you doing here?" She whispers and looks over to see King Fenris is busy talking to his Commander and General.

"I've come here to save you, to bring you back home where you belong," I whispered back.

Maia's breathing is now heavy. "Maia, what's wrong? I don't understand. What has King Fenris done to you?" I ask desperately.

"Do you truly love me, or do you only plan to use me to win the war?" She asks, holding back the tears.

"Maia, that's not true. It's King Fenris that is going to use you. You have to believe me?" I say to her.

I stare into her eyes and see she wants to believe me. I am running out of time. The dance is about to end.

"Maia, Vivian is here. She knows we aren't the enemy, and you need to talk to her, please?" I beg.

Maia gives me a small nod as we part. King Fenris is approaching, and Maia smiles. I try to slip away unnoticed into the crowd.

As King Fenris approaches Maia, his smile changes into confusion at Maia's teary eyes.

"Is everything ok, my love?" He asks.

Maia nods and looks down away from King Fenris.

"Yes, of course, I'm fine," she says.

"Good." He smiles.

Maia

I talk my way through the hall, trying to find Vivian at the same. Then, discreetly I leave the hall when King Fenris is busy in heavy conversation with others speaking about the war.

I walk towards the staircase at the castle entrance when I hear Vivian's voice call my name.

"Maia,"

Vivian hugs me tighter and rubs my back.

"Maia, you are young and don't know the world like the rest of us do. You have lived alone in the forest all your life. It must be hard not knowing who to believe or who you can trust. Even we humans have been fooled by King Fenris and led to believe werewolves are monsters. We are all a bunch of fools, Maia," she says, stroking my hair.

"Vivian, you are such a good friend to me," I say, sniffling.

"But how will Damon ever forgive me for thinking so wrongly of him? I realise that I truly do love him. I love Damon. I was confused at first. I just needed to know what these feelings that I have for him were. I now know I have loved Damon from the moment I met him, and I love everything about him, even the cute puppy sounds he makes in his sleep," I say, pondering at the memory.

"I've never stopped thinking about him while I have been here and how much I want to be in his arms again. Oh, Viv, I want to be with Damon. I want to be by his side and no one else's other than his,"

Viv held my face in her hands and wipes the tears from my face. "Well, why don't you turn around, my dear sweet Maia, and tell him that," she smiles.

I look up at Vivian in confusion. She smiles and nods at me to say Damon is standing behind me and has heard the whole conversation.

I turn around to see Damon. He has tears running down his face and another man with him, along with Grace, Ella and a little boy.

"Maia, you never betrayed me. Unfortunately, King Fenris has taken advantage of your trust and kindness, betraying you," Damon says, opening his arms for me to embrace.

I run into his arms and burst into tears against his chest. His arms wrap around me tightly, and he lifts me off the ground. We both hold each other and cry.