The Alpha King Saw Her Crying in the Rain — And Whispered From Now On, You’re Mine
Part 1
The emerald silk of the gown clung to Megan’s skin like a heavy chain.
Tomorrow, she would be forced to marry Brian.
To the king’s court, Brian was a man of impeccable standing.
But Megan knew the truth hidden behind the heavy oak doors of his estate.
She reached up and touched the fading bruises along her collarbone.
Her father, Greg, had traded her away to this monster.
Greg had amassed a gambling debt so staggering it threatened to ruin their entire family.
Tonight, Brian was downstairs hosting yet another extravagant party.
This was her only chance.
Megan slipped out of her chambers, leaving the door unlatched.
She crept down the darkened corridor, keeping her footsteps light against the stone.
Her destination was Brian’s private study.
She was looking for a silver locket that had belonged to her deceased mother.
The lock turned with a soft click.
She slipped inside, the air heavy with the scent of cigar smoke and aged leather.
Instead of finding the locket, her fingers brushed against a thick ledger hidden in a false drawer.
Curiosity getting the better of her, she opened the worn black leather cover.
The pages were filled with detailed manifests and military strategies.
Brian was secretly funding a mercenary army led by a ruthless captain named Dave.
His plan was to slaughter the northern settlements and seize the silver-rich mountains.
It was undeniable proof of high treason against the crown.
A floorboard creaked in the hallway outside.
Megan froze, her blood turning to ice.
The heavy, rhythmic thud of Brian’s boots echoed closer.
He was returning early from the banquet.
Panic seized her chest.
She shoved the ledger down the tight bodice of her dress.
She didn’t have time to reach the door.
She ran to the large stained-glass window and threw the latch open.
Freezing rain immediately whipped into her face.
Without looking down, she climbed onto the stone ledge.
She jumped.
She hit the soft, muddy earth of the gardens two stories below.
The impact jarred her teeth, but the mud cushioned her fall enough to prevent broken bones.
She scrambled to her feet, ignoring the sharp pain in her knees.
She sprinted toward the treeline as thunder rattled the sky.
Behind her, the study window slammed open.
Brian’s furious roar cut through the storm.
Moments later, the terrifying baying of hunting hounds erupted from the kennels.
Megan pushed herself harder, tearing through the dense underbrush of the whispering woods.
Her lungs burned, gasping for the freezing air.
The heavy emerald gown dragged her down like a waterlogged sail.
She tripped over an exposed root hidden beneath the wet leaves.
She tumbled down a steep embankment.
Her ankle twisted with a sickening crunch.
She crashed into the trunk of a massive oak tree.
Pain radiated up her leg, paralyzing her.
She frantically attempted to push herself up, but her weak arms trembled and gave out.
The hounds were closing in.
She could hear their frantic splashing in the mud.
Then, the barking abruptly ceased.
An eerie quiet settled over the violent storm.
A low growl vibrated through the earth beneath her palms.
Pairs of glowing amber eyes ignited in the darkness.
Massive wolves emerged from the shadows.
They were colossal beasts, their shoulders reaching a grown man’s chest.
Megan squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the fatal strike.
However, the massive wolves did not leap forward to attack her.
They parted, bowing their massive heads in submission.
Heavy footsteps crushed the wet twigs.
A man stepped into the clearing.
He wore a dark fur cloak that repelled the rain.
His eyes held the same glowing amber hue as the wolves.
This was Tyler, the alpha king of the north.
Tyler crouched beside her shivering form.
He reached out with a calloused hand.
His fingers were surprisingly warm as he brushed a wet strand of hair from her face.
“Please,” Megan whispered, her voice cracking.
“I have nowhere left to go.”
Tyler’s gaze darkened with a fierce possessive fire.
“From now on, you’re mine.”
He scooped her effortlessly into his arms.
His body radiated a furnace-like heat against her freezing skin.
She awoke two days later in a massive stone chamber.
A warm fire crackled in the hearth.
Tyler stood in the doorway, his broad chest filling the frame.
“I read the ledger,” Tyler said, his voice a deep rumble.
“You handed me the salvation of my people.”
Megan pulled the heavy furs up to her chin.
“He will burn down the kingdom to get it back.”
“Let him try,” Tyler replied calmly.
A guard suddenly called out from the hall.
Kevin, Brian’s right-hand man, had arrived at the front gates.
He was demanding the return of the stolen bride.
Tyler’s expression hardened into unreadable granite.
“You are under my protection now.”
Tyler strode out to the muddy courtyard.
Kevin sat atop his warhorse, surrounded by armed mercenaries.
“Hand her over,” Kevin sneered, drawing his sword.
“Keeping her is treason.”
Tyler laughed.
It was a dark, humorless sound.
His eyes shifted to a burning amber.
“Tell Brian that if he steps foot here, I will tear him apart.”
“She is my mate.”
The mercenaries recoiled in terror as Tyler’s voice boomed with monstrous resonance.
The legends were true.
Tyler was a lycan.
Kevin spurred his horse backward and fled toward the southern border.
Tyler returned to her chambers, the monstrous aura vanishing completely.
“You didn’t have to lie,” Megan said softly.
“I didn’t lie,” Tyler rumbled, crossing the room.
“My wolf recognized you the moment I caught your scent.”
“You are my equal, my luna.”
Megan bravely reached up, tracing the rough scar on his jaw.
Tyler leaned into her touch with a relieved sigh.
“Brian will not stop,” Megan warned.
“Then we prepare for war,” Tyler answered.
