FATED TO ALPHA HUNTER BY VENNEH LISAH

𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐀'𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕:

"I see. King Richard," I said, my voice filled with a deep sense of hatred towards him, just as he had towards me. It seemed like our feelings were mutual.

The king nodded, confirming my suspicion. "Yes, King Richard," he said, observing me carefully.

I hesitated for a moment before asking, "Is that where you were? And what does he want?" However, I quickly shut my mouth, mentally cursing myself for questioning the king. Old habits die hard, and I found myself questioning every little thing, whether it was a trick or a way for him to find a reason to punish me.

Remembering that the king had said I could ask questions, I tried to compose myself and waited for his response.

"Why do you do that? You start to say something, then stop," he asked before rolling and pulling me with him. My stomach lurched as he pulled me to straddle his lap and leaned against the headboard of the bed. This new position was even more awkward than the last, and I went rigid. My hands awkwardly clutched my thighs as I sat up, wanting to climb off him.

The king grabbed my hands, and I tried to tug out of his grip when he placed both on his naked chest. His skin was hot beneath my palms, and I could feel his heart beating steadily in his chest while mine sputtered and wanted to rip free of my body.

"You never did answer," the King said, making me remember his question.

"Why do you stop when you want to know something? Knowledge is key. You should ask questions. How else would you learn the answers? I like it when you speak; I want to know everything about you. I find you fascinating," he said.

Me fascinating? How could he? The only thing he could learn from me was how to change his bedsheets and fold his towels the way he liked them. There was absolutely nothing remarkable about me that he could possibly want to know.

"And to answer your question, yes, I am going to find a way to work around him because I am not in the mood for war. But I would like it if you came with me. Would you like to come?" he asked.

"He alleges that I took away his sire bond. Is it true? Was he sired to you?" He dropped the question, and I swallowed hard. I then told him everything, up to the point that I learned he had broken the sire bond. I never wanted to go back there, and I knew that if there was anyone who could help me, it would be King Arman. So I told him everything I knew.

"Interesting," was all the king said after a few seconds of silence. Then he said firmly, "I really need to find the old man and talk about all this. And since the sire bond saga is true, you are definitely coming with me."

"Can Rina come?" I asked.

"She can, but I want to spend time with you. But if you would be more comfortable with her coming, I can arrange it," he said with a smirk dancing on his mouth.

"Why?" I blurted like an idiot. It made no sense as to why he would want to spend time with his servant. It was odd. The king smiled, and I don't think I had seen him smile as much as I had tonight.

"You are capable of speaking your mind and asking the right questions," he chuckled as he placed his hands on my thighs. As his hands ran up to the apex of my legs, I suddenly realized that I was naked from the waist down. Shame washed over me as I looked down at my exposed legs. I tried to tug my oversized shirt down to cover myself, only to realize that it was one of his.

"My king," I said hesitantly, tugging on the neckline of the shirt.

"Yes?" he replied, his eyes fixed on his hands as he pushed the hemline of the shirt higher, revealing my cotton panties beneath.

"I changed your clothes; I prefer it when you smell like me," he explained, answering the question I had been silently asking. I swallowed nervously.

"They didn't see you naked; I made them turn around," he murmured reassuringly. His eyes still fixed on his hands as they slid up to my hips. His thumbs brushed over my panties, and he sucked in a breath.

"I don't want you sleeping in that room anymore. You will stay with me. Your things will be brought in here tomorrow when we're gone," he told me. I was still perplexed and wondered why.

His gaze shifted towards me. "You want to know why? It must be confusing," he asked, and I nodded my head.

"I've never desired anyone the way I've desired you since my mate passed. I can't get much sleep with you so far away. I want you close," he said, his voice trailing off.

"But, Sir, I'm your slave," I spoke slowly, hoping it would register.

"And I'm the king. No one would dare question my intentions, Ania," he replied.

"What are your intentions?" I had to ask.

"What do you think they are?" he asked in return. Well, if I knew, I wouldn't be asking.

"Speak freely, Ania. You are safe with me," I briefly wondered if I should say it, but he kept telling me I could ask, and the burning desire to know was starting to bother me. What was the worst he could do, kill me? At least I would die knowing.

"Do you have a rogue fetish?" I asked. His lips tugged up into a grin before he laughed. His whole body moved beneath me like he couldn't contain his laughter at what I asked.

"I don't have a rogue fetish, Ania. I also don't eat people. I am not trying to have sex with you, though I wouldn't say no if you wanted to, and I don't want you to be my slave anymore. Does that clear up any of your queer questions, or do you have more questions regardless of their nature?" He laughed again.

"And what is a rogue fetish? from where did you hear that?" he asked. My face heated at his question. I didn't think I would have to explain it to him. Shouldn't he know?

"In the kitchen," I answered, knowing he could snap if I didn't answer him.

"In the kitchen? By who?" he asked, his humor falling away quite abruptly.

"I don't know. I was taking the cleaning supplies, and I overheard someone saying you had a fetish for rogues, like you could do what you wanted to them and no one would care," I answered honestly.

"This was said in front of you?" King Arman asked.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't supposed to be listening," I scratched my neck and tried to climb off him, but his hands moved to my thighs, holding me in place.

"Did you hear about this rumor when you started sleeping in my room?" he asked, and I nodded, "Yes, my king."

The king's eyes flickered with anger, and he growled in response.

"I will find that rumor-monger. Everyone should be treated with respect, even rogues," he snarled, making me jump. His words confused me because wasn't he the one who made the rules as the alpha king?

"I'm not angry with you, Ania," he said when he realized my reaction. "If you hate the way they treat rogues, why do you let them?" I asked, then instantly realized the mistake I had made. I had just questioned the king's ability to rule fairly and insinuated that he was unfit.

"I...I didn't mean it like that. You're a good king," I blurted out in a panic, but his features remained unchanged. I was shocked when he answered.

"I'm working on it. We've stopped the killing of rogues children, and most packs have agreed to either take them in or cast them out once they reach adulthood. However, some packs did not agree with the laws and continued to kill them. Eventually, that also stopped, but recently, rogue children have started showing up dead again. That's why I went to your pack that day. We were investigating Richard. Ania, I only came into power about a year ago after the alpha of the kings, Erick, died. It takes time to change the system," he explained.

"Do you really want to help the rogues?" I asked.

"Yes, they are still part of my kingdom. Ania, I never agreed to them being killed or mistreated or treated with contempt. I tried to prevent it before, and I will try even harder now," he replied.

"But why Richard's pack specifically?" I inquired.

"Because his pack is the only one that still kills rogues, and I also found it strange that only two girls were listed in the pack house as rogues. The numbers should have been higher," he explained.

"I agree. My mate and I, may he rest in peace, had a few rogues come and go when they were of age, but once Richard took over, no rogue lived. He killed them all in the name of sacrificing them to the moon goddess," I shared.

He asked, "All of them?"

"Yes, eventually. We were the only ones left - Rina and I. I believe he left me because of the sire bond. I'm not sure why he spared Rina, though. I overheard Lucy saying she expected new rogue children to come, but they never did," I answered him. His brows furrowed, and he nodded.

"I will have to go back there then," the king stated.

"So, you don't have a fetish, a rogue fetish for me?" I asked.

"No, it's more like an obsession," he said, cutting me off. I blinked down at him before realizing where my hands had fallen.

"I'm sorry," I muttered, quickly moving my hands off his muscular abs. But the king gently placed them back and whispered, "I like it when you touch me, Ania, so don't be afraid to." His words made my eyes dart to his.

He then guided my hands over his abs, up to his pecs and chest, and finally to his shoulders, pulling me closer to him. My palms tingled violently, and I pulled one back, looking at it with pinched brows, wondering why it was reacting like this. This only happened with Hunter.

Turning my face back to him, I found myself leaning on him, with our faces barely an inch apart. His scent was overwhelmingly strong so close to his neck, and I couldn't resist inhaling deeply before pressing my face to the side of his neck. I only realized what I had done when I felt his fingers run through my hair, causing me to jump.

"What do your instincts tell you to do, Ania?" the King asked.

I couldn't answer that. My instincts were all over the place. I wanted to touch him, caress him, smell him, but my mind faltered at the last one. I shouldn't want to lick him. What a weird thing to want to do.

"What if I told you my instincts were the same as yours, and you are just better at suppressing them?" he whispered. I turned my face to look at him, surprised.

"Pardon me, your highness?" I asked.

"What if I want to touch you, smell you, have you close, and share my bed with you, Ania?" the King asked.

"Sir?" I asked, trying to pull away. But he gripped my neck and pulled me back close, forcing me to lean against his chest.

"What if I wanted you to do the same? What if I wanted to kiss you?" he asked. The thought of him wanting to kiss his rogue servant was appalling, but I couldn't help wondering what his lips would feel like against mine. Would the same tingling sensation burn between us? And would I be desecrating Hunter's memories by indulging in this forbidden desire?

"Would you stop me, Ania?" he asked, his lips brushing against mine as he spoke. I swallowed hard, trying to collect my thoughts. Could I stop him? Was I even allowed to? Did I want to? Shaking my head, I felt a low thrumming calling me to him as he purred, before his lips finally pressed against mine. I let out a strangled noise before gasping as he pulled me closer.

His tongue brushed against my bottom lip, and then his thumb pressed gently on my chin, coaxing my mouth open. My lips burned and tingled as I felt his tongue enter my mouth, exploring and tasting every inch of it.

He groaned and pulled me closer, his grip on my hair tightening. Our tongues continued to dance and explore each other, and I couldn't help but moan at the taste of him. I kissed him back, savoring the feel of his embrace.

As we broke apart, I felt light-headed and in need of air. He pecked my lips softly before pulling me back in and pressing my head against his shoulder. I breathed in his scent, taking in the smell of him.

He turned his face towards mine and placed a kiss below my eye.

"So, will you come with me tomorrow, or should I arrange for Rina? I have no ill intentions towards you, Ania," he hissed.

"Yes, my King," I replied, feeling a little weird that I had kissed the man and was now lying on him so casually.

"For god's sake, woman, call me Arman. Just say it once, please," he said, pulling away to look at me. I glanced at his waiting face.

"Say my name, Ania," he urged. I chewed my lip, and his eyes darted to them before he brushed my face with his nose and purred. The more he purred, the heavier the cloud of sleep washed over me. It was like Hunter all over again. I couldn't help but say the name. "Hunter." And in the drug-like feeling, I thought I heard, "Sleep, my love." I must have been hallucinating. Before the purr got stronger, I sank into oblivion.