Page 17 of The Alpha King’s Hidden Mute Mate

"She's my fated mate." I enunciated each word like they were being dragged through my teeth. "Picked by Moon Goddess. What right do you have to say she's not suitable?"

"I'm not questioning Moon Goddess's will." Alden's tone stayed calm, but those murky old eyes gleamed shrewdly. "I'm just stating facts. Your Majesty, this isn't just about you. The whole kingdom is watching. A mute Luna will make us a laughingstock. The border wolves will take advantage, and our authority will crumble. Do you want our entire pack to bear this?"

My fists clenched so hard they crackled. My wolf roared inside, wanting to tear this old bastard apart. But I couldn't. He was an elder, one of the most respected in the pack. If I laid a hand on him, I'd be declaring war on the entire council.

"She's my fated mate." I repeated, voice lowering but the fury still burning. "Insulting her is a challenge to my dignity."

"Your Majesty, you're being too willful." He shook his head like he was looking at a stubborn child. I hated that look. "Do you really think a mute can handle Luna's responsibilities? Can she converse at diplomatic banquets? Can she lead hymns at worship ceremonies? Can she rally troops with her howl on the battlefield?"

Each sentence was a nail driven into my heart.

"She can't." Alden answered for me. "She can't do any of it. And you need someone capable standing beside you."

I fell silent.

For the entire pack. I was king. My decisions never just affected me—they affected the whole kingdom, all my people. I could never decide for myself alone. I hated that thought.

But I couldn't find a counterargument.

Then Alden told me the envoy was arriving soon. I didn't have much time to waver. He proposed again letting Leah take Mia's place.

I couldn't find another reason to refuse.

"Do it," I said.

When those words left my mouth, something twisted in my stomach. But I pushed it down. I was king. Kings didn't need consciences.

Then Mia burst in. I didn't know how long she'd been standing at the door.

But from her expression, she'd probably heard some of it.

Those eyes—the ones I couldn't look away from that night at the Howling Ceremony—now stared at me, red-rimmed, like something inside her had shattered.

I looked away, walking to my desk and picking up some documents.

"The bonding ceremony is today." I said, tone cold as if handling business.

She didn't move.

I looked up to see her standing there, mouth slightly open, like she wanted to ask something. But she couldn't ask anything, could she? She could only stand there, watching me with those damned eyes.

"What are you waiting for?" I said impatiently. "Take her to get ready."

A servant led her away. She looked back at me once as she left, that look tightening my throat.

But I didn't let myself dwell on it.

The ceremony ended hastily an hour later. I thought I'd hate Moon Goddess's arrangement even more, but that kiss...

I'd only meant to go through the motions. A brush of lips, then leave. Complete the task. But the moment my lips touched hers, everything spiraled out of control.

A current passed from her body into mine, shooting through my spine, making my knees weak. I could feel her lips trembling beneath mine, warm breath brushing my face, carrying a faint sweetness. My mind went blank, my wolf roared in my chest, desperately trying to break free—it prostrated itself before her, exposing its belly.

My wolf was submitting.

That realization made me gasp, but I didn't pull away. Instead, my hands tightened, pulling her closer, lips lingering too long on hers. Her body stiffened for a second, then softened. Her lips parted slightly, responding to me. That kiss shifted from perfunctory to something deeper, more dangerous.

When we separated, we were both breathing hard.