Page 57 of The Alpha King’s Hidden Mute Mate

"So that gives you the right to deceive me?" I roared, my voice echoing through the garden. "Those lyrics that resonated with my soul, those things I thought you wrote—they were all hers. You just stole them, then stood on stage enjoying the applause that should have been hers."

Leah covered her face, shoulders shaking violently.

"I-I can compensate her... I can apologize..."

"What good is an apology?" I said, my voice terrifyingly calm—that calm more chilling than rage. "She's been banished. Because of you, because of those elders, because of that damn prophecy—and I put her on that road."

I turned and walked off stage, pushed through the crowd, and strode toward the stables.

"Your Majesty! Where are you going?" Edmund called behind me.

"To find her."

"Now? It's already dark—"

"Then get me torches!"

I mounted my horse, gripping the reins tight. My wolf roared inside me, desperate to burst out—urging me, warning me, telling me with near-desperate urgency.

Fast. Faster. Faster.

Even without its urging, my body was telling me something was wrong.

A chill spread from my chest, like someone had tied a rope around my heart and was slowly tightening it. The feeling had started minutes ago—at first just vague unease, like cold wind on my back. I'd thought I was just anxious. But as time passed, the feeling grew stronger, sharper, like a needle jabbing up my spine along the nerves.

This was the fated mate bond.

I'd never taken it seriously—I'd always considered it a cruel joke from the Moon Goddess, an excuse to force a mute girl on me. I'd deliberately ignored its existence, pretended it was just instinctive impulse, pretended those late-night restlessness and anxiety were just me overthinking.

But now it pressed against my chest like a red-hot iron.

She was afraid. She was in danger.

I didn't dare think further.

I galloped out the palace gates, hooves clattering on the stone road. Night wind hit my face, my cloak snapping behind me. Clouds covered most of the moon, only a few stars twinkling overhead.

That road. The road to Willos. The route I'd personally chosen—remote, desolate, safe.

Safe.

The word now sounded like a cruel joke.

Why had I chosen that road? Because the elders said it was most discreet, wouldn't attract attention. Because I'd just wanted her gone quickly—the sooner the better, the farther the better—

Because I hadn't cared what she thought at all.

Violent nausea churned in my stomach. I bent over, nearly vomiting off the horse.

I was the king. I was Moonhowl Kingdom's Alpha. I was supposed to protect her—

And I'd never believed her, had only ever hurt her.

The horse raced down the forest path, branches whipping my face, but I didn't slow. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat screaming the same name.

Mia. Mia. Mia.

Then I heard sounds.