The Alpha King's Claim

Chapter 65

The Alpha King’s Claim chapter 65 by desirenovel

Serena

Pretending that everything was fine–like I didn’t have an orgasm in front of all these people–I controlled

my panting state and looked up. The man who had unknowingly interrupted us stood a couple of feet

away, his innocent eyes lit towards me.

Aero was seething, I could tell from the tight fist he made under the table, but he also was in control,

making a considerate expression when he realized who it was.

“Your Majesty,” General Halcynos lowered his head and placed a hand on his chest. “May I request one

dance with Queen Serena? It would be an honor for this poor, old man.”

I awarded him a smile, one that was agreeable to his request. The man was asking properly, but of

course, the last decision would come from Aero, so I turned to him and waited for his answer.

His face didn’t show any anger. It was masked well with his neutral expression. Then, suddenly, a quirk

on his mouth appeared and then he nodded gently.

“You have my permission, General.”

I squeezed his hand as my way of saying thank you. We exchanged silent stares just as I left our table.

General Halcynos, wearing a gray tuxedo looking dapper despite his age, performed another bow

when I neared him. His mask covered half of his face. It was decorated with mostly white and blue

glitters.

“Your Highness, I am pleased to be able to dance with you,” he said, once I placed a hand on his

proffered palm.

“General Halcynos, the pleasure is mine,” I answered with a smile.

Thereafter, we managed the steps down the stage. A few dancers spotted us and gave us room to

pass. We stopped in the center of the dance floor illuminated by the candles above and the spotlights

magically provided by Lord Mage Aizen. General Halcynos bowed again and in reply, I did a curtsy.

Dancing with this man more than half my age made me realize I missed my adopted father, Walter.

That’s where I got the McAllister name from. As for my biological father, yes, I missed him too, but all

memories I have with him and my biological mother were fuzzy and weak, except that they were really

good painters. I couldn’t even remember how they died and how I actually managed to stay alive until

Marius, a benefactor in an orphanage I stayed in, met with me and introduced me to the McAllisters.

Gregory and Eliza Monroe, those were my biological parents’ names, but every time I thought about

them, it just doesn’t elicit that kind of family warmth within me. Maybe because it had been so long

since I became an orphan? Or maybe because we didn’t have that much of a good relationship from

the start? I couldn’t really say, and somehow this hadn’t bothered me at all.

Returning to my dance partner, General Halcynos somehow evoked a gentle warmth within me, and I

figured it had something to do with my husband.

“The king sees you as a family, General. Though he doesn’t speak of it, he admires you so. Thank you

for being a pillar of support for my husband.”

His mouth curved up into a sincere smile.

“It is my duty, Your Highness, but other than that, I vowed to be as loyal as I could be to the royal

family,” he replied, whilst we swayed in tune with the waltz music.

“I heard you once served the late king as his Beta,” I recalled.

He nodded. “That is correct, Your Highness. I take pride in it with all my heart.”

Deep inside me, a feeling of pity then started to spark.

“You spend so much of your life for the royal family, but how about your own?” I asked and hope at the

back of my head he didn’t see it as a trespass into his personal space.

For a moment, silence enveloped us. He was contemplative for a while, but then regained his cool

composure.

“I have none, Your Majesty,” was his short reply.

Then, he smiled.

“I do have a sister. I’m sure you already met her. Her name is Margaret.”

“Oh yes, I am aware. We did meet in Palmeeya and my experience there was very precious.” My eyes

shone brightly at the memory reserved for that special place.

“She tends to leave that kind of impression on the people she meets,” he explained. “And I think it has

something to do with her being a healer.”

“She’s very diligent and kind to her constituents,” I exclaimed. “Is she the Alpha of the Healer Pack?”

General Halcynos stilled briefly and along with it, his expression showed a hint of sadness that was

enough for me to catch.

“No, Your Highness,” he started. “Until now, His Majesty hasn’t decided who takes the Alpha position of

the Healer Pack.”

My brows instantly furrowed.

“But she is the leader, correct? There are no other werewolves capable enough for the position?”

“To answer your first question, Your Highness, yes, she serves as the interim leader, and for the

second, no, there are none better than her.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. It didn’t take a genius to realize what was happening. Aero, stubborn and

arrogant as he was, still believed he didn’t want a woman to hold an alpha position.

“For how long has this been going on?” I asked, keeping my temper at bay. Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

“A decade or so, Your Highness,” he informed.

“A decade?!” My eyes widened and my temper shot up. I glared at my husband who was busy talking

to some of his VIP guests in another table near ours.

“I think I have a good sense of what’s going on, General,” I stated when I returned my attention to him.

“Would it be too disrespectful if I brought this issue up to the king on behalf of Margaret?”

He quickly shook his head. “No, Your Highness, don’t.”

My brows knotted in confusion.

Seeing this, he sighed and his expression changed into that of understanding.

“I apologize, but I don’t think it is wise to intervene in such a sensitive issue on behalf of my sister.

Whether formally called to be an Alpha or not, she is happy in what she does and takes pride in serving

the crown and its people. It is just a title, Your Highness. She doesn’t care about it, but thank you for

offering.”

“Still though, let me try,” I replied; my sense of justice kicking in. “The king has been so generous lately.

I think I have the chance to change his mind.”

“It is not me to decide, Your Highness. I suggest you speak first with my sister,” was his reply.

I nodded. “I sure will, General. Thank you for this.”

“You are pure of heart, Your Highness. It is clear to see even kilometres away. His Majesty is very lucky

to have you on his side. Please continue to support him,” he stated; his eyes pooling an emotion I could

liken to pride.

“I will,” I smiled.

We danced the remainder of the song, allowing ourselves to just enjoy the party, but during our silence,

I noticed he was staring at me weirdly.

“Is there something wrong, General?” I asked, looking up to meet his gaze.

He flashed a warm smile then, and for a moment, I sensed a feeling of longing in his eyes.

“No, Your Highness. Nothing. You just reminded me of someone.”

I wanted to pursue the subject. My gut told me I had to, but then I caught sight of a certain woman in

the upper balcony, watching me. She wasn’t wearing a mask, but she was dressed in a dark maroon

mermaid-style gown. Our eyes met. She slowly shook her head as if conveying a message.

“Your Highness?” General Halcynos grabbed my attention. I returned to look at him just as the cogs in

my brain started to move.

“Uhm, I’m sorry, but may I be excused, General? I need to speak to one of the servers,” I lied.

He didn’t seem to suspect this. “Of course, Your Highness,” he said, then loosened his hold on me and

bowed his head.

“Enjoy the rest of the party, General,” I curtsied again, then hastily walked to the nearest stairs that led

to the upper balcony.

After reaching the floor, I took the path directly to where I last saw Farryl, but upon arriving there, I

found that she was already gone.

I circled the balcony, checking the guests with me to see who wore the dark maroon gown, but it was to

no avail. I hissed and cursed in the air. Damn, I would have wanted to talk to her again.

But not giving up, I moved my search outside, opening a glass double door that was near her spot

earlier. The cold air of the night greeted me thereafter.

I was in a vacant terrace large enough to accommodate ten people and it was connected to another set

of stairs leading to a garden below. This part of the castle, I hadn’t discovered yet so it really captured

my attention, especially the view in the distance that boasted a different side of the nearby town.

“You are certainly tempting me by coming into this secluded place, my queen,” I turned with a start

when someone whispered near my ear.

In a heartbeat, I was pressed up against the rigid body of a man. A hand snaked around my waist,

pushing me closer than I was comfortable, while another hand tipped my chin, lifting my face up to

meet his stare. It was so intense, so powerful that for a moment I thought it was my husband.

For one, he was wearing the same-colored mask, but as I examined further, it wasn’t the shape of a

wolf’s. It was a tiger. Second, this man, although wearing the same-colored black tux, didn’t have an

imposing stance like my husband. Plus, he sported a long black cape, totally looking like the phantom

of the night.

However, what really caught my notice was this man’s icy cold hand. It was a dead giveaway.