Bloodbound to the Beastly King

Breakfast for the king had somehow turned into breakfast for everyone. Seeing as they themselves hadn't eaten, Alpha Radek and his Luna decided to join the king for breakfast.

Adina kept her head down, doing what she'd done countless times before. She served Thorne's plate carefully, making sure the portions were perfect and neat. She could feel eyes on her even as she worked, but she ignored it, moving to taste his food just like she'd always done.

She lifted the spoon to her lips, tasting it to prove it safe. It burned a little, the spice lingering on her tongue as she stepped back. She knew what he had said before but didn't think it was quite right to sit with the Alpha of Blood Crest and the Luna.

And so, Adina took a step back, ready to stand behind him. But before she could step back, Thorne's hand shot out, fingers curling around her wrist.

He looked at her, his face emotionless as usual. "Sit," he commanded.

Adina's breath hitched, her gaze darting through the faces at the table. She didn't get to hesitate longer as Thorne yanked her down to the chair next to him.

From the corner of her eye, she caught Radek's smirk. His eyes lingered too long on her, sliding over her so slowly it made her skin crawl. His gaze dropped to her lips, then lower, before crawling back up to her face.

"Adina gets to sit with us. Beautiful, isn't it?" He grinned.

Adina looked down, feeling even more awkward than before.

"I must say, his majesty is a gracious man, dining so informally with the servant. That's a great man," Radek continued.

Thorne didn't look at him nor did he respond, and the table fell into a more awkward silence.

Adina slowly picked at her food, feeling out of place. She would have preferred to eat in the kitchen with the other servants. She glanced up only to find Levi staring at her. He was sitting opposite her, next to the Luna. His lips curled into a small smile, and Adina found herself smiling back.

Her body already at ease. Somehow, having a more familiar face and presence there made it easier to bear.

Suddenly, a weight settled on her again. She could feel Radek watching, and when she looked, she caught him watching the way her fingers gripped her fork. He smirked slightly, like he'd seen something he liked.

She looked away, her stomach twisting.

She looked back at Lord Levi, who was still smiling warmly at her, and she smiled again. Then her eyes flicked from his to Thorne, and she stiffened when she found him staring at her too.

His jaw clenched hard like he had seen her smiling at Lord Levi. Adina swallowed hard and quickly looked away.

This was honestly hell. Was she not allowed to smile?

"Luna Veronica, I must say, this is the best food I've had in a while," Levi said, and the Luna blushed deeply.

"Oh my, Lord Levi. You flatter me," she replied cheerfully. "I'll pass your compliment to the chef."

Thorne hummed. "Levi is right. This is good. Pass my compliments to the chef, Luna Veronica," Thorne replied, and the Luna gasped out loud.

"Oh my, your majesty too. I'm deeply thankful our food has satisfied you," she said, bowing over the table.

Radek smiled proudly at this, chest puffed out. "We grow the best grains in the realm," he said, his voice smooth with pride.

The earlier awkwardness at the table was now gone like it never happened. Well, that is until Thorne's hand moved again.

Without a word, he took a piece of meat from his own plate and transferred it to hers. His expression didn't change, his gaze fixed on his food like what he'd done meant nothing at all.

Adina froze, she stared at the piece of meat like it had appeared from thin air, her heart hammering in her chest.

The table went silent yet again. Even the Luna's cheerful voice faded, and Levi's smile slipped slightly.

Radek's brows furrowed. The proud smile that he wore was now gone as his eyes flickered between Thorne and Adina. He cleared his throat.

For the third time since arriving in Blood Crest, Adina wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole.

"Tell me, Alpha Radek. What has been the rebel situation in your pack? I haven't read about any attacks or disturbance in your monthly reports," Thorne said, shifting the focus.

Adina sighed in relief, quietly munching on the meat he'd given her.

Radek cleared his throat, sitting straighter. "My king. By the gods' protection, there haven't been any rebel attacks in Blood Crest for a long while. They've not touched my lands and wouldn't dare to. My warriors are well-versed and trained to fight if such situations occur." He paused, "But I hear whispers… that they're settling up north in the town. It's causing unrest, some of the farmers are afraid to go farm."

Thorne's brows furrowed. He hadn't heard of that but he took a mental note. Caelum had to find out what that was about.

Radek cleared his throat again, for the third time. "Your majesty. I will be holding a pre-celebration for the alphas for the festival. Tradition, of course. And it would be a great honor for the king to join us."

Adina stiffened slightly. A pre-celebration for all alphas tonight. She had heard of it from the servants. It wasn't a celebration per se. No, it was an opportunity for all alphas attending the festival to fulfill all of their desires with any woman of their choice.

A whorefest was what the servants called it.

Adina's stomach twisted. She tried to focus on chewing, on swallowing, but the food felt like ash in her mouth now. Would he attend it? A thing where women were served up like the wine, naked, eager, theirs to take as they pleased.

Her gaze shifted to the Luna who of course knew what went down at such parties. She saw the woman stiffened slightly, but the smile on her face didn't slip, not even for a second.

Was she really okay with this? Knowing that in some hours, her mate would have another woman in his arms?

Thorne said nothing for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he nodded once. "If duty requires it," he said flatly.

Radek's grin returned, wide and full of satisfaction. "Splendid. The women will put on an even more elaborate performance tonight. After all, the king of the southern realm will be joining."

She clenched her jaw and stared down at her plate.

She hated this and hated herself more for hating this.

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Later… Adina had just finished cleaning up when she stepped out of the house. The entire breakfast had been awkward for her, and when they were finally done, she was more than thankful to be done, quickly excusing herself.

She walked towards the room she shared with the king, knowing he wasn't in and she could have some space to breathe air that didn't smell like him.

But just as she reached for the door handle, a shadow fell across her path.

She stepped back, the second she realized who it was. Her body tensing up. It was Alpha Radek, and something about him had been pricking her.

"Alpha," she said, head bowed.

"Ah, Adina, I don't mean to scare you," the man said, grinning at her.

"Not at all," she replied, daring to look at him. She'd thought he was out with the king, showing him the place about the rebels, but instead, he was here?

Radek's gaze slowly trailed her body, his smirk widening with each passing second. "You really are something, aren't you?" he said, voice low, like they shared some secret. His eyes darkened as they lingered too long on her figure, making her skin prickle uncomfortably.

Adina took a small step back. "Is there something you need, Alpha?" she asked.

Radek chuckled as he stepped closer to Adina, "You must be pretty special, you know. Vying for the attention of two great men." He paused, head tilted slightly as though he were trying to unravel her. "I wonder what it is about you."

Adina paled, eyes widening. "A-Alpha?"

Radek's smile returned like it never made Adina's stomach churn uncomfortably. "Not to worry, though. I'm sure I'll have more than enough time to figure it out. Don't you think?" He winked then walked away.

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