Alpha King’s Wolfless Mate by Scarlett Higgins

Chapter 25 Nora POV “You need me to go to a party with you?” I asked incredulously. Blake had dropped that particular bomb on me before I’d even had my morning coffee. I hadn’t even changed out of my pajamas yet. “It isn’t a party. It is a royal ball. Since we are still technically married, we are expected to be seen together,” he explained. “Are we any closer to getting divorced?” I raised an eyebrow at Blake. “Every day it is a little closer. A few good public appearances like this ball will establish us as a well-known couple. Then we can start a few rumors about discord and no one will question the divorce,” he elaborated. “What will I be expected to do?” I was looking out my bedroom window, Blake standing at the door. Finally, I turned to face him completely. I noticed his eyes roam over my pajamas, a gleam brightening them as he smirked slightly. “You just need to look and act the part of my wife. Nothing more than that,” he assured with a nod. “I’ll send a seamstress up later today to work on your dress.” “Dress?” I crossed my arms. “I told you, you have to look the part,” Blake chuckled and shook his head. He waved a casual goodbye and left me to get dressed. While I changed into something more appropriate, I thought it was strange that ever since we agreed to get a divorce, we were actually on pleasant terms. We saw each other almost every day now and carried on conversations. We hadn’t had one argument or fight since. A strange peace had settled between us. I wondered if that was because we were getting close to the end of this. We could finally say goodbye and go our separate ways. At the thought, my stomach rumbled. I wasn’t sure if it was because I was hungry or because I didn’t know how to feel about this divorce. The seamstresses arrived with a dress. They made me stand on a platform while wearing the dress as they checked the hem and the fit. It was a light lavender color with a fitted corset bodice that, when tightened, made my breasts pop out. The skirt was floor- length and layered tulle with sparkles and rhinestones throughout the folds and layers. Around the low n*eckline and the back, there was an intricately beaded border with glass beads of lavender and silver. “King Blake loves the color purple,” one of the seamstresses said, giggling as she pulled in the side and started inserting pins. “Did he pick the dress?” I asked, glancing at my reflection in the full-length mirror they’d brought with them. I ran my hands down the tight bodice. The bone ribbing kept my torso and spine perfectly straight. “Not exactly. He did say he wanted something that would make you very pleasing to the eye,” the other seamstress replied. She was pinning up the hem at my feet. I sighed. “Well, it isn’t a color I’d pick for myself.” “Why not? You look absolutely stunning,” the girl at the dress hem complimented. “Yeah, King Blake isn’t going to be able to keep his eyes off of you. Or his hands,” the one working on the bodice said. Both girls started giggling again. I smiled and bit my lower l*p Would it change anything if he saw me and thought I looked beautiful? Blake came to pick me up in my room the night of the ball. The seamstresses had returned with the fined dress and helped me into it. Someone had even come by to do my hair and makeup It was the first time I’d been treated like royalty. “You look..” Blake’s eyes traveled over the dress but he couldn’t finish his sentence. My cheeks heated and I looped my arm through his “Thanks” “I whispered. The castle ballroom was already filled with people. Most of the women were in elaborate, colorful dresses. The men were tuxedos with bowties. Music was playing and the dancefloor was filled with twirling dancers Long tables had been pushed against the walls, laden with food and drinks. A few s ervants walked around with trays of champagne. “Let’s get some champagne.” Blake said. “Wait, the last time we were at an event like this, you got too drunk,” I said, pulling him back. “Isn’t that part of the fun?” He asked, winking at me. I sighed and followed him to the nearest s e r v a nt. He grabbed us each a glass of champagne. I took one and Blake immediately clinked his glass to mine and then took a long sip. I hesitated and then sipped my own. Was I going to have to take care of him if he got drunk again? Blake had a lot of people to greet. I was expected to just stand beside him and smile at everyone. I drank another glass of champagne to keep my smile in place. Honestly, I was bored out of my mind! “Want to dance?” Blake asked. “Wh-what?” I asked. I’d almost forgotten he was there. “Do you want to dance with me?” he asked more clearly, holding his hand out. I glanced at his hand and chewed my lower l*p. “Umm- o-okay.” I took his hand and Blake led me onto the dancefioon The last few times we’d danced, it hadn’t gone so well. Charles had continued to teach me about royal etiquette, which included dancing. I hadn’t put my new skills to the test yet, especially not in a heavy, thick-skirted dress Blake sl*pped his arm around my waist and held my hand up. “Ready?” “I guess,” I sighed. “What’s the matter?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “Well, I’m not the most graceful when it comes to dancing.”

“Just follow me.” Blake smiled He pulled me even closer and I gasped as our bodies collided. When the song changed, Blake started the dance. I recognized the steps and followed along. He gave me a smile of approval. “You’re getting better, I see. You haven’t stepped on my foot once,” he teased. “Charles is very patient with me.” I explained. “Well, you still have a lot to learn, but you’re not as clumsy. I’d even go as far to say that you’re becoming graceful,” he purred. Blake maneuvered us around the dancefloor. My dress was a lighter color than a lot of the other women, and the beads and rhinestones caught the light from the massive chandelier. I felt like a disco ball, but a very graceful disco ball. “I’ve learned a lot about you since we first met,” Blake said, squeezing my hand in his. “You’re not like any of the women here at court. You’re gentle and sincere, never holding anything back. I find that very refreshing.” His praise sent a flutter through my chest and I gave him a sultry look. “You’re not that bad yourself.” Blake grinned. “Really? You think so?” “I’ve seen a lot of sides to you, but whenever it really counts, when it really matters, you always come through. You’re not a bad guy,” I explained. “Hmm.” Blake spun me away from him and pulled me back, holding me even closer than before. My head whirred dizzily, the champagne finally taking its toll. I slumped against Blake, feeling warm and fuzzy. I laughed as we kept dancing. “You’re in a good mood,” he observed. “I drank quite a bit.” “Me too. Being buzzed is the only way I can get through all the meet and greets,” he murmured in my I sighed and rested my head on Blake’s shoulder. He probably only said those nice things to me because he was tipsy. “Sometimes, I think that if I met you first instead of Jeremy, I could have fallen in love with you.” At first, I wasn’t sure I said the words aloud. It was just a thought that popped into my head. Blake growled in my ear and pulled me off the dancefloor. He dragged me out of the ballroom and shoved me up against the wall. I gasped as he pinned me in place, his firm b*dy keeping me from being able to squirm away. His eyes were bright and possessive and they raked over me with hungry desire. “Wh-what are you d-doing?” I panted, my breaths short and harsh. Heat rose on my skin and blood pounded in my head. “Have you ever thought about staying here with me?” he asked, tilting his head to the side. “Staying?” “Yes. Staying here as my wife. Not because of the curse or because of your wolf. Not because of our contract. Simply because you want to remain married to me?” he clarified. My heart hammered in my chest. The fuzziness in my head had me questioning whether I’d heard him right. “You want to stay married?” I asked, creasing my brow. Blake smirked and shrugged. “I asked if you wanted to stay married.” “That’s not an answer,” I pointed out. “I asked first,” he challenged with a playful grin. I sighed, the fog clearing from my head slightly. Nothing like a serious question to help sober me up. Blake had been so hot and cold with me from the moment we’d met. At the end of the day, he’d always been there to help me He protected me from the rogues, from Kelly, and from his people wanting to exile me. He’d stood up for me against Jeremy Breathlessly, I looked into Blake’s bright, lusty eyes. My b*dy trembled with anticipation. “Don’t look at me like that,” I whispered, casting my eyes down. “Like what?” “Like you’re going to… k*ss me or something”  Blake cupped my cheek. He brushed his fingers down my n*eck, his eyes narrowing on my l*ps. His eyes were half-lidded, lazy, and drunk. He moistened his own l*ps with a flick of his tongue. His face was close to mine, his fingers teasing the n*eckline of my dress and sending tingles through my breasts. “Would that be so bad?” My stomach twisted and a shiver ran down my spine. We’d k*ssed before, and every time it had made me feel so elated and free. “You’re drunk. You won’t remember again,” I gasped out. “Again?” Blake raised an eyebrow. I raked my teeth over my lower l*p and slowly brought my eyes to Blake’s. I swallowed hard when I saw that dark, possessive look in his eyes. My legs quivered and my l*ps stung with the memory of his k*sses. Was it the champagne that told me I wanted to feel his l*ps again or was it my own desire? Blake growled. “Come with me,” he insisted. He looped his arm around me and guided me toward his bedroom.