Alpha King’s Wolfless Mate by Scarlett Higgins

Chapter 43

Ed’s facing him goed k and I got me how। old etch in good two liked my he

I thought

Casping, I wrapped my :

Bande longen” he said. He leaned

He sl*pped his arms behind my back and for

ਇਸ ਦੀ

jast k*ssed and held each other. When I tried to pull Blake’s shirt

ਇਸ

ਦੀ ਸ

I sighed but didn’t try to pull him back. Blake’s work was important and I couldn’t interfere.

Besides, as much as I knew we were both enjoying each other’s company, it kept feeling like it was temporary. I’d decided I wasn’t going to bold Blake hack, so the closer it got to the Moon Dance, the more I had to figure out how I was getting out of

Ideally, it would be before the dance so I wouldn’t have to see Blake find his mate. I also wanted it to be close enough so that he’ll still go to the dance and find his mate.

“I’ll meet you there after breakfast,” I said, waving as Blake left.

Ever since we’ll decided to be a real couple, Blake had invited me to attend his work days with him. He wanted me to learn as much about the pack and being a queen as possible.

I appreciated the gesture, but I couldn’t help but feel like his real mate wouldn’t have to work so hard to learn how to be a

queen.

Blake blew me a k*ss at the bedroom door and left.

I took my time getting dressed and eating breakfast. Grabbing my coffee to go. I headed to the courtyard where Blake was overseeing the arrival of some pack dignitaries. Some of the packs would send dignitaries ahead of the party to ensure the castle’s security was suitable.

Just as the cars pulled up and let the dignitaries out, I made it to Blake’s side.

“Right on time,” he said, winking at me.

He put his arm around my shoulders and gave me a quick side hug.

“So, what is the play here? You show them the security measures for the night of the party and put their minds at ease?” I

asked.

The dignitaries were in the courtyard greeting each other. Blake and I stood on the steps, waiting for them to make their way to us.

“More or less,” he said.

“Why don’t they trust you and your security plans?” I asked, resting my head on his shoulder. It was a common gesture between us now.

“My temper,” Blake said, chuckling.

“Oh, but the word on the street is that it has greatly improved,” I reminded him, sticking my tongue out. “You should just tell them that you’re the Lycan King and they don’t have anything to worry about.”

“You think they’d go for that?” Blake asked.

I shrugged. I’d come to like our morning “work” together because I got to tell him what I thought and he usually thought it was cute or funny. I’d definitely miss this when we didn’t have it anymore.

We met with the dignitaries and Blake walked them around the castle, talking about his security measures for the night of the dance.

They seemed satisfied with it. While Blake let them look at the window locks he’d installed in the ballroom where the dance was taking place, we stood back where they couldn’t hear us.

“Are these guys for real?” I asked.

“Shh, Nora, this is politics,” Blake said, but he smirked at me.

“Blake, they are checking your window locks! That is a little obsessive,” I said, motioning to the windows.

“They are thorough, that isn’t the same as obsessive,” he argued in a hushed voice.

“Is there a reason they think the windows are a weak point?” I asked. I arched an eyebrow and waited for him to answer.

He gave me a pointed look.

“There might be,” he said, averting his gaze.

Chapter 43

“What? You have to tell me that story” I insisted, whispering.

“Not right now. Another time,” Blake murmured, holding a hand up to stop me from asking more questions.

When they were satisfied, we walked the dignitaries back to their cars.

As Blake shook their hands, one of them looked him straight in the eye.

“I must say, Sire, I’m impressed with how different your attitude is this time around,” he said, nodding and smiling, impressed.

“Thank you,” Blake responded.

“Yes, I say, you have been the perfect host today,” another one said.

As soon as the dignitaries were in their cars, Blake and I exchanged a look and we both burst out laughing.

“I told you, other people notice when you aren’t as temperamental,” I teased,

“Mhmm,” Blake said. He put his hand on my n*eck and rubbed his thumb over my bottom l*p.

“And I believe I can take the credit for that,” I said, grinning.

Blake chuckled and nodded, pressing my l*p with his thumb.

“Don’t you have some lessons to get to?” he asked, arching an eyebrow at me.

I stopped smiling and nodded.

Charles was still keeping me busy with my daily lessons in arts, instruments, dancing, and everything else royal.

Being reminded of my lessons just pointed out again how much I wasn’t right for Blake. His true mate wouldn’t need to be taught all those things. She probably wouldn’t be clumsy or anything.

Blake accompanied me to the room where Charles taught my lessons. When he didn’t have a lot of work to do, he’d come with me and watch my progress.

I sat at the harp and started plucking away at the strings on a song Charles had been teaching me to play. My fingers felt sl*ppery as I plucked the strings. Having Blake watch me always put me on edge.

Charles sat right across from me. He tapped his hands on his knees like a metronome to keep time for me.

When my fingers sl*pped and I missed a note, I groaned and shook my hands.

“That sounded great, Nora, keep going,” Blake said.

“You’re sweet. You’re a liar, but you’re sweet,” I shot back.

Blake chuckled and leaned back in his chair. He motioned for me to keep playing.

I looked at Charles and nodded. He started tapping his hand as a metronome beat again.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and focused. I could do this!

The second time I played, I got almost all the way through, and then missed another note. I dropped my arms to my and knocked my head against the wooden frame of the harm.

“Come on, Nora, you’re getting so much better. I can tell,” Blake encouraged.

I sighed and rolled my eyes behind my closed eyelids. Why was he my biggest cheerleader all of a sudden?

sides

Chapter 43

There was no reason for me to learn any of this stuff anymore. But I couldn’t make Blake suspicious.

“Why don’t you play it one more time and then we’ll take a break for dinner,” Blake suggested.

“You drive a hard bargain, but you’re on,” I said, nodding. I took up a position at the harp again.