Alpha King’s Wolfless Mate by Scarlett Higgins

Chapter 52

his heart with his free hand like he had tohold it in his chest.

With a gentle sigh, he pulled me into hisarms, cradling me against his shoulder.

“Nora, Nora. My sweet, silly Nora. You don’tneed to give up your wolf for me,” he purred,stroking my hair and rocking me against hisb*dy.

My lower l*p quivered and I sniffled, trying tohold back my tears. They threatened to fall atany moment. It broke my heart how

understanding he was and how much hewanted me to get my wolf back.

“Blake, I don’t know if I can.. wh-what if mysecond chance mate… what if it isn’t you?” Ichoked out.”That possibility is… it is toopainful to even consider!”

“Shh, my darling, shh,” Blake soothed in awhisper.

I was on the verge of losing it completely.

She also had a big, purple bruise around hern*eck.

“I have witnesses that will attest to it. My ownsoldiers, warriors from Moonery, and Jeremy,Alpha Al’s son. Not to mention, some of yourown men witnessed Helen’s attack and have月already agreed to give their statements,Blake explained.

“Helen, why would you go make such

trouble? If the king demands it, your life isforfeit,” her father told her.

Helen started crying and weeping. She

babbled some incoherent words. I thought itwas fake, but her father looked at her withsoft eyes.

“What are your terms, then?” he asked Blake.

“I’ll return her to you on the condition that shenever leaves Reed pack territory again. If sheis spotted outside this territory, she will beexecuted. She will never become Luna ofyour pack and she will never rise in power orstatus,” Blake explained.

That’s.. that’s…” the Alpha sputtered.

“Consider this. If she was not the daughter ofan Alpha, and if my queen, despite all thehorrible crimes Helen committed against her,hadn’t made a case to save her, she’d alreadybe dead,” Blake added.

“I understand, King Blake,” Helen’s fathersaid, bowing his head.

Blake pulled Helen forward and pushed hertoward her father.

It was the perfect punishment, after all. Helenhad felt like a prisoner in Moonery and nowshe was a prisoner in her own territory. She’dnever have the power or status she craved.She’d fade into history and be a nob*dyforever.

Blake and I headed back to the castle. Theentire ride, I felt so heavy and tired. I kept myeyes out the window, thinking of thecomplicated situation I was in.

After losing Clara, I could think of nothing but getting her back. I thought it would solveall my problems, reveal Helen’s treachery,and return my mate bond to Jeremy.

The girl I was back then had been gone for along time.

Helen’s crimes had been revealed on theirown and she wouldn’t be a threat anymore.

Jeremy and I had made peace and I knew we’d be friends for the rest of our lives, just likewe always thought when we were kids.

Getting Clara back now could cause moreharm than good.

My stomach fl*pped and I looped my armsaround myself. Clara was a part of me, andmy heart screamed in my chest at the thoughtof never finding her or waking her up.

I cupped my hands over my heart, fightingback the tears so Blake wouldn’t see them.

“Nora, is everything alright?” he asked,sliding closer to me in the back seat.

Sighing, I nodded and glanced at him quickly.”I’m really tired.”

“We’ve still got a long drive, close your eyesfor a bit,” he suggested. He sl*pped his armaround my shoulders and pulled my headagainst him.

Breathing deeply, I relaxed and snuggled upto him. A moment like this, when I wassurrounded by Blake’s love and tenderness,was exactly why I didn’t think I shouldawaken Clara.

I could lose it all.

If Blake didn’t need his mate bond, thenmaybe I didn’t need my wolf.

Closing my eyes, I nuzzled closer to Blake. Itwas an impossible choice. How could I

choose between the man I loved and my ownwolf?

Clara and I had been through a lot together.We loved going out in the woods, runningunder the moon, and just experiencing all our thoughts and feelings together. She neverjudged me or held anything against me.

Voluntarily giving her up would be likebreaking ties with my best friend.

But on the other hand, Blake had been withme through all the hard times in my life.Iknew Clara would have been if she hadn’tbeen stolen, but I’d been without her for solong. Blake was the only one I felt I couldreally rely on.

I fell asleep in the car, only waking up when IT i111felt funny and realized that Blake was

carrying me into the castle. I curled up in hisarms, snuggling against him and his warmth.

He carried me to bed and I fell asleep again,still wrapped in his arms.

The last conscious thought I had was that aspainful as it was to let go of Clara, I couldn’tlose Blake.

The next night was the night of the MoonDance. It had been rescheduled after I ran away because it was the last thing on Blake’smind. I’d stayed behind closed doors most ofthe day, still wrestling with my decision.

I was confident that I’d give up Clara to remain with Blake, as heartbreaking as it was.I just didn’t know how to tell him yet.

Music filtered through the open balcony doorfrom the gardens below. The dance wasstarting.

As the queen, I was expected to make anappearance. Two maids had come by earlierto do my hair and makeup and get me in mydress.

I just sat on the edge of the bed, too confusedto put a smile on and greet the kingdom.

The door popped open and Blake stuck hishead in.

“Oh, there you were. I was looking for you.”

He came to the bed and sat down next to me.Reaching out, he took my hands in his.

Is something wrong, my love?” he asked,looking at me with soft eyes.

“Iwas just thinking,” I said softly.

“You know, if you want to skip the dance toget your wolf back, we can do that. I didn’twant to go to the dance anyway,” he offered,squeezing my hands.

Sighing, I looked down at my lap.”I’m notgoing to get her back.”

“What? Why not? What is wrong?” Blakeasked, a flood of words tumbling from hismouth.

“Nothing is wrong,”assured.”I just.. I thinkit would be best if I didn’t go to the statue andget Clara back.”

工

“Nora, it’s your wolf. If you don’t wake herup, she’ll fade away. She’ll die,” Blake saidurgently. He moved his hands to my wrists,gripping them tightly.

“I know…” my heart ached and I couldn’t meet his eyes.”Please, don’t ask me anymore.I’llbe okay without Clara. We’ve already beenapart for so long…”

“You can’t do this to yourself, to your wolf. Itwill hurt you once she fades away.

“I don’t…”

“What are you even talking about? Why isthis even a question…” Blake sighed.

I lifted my eyes to his face. He had his headbowed, and his hands loose on my wrists.Isaw something in his eyes, recognition,maybe.

“You’re afraid, aren’t you, of the matebond?”he asked, reading me like a book.

When he looked at me, I looked awayquickly. Blake put his hand on my cheek.

“Nora, look at me.”

Tears welled in my eyes as I slowly turned toface him. His eyes softened and he covered his heart with his free hand like he had tohold it in his chest.

With a gentle sigh, he pulled me into hisarms, cradling me against his shoulder.

“Nora, Nora. My sweet, silly Nora. You don’tneed to give up your wolf for me,” he purred,stroking my hair and rocking me against hisb*dy.

My lower l*p quivered and I sniffled, trying tohold back my tears. They threatened to fall atany moment. It broke my heart how

understanding he was and how much hewanted me to get my wolf back.

“Blake, I don’t know if I can.. wh-what if mysecond chance mate… what if it isn’t you?” Ichoked out.”That possibility is… it is toopainful to even consider!”

“Shh, my darling, shh,” Blake soothed in awhisper.

I was on the verge of losing it completely.

“I won’t risk it. And I don’t need my wolf…Ihave you. So.. you’ll protect me, right?”I

asked through trembling breaths.”I’ll be okaywithout…”

Blake’s l*ps pressed to mine, interrupting me.He k*ssed me so sweetly and passionately. Iknew it was his way of telling me that he

loved and appreciated me for being willing togive up Clara for him and our love.

There was sadness in that k*ss, too. He didn’twant me to live as half of myself, he’d toldme that before.

“I understand the fear of losing me,” he

murmured against my l*ps.”It is the same fearI felt when you were gone in the hotel thatmorning.

“Then you know why I can’t…”

Blake covered my l*ps with his finger,keeping me quiet again.

“Nora, you need your wolf. It will make you whole, make our love stronger, and it willmake you a stronger queen,” he said.

“You can’t know that,” I said, shaking myhead.

“I believe it. Trust in us, trust in our love, andthis will work out, I promise,” he insisted.

He cupped my face in his hands and pressedhis forehead to mine.

“When I was cursed, the witch told me awolfless female would be my destiny. The curse was broken when I married you because you didn’t have your wolf. But you will stillbe my destiny once you have her back,” heexplained in a soft, soothing tone.

“You think so?” I asked, my heart feelinglighter by his words.

“I do. With all my heart. As long as you do too, we will be together,” he assured.

I nodded and k*ssed him. Blake wrapped his arms around me and gently lowered me to the bed.

“Promise me you will trust in our love andyou will awaken your wolf,” he urged, k*ssingmy n*eck.

My mind could hardly focus as all I couldthink of was getting his clothes off.

“I-I promise,”I panted.

I surrendered to Blake. In my heart, I knewthat he was right. I just had to trust in ourlove and everything would be okay.