Rejected and Pregnant by the Alpha King (Forbidden Alpha Kings #4)

71. Raine

71

Raine

I awake in Nyx’s bed, alone. The feeling of elation I’d long forgotten hits me like a brick.

I still couldn’t believe Nyx claimed me. It was sudden, not unlike the first time I’d been claimed...by Aiden.

But I couldn’t find it in me to be angry with him when it felt so right.

I’d had every intention of talking to him after my discussion with Aiden.

I’d thought long and hard about the best way to proceed.

Delilah had said Aiden was purposefully avoiding starting a war, but the truth was that he still could. He wouldn’t be the first king in history to do so, especially over an heir.

Which was why I needed to see him. I needed to know if Aiden truly felt something for me beyond remorse or if his feelings were tied up in the life we’d created.

But perhaps I also needed to know if there was anything left in the ashes of our dead flame.

And the moment I kissed him, I knew. With Nyx’s mark warm on my neck and Aiden’s mouth cold against mine, I knew the fire between us had been extinguished.

And it wasn’t because of Nyx’s claim, though I am sure it helped.

The moment I saw Aiden when he claimed he wanted to fight for me, I knew what I felt was different. And as much as Aiden protested that we could find the magic between us again, I knew there was no salvaging something broken.

Because Aiden could not fix this—he could not repair a bond he rejected—he needed to let me go, and I needed to let go, too.

But Delilah was right. Nothing would erase the truth from my womb, and the last thing I wanted was to be at the center of a war or for my child to be the cause of one.

Which is why I wanted to speak with Nyx about a treaty. If Aiden and Nyx agreed to align themselves, our child could unite our kingdoms instead of dividing them.

As much as I wanted to forget the Northern King, I could not bring myself to hide the truth from my child. My father defected from our pack, and I suffered the consequences of his actions.

How could I condemn my child because of my choices and the hand that fate had dealt me?

How could I be so harsh to a man who was half of my child? How could I turn that piece of love into misery? I would be no better than Daniel.

If Aiden could let me go and accept that our bond was over, I would be more than willing to let him into our child’s future.

But in doing so, he would have to agree to let Nyx claim our child as his successor. He would also need to declare our child as a product of an unsanctioned union to his own throne, meaning he could still find a proper mate and Luna and produce a rightful heir.

A treaty between such warring kingdoms would be quite the feat. It would likely convince Aiden’s advisors that he can assume his title as alpha king.

A king whose first call is to broker a deal for peace between our kingdoms.

It would be quite the legacy.

I’d intended to go to Nyx first, knowing he may be harder to persuade. I get the feeling Nyx does not concede to anyone, and the Southern King isn’t exactly known for his diplomacy.

But he was no longer a king or some ominous presence to me.

When I’d seen him anxiously pruning his plants, all thoughts of treaties and kingdoms dissipated.

Because all I saw was my mate.

And just like that first time, it was pure chaos. Beautiful, obliterating chaos as his lips bruised mine, his touch spread fire along my skin, and his words spurred me into oblivion.

He called me his.

He called me mate.

And for a fraction of a moment, he looked as if he was frightened I would reject him.

As if I could ever reject the alpha who rescued me and brought me back to life.

Even now, as I touch my neck, his mark, I can feel the warmth within me, like a fire in the dead of winter. He isn’t nearby, and my wolf is antsy, but there is still a contentedness that did not exist before.

Because this is what an accepted bond feels like.

This is what a mate bond is supposed to be.

I swing my legs out of the bed, taking in the sight of myself in the mirror across from the bed.

After our tryst in the greenhouse, Nyx was called away by Wren. I supposed it must have had something to do with Aiden, but when I questioned him once he’d returned to his quarters, he did not seem keen on talking.

And quite frankly, I couldn’t say I disagreed, because the moment his lips found mine and he pressed me against the wall, I lost all sight of everything too.

My body still aches from our endless night of sex—something that I know now is pertinent to the bond solidifying itself.

Having been down this road before, I should be wary, but Nyx’s claim, his acceptance...it fills me with hope.

I do not fear Nyx will break my heart or my soul. He has proven he is more than capable of guarding such things.

A knock at my door pulls me from my thoughts, and I quickly find my dress.

My heart beats faster, and the heat returns, and I know, without having to open the door, who is behind it.

I will always know the moment my mate enters my proximity now. There will never be any question.

I open it, grinning ear to ear, as I take in the sight of his dark eyes and hair. I am captivated all over again by his beauty. I’d always felt the alpha title didn’t fit Aiden, but it certainly fits Nyx.

He couldn’t possibly be anything else.

“Good morning,” he murmurs as he leans against the door frame. I’m half disappointed he has not thrown me up against the door yet, but my body protests such things.

He smirks devilishly as if he can read my thoughts.

“Good morning,” I say as I slip out of the room, shutting the door.

“I am sorry I was pulled away,” he says softly, tracing his finger underneath my chin.

“Aiden?” I ask, my voice cautious.

“He has asked to speak with us. All of us.” He says evenly, his demeanor becoming more serious.

“Are you worried?” I ask, noting the tension in his shoulders.

“No,” he says, reaching out to run his fingers through my hair. “Not where you are concerned, and you should not be worried either. I won’t let him hurt you ever again.”

His assurances make my insides melt, and that only makes this discussion more difficult.

“About…that,” I say, watching his gaze shift. “I’ve been thinking—and might have a way out of this. One where everyone wins.”

I don’t miss the way Nyx’s jaw tenses.

“Aiden Summers does not deserve to win anything, as far as I am concerned.”

I sigh, leaning into his space. My fingers trail over his jaw as I implore him with my gaze.

“And what would you rather do, Nyx? Fight? Send armies and resources, place strain on your attentions and me?”

His hand settles at my hip, his gaze dark and inviting. It is almost as if he is searching for something in the depths of my soul that even I am unable to understand.

“What do you think a war would do to me ?” I ask.

Before Nyx can speak, I press a finger to his lips. “I know you and Aiden know how to fight. But perhaps, instead of fighting, we can unite our kingdoms...”

Nyx stands up straighter. “Unite?”

I nod. “There is no denying this child’s blood. Just as there is no denying that you and I will raise this child with the love he or she deserves.” I stand tall, my heart beating faster now as the words come of their own accord.

“You were thrown into your kingship so long ago, but you, of all people, must know what it is like to be under such scrutiny. Such pressure to become a good king. A feared one.”

Nyx lets out a deep growl as he grinds his jaw. “I have not forgotten, I assure you.”

I move closer into his space. “Then you can understand that Aiden has far more to lose than just me,” I say.

Nyx grunts out a sound as he advances on me, his dark gaze full of so many unspoken things.

“Aiden is of no importance to me.” He growls.

I purse my lips.

“No, but your people are. I am. Of importance to you.”

Nyx grabs my throat, running his thumb over his mark. His gaze flashes to me.

“You are more than important to me,” he says, his voice dropping an octave. His touch is reverent but not gentle in the least bit.

It is possessive and warm. I can’t fight the pull between us, so I don’t even try.

“I want to propose a treaty. Aiden has already rejected our bond. Therefore, this child is the product of an unsanctioned union.”

Nyx growls, his gaze dark. I place my hand on his chest. I can feel his steady heartbeat beneath my palm.

“Which means that even if he wanted them to, his child could never claim his throne.”

Nyx sighs. “Then what does he have to gain from a treaty ? Why align himself with this kingdom? What is in it for him?”

I smile softly as I place my hand over my belly.

“Acceptance,” I say calmly. “If Aiden agrees to the treaty, to letting go of me, and embraces an alliance, I will not keep him away from his child.”

I reach out and grab Nyx’s hand with my free one. “Our child can be a force for good, Nyx. For all of us. He or she...” I blush, my emotions getting the best of me. Nyx runs his fingers along my cheek smoothly, sighing deeply.

“I came to you broken and without hope, and you accepted me as I was. It was your kindness, your heart, your rule that shaped me and showed me what beauty could come from such dark shadows. Now, Aiden stands before us, broken and without hope. I know how this ends if we fight, which is why I need you to say yes.” My words shake in my throat, tears forming in my eyes.

Nyx crosses his arms, looking away from me.

“You want me to propose a treaty with Aiden Summers that he will what? Hold off on his armies if I let him have access to my child? To you?”

“Yes,” I say, wiping my tears. “I know it is a lot to ask, Nyx, I do, but—”

“And what about me?” He says, angling himself closer to me. I take a step back as he proceeds to come closer until I am back against the wall.

“What do I get from this...alliance, hmm?”

I gaze up at him, my heart in my throat. I can’t help but reach out to him. My fingers slide over his throat, across his clavicle.

Heat mixes with desire and love in my core, radiating out like a sun.

“You get me,” I say, my voice barely a whisper. “You get us.”

I find his free hand with my own, sliding my fingers between his. He lifts our hands, pressing his lips to the back of my hand.

“And you get an ally ,” I whisper. “The Northern Kingdom is the second largest kingdom to yours, Nyx. It would be one hell of an alliance.”

Nyx drops my hand. “ If Summers agrees.”

Pride swells in my chest. Well, that wasn’t a no.

“He will agree,” I say vehemently. I know it is probably foolish of me to trust Aiden blindly, but if my instincts are right, he will agree.

Because Aiden is, if anything, pragmatic. His kingdom comes first, and he has proven his obedience to his throne time and time again. He needs to preserve his legacy, and this treaty will allow him to do so and put this scandal behind him. But it would also give him the chance to know his child.

Nyx lets out a deep sigh.

“I hope you are right, Raine,” he says, pulling me closer. He runs his nose up my neck, breathing me in like oxygen, and my stomach flutters.

And for the first time in forever, I have faith that things will work out for the better.