Chapter 20 - Charlize
I’m sitting on a wooden chair by the window in my room, my eyes fixed on the pages of the book in my hand. The sun’s warm glow caresses my skin, and a gentle breeze blows across my face.
I miss my Kings. They’ve been busy all morning, settling disputes between their people. Well, our people. I probably should’ve gone with them when they invited me to sit by their side.
But I didn’t—I chose to decline the invitation, and I’m bored out of my mind. I can’t even focus on the book I’m supposedly reading because my mind keeps drifting back to the intimate moments we’ve all shared.
Having all three Alphas doing my will feels like something out of a fairytale. They protect me vehemently and are so possessive of me that they kill anyone who gets too close to me.
I find myself smiling at the memory of our night at Wayne’s resthouse. These men were intentional about seducing me, and every part of me loved the details they put into making it work.
My heart swells with untamed desire as images of that night begin to slowly fill my head again—just like every other day since it happened.
I recall the way they worshipped my body, kissing, touching, and caressing me like they can’t get enough. My teeth graze my lower lip and my back arches as I remember how I had my rear entrance penetrated.
Fuck.
All my holes were filled that night, and the feeling was like none I’ve ever felt before. My ass and pussy were eaten so well—fingered till my whole body trembled.
Even now, tremors sprint down my core and my right hand is already gently fondling my breasts without the permission of my brain. I let myself drown in the memory of that night and the way they handled my going into heat.
I said things that night that I’m now embarrassed about—but don’t actually regret.
“I’m your naughty little slut.”
“Fill my holes, my lords.”
My lips curl into a small grin, and I can feel my cheeks turning pink, flushed by the thought of them.
Over the past weeks, my connection to them has doubled—tripled even. I don’t wait for them to always find me. I seek them out myself nowadays.
I’m still reveling in the feeling of our memories together when the door opens so suddenly. My hand flies off my chest immediately, and I clear my throat, adjusting on my chair.
It’s Sinth. Wayne and Chris follow behind him.
“My lords.” I rise to my feet, glad but also surprised to see them. “I wasn’t expecting you till afternoon.”
“Let’s just say there’s been a change of plans,” Wayne says.
“Okay…?” I step forward, smiling, wondering if they’ve cooked up some other kind of ‘surprise’ for me again.
“Who’s gonna tell her?” Sinth asks Wayne, his voice a low whisper.
“What? This was your idea, remember?” he replies with the same tone.
“But you’re the smooth talker.”
I clear my throat conspicuously, wearing a suspicious smile. “Hello? I’m still here.”
“Your family is here to see you,” Chris blurts out—straight to the point.
“Really?” Wayne’s neck snaps in his direction. “Really? No preamble? Okay.”
“Whoa—hold on.” I shift my gaze between their faces. “What do you mean my family’s here?”
“There are three people in the hall claiming to be Charles, Elena, and Ricky Abernathy,” Sinth says.
My brows arch in disbelief. “And you let them in?” My voice cracks under the weight of my sudden discomfort.
“For the record, it was their idea. Not mine.” Wayne exonerates himself.
Chris steps forward, his gaze unwavering. “There’s no need to be afraid of them, Charlize.” He places both hands on my shoulders. “They can’t hurt you anymore. No one ever will.”
I heave a sigh.
“You’re not the same spineless girl that ran away from home,” Wayne says and adds after Sinth nudges his shoulder. “No offense.”
I huff softly. “None taken.”
He wasn’t wrong. I was spineless. But not anymore.
“If you don’t feel comfortable with their presence, we can send them away,” Sinth says.
“No,” I reply, my jaw tightening at the thought of all I’ve had to endure from those selfish bastards. “I think this conversation is long overdue. Let them in. I need to get some things off my chest.”
They nod.
“We’ll be outside if you need us,” Chris whispers before they all leave my room.
The next set of people that walk inside are indeed my family members.
“Charlize!” Elena squeals, like she’s genuinely happy to see me. “Oh, thank the Moon goddess! You’re fine.” She rushes over and embraces me tightly.
I don’t move. I don’t even smile.
“Look at you, looking all cleaned like you’re actually a woman of high class.” She sniffs my skin. “You even smell good.” She lets go of me, wearing that fake smile of hers.
“What kind of a daughter forgets her family after fate smiles at her?” Charles steps forward, his eyes roaming around the room.
“Your father is right, Charlize,” Elena says. “We raised you better. We taught you never to forget who you are.”
“I think the fancy clothes, the royal treatment and the…beautiful nest,” Ricky says, roaming around the space, picking up artifacts and weighing them, “have made her forget who she really is…the same fat pig.”
Elena chuckles quietly, then proceeds to pretend she cares about me. “Ricky, be nice. You can’t say that to the Kings’ fated mate.”
“But it’s the truth. I mean, look at her. She hasn’t lost any weight,” he insists. “I’m sure she eats at least seven times daily.”
I don’t respond. I just listen in silence, giving them the impression that I’m still the same spineless girl they used to know.
“Pay no attention to him, sweetie,” Elena says, beaming at me.
Sweetie?
There really isn’t any length these people won’t go to get what they want.
“Tell me. What’s it like to be the Alpha Kings’ fated mate?”
“I hear there’s a huge prize for the mate’s family,” Charles says, standing by my window. “And considering we’re the only family we have, I’m sure you put in a good word for us.”
Silence.
Charles glares at me. “What’s the matter? Did you lose your ability to speak or what?”
I still don’t respond.
“Did I mention my wife’s expecting?” Ricky’s voice cuts through the silence, too loud, too pleased with himself. “Nearly due, actually. A strong heir, the healer says. Finally, someone worthy to carry the family name forward.”
I turn my head in his direction, slowly. “Congratulations.”
The idiot actually says, “Thank you.”
I don’t take my eyes off him.
“You’d know something about worth now too, I suppose.” He smiles, thin. “Funny how it works out. The shiftless one lands three Kings, and here I am with an actual heir on the way. Guess fate has a sense of humor.”
I’m still staring right into his eyes, refusing to look away. And I watch him quickly become uncomfortable, unable to hold my gaze.
The silence in the room is awkward until I break it. “Tell me, Ricky.” I start walking toward him, my movement surprisingly gracious. “Who would you rather your unborn child take after? You or your wife?”
His brows knit together, and right before he can speak, I shush him, casually raising a hand, fingers adorned with golden rings. “Ah-ah-ah…I’m not finished yet.”
The shock in his gaze is so satisfying to watch.
“I hope the child takes after your wife because it’ll be unfortunate to have another Ricky Abernathy walking this earth.” My voice is soft, but the words are venomous.
His expression darkens. “How dare you?”
“Speak out of turn again, and I’ll have your head on a stake.”
He swallows his next words, a glint of fear flashing in his eyes.
Silence. Dead silence.
I can feel Elena’s and Charles’s gazes on me even without turning to look at them.
“You shouldn’t threaten your family just because you’re in a better place than them,” says Elena.
“Really?” I finally face her. “Because if memory serves me right, that’s all you’ve ever done.
Threaten me. All of you.” I head toward her, my heels clicking softly on the floor.
“You, Elena, have personally threatened to throw me out into the streets where you’ve always believed I belonged.
You have threatened to end my pathetic life and put me out of my misery more times than I can count. ”
She swallows hard.
I can feel it in my blood, in my bones and in every cell in my body—all the rage I’ve stored somewhere deep inside me.
She chuckles nervously, shifting on her weight. “That’s—that’s all in the past, Charlize.”
“Easy for you to say.” My voice is low and even, my gaze unwavering. “You’re not the one who spent her whole life ridiculed by her own family.”
“But I’m… I’m still your mother.”
“Step…mother,” I correct her. “You made sure I never forgot that.”
There’s so much tension in the room that I can literally feel their nervousness. For the first time in my life, I’m the one controlling the conversation, and they’re the ones cowering.
I lean in and whisper something in her ear, a secret she never thought I knew. Just a simple question.
“Does Charles Abernathy know who Ricky’s real father is?”
Her breath hitches, and her eyes widen in horror. She’s terrified, confused about how I know this.
I savor the fear in her gaze and smile at her before facing my father. “You’ve always treated me like trash…” I approach him quietly. “…never accepted me as your daughter. So, tell me…Charles. Why should you enjoy the benefits of being the father of the Alpha Kings’ fated mate?”
He’s silent, eyes on the floor.
“Look at me when I’m talking to you.” My voice is calm but laced with authority.
He manages to raise his head.
“I asked you a question,” I say. “And it wasn’t rhetorical.”
Charles doesn’t give a reply. He can’t.
“You’re all horrible people,” I say, struggling to maintain the same calmness from before. But it’s harder now because I’m starting to get all emotional.
They lower their heads, unable to look me in the eyes.
My voice breaks slightly. “You’re selfish and evil, and you do not deserve to be anyone’s family. You’re heartless—all of you.” Tears sting my eyes, and my lips are quivering. “Now, please, leave before I do something I’ll regret.”
“Charlize, we can still…” Elena dares to approach me.
“I said leave!” My voice is so loud that it echoes off the walls.
Elena flinches at the sound.
“Leave, now! I don’t ever want to see you again, you hear me!” The words tumble out of my mouth in a frantic rush as all those pent-up emotions flood me all at once.
I drop to my knees, weeping as the doors swing open and the Kings barge in. They must’ve been alarmed by my yelling.
I hear Chris commanding the guards to throw them out and never let them back in the Palace again. Sinth bends over and carries me in his arms, then sets me down in my nest.
The three of them surround me, their soothing voices comforting me.
“Let all those emotions out, cutie,” Wayne says. “Crying doesn’t make you weak. It’s an expression designed to help you feel better.”
Sinth strokes my hair backward, his touch easing my stress. Chris has his fingers locked between mine. And although he doesn’t speak much, his presence is enough for me. Their presence is enough for me.
***
I’m sick within the next few days.
Mornings especially, my stomach turns without warning, exhaustion pulling at me in a way it never has before.
Sinth hovers, worried, fetching tea and cool clothes and anything else that might help. Wayne makes bad jokes to keep my spirits up. Chris has the healer summoned twice, unwilling to wait and see if it passes on its own.
It’s the healer who says it plainly, on the second visit, studying me with an expression somewhere between shock and quiet wonder.
“You’re not ill, my lady.” He sets his staff aside carefully. “You’re with child.”
My brows arch slowly, my heart sunken.