THE KINGS CUNNING VALERIA Elena , shut your mouth already and go with the servant take Edward to his room so he can rest ! Michael , go fetch the doctor inmediately , and we will talkter , you and 11 the Alpha began barking out orders .


    I stayed silent behind Aldric , frowning , with nothing else ould do.


    I watched as they carried the pup away , his cheeks showing more color and the bleeding stopped , which eased my It seemed I was the only one who had witnessed that mans cruelty toward his brother , and I was in no position to interfere in their family matters .


    I truly hoped I had misinterpreted the situation .


    Your Majesty , what a shameful wee .


    I apologize to both you and your maid .


    My youngest son was born with hes quite a rare weakness in his legs , very unusual for our kind , and he cannot walk properly .


    Even so , miss , mischievous and always manages to get into trouble .


    He will recover soon , dont worry , The Alpha continued to apologize , bowing in front of the King If it werent for His Majesty , they would have likely called me a nosy gossip directly .


    Valeria .


    I snapped out of my thoughts , lifting my head to meet Aldrics gray eyes .


    Would you prefer we stay at an inn ? Would you feel morefortable elsewhere ? I was shocked by his question .


    That would be a direct insult to the Alpha , all for myfort .


    My gaze shifted to Alpha Garret , who stared at me with wide eyes , clearly unable to believe that a mere servant might ruin all his efforts to win Aldrics favor .


    His face shifted into one of pure pleading .


    Eyes on me , Valeria .


    Forget about the others .


    Tell me our luggage hasnt even been fully unloaded yet , Aldric pressed , unyielding Miss Valeria , youll be far morefortable in the mansion than in an inn .


    Weve prepared a spacious room for you , with a private bathtub and everything , the Alpha chimed in , tantly trying to bribe me .


    And I remembered very well what had happened in thest inn .


    The King had managed to arrange for us to share a room , even though Iter discovered that several rooms had been vacant since the afternoon of our arrival .


    Aldric waited patiently , arms crossed over his chest .


    If I didnt know him so well , might have even been touched by his apparent concern .


    I know exactly what youre plotting , Your Majesty .


    Its better if we stay .


    I wouldnt want the Lord to feel slighted because of me , I replied , meeting his sharp gray eyes as they stared into mine .


    Not this time , King Aldric .


    I wont let you y the same card again , I thought proudly , convinced of my cleverness .


    Fine .


    Go to the carriage and give instructions for our belongings .


    Quinn and Celine are unfamiliar with these details , he finally responded , and I nodded , walking away .


    THE KINGS CUNNING  Curiosity got the best of me , and I nced back , catching him speaking quietly with the Alpha , who nodded eagerly before summoning one of his servants .


    My blue eyes locked with Aldrics for a moment , and I could swear I saw a mocking glint in his eyes , his always serious lips curling into a subtle , seductive smile .


    The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end .


    What was this shameless seducer plotting now ? Is everything alright , Valeria ? Quinn asked me softly , concerned , as I reached the carriage where our things were being unloaded .


    I nodded without giving much exnation or speaking further .


    Thest thing I wanted was more trouble with his sister .


    I wasnt afraid of her , even though she was much stronger than me , but I was tired of being the source of tension when all I wanted was to go unnoticed .


    But as always , what I wanted and what came out of the Kings enormous arrogance were two very different things .


    The inside of the Alphas mansion was just as luxurious and elegant as the exterior .


    He quickly led us to the second floor .


    Here you are , a veryfortable and spacious suite .


    Bring in all the luggage ! the Alpha ordered the servants as he opened arge wooden door , inviting us inside .


    Aldric entered first with him .


    Wait , those are my things .


    You can leave them in the hallway , I instructed one of the servants .


    Apologies , miss , but we were ordered to bring everything here .


    Your room is right next to His Majestys , the servant responded , leaving me stunned .


    I nced along the wall again , but no , there was no other door in the hallway only the one leading into Aldrics chambers .


    Something felt very wrong .


    I stepped inside just in time to hear the Alpha finishing his tour .


    D Are the arrangements to your satisfaction , Your Majesty ? he asked Aldric , who , in truth , looked more than pleased .


    Yes , very satisfied , I must say , he nodded .


    Excuse me , Alpha .


    Where will I be sleeping ? The bad feeling in my chest only grew stronger .


    Of course , Miss Valeria .


    Right this way , he replied , struggling a bit to slide open a wooden partition door , revealing a much smaller adjoining room .