Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 59

Mia stepped towards the First resort, the largest restaurant in the capital, at the heart of the city. The resort was a getaway site where most nobles could come to and have a good time. According to Elena, they had some of the best foods and reception and though Mia had grown up at the capital all her life; she didn't know this. Mia had looked forward to meeting Koz and Elena since his return from Klean, but she hadn't had the luck until a week ago. She gave him a late welcome and suggested showing both him and his wife around. But it turned out they knew the capital better. Despite being born and raised in the capital, he had to move to the west after he became the alpha of his pack. Once in a while, he visited and stayed a few days along with his lovely wife. They both made a perfect matching pair for alpha and Luna.

Since the places Mia knew the nook and cranny of were limited, she asked Elena to pick a place she thought would be perfect and she had.

Mia informed the alpha king of her plans to visit Luna Elena at the first resort in the central part of the city. He gave her no objection and told her to be safe and never forget she was the queen. The last line confused her, but she said nothing to it. But when she was about to leave, he took her firmly by the shoulders and kissed her lips.

Their relationship had grown into a romantic one after she kissed him at the temple last week. They had also shared a few kisses and mild touch since then, but this time it felt intimate, too intimate for her. She held her peace. She didn't complain about how good his hand felt on her waist or his lips against hers.

He had changed a lot, and that was what she admired about him. He felt different, the way he spoke and acted and even treated her. Taking her advice for a listener and keeping to their session told her he wanted to change as well. He still had moments when he lost it, moments he was possessive and controlling, but he always worked through it speedily. He was really working on bettering himself for his people. She wanted to say he was bettering himself for her as well, but that would get her hopes way too high. Nothing good has ever come from getting her hopes up.

When their agreement started, she knew his mildness with her was an act, but now she knew it was more. There was a rawness in almost everything about him, and she wanted to say it didn't affect her, but it did. His touch, his gaze, his words all worked to affect her, and she wanted to surrender, but a part of her wouldn't give in.

That part reminded her she had to live her life and keep on her lane. She had dreams and hopes of leaving this kingdom, and that was why she accepted their agreement. Getting entangled up would only ruin everything.

Toni and two guards came along with her to keep her safe, as instructed by the Alpha king.

"My queen!" Elena called out with a radiant smile as she stepped out of the resort.

"Please call me Mia," she insisted, wanting the title off her even if it was for a few hours. Her title was temporary, and she wanted to be herself and free with someone she'd like to consider a friend.

Elena smiled, "You're the queen. It's only right I accord you the due respect."

Mia took her hands, not wanting to waste the time she had argued about titles. "Whatever makes you more comfortable, then."

"Come, I asked for green tea. You're going to like it. I heard it aids easy shifting during the full moon."

The next three hours passed with them talking about a few things and catching up on the last few months since they last saw each other.

"How did you meet Alpha Koz?" Mia asked, interested to know.

"Over a dispute, my father lost his gold at the mine and suspected his master had taken it. He couldn't confront his master for fear that he might be wrong and so he took the matter to Alpha Koz, and I came along with him. When I laid my eyes on him as he stepped in to attend to us, I knew he was the one my soul longed for. He felt it too and could barely focus while he gave judgement for the case. Since then we haven't been able to keep off each other. He declared me his Luna two years ago and asked me to marry him." She grinned from cheek to cheek and took the cup of green tea to her mouth.

"That's an amazing love story." Mia smiled.

"I knew yours, and I think you're brave."

She sighs. "The customs of the kingdom are horrible to some of us. I had to do my part."

She gave her a proud look. "You've done more than play your part. You've ruled it so far. I would have driven a silver dagger into my heart and moved to the life beyond before agreeing to custom."

Elena was rebellious and had a mind of her own, which was what Mia loved about her. "I considered that for a while, but I kept faith it would get better and it has." she didn't think it was in her place to tell the entire story, so she settled for leaving out a few details. The rest of the time they spent talking about a few other things, like the seasons and how the alteration in the weather would affect the rising of the full moon. They also spoke at length about the market and giving back. And Mia prepared to share them with the maidens' council at their next meeting.

When she finally returned to the Palace, it was a little dark. She had spent a long time with the luna than she expected. She didn't complain. Elena was an amazing woman, and every moment spent wasn't a waste. However, she had told the alpha kings she'd only spent a few hours, but now she'd spent over six hours and it was already dark.

This wasn't stepping out of line, it was leaping a mile across the line and she might have just gotten herself into trouble.

Maybe he didn't notice, maybe he was occupied with so many royal duties. He hadn't noticed her absence for almost six hours. It was possible, and she prayed that was the case. She walked past the throne room. Her step was careful but quick and undetected. Once she succeeded, she gathered the hem of her gown in her hands and hurried up the stairs and then through the hallway. Soon she came to her door, pushed it open and stepped inside the room.

She shut the door and sighed in relief, knowing she had finally escaped. But when she turned around, she saw a shadow standing by her window and she knew it was the alpha king. She didn't escape like she thought she did. He was waiting for her all along. The voices in her head told her to run into bed and pretend to be asleep, but she shook it off. That was the worse idea she ever thought of. Yes, he had lost control a few times in the past, but she never triggered it. She had done that today and she prepared herself mentally for whatever reprimanding he was going to give.

"Where were you?" he asked from across the room where he stood with his eyes staring through her windows and his back turned to her.

Just when she thought she had escaped. "The first resort, my king, just like I told you I'd be."

"How long did you say you'd be gone for?"

"Three hours, but..." her words cut halfway when he turned around to stare at her.

The room was dark, but she saw his eyes and the heated glare they sent her way. She flustered and took a step back on instinct.

"It's late. You shouldn't have been out at this hour. A lot of bad things happen in the night."

Apart from wanting her to be safe, Mia noticed how he'd become paranoid in the last few days with doubling his security and hers. It made her suspicious, but she figured he only wanted to keep her safe at all times.

"But I'm back and, as you can see, unharmed. Your guards kept me safe throughout my outing."

"This isn't a time for sarcasm or a matter to take lightly. The later you stay out, the more chances there are you would get yourself in danger. Many people hate you in this kingdom."

"I don't think that's true." She argued, giving him an absurd look. She had not harmed or fallen out with anyone and in all her interactions, she did her best to keep the peace. So his statement about hatred had to be an exaggeration on his part.

"It is. You're married to the alpha king. Many people still hate the alpha king."

"Whose fault is that?!" she snap out, only realising what she just said when the words left her mouth.

He darted from the window over to her, but her legs remained glued to the floor.

"Why do you do this? Why do you choose to be so stubborn and rebellious?" He demanded with his teeth gritted.

With her heart racing, she replied. "I learn from you."

His eyes flashed, and she knew this was those times he wanted to reach for her neck. However, he kept his hands to himself and dragged a deep breath before stepping away from her.

He ran a hand through his silky black hair, tugging it a little and shaking his head. "While I'm here worried sick trying to keep you safe, you're out there endangering yourself. You're still as stubborn and rebellious as you've always been. I should have seen it." he turned to the door. "You will no longer leave this palace for anything outside your duties as a queen. No visiting or meet-ups with friends."

"You can't do that!" she protested, her hands balling into a fist. Usually, he'd retract his words, but he sounded serious this time.

He turned to her with a smirk coming on the corner of his face. "I already did. I hope you learn through this punishment." "Asshole!" she muttered under her breath.

The room grew quiet right after and they held onto each other's gaze. Mia watched the coy look on the alpha king's face switch, and in the next second, a murderous look descended on it. She shouldn't have cussed at him, she should have learnt when to speak and when not to speak, but something about him always brought out the worse in her. Especially when they fought. "I am your king and you will not disrespect me or cuss at me, Mia!" he marched towards her, and his breath descended on her like a vapour, causing a tightening on her skin when he got close. She stared at him to meet his blazing eyes, but the look that registered in them should have terrified her, but they didn't. They drew her in and she did the unthinkable. "Or what?" she dared him.

No one messes with fire and goes unburnt. Whoever made the saying was thinking about Mia when they said those words. Because at this hour, she was messing with fire and the fire was the man called Xavier Ainsworth, the alpha king.