Page 149 of Rejected and Pregnant By the Alpha King

I lost hope. But in the ashes of a broken bond, I found it again. But it wasn’t because ofhim.

It was because of some dumb fish and an alpha who challenged me, met me where I stood, took me as I was, and never doubted me for a moment, even though he had every right to.

“It’s complicated, Delilah,” I tell her, hating how despondent I sound.

Her eyebrows wrinkle, and she purses her lips.

I swallow hard as footsteps echo in the hall. I flash my gaze up over her shoulder to meet familiar dark eyes.

The sight of Nyx, his fiery gaze and solid stance, makes my insides flutter. My mouth parts just slightly as I realize my blood is no longer boiling, my nerves no longer frayed. A soft sound escapes my lips as I settle my hand over my belly, as I see the truth for what it is.

“Raine,” he growls my name, his tone ripe with possession.

I barely open my mouth before he is beside me, making the world around me disappear into shadows.

Fate brought me to Aiden and showed me the trappings of a bond beyond my control. But destiny led me to Nyx, and now it is asking me to choose.

“Nyx,” I breathe his name, sealing my truth.

“Yes?” his voice drops an octave, a dark whisper that I garner would strike fear into his enemies if he put more growl behind it.

“I need to speak with Delilah,” I say. “Alone.”

The sound of the door creaking open threatens to pull my attention, but I can’t look at Aiden right now.

I can only lose myself in the alpha king in front of me.

The man I’ve fallen in love with.

Nyx growls, flashing an angry scowl at Aiden behind me. I settle my hand on his arm, squeezing lightly.

“Please,” I whisper. “Just...don’t hurt him.”

Nyx grinds his jaw. I turn to look at Aiden, noticing Delilah has moved to his side.

I don’t miss the way their arms touch.

Jealousy sparks through me, even though I know it is downright hypocritical.

“Fine.” He hisses, his palm on my arm like a brand of heat. “You may speak with Delilah alone,” he says regally. “But the Northern King is to remain detained until further notice.”

I barely have time to react before Rose and Wren are beside Aiden. He flinches, though I’m not sure from who, biting out, “Don’t touch me!”

“Aiden, please, just do as they say,” I say in exasperation.

His gaze meets mine, and I hate the way it makes me feel—like somehow I have wrongedhim.

I turn away as Delilah stands, frozen in place.

“Rose, please show Raine and her friend to the courtyard. Make sure they are comfortable,” Nyx says to her. She only nods in agreement.

Before I can get a word out, Nyx takes one step forward, swiftly hooking his knuckle underneath my chin, forcing me to look up at him.

I barely have a moment to process the movement before his lips are on mine, silencing every thought that dares to interrupt such a perfect, deliberate kiss.

I’m no fool; I know what Nyx is doing. Staking his claim without a word, showing the alpha who wishes to challenge him what ishis.

I should be pissed. I should be downright upset that I have somehow ended up in the middle of the Northern Alpha King-to-be and the vicious Southern King, but a part of me feels emboldened by that fact.

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