Court of Alphas
A WhyChoose Shifter Romance
River Ramsey
Copyright © 2018 by River Ramsey
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Contents
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Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
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Chapter One
“Princess? It’s happened again.”
I look up from the large leather-bound book on the podium before me as Laura, my newly assigned lady-in-waiting, enters the library. I’ve been trying to memorize my part in the coronation ceremony, but my Latin is as rusty as my French—and that’s to say both are nonexistent.
“Not again,” I mutter, lifting up my skirts. I don’t know how the royal ladies stand these long dresses, especially when they’re just walking around day to day. This castle is built like a labyrinth, and I can scarcely keep track of where I’m going without having to worry about falling flat on my face all the time.
Laura waits for me at the door, a flustered look on her already pale face. She’s only a little younger than me, maybe eighteen or nineteen, but she seems a good deal less. She’s one of the humans Albien set free from the vampire blood trade, and she chose to stick around. She’s been understandably nervous ever since James moved in, and I don’t think the fact that the other half of him is shifter is any comfort. She doesn’t know him well enough yet to realize he’d never hurt an innocent, but I’m afraid my other two knights are the cause of her current distress.
Ever since Christopher and Rowan entered the Royal Guard, they’ve been struggling to adjust to the more highbrow ways of the Eternus royal pack. Between my duties and planning revenge against the man I once called father, I haven’t had as much time to supervise them as I probably should, but really, how much trouble could two alphas get into?
When I arrive in the training room and see Rowan and Christopher grappling on the ground in front of a circle of stunned cadets, I realize I should know better than to ask that. Rowan is on top of Christopher, about to bring his huge fist down on the other alpha’s head. Christopher turns away at the last moment and Rowan’s fist punches a hole in the marble.
Using the element of surprise, Christopher kicks Rowan hard enough to throw him off of him. Before he can go at him again, I scream, “Stop it!”
The room falls silent and all the cadets quickly bow to me. I’m not used to getting the royal treatment and I don’t think I ever will be. My existence has yet to officially be announced to the kingdom, but everyone within the castle walls is sworn to secrecy.
Rowan and Christopher reluctantly separate, bowing to me even though I can tell they’re both still seething. “Princess,” Christopher mutters under his breath.
“What is wrong with you?” I demand, stalking toward them. I’m stressed enough about the coronation, not to mention wondering what Ryland’s next move is going to be once I’ve officially come out to the kingdom. Exposing his treachery would mean drawing a line in the sand, and right now, we can’t guarantee that it would be a battle Albien would win. This all has to be done strategically, and the cost of failure is chaos across the kingdom. Meanwhile, these two are playing games.
“He started it,” Rowan says.
I stare at them both in disbelief. Christopher won’t meet my eyes, but he doesn’t bother to defend himself.
The training officer clears his throat and ushers the young cadets out of the room. “Come on.”
Once they’re gone, I keep staring at Rowan and Christopher, expecting an answer. “Well? I’m waiting for you to tell me what was so important you had to humiliate yourselves when you’re supposed to be learning.”
“I ain’t learning shit from a bunch of snotty-nosed cadets,” Rowan protests. “It’s ridiculous enough that we have to train with them.”
I frown. I know they both think they’re beyond training of any kind, and they’re probably right. Rowan at least has seen plenty of battles, but things are done differently in Eternus. “You’re part of the Royal Knights now. It’s an honor to be chosen. An honor you both accepted willingly,” I remind them. Rowan at least has enough shame to hang his head, but Christopher is still sulking. “What were you even fighting about?”
“He’s just being an oversensitive ass,” Rowan mutters.
“That’s enough,” I scold. “Go cool off, and apologize to the trainer while you’re at it.”
“Who died and made you boss?” Rowan grunts.
I arch an eyebrow and stare him down. It takes only a few seconds before his shoulders fall and he stalks off. “Fine. Sheesh, everyone’s in a mood today.”
I roll my eyes, turning back to Christopher. “Okay, I expect this from Rowan, but what the hell is going on with you?”
“It’s nothing,” he says, turning away from me. “And if you’re waiting for an apology, you might want to fire me.”
“Christopher!” I call, running after him. When I grab his arm, he stops, but he doesn’t turn around. My anger turns to concern and I realize this might be my only chance to resolve it. “I know something’s wrong. You’ve been acting strangely ever since we got here. Please, just talk to me.”
For a moment, I think he’s actually going to. Instead, he pulls away. “Like I said. It’s nothing.”
With that, he storms out of the room and leaves me all alone to wonder what in the world just happened. The only reason I made it this far and learned the truth about my parents is because Christopher and the others stood by me. We’re finally able to stop and catch our breaths, and plan for the future, but I feel like we’re drifting further and further apart.
Chapter Two
When I return to the library in the wing of the castle that’s all mine—and my knights’, of course—I’m pleasantly surprised to find Albien waiting for me. I never imagined I had a twin out there, but as soon as we met, it was like finding a mirror version of myself. Another omega, another soul who knows what it’s like to feel completely alone.
Albien smiles softly as he turns away from the coronation rites to greet me. “I remember learning these,” he says, brushing his fingers wistfully over the pages. “Quite the mouthful, isn’t it?”
“If I get through the coronation without accidentally cursing anyone out in Latin, I’ll consider it a victory,” I say dryly. It’s taken me a while to get used to not having to bow in his presence, and sometimes I still call him King Albien by accident. He just laughs it off and I can tell he’s amused by my ineptitude when it comes to matters of royal decorum.
His eyes glimmer, proving me right. “You’ll ge
t the hang of it, and you do have a week to prepare.”
“You make that sound like such a long time.”
In my old life, it felt like an eternity. One day blended in with the next when I was just a pawn in the Marok Alpha Lord’s hands. Now that I’ve escaped Ryland and his disgusting General, life is far more complicated, but it finally feels like it’s mine. No matter how stressful things become, that knowledge keeps me moving forward.
“You will do fine,” Albien assures me. “Where is James?”
“He was going to feed the last time I saw him,” I answer guardedly. A condition of James staying in the castle with me is that he has to feed regularly on human blood. I can tell Albien feels awful about the stipulation, but he does provide a sanctuary for countless humans he’s helped rescue, and I can understand where he’s coming from, even though my natural inclination is to defend James. His dual heritage is enough of a sensitive issue, and ever since we were inducted into the royal household, it seems to be constantly in his face.
He says he understands, of course. I know he’s been drinking donor blood, but he keeps all information surrounding it to himself. I think he’s embarrassed to let me see that side of him, even though I stopped caring long ago.
I love him. It doesn’t matter to me who his father was, or what he is. I know who James is inside, and one day, I’ll be proud to call myself his mate. At least… I hope we’ll get that chance.
“I see,” Albien says, growing awkward. “There is something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about, and it does involve him.”
“Oh?” I can’t help but be wary. Last time, it was about the blood, and I can tell from my twin’s nervous energy that this isn’t a conversation he’s been looking forward to. His dark hair falls into his eyes, but I don’t need to see them clearly to know what he’s feeling. Despite being separated from each other our entire lives, we share a connection that’s never been broken.
“Once you are coronated, things will begin moving quickly,” he explains. “The announcement of your return home will change things throughout the kingdom. It must.”
“Right,” I say slowly. “What does that have to do with James?”
Albien watches me with a troubled gaze. “There are lessons you must learn in a very short time, dear sister, that I have had a lifetime to come to terms with. The most important lesson among them is that royal blood is another form of bondage. Bondage to the expectation of others, to the oversight of the Pentarch, to place our subjects’ well-being above our own wishes and desires…”
I frown as he continues. If he’s trying this hard to beat around the bush, I know I’m really not going to like where he lands. I’ve yet to actually meet the five high nobles who comprise the Pentarch, which acts as a check to the power of the royal throne, but I can already tell I don’t like them and something tells me the feeling will be mutual. They know of my existence, but I won’t be presented to them until the Coronation, and according to Albien, any one of them could challenge my rule if the mood strikes.
Supposedly, it’s never actually happened, but there is a first time for everything.
“What are you saying, Albien?”
“Within a year’s time, you will be expected to choose a mate,” he says, letting out the words in a rush of breath, like he’s afraid he’ll lose the guts if he doesn’t.
“Well, that’s not a problem. I’ve already chosen him.”
Albien wrings his hands at my response. “You see, that’s what I needed to speak with you about. The Pentarch will expect you to announce several candidates in good faith for their approval.”
“Approval?” I ask in confusion. “What do you mean? I thought I was allowed to choose.”
“You are,” he says quickly. “But there are rules. Certain guidelines that must be followed. The Pentarch must give their approval for any male who wishes to court you, and the courtship must last for a period of one year, no less.”
I blink. “That’s a bit old-fashioned, don’t you think?”
Albien gives me a knowing smile. “Tradition usually is. Be that as it may, I’m afraid your coronation cannot proceed otherwise.”
“Okay,” I say, letting out a deep breath. “So I’ll just pretend like I’m considering Rowan and Christopher, too. No big deal.”
He hesitates. “Yes, well, as unusual as it is for a member of the royal family to be courted by former commoners, their recent Knighthood would make them acceptable candidates.”
“But…?”
“But,” he winces. “I’m afraid they would never approve of James.”
So that’s it. My blood boils, but I’m not angry with Albien. He’s just the messenger, and while I once thought the King was all-powerful, I now know that he’s as bound to the will of these Patriarchs, including the infamous Duke, as I ever was to the Alpha Lord.
“I see.”
“I’m sorry, Vic — Danica,” he corrects. It’s taken him a while to call me by the only name I know. Despite the fact that Ryland gave it to me, it’s still the last link I have left to my mother, and as mixed as my feelings about her are, I don’t think I could adjust to going by Victoria at this point in my life. “I wish it didn’t have to be this way. I truly do. You know how fond I am of James.”
“But you don’t think he’s good enough,” I grit out.
“No! It’s not like that. Please,” he begs, taking my hand. “Try to understand, I’m only trying to protect you both. The kingdom would never accept a hybrid as a member of the royal family, even if the Pentarch approved it.”
“Then I don’t want to be a princess,” I say, pulling my hand away. “I love James. My heart is made up.”
“I know,” Albien says sadly. “And it is your right to refuse the throne, if you wish. But before you do, please consider that you won’t be the only one suffering the consequences.”
His words hit their mark. I know there’s more riding on all this than just my own happiness. I’m living proof of Ryland and Harquest’s betrayal, and if their plan to fracture the kingdom succeeds, countless lives will be lost. The packs on the fringe of our territories will receive the worst of it, while the elites in their towering palaces will remain untouched while giving the orders to attack. I’ve already had to accept that I might never be able to see Aspen again, for his own protection. I can’t do anything that would put him in danger.
“I’m not saying you have to give him up,” he continues, seemingly aware of my inner turmoil. “Marriage among royals is largely for show and politics. You would simply need to choose a mate the Pentarch finds suitable and James could be your consort.”
“My consort?” I echo. I know he’s not going to like the sound of that.
Albien smiles patiently. “I know it’s hard to get used to, but our parents’ story of true love and marriage is quite rare. Most Kings and Queens live apart, with a favored consort.”
Albien rarely speaks of our parents, and I resist the temptation to badger him with questions because I can tell the mere mention of them brings him great pain. I only know that they were killed in the same plane crash that supposedly took my life and left Albien orphaned and alone.
“So I wouldn’t actually have to be married to the other guy?”
He hesitates. “Well, you would be expected to produce an heir eventually, but considering that you are simply in line for the throne, the pressure wouldn’t be imminent.”
That’s not the answer I wanted, but I know I’m not getting a better one. It’s not like I have a whole lot of options. “I need to talk to James.”
“Of course,” he says softly. “For what it’s worth, I am sorry it has to be this way.”
“I know,” I murmur. Sometimes this castle feels like yet another cage, even if it is the only thing keeping me out of Ryland’s hands. I’m tired of being on the defensive, waiting for him to make a move, but for the moment, my hands are tied.
Since he’s pretty much crushed my dream of ever walking down that golden car
pet with James, I decide to try for another ask. “I don’t suppose you’ve had any luck asking around about Mace?”
His expression falls regretfully. “No, I’m afraid I haven’t. None of the elders know anyone by that name who fits your description, and to be honest, if the man is half as clever as you say he is, I doubt he’ll be showing up any time soon.”
“No,” I murmur. “You’re probably right, but I figured I’d ask.”
The mystery of my parentage may have been cleared up, but Mace’s role in all of it remains as elusive as ever. While I no longer hold a grudge against him for “framing” a man who was clearly guilty of betraying the pack, and so much worse, he still lied to me for years. Why wouldn’t he just come clean and tell me the truth about Ryland? Unless he has more to hide.
Somehow, I can’t bring myself to accept the fact that I’ll never know. Finding Mace should be last on my priority list, but I can’t help but feel like there are more secrets than my past wants me to uncover, and if there are, Mace is the key.
Chapter Three
James stays gone the entire day, and by the time I pour myself into bed, I’m exhausted from rereading the coronation rites over and over and over again. I’m probably too upset and distracted to have absorbed anything, so the whole day ended up being a waste, but at least it was something to think about other than the conversation I have to have with James soon.
Court of Alphas: A WhyChoose Shifter Romance Page 1
