Alphas' Proud Mate novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43

The little girl is back again.

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This time, she’s curled beneath a massive wooden bedframe, her knees hugged tightly to her chest, just as her mother told her to. Her wide eyes brim with fear, darting toward every shadow. But how long has she been there?

The room is cloaked in darkness now no sliver of light from the doorway, no warmth from a lantern or candle. Just silence. The kind that makes your chest tighten.

Her small hands press against her belly as it growls with hunger. She shivers and whispers, “Mum?” But there’s no reply.

She waits a little longer. Her stomach growls louder this time, and she flinches at the sound. Hunger begins to outweigh fear.

Slowly, she crawls out from beneath the bed, dust clinging to her clothes. Her bare feet pat softly across the cold floor as she pushes open the door and tiptoes into a hallway that takes my breath away.

It’s grand–overwhelming, even. Marble stretches from floor to ceiling, polished to such a gleam it reflects her tiny form as she walks. Thick red banners bearing a crest hang from the high ceiling, swaying gently with a breeze she cannot feel. Gold lines the corners, catching the faintest hint of light. It looks like a place meant for royalty… but it feels abandoned. Lonely.

She wraps her arms around her rumbling stomach. “Mum…” she murmurs again, eyes flicking around lost. “Tom?” she adds, as if calling out to a friend.

No response.

Then–yelling.

Her head snaps toward the large, ornate doors at the far end of the hall. One of them is slightly ajar. Curiosity overtakes fear. She pads toward it, her tiny fingers pressing against the heavy wood as she peeks inside.

It’s a massive chamber thick with tension. Dozens of people–warriors, elders, nobles–stand in a semi–circle around three imposing thrones at the far end.

The center throne towers above the rest, almost menacing in size. Someone sits upon it, but his face is hidden in shadow, blurred–like her mind refuses to remember him.

A voice echoes through the hall, deep and commanding. It sends a chill down her spine.

“Your Highness, you must make the decision now. For the good of the pack.”

Then, another voice–strong, yet aching. It cracks something inside me.

“How can you all expect me to sacrifice… my only daughter?” A pause. “I am her father.”

The first voice cuts back in, cold and merciless. “Being an Alpha comes before your duty as a father. You must do whatever it takes.”

She grips the edge of the door, eyes wide, lips trembling. Then, barely above a whisper: “Dad…”

Everything blurs.

I jolt awake with a gasp.

My eyes flutter open slowly, blinking against the soft light streaming through the curtains. The ceiling greets me–familiar, comforting.

I’m home.

Well… this home. Jack’s home.

1/5

13:27 Söt, 21 Juh ata

Chapter 43

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I sit ip slowly, the comforter slipping down to my waist. A soft sigh escapes my lipt as I press my fingers to my temple. My head feels herry, burdened with a thousand unanswered questions. That dream… no, not just a dream. A memory. The third one now. The Sitle girl me

And her last word… Dad.

That was my father wasn’t it? The second dream was about my mother. The first, I’m almost certain, was me in the witch’s host.

Completing the mating bond with Jack will unlock the rest–I know it. Every missing piece will fall into place once it’s done.

“Fuck,” groan, tugging at the roots of my hair as frustration blooms inside me. I want the truth, I need it—but the idea of completing the bond with Jack just to unlock my past makes me feel like I’m using him somehow.

Except… I don’t regret a single moment with him. In fact, I’ve cherished every second. It’s like killing two birds with one stone–reclaiming my memories and stopping Celestia from being introduced before me.

I swing my legs off the bed, about to stand when something catches my eye.

A note.

It’s folded neatly on my nightstand. I frown, reaching for it and unfolding the paper.

“I wish I could keep watching you sleep, beautiful, but unfortunately t have pack business to deal with. Jasmine will be there soon to help you prepare for tonight’s celebration.”

My lips twitch.

“Aww, he called us beautiful,” my wolf coos dreamily.

“Calm down,” I mutter, rolling my eyes. “That’s the bare minimum. Have some dignity.”

My wolf snarls in protest. “Speaking of dignity–guess who walked in on us with jack? Lady Celestia. She saw us.”

That gives me pause. I don’t remember anything after losing consciousness in Jack’s arms. I must’ve blacked out from the pleasure.

“Good,” I say aloud. “Maybe now she’ll finally give up and return to whatever gold–plated rock she crawled out from.”

But my wolf’s tone turns wary. “Kali… the look in her eyes before she walked out. I don’t think she’s done. I’ve got a bad feeling.”

I open my mouth to respond, but a knock on the door makes me jump, heart leaping into my throat. I whirl around, startled.

“Coming!” I call out, already hurrying to the front door.

The second I pull it open, I’m greeted by the sight of Jasmine nearly toppling over under a ridiculous number of bags–over her shoulders, arms, and even clutched between her teeth.

“Oh my goddess–Jas!” I exclaim, grabbing some of the bags from her arms before she faceplants.

She lets out a dramatic huff, spitting out the handle she’d held with her teeth. “Finally! I thought I’d die right here on your doorstep and you’d just step over my corpse.”

I laugh, taking more of the bags and leading her inside. “What the hell is all this? You moving in?”

“They’re your clothes, dummy,” Jasmine grunts, tossing a bag onto the bed. “Jack asked me to get you a whole new wardrobe–and a killer dress for tonight’s introduction ceremony. Apparently, your current wardrobe consists of one shirt and a pair of attitude.”

She smirks and pulls out a dress from one of the bags. I pause, fingers brushing the soft fabric of a deep sapphire–blue gown–elegant and flowing.

“You… picked out all these?”

2/5

18.27 $81, JAIN

Chapter 47

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Yeah, we I was sure about your style, so I grabbed a bunch of options. Don’t complained had to argue with a snobby designer who wanted to charge triple because a una deserves premium 161. She mimics air quotes, rolling her eyes.

A bump rises in my throat. Seeing this someone putting in the effort, caring enough to do this for me it hits harder than I expected.

“Thanks” mormat, voice soft as we start sorting the dresses, sleepwear, and undergarments into the once–empty drawers. My cheeks burn a little at some of the more intimate pieces.

“The whole pack is going nuts,” Jasmine says after a beat, glancing at me with a mischievous grin. “Apparently, the Alpha King’s daughter stormed out of the territory with all her guards. Everyone’s whispering that it’s your fault. What the hell did you do to make her run before a formal introduction?”

shrug, trying to look innocent “It’s a secret.”

Her jaw drops. “Oh, my goddess.” She grabs a pillow and smacks me lightly. “You savage.”

I wink and duck her next swing

She drops the pillow, leaning her hip against the drawer. “So… does this mean you’re accepting my brother.”

1 blink, surprised. “How the hell did you know I rejected him in the first place?”

Jasmine smirks and points to my neck. “Uh, no mark?”

I open my mouth to argue–then freeze. “But… you don’t have a mark either.” I fire back.

Jasmine’s smile falters. Her cheeks flush a deep red, and she quickly looks away. I curse under my breath, mediately wishing I hadn’t said anything.

I didn’t mean-

My fingers twitch at the memory.

I open the bag, my hands trembling as I pull out a velvet pouch and loosen the strings. Inside lies the delicate blue necklace. It catches the light, the sapphire at its center shimmering like the ocean.