The Alpha King's Series novel Chapter 23

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CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

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BRINLEY.

"Xander," His name left my lips, and panic rose in my chest.

"Brin..." Before Katie could finish what she was going to say. I chased after Xander, His fist tightly in a ball as he stomped down the hall. I grabbed his arm, jerked him back, and stood in front of him.3

"It isn't what you think," I said, shaking my head. "You're pregnant," I nod, "Yes, I am. But not with Knox's baby,"

Xander's forehead creased with confusion.

"So you didn't sleep with my brother?" He asks. I shake my head, "I haven't slept with anyone other than you."

His lips parted, but no words fell from his lips. I sighed, shaking my head. I pushed my way past Xander and headed back towards the waiting room where Knox was waiting to finish my visit with Katie.

"508,"

I turned to face Xander; as he strolled over towards me, he grabbed my forearm and led me to an empty hallway just away. Xander pushes me against the wall.

"508, there are things you don't know about me. I don't have time to explain it all, but no one can know this baby is mine." He says, shaking his head. I frowned.

"Why?"

He sighed deeply, "The Mortaga kingdom and the Caputo kingdom have an agreement." My lips parted, and I licked them. Xander's silver orbs zeroed in on the gesture.

"What kind of agreement?"

"My father and Mark's father agreed for the kingdoms to combine on the marriage of a Caputo daughter and a Mortaga, son,"

I pursed my lips, "So, you're saying if people knew this baby was yours and it's a girl, it would have to marry a Mortaga?" Xander nods. I shake my head. "No."

"Then you must make people believe that Knox is the father,"

"But, I told Katie,"

"She won't tell anyone. I'll make sure of it," He says.

"You won't hurt her," I said breathlessly.

He raises his brow, "Of course not. I'll explain things to both Katie and Kyle," I nodded my head. "What if I have a boy?"

"What about it?" I arched a brow, "Would you claim him?"

Xander's forehead creased, "Of course, I would. But, boy or girl, it's my child, and I will love them. Caliana."

My mouth dropped.

Did he call me another woman's name?

Shit.

"What did you say?"

"I said I would love them," I shook my head. "You called me Caliana?"

He rose a brow, "So? That's your name,"

"No," I say, shaking my head, "My name is Brinley."

His frown deepened, "Your name is Brinley?" I nod.

"Fuck," He curses, pushes himself off the wall, and walks towards the waiting room. I follow suit.

"Xander?"

Nothing.

"Xander," I shouted, grabbing his arm, but he jerked it away and stormed past the waiting room. Without uttering a word.

Julia stood abruptly and made her way toward me.

"What did you do to my mate?" She seethed. I bit my tongue, and my jaw clenched.

Her mate?

Xander is not her mate.

He's mine.

But I can't say that.

Xander doesn't want anyone to know that I'm his mate or this baby belongs to him.

He's protecting us from the Mortagas. And for that, I am thankful I didn't like the way Mark Mortaga acted towards me at Xander's party or the way he tried to buy me for sex.

I shiver at the thought.

"Julia, I don't have time for this," I tell her, trying to move past her so that I could follow after Xander, but she blocks my way.

"Move," I tell her.

She shakes her head, "No," My palms fist at my sides.

"Julia, this has nothing to do with you. I said Move,"

Julia crosses her arms over her chest and raises her brow.

I rolled my eyes.

"You're pregnant," She states.

"Thanks for that, captain obvious,"

"Knox sure works fast." She says.

Knox stands to his feet and starts to stroll toward us. But I hold my hand up for him to stop, and he does.

Thankfully.

I cannot risk people finding out that this baby is Xander's and putting my baby in jeopardy.

"He does," I tell her.

"Then why don't you go back to where you came from and leave my mate alone."

I glare at her and push her from my path. I didn't say anything as I walked in the same direction as Xander, with Knox right on my heels.

"What was that about?" Knox asks, but I ignore him as I search for Xander.

"Hey," Knox says, grabbing my arm and making me stop and face him.

"I asked you a question,"

I rose a brow, "And I chose to ignore you,"

Knox's ocean blue eyes became cold, dark. "You don't want to take that tone with me," He warns.

"Or, you'll do what?"

"I'll bend you over my knee and spank you."