The Alpha King's Series novel Chapter 24

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CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

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BRINLEY.

Xander stood there frowning in deep thought. Knox glances at me and shakes his head as he moves closer to his brother.

"Xander."

"I don't know." Xander says, shaking his head, "The curse has never skipped anyone."

"But, your mate is Brinley,"

"Yes," Xander nods.

"Is that why you wouldn't claim me? Because you thought I was..." I paused.

"Yes, I couldn't let myself fall and get mixed up in the same shit my father did,"

"But, Brinley is not Caliana," Knox says.

"I know,"

"Well, now that you know that. Claim her,"

Xander's body stiffens, and his palms fist at his side; the gesture causes my chest to tighten.

He only does that if he...

No.

Don't go there, Brinley.

"I can't," Xander grits out.

My eyes start to blur with tears, and I hate myself for it. I hate how easy it was for me to fall for him, and he seems to not even care about how I feel.

"Knox," My voice breaks. And I hate how it falters.

Knox said nothing as he rushed to my side.

"Take me home," I whisper.

Knox nods, and without asking, he lifts me into his arms bridal style. He knew my knees were weak and wouldn't carry me. I half smiled at Knox, and my head fell into his chest.

"I'm sorry," Xander says.

Knox's body stiffens as he comes to a halt.

Knox glanced over his shoulder and says, "You will be,"

And with that, Knox started walking again.

I don't know what Knox meant by what he said to Xander.

"You will be,"

Those words replay in my mind repeatedly, like a song that gets stuck in your head that won't shut off.

And my head is full of chaos.

***********

Knox sat me in the passenger seat; his hand reached over me and hooked my seat belt. I muttered and thank you and stared out the window. I cried when we were out of sight of Xander, and I hadn't stopped.

"Brin," Knox says. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths to calm down my erratic heartbeat. I don't want to see pity in K Knox's eyes.

"I'm sorry," I whisper.

Knox slams on the brakes and sends me forward. I would have gone through the windshield if it hadn't been for my seat belt.

"Brinley, you have nothing to apologize about. That fucking asshole should claim what's his. Instead, Xander is taking the coward way out,"

I stay silent.

"I may not be your baby's father, but I will treat the child as if it was mine. Lucy and I will take care of you both, and everyone will think this baby is mine. If that's what you want,"

I shake my head fresh tears peak my eyes. I love Knox for saying what he said, and I know he and Lucy will help in any way they can. But the truth is I want Xander to find the courage and claim his child, even if he doesn't claim me.

I'm thankful that he wants to keep our baby safe from the Mortaga's, but at the same time, I wanted him so badly to say none of that matters, and this baby would be known throughout the world as his CHILD.

"I want Xander to own his blood child, not Julia's baby. I want my age not to matter, and I want my mate to love me for me and not something that I'm not. I want Xander to love me how he loves Julia, but I know that will never happen. Xander doesn't love me, and that hurts. It breaks my heart knowing he will never claim me." I yell. I'm panting, tears running down my face from my outburst.

Knox sighs, "Brin. I know how you must be feeling, and I want you to know that my brother is a fool. I wouldn't let you out of sight if you were my mate. I would flaunt you for the entire world to see and for them to know that you were mine. I'm sorry you got stuck with that bastard."

"Thanks, Knox."

He nods, puts the car back in drive, and heads back towards the Deluca kingdom.

**********

Knox pulls the car by the main entrance, and he steps out; he comes to my side and opens the door for me.

I step out of the car, and a cool breeze hits me, causing goosebumps to form on my skin. I wrap my arms around myself and mutter thanks to Knox before making my way into the house.

Once I was inside, Lucy ran to me and wrapped me in a hug. Knox must have told her what had happened.

"Knox told me what happened,"