The Alpha King's Series novel Chapter 53

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CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

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THE DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING.

Brinley.

"Do I have to?"

Katie narrows her eyes.

"Yes! Xander is going to his bachelor party tonight as well,"

"So?"

Katie groans.

"Brinley, you're going out with us girls. It's final," She says, walking away from me.

I sigh.

I knew having Katie and Kelsy plan my wedding was a terrible idea. They went all out, and all I asked for was a simple wedding, but neither Katie nor Kelsy knew what the word simple meant.

I'll do the big wedding and puffy dress but do I have to attend my bachelorette party? I mean, what's the sense in it?

Ugh.

Maybe I could pretend to be sick?

I shake my head.

That won't work. Kelsy would see right through it.

I walk into the kitchen, grab a bagel and glass of orange juice, and head to the gardens.

I sat on the wooden glider, rocked back and forth, and ate my bagel.

It's so peaceful here when it's quiet, and you enjoy the beautiful flowers. The smell in the gardens is lovely.

It's perfect and relaxing.

********

I lean against the window frame of my bedroom and watch people setting up for the wedding tomorrow; the rows of benches look like they go on for miles, the lights are being hung, and the fountain is being hooked up.

All this work for a ten-minute ceremony.

"What are you thinking about?" Xander asks and leans against the window.

I force a smile on my face before turning to face him.

"Nothing," I shake my head.

"You're getting cold feet?"

"No," I chuckle.

"Tell me what's wrong," He says.

"I this is all...." I tail off as my eyes zero in on a giant ice sculpture made of two swans, and their face connects and makes a heart shape.

"Too much?"

I shake my head.

"Yes, but I don't mind the wedding so much. It's the party tonight I don't want to do,"

Xander nods.

"You know I would rather spend my night with you," He wiggles his brows, and I couldn't hold in the laugh.

"Same," I tell him after I calmed down from laughing.

I squeal when Xander lifts me over his shoulder and spanks my ass.

"Ow, what was that for?"

"A warning to be quiet," He says, and I know he's smirking.

********

"Why did you bring me here?" I ask, looking out at the lake Xander and I used to meet, and all the memories flood my brain.

"This is our spot, remember?" He asks.

I nod.

"I do. But what about the party?"

Xander shrugs.

"What about them?"

I raise a brow.

"They'll notice we're gone,"

"Let them," He says and takes off his shirt.

My eyes dart to his naked chest my mouth waters to lick over those abs.

I bite my lip to contain myself. And my naughty thoughts.

Xander smirks and takes off his jeans.

The boxer strained against his thick, firm thighs, letting his long hair fall.

"Strip," He orders.

I shake my head.

"No, way, I don't have a bathing suit, and someone could see,"

"Little mate, if I half to drag you, I will," He warns.

I roll my eyes and take off my shorts and then my shirt.

Xander's eyes roam my half-naked body before a groan escapes his lips.

"Race you to the top," I say, gesturing to the cliff that overhangs the lake.

Xander raises a brow.

"You think you can beat me?"

I nod.

"I know I can,' I say and take off running.

"That's cheating," He yells as he runs toward me.

I run and climb over rocks with Xander not far behind.

I glance down at him, and he smiles.

"I'm catching up with you, little mate," He taunts.

I pick up my pace and run faster, pushing my limbs to climb and jump so I can reach the top.

I reach the top and raise my arms.

"I'm the winner," I shout and panting from being out of breath.

"You won because you cheated," Xander says, walking toward me.

I shrug.

"A win is a win," I tell him.

I frown when Xander doesn't stop smirking.

"What?"

Xander shakes his head.

My eyes widen when Xander picks me up and jumps off the cliff.

"Xander,"

I hide my face in the crook of his neck just before we hit the water.

I held on to him tight, but we had pulled apart somehow.

I surface and suck air in my lungs and move the hair and water from my face.

The water was cooled and felt good against my hot skin, and I lay on my back and floated like Xander.

"Just like old times," Xander says, floating next to me.

"Yeah," I mutter.

"Xander?" I say low.

"Mhm?"

"Will things change? Once we're married, I mean?"

"Little mate, once we're married, you will be queen and have responsibilities to the Kingdom. But if you ask me if my feelings for you will change, the answer is no."

"What if I mess up?"

Xander chuckles.

"No one is perfect, and I'm sure you will mess up from time to time, fuck even I screw up now and again," He murmurs.

"You do?"

Xander nods and pulls me close, and I wrap my legs around him.

I look into Xander's silver eyes and frown.

"Are you want to marry me? I've caused so much damage to you and your only living uncle,"

"Fuck Charles. You and Dominic and Caliana are all the family I need. I love you, Brinley, but I won't force you to marry me,"

The moonlight danced across Xander's face, and a shiver ran down my spine.

I stroke his face softly, and his eyes closed from my touch.

"You're not forcing me. I want to marry you, Xander, I love you, and that's never going to change,"

"Have you written your vows?" He asks.

"No," I shake my head.

"Have you?"

Xander shrugs.

"You'll find out tomorrow,"

Xander backs me up against the same rock he pushed me against when we first came here.

Xander's lips claims mine.

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THE WEDDING DAY

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I woke up early to an angry Katie and Kelsy because I ditched the party they were having for me. So instead, Xander and I spent almost all night at the lake talking, kissing, and rubbing against each other; it was nice and reminded me of old times.

Xander is the love of my life and even though I didn't want a big wedding, knowing he'll be there at the end of the altar waiting for me makes it worth it.

"Brinley, hold still before you lose an eye," Katie warns me.

Katie has been doing my face while Kelsy curls and styles my hair.

I told Kelsy I didn't want my hair up; I wanted it down and curly. However, she did complain a few times, telling me I needed to cut it because it's grown so long, and her arms are tired after a few curls.

I didn't want to chop my hair off; I like it long and wavy.

I know part of me is sad because papa won't be here to give me away like he did Kelsy.

Knox offered to walk me down the Aisle, and I accepted because Knox is genuinely a friend, and I can count on him to stand by me no matter what.

He proved that to me when I ran; he never told Xander I spoke with him often, and he could have and chose to help me escape, and I'll always be thankful to him.

"Do not leave this room," Katie tells me.

"Kelsy and I will get ready before we get your dress on," She says.

"Thanks. I'm sorry about the party," I apologize for the hundredth time.

Katie sighs.

"Don't even worry about it," She mutters, grabbing her makeup and leaving.

Kelsy pins half of my hair up with an old burette shaped like a butterfly.

"It belongs to our ancestor Jasmine. Delores showed me the book, and I remember dad gave it to me. But I think you should have it,"

"The butterfly is green," Kelsy adds.

I shrug.

"Green can be the new blue," She nods.

"Are you sure you want me to have it? You could pass it down to Rose,"

"I have grandma's diamond necklace to pass to Rose, and now you have something to pass down to Caliana,"

I touch the Burette.

"Thank you, Kelsy. This means so much to me," I say and hug her.

"Don't cry," Kelsy warns me shaking her head.

"Katie will kill us both if you ruin your makeup,"

I chuckle in a nod.

"True,"

"I'll be back soon," Kelsy says, leaving the room.

*******

"Ready to see the dress?"

I smile and nod.