Page 140 of The Alpha's Cursed Queen

This worries me, too. “We’ll get them to talk.”

He runs his fingers through his hair, not happy in the least. “I don’t like it, Alice. I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

It doesn’t help that I have the same sinking sensation in my gut.

Chapter 28

Alice

I never thought I would ever return to LA.

As I get off the private plane, I feel a sense of dread. This city holds too many painful memories for me, memories I have tried for years to outrun. Even though I am back now as a successful lawyer and the mate of the king of the Wolf Kingdom, those memories still linger.

“Leaving Mira behind doesn’t sit well with me,” Darian says tightly. “We should have brought her with us.”

His hand is wrapped around that of a little girl who’s wearing a face mask and a hat, her red wig in a braid. She’s Jimmy’s niece, but from a distance and with this wig, she’s a dead ringer for Mira.

“We don’t have a choice.” I smile down at the child in case anybody is watching. “Katherine, Jimmy, and Mary will look after her. As far as anybody knows, Mira is right here with us.”

“Let’s hope you’re right,” Darian replies grimly. “I left half the Black Arrows with them, just in case.”

“Any word on Thomas?”

“We’re pretty sure he’s in California.” My mate puts on his sunglasses as we head toward the black car waiting for us. “My intelligence team is still looking for him. But if he is here, I’m willing to bet anything that he’s in touch with his supporters.”

He opens the car door for me, and I nudge the little girl inside gently. “I’m sure you know who his supporters are.”

My mate gives me a cold smile. “Of course. Come on. Time for your debut.”

We drive to the royal palace. Willow’s divorce was a public spectacle, so I’m not surprised to see the number of cars parked outside.

The man who opens the car door for us looks surprised to see me but doesn’t comment, addressing Darien instead. “Your Majesty, welcome back. You have visitors. They arrived as soon as your plane landed.”

“Have they brought companions?” Darian asks lightly, lifting the little girl into his arms.

Jimmy told his niece how to behave, and she is putting on quite a performance. She wraps her arms around Darian’s neck and hides her face in his shoulder shyly. I can see the butler’s curiosity. He looks between me and the girl, and understanding dawns on his face.

“Brian?” Darian looks at the butler, who shakes his head as if to clear it.

“I—Yes, they are accompanied by young ladies.”

Darian and I exchange a look. We anticipated this.

“May I”—Brian hesitates before continuing—“May I take the young miss?”

“No.” Darian looks him square in the eye. “Set up a room for my daughter next to the royal chambers.”

“Your daughter, Sire?” His eyes widen as he nearly chokes out the words. The shock in his eyes is evident and is immediately followed by a beaming smile. “Of course! I’ll set up a room for the young princess.” He pauses, discreetly glancing at me. “And for the madam?”

“My mate will sleep in my room.”

If he became any happier, the butler would start skipping with joy. He hurries away, muttering, “Very good. Very good.”

“I wasn’t expecting that,” I comment. “I thought he would be a little scandalized, at least.”

“The servants hated Willow,” Darian tells me, carrying the young girl in his arms as we head inside. She seems to be falling asleep. Or is that part of the act? “She believed in putting them in their place. My father always treated the servants with respect, as do I. Willow liked to demean them. And according to Jimmy, they’ve all been very worried about me possibly being impotent. I guess I’ve managed to preserve my reputation.”

He gives me a strained grin, and I roll my eyes.

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