Page 1 of Ruined By His Alpha King
Chapter One
Stamel
Three years prior…
There his fucking brother was again, laughing with his father and being praised for his military accomplishments, like killing flashpine counted. If only he knew the hatred boiling in his belly. He knew Lumic wanted his throne. Lumic would ruin everything. Sitting at his father’s left as the wine flowed and food piled high. It was the first harvest after a plague year, and they celebrated the new life and plentiful food.
Oryn sat beside him at the table, drumming his fingers. “Look at the little slut, sucking up to his father.”
“Slut? Hasn’t he turned you down?” Stamel snorted and earned an elbow.
“Would if only I had a chance to propose an evening together. He has tastes for darker males, dusk and night fae.” Oryn plucked a foxberry from his dessert tart and flicked it toward a page who flinched as it struck his cheek but made no move to wipe it away.
Stamel pushed some mossbeans around his plate and huffed. “What if we…made an arrangement? My father does little, so you can basically retire in the lap of luxury and a tight little young ass.”
“Tight? Hah! Retirement though… Pallosar would never go for it. I’m too old for him, not politically important enough.” Oryn grumbled before taking another bite of his dessert.
“I’m serious. And Father can’t turn you down if you knock him up.” Stamel played with his fork, contemplating the tines boredly.
“He’d do away with the thing if I managed to plant one. The boy’s meticulous with his preventatives. Unlike you. Your little bastard had half the kingdom pissed.” Oryn elbowed Stamel and snorted.
Stamel loved his child, perhaps not the child’s father, but the young one brightened his day. At six years old, he had been tested at twenty-two thalms, hadn’t presented alpha or omega, and had the cutest little dimples. The omega that birthed him may have resorted to trickery, but Stamel still loved the child. “I adore Kimbel. His omega father is a disgrace.”
“Oh, come on! You can’t blame the omega. You stuck your dick in him. And you’re crowned prince! He couldn’t tell you no, very well, could he?” Oryn laughed hard.
Stamel whipped his fork over and slammed it into Oryn’s hand, the teeth sinking into the meat of it as he stared the alpha down. Leaning over, he whispered into Oryn’s scarred ear. “Had I been sober, and had I been of age, perhaps. Do not mock me, alpha. You have bastards of your own, too, and are far less generous with their care.”
Oryn buried a scream in his throat and tensed up, shaking until Stamel jerked the fork out and wiped it on his napkin. The commotion drew Pallosar’s wary gaze. “Stamel? Is there a problem?”
With a genteel smile, Stamel excused himself and left. “Strong wine. Apologies.”
The days were long, and the sun still present in the sky as he climbed the old west tower’s stairs in a spiral. Each step brought a cathartic, thought-provoking moment, until he reached the top and used his skeleton key to enter his private sanctuary. And through the old stained glass window, he peered through a clear bit, eyeing a mural that bore the metals of many different ages, riddled with corrective solders. At one time, the stained glass had borne an image ofthe sun goddess. At that moment, it only bore a likeness to another king. Still, Stamel opened the pane and let it swing outward on creaking hinges.
The goddesses had forsaken them so many years ago, but if Stamel was going to lose to his little brother, he might as well burn the kingdom down with him. Then again, the goddesses wouldn’t answer their prayers. He was a descendant of pain and anger. “Mother Goddess, sun above,” he said, watching the waning sun. “Purest is thy shine.”
He recited the words as he’d heard from a sun worshipper he’d shared a camp with during his training. It’d been before he’d been made a commander. A role that had since belonged to Lumic.
“Are you there or just going to stare at me all day and make a fool of me, old bint?” Stamel folded his arms over the window’s sill and sighed.
I’d respond better if you didn’t refer to me as an old bint, descendant of my high priest.
Stamel’s heart went cold, but he didn’t offer an apology. “Descendant… I am descendant of the omega that stole your high priest.”
True, but blood is blood. What seek you, alpha? Why is it that you call my name? Wishing for destruction? Another plague?The goddess’ voice filled his ears with awe-inspiring beauty.
“I wish to be king…” Stamel muttered those words before he could contain himself and tensed, waiting for backlash or punishment.
Since you have called me your mother and made your wish, I shall grant you that which you desire. Your younger brother will become king of Croatens in your stead, I foresee it, if you stay on the path you’re on.
“But I am… I see…” Stamel’s stomach knotted.
Do for me as I command, new son of mine. On the morrow you shall drink at a tavern in town called theWildercat’s Whisker. Go there as the first star appears. An omega with eyes like starlight will enter and order a tankard of ale. Take it from him and let him tell his story. Let me see what you do.
“As you wish, Mother Goddess,” Stamel whispered, and knew he’d done something grand.
Grandly stupid or grandly awesome was yet to be decided.
Chapter Two
