The Alpha King's Last Regret

t a part of me always thought he had exaggerated. Until now. The massive iron gates of the Royal Castle groaned open for the royal car sent to collect me, and I didn't bother hidi

he was caught between truth and duty. And then movement came From the edge of the veranda, just beyond the stone columns that caught my attention. I turned gently and I saw her. Drizzel Uriah. Royce's warning echoed in my mind like thunder. She was even more beautiful than I'd imagined, tall, elegant, dressed in a flowing gown that shimmered like ice. Her gaze struck me like a blade. Cold, piercing, full of disdain. My heart faltered and I turned back to Kade King instinctively, seeking reassurance. But he moved first. He closed the distance between us and slipped his arms gently around my waist. "I felt it too," He whispered, the words brushing my skin like wind. "Ever since I left your home... I couldn't stop thinking about you. That's why I came back. Because I knew it wasn't a passing thought. It's love at first sight." Goosebumps raced up my arms. My breath hitched. For a moment, the entire world fell away. He smiled again, softly, then reached to touch a strand of my hair. "Your hair..." He murmured. "It's so beautiful. How is it this long?" I laughed shyly, warmth flooding my cheeks but then, from the corner of my eye, I saw her. Drizzel was gone. Vanished like mist, running, fleeing the sight of us together. I turned back to Kade King. But something had changed. The softness in his eyes was suddenly gone. The warmth vanished like a candle extinguished. In its place... nothing. No tenderness. No trace of the man who just held me close. He stepped back like I had never mattered at all. "One of the court ladies will show you to your chamber," He said, voice cool, formal, unrecognizable. I blinked. "But..." "I will join you for dinner," He added shortly. "Go." Then he walked away. No look back. No explanation. Just... Gone. I had no choice but to follow the waiting court ladies down the polished hallways of the castle. Everything s