logo
GALATEA
(30.7K)
FREE – on the App Store

The King Without a Queen

Moving back to her hometown after years on the road, Phoebe just wants to live a normal, stable teenage life: school, friends, boys, pizza. But after meeting handsome and mysterious stranger Silvic, it’s clear that life has other plans for her. Phoebe finds herself irresistibly drawn to the werewolf alpha, but he is haunted by memories of another woman. As danger threatens the pack, Phoebe has to come to terms with her past—and her feelings—in this new world.

Age Rating: 16+

 

The King Without a Queen by Hope is now available to read on the Galatea app! Read the first two chapters below, or download Galatea for the full experience.

 


 

The app has received recognition from BBC, Forbes and The Guardian for being the hottest app for explosive new Romance novels.
Ali Albazaz, Founder and CEO of Inkitt, on BBC The Five-Month-Old Storytelling App Galatea Is Already A Multimillion-Dollar Business Paulo Coelho tells readers: buy my book after you've read it – if you liked it

Read the full uncensored books on the Galatea iOS app!

1

I could feel myself smiling when we drove by the field that I was so familiar with. But I couldn’t stop and appreciate the area where I spent most of my time as a kid.

Soon the scenery was replaced by another and then I found myself gazing at the neighborhood where I spent ten years of my life.

I was finally home, and more than happy about it.

One by one, the houses passed by. Some I was familiar with, others not so much. I noticed some were redecorated. Soon, the car slowed down and I came face to face with our house.

Our real house.

Home.

I giggled excitedly and my mother chuckled at my reaction. “You seem ecstatic, Phoebe,” my mother announced, taking off the seatbelt.

I followed her actions and said out loud, “Yes, mom. Look.” I pointed out to our house, “We’re finally home.”

Home.

Growing up, I always wanted to stay somewhere and make memories.

Of course, I had made many memories while traveling with my mom. I’d met many people, but they were all strangers.

I always had this feeling that I didn’t belong with them and, of course, I didn’t. They had their own life before I came into theirs and I only got a brief glimpse of how they lived.

They were what we called meeting halfway through the journey.

I wanted to be with someone who knew me from the beginning.

My mother smiled at me. “Come on, let’s go inside.” She pressed a button and unlocked all the doors.

I nodded eagerly, opened the door, and jumped outside.

The cool air kissed my skin as soon as I was out of the car. I loved it.

I didn’t wait for too long outside as I was too excited to see our house again.

I followed my mom to the house and waited patiently as she unlocked the door. I looked around the lawn and wondered if my mom would plant flowers over there again.

I remembered my mom was keen on gardening once. That changed when she decided photography was her true passion and took me out on the road with her.

Last week, she suddenly decided that she had enough and wanted to return. I was dumbfounded when she told me, but I kept my feelings at bay and didn’t ask her many questions.

I was afraid that she might change her decision.

My mom was impulsive. That was the explanation for most things in her life, including me. I wasn’t exactly planned-

On her twenty-first birthday, she decided she wanted to hook up and as a result, I was born. I never knew who my father was and neither did my mom.

She’d told me she was too drunk to even remember his voice.

She only remembered his name.

Aaron.

That all I knew about my father.

I looked like my mom. Short, barely reaching five-foot-five, with curly hair and a small nose. My eyes were gray, and I guess that was the only thing I got from my father, whoever he was.

The sound of the door squeaking loudly penetrated my thoughts and brought me out of my reverie.

I tended to zone out a lot.

My mom stepped inside the house, and I followed. The smell of dust hit my nostrils and I covered my nose immediately.

There was light sneaking in through the windows and I smiled as I saw the empty living room.

I was finally home.

 

Read the full uncensored books on the Galatea iOS app!

2

The next day, I decided to go and have some ice cream. Even though the October air was anything but hot, I was still craving ice cream.

Badly.

I decided not to trouble my mom and went out without disturbing her. She was still tired from yesterday’s work. She stayed up till 2 a.m. rearranging the rooms.

I had offered to help her, but she declined, stating that I’d only cause more trouble.

I didn’t argue with that.

I slid the hoodie over my body and put on a pair of light blue jeans before heading out. I closed the door lightly behind me and sighed.

I wondered how long this would last before we would be moving again. I loved my mom, but sometimes I just felt like letting her go alone and staying at home by myself.

I never made friends for long. How was it even possible when we were always moving?

It was only a matter of time before long-distance became tedious. Though I did manage to keep in touch with a few.

I couldn’t even focus on my studies. I was already behind, and I wasn’t a great student to start with.

Thinking about the future scared the xxxx out of me. I couldn’t picture myself being around successful people.

I bent down and tied my shoelaces before walking toward the shop I remembered. I hoped it was still around.

***

I opened the door and dangling bells on the other side made a melodious sound to announce my entrance.

I looked around the shop, contented to see that no major change was done inside the shop. It felt familiar. And I loved it.

Not that I was a familiar face around here. I noticed that people in the shop were looking at me strangely. I immediately looked down, feeling like a stranger in my own town.

I’m home. It’s not supposed to be like this.

I took a deep breath and headed toward the counter to order.

When I gave my order, I realized that everyone in the shop was staring at me.

Most of them had expressions of disbelief on their faces. I pursed my lips. I knew that our town was small and close-knit, but they were acting as if they’d seen an alien!

Something in my gut told me that I was missing something. Like there was a puzzle I needed to solve.

There’s more here than meets the eye.

I shook my head, letting go of these paranoid thoughts.

By now, most people were going about their own business. I scanned the crowd for an empty seat, but my eyes caught a familiar face instead.

Beatrice.

I stared at my old friend. Her eyes widened when they caught mine, and I gave her a small smile. I walked toward her.

“Hi.”

She blinked, momentarily dazed. “Hi? Yeah. Sit down.”

I did as I was told.

“God, I really can’t believe it’s you, Phoebe.”

I laughed. “Better believe it.”

She had changed so much. If it would not have been for the gray eyes and brown hair, I would have struggled to recognize her.

She studied my face for a moment. “You look…old,” she finally said, a smirk visible on her face.

Yup, still the same Beatrice.

“How old are you, again? Thirty?” I joked, rolling my eyes at her.

She cleared her throat. “For your information, I’m gonna be eighteen next month.”

I gave her a mocking grin. “I’m already eighteen.”

She rolled her eyes, but then her expression softened. “How are you?”

“I’m okay,” I sighed. I hadn’t thought about it much. “You?”

“I’m great. I heard you’re moving back to your old house. It’s been abandoned for years!” she told me, shaking her head.

“Yeah, I know!”

***

“Yeah, I’ll be starting school from next week.”

Beatrice snorted. “Good luck with school. It is a miracle I’m surviving school.”

“Aren’t we all?”

We both asked each other questions and filled each other in on our lives as we walked toward my house.

We were so absorbed in our conversation that we didn’t notice the man that started to walk beside us.

“Are you new?”

I shivered when I heard that voice. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out to whom he was asking that question.

I met the stranger’s piercing stare and instantly wanted to bow down. He radiated an aura of confidence and danger.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Beatrice hurriedly bow her head in his direction.

Weird.

When I didn’t answer the question, Beatrice decided to answer on my behalf. “Yes, she is.”

Her answer was blunt, but I could sense the fear and respect in her tone.

I blinked. “Oh, yes.”

He seemed satisfied with our answers. “Great. I’m visiting this town too,” he said, meeting my eyes and holding my gaze.

The urge to bow down in front of him suddenly intensified. I immediately dropped my gaze and blinked.

Okay. Something weird is definitely going on.

The way he said town made me want to go and hide in the hills. It felt almost sinister.

“Great,” I said.

“Alright, see you both.”

And then he was gone.

I let out a sigh of relief and turned to look at Beatrice. “Who the xxxx is he? I don’t wanna say this about a person I have just met but he is so creepy!” I whispered to her.

Beatrice’s eyes widened at my words, and she frantically shook her head. “Uh…he’s just a little intimidating.”

I nodded uneasily. I wanted to ask more questions, but the frightened look on her face stopped me.

 

Read the full uncensored books on the Galatea iOS app!

Share

The Russian’s Defiant Wolf

At age six, Anna moved in with her grandfather after Hunters killed her parents. Now, twenty years later, their murderers have been caught and executed. It’s finally time for Anna to move on with her life. At twenty-six, she still hasn’t met her mate and doesn’t feel hopeful. But then the Oborot Pack comes to visit for Christmas, and both Alpha Viktor and Beta Erik claim Anna is their mate! Anna’s got an important decision to make—but how can she choose between the two hunky Russian wolves?

Age Rating: 18+

Note: This story is the author’s original version and does not have sound.

Their Thief

Damaris’ entire life has been filled with pain and suffering. Desperation leads her to disguise herself as a man so that she can run errands for a notorious gang. But when she is captured by their rivals, the King brothers, they all claim that she is “their mate.” Damaris, terrified and confused, tries to escape their grasp. But now they’ve got her scent and nothing will keep them from finding her.

Age Rating: 18+ (Content Warning: Abuse, Child Abuse, Rape, Sexual Abuse, Torture, Violence, Gore, Suicide)

Lost

After a horrifying plane crash, Eve gets miraculously rescued by Thaniel, a tall and handsome man. They find themselves stranded in the jungle surrounded by danger, and Thaniel seems to have more secrets than answers about where they are. But one thing is for certain—the sparks between them grow bigger every step of the way…

Age Rating: 18+

We Are Bear

Taylee Harris has been raised by wolves. Now that she’s eighteen, she is preparing to reach maturity as a wolf herself—until a mysterious incident in the woods one night leaves her unconscious and bloodied. The young man, Tavis, who nurses her back to health, tells her he is a bear…and so is she. Upon this revelation, Taylee must navigate a new world of allies and adversaries who all want to claim her for their own, all the while growing in love and adoration for her one true mate.

Age Rating: 18+

Dragon’s Slave

Travel back in time for this medieval reinterpretation of the steamy Requiem City! Madeline has served the powerful Dragon shifters of the Requiem Horde since she was young. On her eighteenth birthday, Hael, the Dragon Lord himself, sets his emerald-green eyes on Madeline. He has bigger plans for her. Will Madeline be the subservient sex slave Hael requires? Or has this ultra-sexy dom met his match?

Age Rating 18+

Damon’s Soulmate

Damon has been called many things—evil, powerful, dominating, and most terrifyingly of all, the Demon Alpha. But there’s something that England’s most feared alpha desires: a mate. Nix is an unnatural beauty who can have any man she wants, and the last thing she wants is some pompous asshat trying to seduce her— been there, done that. Destiny has its work cut out for it with these two!

Age Rating: 18+ (Sexual Abuse, Rape, Violence, Racial Abuse)

Alpha’s Second Chance Nymph

Adelie is used to sticking to the shadows and living an ordinary life in her wolf pack. But everything changes when she is rejected by her mate, the Alpha, and must find a new pack to live in. She finds a new home in Alpha Kairos’ pack.

Kairos, a wolf known for his vile nature and raging temper, turns out to be Adelie’s second chance mate. But can they make things work if Kairos’s fear of the past prevents him from opening up and Adelie is about to discover she has powers she’d never even dreamed of?

Age Rating: 16+

Note: This is the author’s original version and does not have sound.

Walk through Shadows

Alasdair and Isabelle were born of different worlds: he a creature trapped in a prison by a witch eons ago, driven near to madness, she a woman who doesn’t know the power she holds in her hands. Destined for each other, these two damaged and lonely souls are thrust together with a burning passion, but will it be enough to save them?

Age Rating: 18+ (Content Warning: Rape & Violence)