She’s a beauty queen with a troubled past. He’s a king with a deep longing for something he’s never known. Together they will forge a future neither of them could have dreamed of—that is, if their dark secrets don’t get in the way!
Age Rating: 18+ (Content Warning: Child Abuse)
The King’s Series by HF Perez is now available to read on the Galatea app! Read the first two chapters below, or download Galatea for the full experience.
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1
New York.
The City that never sleeps.
If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. She mentally scoffed at her wayward thoughts. Mish had adored that particular song phrase.
Anna May made sure not to bump people. She had been navigating the business part of the district, trying to get her bearings for the last fifteen minutes. Her aim? Avoid tardiness.
Nothing could stop her from her goal.
She paused before crossing, glanced at her map –grimaced. Two more buildings. Right at the end of the street. Southeast.
Eyes alerted–people in all walks of life coming and going–she strolled the yellow lines of the crosswalk.
Not much had changed since the last time she was here. Maybe busier. Population doubled. Heavy traffic tripled.
Only her life did. Drastically. From walking the prestigious runways of Milan, Paris, and Tokyo to walking the business district of Manhattan.
Not that it mattered. She was always good at adapting and her current situation had left her no other choice but to do this. At point non plus.
No backing out. The only way was forward. Fate had spoken. It was her duty to listen.
Fate has given her thus. An opportunity. For her and the two most important people in her life. Her sisters.
Anna May had never shirked from her duties. Even at such a young age, she had donned the mantle on her fragile shoulders.
She had never been more determined of her goals. Her objectives. They all centered on her siblings’ future.
She might have looked like she was out of her depth–she knew better. This was her fallback–a generous one–after her so-called exciting and disastrous career in the modeling industry.
She inhaled sharply when her heart constricted. Thoughts of what she had been through flooded her mind.
Shaking her head to dispel the memories of the past, she continued walking. It was not the time nor the place to contemplate.
She had become a whole new person and she had made something of herself in the shadows, away from the limelight.
A better and a stronger version. A new career, a new Anna.
She was forever grateful for her aunt Delia. A mentor who had helped her cope up with everything.
And courtesy of her aunt Delia, she was promoted as a training manager to the biggest telecommunications in the world. Not only promoted–sent to work directly for the head office in New York City.
Talk about OPPORTUNITIES! And perks. Of course, the perks drew her in like a moth to a flame. All expenses paid, board, and lodging with everything she could ever imagine.
Her sisters were very well taken care of at home. Not rich. A roof over their heads, meals three times a day, and funds for her youngest sister’s frequent illness.
Plus, Rie had started college while Mish took online classes.
The only flaw was she had to leave them and they were a thousand or so miles away from her. Her lips twisted–not in a smile–to contain her homesickness.
And I’ve only been away from them for two days.
No matter, her next goal was to make the necessary arrangements to get them where she was.
It was a motivation unlike no other.
Squaring her shoulders in determination, she lengthened her strides to face her future.
Soon, my loves. Soon.
***
Jesus Christ!
She never thought the headquarters would be the highest building in Manhattan.
With eyes steadily growing big, she halted, tilted her head up–way up–and read the imposing sign of her new employer.
NORTH AMERICAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS. This is it!
Be confident, Anna. She chided herself and counted to ten. Desperate to try and calm her nerves. You excel at your job, that’s why you are here.
God! She always hated the first day of work. New people, new assholes, new fake people, and new buildings. Feeling like a headless chicken, she gritted her teeth–remembered her motivation.
Her sisters.
She took a deep breath, calming her nerves.
With confident strides, she walked towards the glass-paned electronic entrance and found herself in a very rich and elegant lobby, well more like a 5-star hotel.
She gulped audibly when men and women, who looked like they came out of Forbes magazine turned to gaze at her. With an avid interest for the new face in the building. Shit!
So much for being unobtrusive.
Her hands trembled. In reflex, she clutched her office bag closer to her body. Her skin crawled. She felt the men examining her from head to toe. She dressed modestly specifically for that reason.
She doesn’t want attention.
She wanted to blend in.
Because people remember. At some point. She doesn’t need that. She’d rather they forget.
It has been more than three years. She knew how she looked. Though she had never been vain. Her opinion–her beauty was a curse. A cross she had to bear.
For once, especially today, she wanted to be ordinary. Plain and simple. Forgettable.
Her ensemble consisted of a silver-grey long-sleeved blouse tucked in a grey pantsuit with three-inch black heels and her hair was confined in a simple chignon.
Very generic. Nothing to be excited about.
Mentally girding her loins and ignoring the heavy beaded eyes on her, she walked directly to the marbled elegant counter. A beautiful lady offered her a practiced smile.
“Hi, my name is Jane. How can I help you?” Showing her perfect implants.
“Hi, I am Anna May Greyson. I was asked to report here today,” she noticed her voice was a bit shaky. She smiled back to cover it.
“Sure, Ms. Greyson. Can I have a valid ID, please?”
She rummaged through her bag for her passport and handed it to the girl behind the counter who inspected the ID, typing something on the computer.
It took effort not to fidget and relax her stance. Nerves were eating her right now.
What if the company made a mistake and I am not supposed to be here?
She almost groaned painfully at her thoughts. Luckily, Anna saw the girl printing out an employee ID together with a black access card.
“Here you are, Ms. Greyson. Please report to Michael Marini, he is the personal assistant to the CEO and owner.”
“That will be on the eighty-eighth floor. Don’t worry the attendant will see to it you are in the right department. Welcome to NorthAm.” The receptionist finished her instructions with her signature smile.
Anna released a relieved sigh. Thankful that so far everything was on the right track.
“Thank you for your help, Jane.” She smiled gratefully, was about to turn her back when she saw a fleeting frown in the girl’s eyes but then she immediately schooled her features.
“You are welcome, miss.” And greeted the next person.
Anna nodded to acknowledge her then walk to one of the massive elevators that will bring her to the right floor. A tall man dressed in all black held the doors of the steel cabin open for her
“The eighty-eighth floor, Miss?”
So this must be her escort to meet the PA. Why do the people here look like they came out of a fashion magazine?
Even Jane can pass as a cover girl. Or maybe it was just her and her past muddling her thoughts.
Clearing her throat, she uttered yes.
She should concentrate. This was her first day at work. And first impressions do last!
Right you are Anna!
***
How could this man be so intimidating? He oozed power yet he was only PA to the CEO. Anna May can only imagine what the big boss will be like.
She tried to cope up with the PA’s longer strides when he walked her through her assignments and introduced her to her team. Apparently, the job description will require her, her own team.
There was one question that was boggling her mind. How can the biggest company in America not know their own products?
Thus, the main reason for her to train the big boss himself, his senior bosses, junior bosses, and their staff. She gave her attention back to Michael Marini when she heard her name.
“So you have one week to prepare your lectures, presentations, and the like. Your team will have to help you. I am afraid that I can’t give you more time since Mr. Northam will be here by next week.”
“We had recently taken full ownership of this telecom company so the boss wanted everyone trained when he returns. You can use the conference room in the meantime.”
“The room will be large enough for you and your people. If you have any questions you can reach me in my office. It’s the furthest one to your left.” She met his baby blue eyes directly.
Surprisingly, the only thing she can read from his beautiful eyes was curiosity and respect. She immediately felt at ease. Only just.
Ever since that incident, she became vigilant to the male species. She blinked when she saw his lips move.
“Again, we want to thank you for accepting this job on such short notice. You were highly recommended by Delia.”
“Mr. Marini, I should be the one thanking you. This is really a once in a lifetime opportunity. I can’t believe at twenty-two I was assigned as a training manager to this company.”
She held out her hand for him to shake. He chuckled at the gesture. He was a handsome man with his coal-black hair and baby blue eyes.
And…she felt nothing, in her estimation, he shared the same sentiment. That immediately relaxed her. One less predator. Thank you, Jesus!
“Well, you can start today. If you need anything please let me know.” With those parting words, he left her in the conference room.
She couldn’t hold it back any longer and pumped her fist in the air, giggling happily.
A quick glance around the room showed her no one was about.
Oh, God! Thank you so much for this blessing. She was now in her element.
She would make sure to do whatever was necessary to give her sisters the life they deserved.
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2
Fuck!
How could this happen? He had grown more and more restless over the years. Volatile. Lost. Unpredictable.
How can he continue ruling and lead his people when every day he felt like he was losing his sanity.
Ever since he returned from Italy, he was stuck in his own dark world. Consumed with doubts. Cursing fate. Almost at the edge of insanity.
Why? Was he not worthy of happiness? He had never failed his people and had served them sincerely and honestly. He had devoted his life to his kind. His people. His kingdom.
All he wanted in return was his mate. The one to complete his soul.
Where was she? Did she die before he even met her? His wolf growled savagely at the thought. He winced in pain. No! He would have felt it. She was out there. He needed to find her.
Moon Goddess, please help me!
Holding his temper in check, he glanced around his gloomy lair.
Buried with pack duties for days–had requested not to be disturbed by anyone, wallowing in self-pity–and hadn't had a good run with his wolf for quite some time.
Hoping his royal beta will be back early, he glanced at the grandfather clock. The competition had always been a nice distraction.
He knew Alexie would kill him if something happened to her mate but his beta was tough. The man can take it.
Alexander James Northam smirked at his own thoughts.
Whatever fleeting amusement he felt vanished just as it came hearing his Lycan whine. They were both hurt. Barely living.
”Find mate!”
”It’s not that easy, wolf.”
”Need to find mate, human!”
”I will. I promise.”
His wolf retracted to the back of his mind, huffing, ignoring him completely. He took a deep breath to calm himself.
Ever since he was a boy, his father and mother, fated mates, had constantly lectured him about the importance of finding his mate. The one person that he needed to cherish and love about all others.
Her scent is forever engraved in his memory, an early gift from the goddess herself.
Each wolf will be bestowed upon such a gift when the goddess knew it was the right time. He had received the scent of his mate when he was eighteen–the time he started to think of sex and dating.
Unluckily for him, he was not able to explore sex because his cock will only get hard for his mate. On the first and only date he had, his wolf almost chomped the head off of the woman.
The beast hated the smell and touch of his date. A fucking disaster! Never to be repeated.
And the tongue lashing he received from his mother was even worse.
What!? He was just a teenager with raging hormones. He thought he could explore. This was not the case. In time, he finally accepted it. He will wait for his mate. He had to.
Truly agitated now, he got up and began to pace to the large window, watching the peaceful scenery.
His ten thousand acres of protected land was located outside of New York. With thousands of royal pack members in his compound.
He reigned over North and South America, Canada, and Antarctica, and the rest of the Lycan World. With loyal alphas in each city, state, and country.
The youngest King Alpha ever crowned. He may look young at 28, the age he stopped aging, however, he had been ruling for more than 100 hundred years.
Without his queen.
He exhaled heavily through his teeth.
Where is my Luna, Moon Goddess?
***
“ Anything else, sire?” he could clearly smell the hidden invitation in her words. How he wished he could fuck his frustration away. But he couldn’t. He wouldn’t. And it was not even possible.
“Nothing else. Leave me in peace.” He murmured.
He gave a heavy sigh when the she-wolf left the room taking his empty dinner plate.
He didn’t have the energy for this, his temper simmering beneath the surface, he did not want to snap at his people, yet, he was almost there.
It was only a matter of time before he would wring anyone’s neck.
Pinching the bridge of his nose and exhaled a heavy sigh.
Goddess, please give me patience.
Because…
“I told you to fucking leave me alone!” He growled without turning his head in the direction of the sound.
The door in his study opened. Revealing…
“My, my, still in a foul mood, my king?” He scowled darkly hearing his beta’s deep drawl.
Pinning the guy with his dark gray eyes when he smelt his sister on him.
Lucky bastard! Perks of having a mate.
“Easy for you to say when you are happy with my sister.” Alexander spat through clenched teeth.
“Look, Xander. You will find your mate soon. Alexie and I are positive about that. Come on. Let’s go for a run.” His beta held out his hand to him.
Without any warning, Alexander’s wolf immediately made his presence known, coming out unexpectedly.
He could feel his canines and his nails elongate. His eyes turned pitch black. He tried to control his wolf.
Impossible.
He could see himself, through his wolf’s eyes, lifting his beta by his neck. Not an easy feat. The fucker was built and tall.
His beta, Michael averted his head, showing submission.
”Where is mate?”
”My king, I don’t have any idea…”
”Why is mate’s scent in your hand?”
He saw Michael’s eyes grew round. Perplexed, the man tried to gulp in breaths. The lycan king struggled to control his powerful wolf, who was oozing extreme dominance at the moment.
”What do you smell my king?” His beta continued to communicate through their mind link since he could barely speak.
”My mate. She smells like milk chocolate, blueberries, and vanilla. I remember. Moon Goddess told me.”
”My king, if you let me go. I will tell you everything about your precious mate.”
Apparently, that was the incentive his wolf wanted. He immediately let go of Michael and let his human form have control once more. His brother-in-law was whizzing and gasping for air. Shit!
Alexie will kill him.
“Fuck! Michael…” He stopped–saw his beta grinning at him stupidly. All teeth. Still feeling like an ass, he poured them both a drink. He really needed fortification to calm down. “Explain, beta.”
He sought calm and sat on his comfortable leather chair behind his desk.
“Sire, are you sure the scent you found in my hand was my Luna’s?” Michael asked cautiously.
Alexander knew Michael was just being sure–he can’t help the instinctive reaction–he growled. His beta realized his king was on edge, immediately showed his neck to his leader.
“My wolf…you know how it is, Michael.” The powerful lycan clenched his hands. “I am sure. That was my mate’s scent on you. The question is why?”
He narrowed his eyes on the man before him. Michael, his beta was loyal to the bone.
That was the only reason why his wolf has not killed him yet for having his mate’s scent on his beta’s hand. To say that he was possessive was an understatement.
“Xander, I came from the headquarters. You didn’t tell us you’ve been coop in your office for days now or Alexie and I would have come home sooner. We really thought you would be home by next week.”
Headquarters. Did that mean…?
“Anyway, I was in the office to welcome our new employee. She shook my hand today.” Michael continued and he left it at that.
Waiting for Alexander to add things up. And fuck that made him hopeful!
“You mean to say she is within my grasp?” Damn! He couldn’t hide the excitement in his voice.
”Mate! Need to fuck mate!”
He smirked. ”Horny bastard.”
“Ummm…my king…there is just one problem.” That got his attention right away.
Motherfucker! Is she married? I will kill the bastard.
“What?” He growled. His wolf tried to get out and take control. Anxious. And excited. They both were.
“She is human, your Majesty.”
”Oh, shit! Doesn’t matter. I want my mate, human.”
“Shit!” He groaned feelingly. That meant he had to control his wolf when in his love’s company.
“Exactly. You have to woo her, court her and win her. Only then you can reveal everything to her. About you. About our world.” Michael elaborated dryly, eyes glinting.
“Anything for my queen. Tell me everything about her.” His whole body coiled at attention.
“Right on, sire!” Michael rubbed his hands. Blue eyes amused.
Alexander got the feeling his beta was really enjoying this.
***
“Oh, Rie! I am doing fine. You worry too much.” Anna answered reassuringly, grinning at sisters’ cross-eyed expression.
Anna Marie, the middle sibling was the worrier among the three sisters.
As the eldest, she maybe the financial supporter in the family, however, Rie –her sister’s nickname– was the official self-proclaimed mum.
At only eighteen, Rie possessed the strength to manage their small household and took care of their youngest sibling, Anna Michelle, like her own. Odd thing was, they were only two years apart.
“Earth to Anna! Hello…” Anna smiled broadly at Rie’s antics. Who huffed, clearly annoyed. “You were not listening!”
“Tell me again, Rie.” She encouraged. The former beauty queen was so happy with the company’s new laptop and a new iPad. She can vividly video chat with her sisters.
“I asked you how was work. No need to answer, sis. You are clearly happy with what I can see.”
“Yes, I am. My first day was just so amazing. I have my own office, Rie. My own team. I love it! And you should see where I stay right now.”
“This is a very expensive and luxurious hotel. They spared me no expense. And by Saturday, I will receive my first paycheck, I’ll make sure to transfer funds to your bank account.”
“You and Mish enjoy the weekend, ok? Buy anything you like.” She halted from her ramblings, seeing her sister on the verge of tears. “Rie, what’s wrong?”
“You always take care of us, Anna! Even when you were only fifteen, you were accepting odd jobs to keep us afloat. I feel like a burden.” Rie replied. Her voice was grainy from her tears.
Damn! She felt like crying too. She sniffed.
“Don’t you dare say that, Rie! I love you and Mish. I’d do anything for you both. You know that. I am doing this because of you two. Just finish college. I would love to have a sister who is a renowned chef.”
“Who knows, maybe one day we get to dine at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant? Like you’ve always dreamed, Rie.” Her mood changed and Anna grinned, noticing Rie perked up at her words.
“Really, Anna?” She asked, wide-eyed.
“Yes, baby. Now, where is Mish? It’s only nine.”
“I let her sleep early. She had another asthma attack. I told her not to do the laundry. When I got home, she was busy ironing our clothes!”
Rie gripped her long hair in exasperation. Anna knew the feeling. Mish had always been a delicate flower and stubborn as hell.
“Rie, tell her I called. And tell her I love her? Hold on tight, ok? I will be saving money to get you both here. Maybe you could hire a maid to help you both?”
Please let her agree.
“You know I hate strangers, sis,” Rie replied. Her chin was set stubbornly.
Ugh! Of course, she’d refused. Did I tell you that stubbornness run in the family?
“Ok. Think about it. Got to go. I have an early start tomorrow. Love you, sis!” Anna waited until her sister disconnected the call.
Sighing heavily, she laid at her comfy queen size bed. She missed them so much.
How their lives had changed when their mum died. She was thirteen at that time. Rie was nine and Mish seven.
They did not have a father growing up, apparently, he got tired of his daughters and disappeared.
The asshole never looked back. Well and good.
They were left in the care of her mum’s crack of a sister and her equally crack of a husband.
Every day and every night Anna had to stay vigilant to protect herself and her sisters from his lecherous advances. Then enough was enough.
They left in the middle of the night after another attack from the bastard. She and Rie took turns bashing his head in, leaving him unconscious.
Luckily, with her odd jobs, she had enough money to travel to the capital. There, they met mum’s friend, Delia. She took them in without question.
At the age of fifteen, she was working as a server on several fast-food chains, at the same time she attended a public school. She never wanted to stop. Her life consisted of three things.
Taking care of her siblings, working, and studying. She never had time for friends.
Then she met George. A talent scout. Well, George was short for Georgina, a transgender woman who scouted fresh faces for the modeling industry, kind and sweet.
And absolutely street smart.
George said Anna’s beauty blew her mind away and declared her fresh, exotic, and gifted.
Ultimately, the talent scout encouraged her to audition, even though she was really ignorant at that time and out of her depth.
God! She couldn’t even see what her friend saw in her. In Anna’s opinion, she was just an ordinary provincial girl who was trying to make ends meet. But then, surprisingly she got the job.
It was only a shampoo commercial that paid well. She left her odd jobs, gave time to her new career, and boom. That was when it all started. Her heaven, then her hell.
***
Alexie will be so ecstatic!
He couldn’t wait to tell his mate. Michael left his king in his study, still engrossed in everything he could find about his queen.
The royal beta grinned at the thought. Our Queen. Finally.
At last. After more than one hundred and forty-eight years, they finally found their queen luna. It was damn time!
The kingdom was growing restless, their king unstable. They couldn’t have that. Enemies were everywhere.
Constantly watching. Waiting to pounce.
He shook the gloomy thoughts away. Prowling on the south wing towards the royal beta’s suites, he took a deep breath savoring his mate’s intoxicating scent.
He left her sprawled on their bed, deliciously naked after a quickie. Now, he was ready to start where they left off.
His eyes quickly adjusted upon entering their bedroom and scanned the king-size bed to find his mate watching him hungrily. Arousal permeated the air.
He smirked–closed and locked the heavy oak doors.
He licked his lips and he started to undress. Alexie’s creamy thighs were open in invitation, her feminine folds glistening from his seed and her juices. Fuck! He couldn’t get enough.
“Ready for me again, my love?” He growled, his wolf close to the surface. Ready to fuck his mate.
“You know me, Michael. My pussy is always ready for you.” Goddess! He loved this woman. The only one for him.
His cock was throbbing, the head wet with precum. He will just share the good news later, much later, maybe after the second round.
***
“Jesus, baby! You smell so good with my seed inside you.” Michael groaned, his balls drained with his mate on top of him.
“Hmmm…you smell so good as well, my love.” Alexie giggled. Nuzzling his neck. Close to sleeping.
He smiled when his mate hummed at the feel of his fingers combing her hair delicately.
“I have wonderful news, baby. ” He murmured. “Your brother, our king, has found his mate.”
Michael’s mate was really sleepy. He clearly exhausted her. He smiled faintly, kissed her forehead, ready to fall asleep.
“WHAT!?? Michael!” She slapped his chest, making him grunt. He was immediately brought out of his sleepy state. She was glaring at him. Eyes narrowed into slits.
Shit!
“Shhhh…baby. Get some rest now. Tomorrow your brother will need our help. Please, my love.” He was close to begging. He didn’t want to upset his mate, especially now they were trying for pups.
“Ok, but tomorrow you will tell me everything.” He tightened his arms around her and they fell into blissful slumber.
Tomorrow.
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