My Alpha’s Betrayal: Burning In The Flames Of His Vengeance

84. An Exchange of Rings YILEYNA “Charlene!” She had broken into a run the moment she was out of sight, but | caught up fast, grabbing hold of her arm as | battled my emotions, trying to calm the storm that was raging outside and within me.

Breathe...

“My queen...” | said softly as she refused to look at me.

| tugged her around gently and she turned. It killed to see the fat tears spilling down her cheeks. | pulled her into my arms, hugging her tightly. “Just like that, he castaside.” She whispered. “Well he just lost the only daughter he had. It’s his loss.” | said angrily, as she pulled away. “I'll ruin your dress.” She said wiping away her tears, as she wrapped her arms around herself. “It hurts... not only have | lost Mom... but Dad too...” | frowned, maybe Gamma Grayson needed to know... Maybe he would be the father she needed, the king and queen were both disgusting in my eyes. 2 “He doesn’t deserve to call you daughter, don’t let his words get to you.” | comforted her, stroking her arm and brushing her tears away gently. She looked down and nodded, forcing a smile. “Yeah... I'm just... the daughter of no one now... Just an orphan who took the place of the true princess.” “I'm sorry, Charl.” “Don’t. Why apologise for something you have no hand in? I'm just... upset with Dad...” She whispered. “Sure, he addressedas his daughter, but at the sthe insulted me.” There was nothing to say to that.

How do | tell her he didn’t deserve her or could justify any of this? His lies had been shocking. | gave her another hug as we heard footsteps. Charlene turned away, taking a deep breath as she patted her tears away. Theon’s scent reachedbefore he cinto view, my heart skipping a beat as | looked him over; black pants, satin shirt, and boots, with a silver and black jacket on top. A chain was on the side of his pants, and | couldn't deny that he looked incredibly handsome, dangerously sexy... The expression on his face emphasised his chiselled jaw and cheekbones. “You're staring.” He said, makingblush, before he added quietly. “Unless we both get to stare.” My eyes widened, and | wondered if he had actually said that or had it just been my imagination? He was looking towards the window now, frowning at the storm outside, before he turned to me.

“I cto make sure you didn’t lose control.” He remarked, lookingover. My stomach fluttered when his eyes darkened with clear approval.

“Or he cto admire how beautiful you look.” Charlene said, smiling as she gave my hand a squeeze. Apart from her eyes being slightly red, she looked normal. 1 It didn’t mean the king's words were forgotten, Charlene was just good at hiding her emotions.

“Or that.” Theon said huskily, makingraise my eyebrow. “Did you practise how to be charming all morning? Must have been hard work.” | mocked. s “I already told you, charming doesn’t work for you now, does it?” “Excuse me...” Charlene remarked, suppressing a smirk. | glanced at her, poking my eyes out, but she simply winked. “I will leave the soon-to-be-engaged couple to it...” “I'd appreciate that.” Theon said, surprisinglyfurther.

Charlene’s footsteps faded away as | looked into the gorgeous amber eyes of the man before me.

“I'm left speechless with the change in persona.” | mocked as he tilted his head.

“l assure you | haven't changed...” He stepped closer, making my heart skip a beat as | tried not to move back.

“Relax, I'm not going to bite.” He reached out, cupping my neck as he ran his thumb down the centre. | swallowed, my heart pounding against my ribcage.

Our eyes locked and the only thing | could think of was the marks that he used to leave on me, from a tthat felt like so long ago...

“What's on your mind?” He asked quietly, his husky low tone making my core clench.

“Not you.” | managed to respond breathlessly. He leaned in, his lips grazing my ear, making my breath hitch.

“Justfucking you?” 2 | closed my eyes. My entire body was reacting to him. Don’t go there...

“Don’t get so cocky...” | murmured, placing my hand on his firm chest and pushing him back slightly. He moved back, and something the king said cto mind. “Is it true, the king threatened you withif you didn’t agree to Charlene?” A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he masked it fast. | was getting better at seeing through that mask of his...

“Who said that?” He asked frowning.

“The king.” “Because you refused to get engaged to me?” “Maybe.” “Don’t talk in a roundabout way, Little Storm.” He warned, his hand tightening around my throat... “I see you didn’t wear a necklace...” “I forgot to.” | lied; the truth was | had refused it on purpose.

“I'm sure.” He replied arrogantly.

“Don’t avoid what I'm asking you Theon. Did the king threaten you?” His free hand ran down my arm painstakingly slowly, leaving a trail of pleasure in its wake, before it snaked around my waist, making my breath hitch.

“It doesn’t matter... Yileyna... But there's something | want to talk to you about.” He said seriously as he let go of my neck and instead took hold of my chin. 1 “What is it?” | asked, hearing the thudding of his racing heart.

“Let's go somewhere-" 1 “Excuse me, but the king wants you two in the hall.” Ryan said, interrupting Theon.

His eyes went to our position, we were crushed together and standing far too close. | quickly pulled away, my cheeks flushing lightly.

Theon frowned but I could see his irritation that he was masking rather well. | wondered what it was that he wanted to talk about.

“We should go. We'll talk after...” | suggested softly.

He frowned and gave a small nod as he led the way back.

My irritation at the king returned with full force when | saw him standing there as if nothing had happened, as if his words had no impact on anyone. Did he only care for himself? Charlene was standing by Andrea, who was asking her something and looked sympathetic as Charlene smiled gracefully back.

“Before we drink and feast, let us begin with the oath and then move on to the exchanging of rings!” The king said loudly. | looked at Theon, it didn’t feel real... Was | really getting engaged to him? Everyone gathered around, all eyes on us as we moved to the dais, and the king faced me. “I bear witness under Selene’s moon and before this audience that | take you Yileyna Aphelion “Yileyna De’Lacor. It won't work unless you take the nthat | hold true to my heart.” | said quietly, knowing that everyone could hear.

“She still holds the traitor's names... and wants to.” Someone whispered, but | ignored them as Andres frowned.

No matter how much he didn't like it, it was the truth.

“I bear witness under Selene’s moon and before this audience that | take you, Yileyna De’Lacor as my heir. | acknowledge you as the future Alpha of the Silver Storm Pack and the ruler of Astalion, the middle kingdom. Do you, Yileyna De’Lacor, vow to uphold the rules, decorum, and values of this pack and those of this kingdom?” Far better than you ever will.

“1, Yileyna De’Lacor, accept and acknowledge this position. | vow under the moon of Selene and before this gathering that | will always uphold the rules, decorum, and values of this pack and of this kingdom.” | repeated, before continuing. “And to always be true, just, and fair to all, regardless of rank, species, or status....” | saw the small frown on the king's face, but it was fleeting as a murmur rippled through the crowd once more.

“Then | bind you to it by an oath of blood.” He took the knife from Gamma Henry, slicing his own hand before | held mine out. He took it, making a deep cut along my palm. | made sure the blood didn’t drip onto my dress as | ignored the sting of pain. We then shook hands, sealing the oath by blood. Everyone clapped, and Charlene passeda cloth to wipe away the blood.

“Congratulations, my angel.” She said, hugging me. “Thank you, my queen.” | replied, hugging her back tightly.

I held her close for a moment, before | was pulled away from her and everyone began congratulating me.

Andrea, Zoe, Gamma Henry and Grayson, who looked a little pale despite everything, all gave their congratulations “Now we move on to the engagement of my daughter Yileyna and Theon of Westerfell.” The king said clearly. “The rings.” Andrea held out a glass tray that held two rings on it.

“Theon...” The king said with a grin on his face, like a man whose birthday had cearly.

Theon frowned slightly, before reaching into his pocket.

“I bought my own.” He stated emotionlessly, taking not onlybut several others by surprise. 2 The king chuckled. “Ah, of course!” “Nice move.” Ryan remarked. | stared at Theon as he flipped open the box.

Theon got a ring... for me... My resolve was crumbling, my heart pounding as he took the ring from the box. Stay strong... This was only a political agreement... | pressed a hand to my stomach, trying to control the wild fluttering that was taking place inside of it.

Any resolve | had left melted the moment those smouldering eyes turned on me. Locking with my own.

“So, shall we do this?” He asked, holding his hand out to me. 3 And just like that, the walls | had fought so hard to build aroundshattered, the tidal wave of emotions hittinghard as | looked at the hand that he now held out to me...