The Hybrid King's Forbidden Taste

Kinslee POV

“I won’t stand for this!” My twin sister Reya’s voice filled the battle chamber.

I could see my mother seething beneath her cool and calm exterior.

“Neither will I. Kinslee will marry Alpha Raiden, and that’s final,” our father said.

“And who will I marry, Daddy? Your stupid beta? Never.”

“Kean is a good man, Reya,” I said softly.

“You marry him then. I’ve done everything for this family, yet you get the political marriage of the year? What the hell is going on here?”

The pack Seer and my godmother, Leilani, stood from her esteemed seat on the council’s throne, which sat to the left of the Alpha and Luna’s thrones.

“It’s time the girls know the extent of the prophecy upon them.”

Reya scoffed. “I’m too old for fairytales, Leilani.”

Leilani rolled her eyes, but continued to speak. “It’s time. The marks will appear soon.”

“What are you blabbering about?” Reya snapped.

Mom and Dad shared a concerned look.

“The hour is upon us, isn’t it?” Dad asked.

Leilani nodded. “Midnight.”

“What are you talking about? What hour?” I asked.

“The hour when the marks will appear on your bodies. Two marks of prophecy will appear tonight on each of you. One signifies a chosen Luna who will give birth to a powerful Alpha’s heir, and the other one will bring disaster and chaos, and we all believe the Luna will be Kinslee!”

Ruya scoffed. “You think I’m going to bring chaos?”

“The marks will confirm everything, but yes,” Leilani said.

“How long have you known about this?” I asked my parents.

Father replied, “We’ve known about the prophecy since you turned two years old. As you grew, we noticed the differences in your behaviour. We came to our own conclusions, but the marks are the only ones that hold the real truth.”

Leilani nodded. “We must know before the girls are sent to the training academy.”

“You seriously think I’m going to the academy after this? Hell no.”

“Reya, every eligible wolf from the Alpha’s bloodline attends the training college,” Mother said firmly.

“Why? I won’t endure a year of training just to be married off to a beta. Or will you leave me the pack since you plan to marry Kinslee off?”

Mother and father shared a look. Neither of them provided a response, which only set my sister off.

“Damn you all. Damn you all to the pits of hell where you’ll rot!” Ruya yelled.

“Reya, wait,” I called.

She scowled and stormed out. I stood, but my mother raised her hand. “Let her go. She needs to cool off.”

“What if you were wrong, Leilani?” I asked.

“I’m never wrong. We’ll all be waiting for the hour to arrive. Summon us once it happens.”

The council and my parents left the chambers. They told me to let Reya simmer down, but she’s my twin; we share a special connection. I hate to see her mad. However, she was dangerous when she was angry, so I took my mother’s advice and let her be.

I walked the castle halls to my bedroom. I heard footsteps behind me and turned around.

“Miss Kinslee,” the hand maiden bowed.

“Is something wrong?”

She shook her blonde head. “No, on the contrary. Alpha Raiden is here and waiting for you.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. “He’s here? Does he want to speak to Father?”

“He’s waiting for you in your chambers. I know it’s against the law to have a single wolf in your chambers, but news of your engagement spread so quickly.”

“You should have asked me!” I hissed.

“He wouldn’t take no for an answer. Go in there.”

“I-I can’t.”

“You’re going to marry him.”

“Fair enough. Here I go.”

I hovered outside my bedroom door as if I were an intruder in my own father’s castle. If I stood here any longer, he would catch my scent. I might as well go inside and play it cool.

There he was, Alpha Heir Raiden. He was a year older than I was. Was it strange that I’d only learned of our engagement tonight, and he was already here?

“How long have you known?” I asked softly.

He turned from the window and smiled. “A long time. You’re everything I’ve always wanted, Kinslee. You’re so beautiful, nothing can compare to your beauty.”

I laughed. “Except my sister.”

“It’s terrifying how identical you are. You won’t even cut your hair to look different.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

He took my cheeks in his palms. “I can always tell you apart, though.”

“How so?”

“Your scents, of course.”

I sucked in my bottom lip. My wolf hadn’t said anything about Raiden being our fated mate. There was nothing I could do about that hope now. I’d been betrothed to another. The chances of my wolf finding her fated mate had been slashed in half.

I might not even recognise him now.

“Reya and I are scheduled to leave the pack for Aldercrest Academy.”

“I know. I’m leaving too. Our mating ceremony will take place at my pack as soon as our training is over.”

A lump formed in my throat. Wow, he had all the details.

I tried to force a smile. “There are rules against males being in the Alpha’s daughter’s room. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

He smiled. “Rules are stupid. They tell me I can’t kiss you until we’re mated. Anyway, I won’t disrespect your pack. I’m here with my father, and he must be wondering where I am.”

He picked up my hands and kissed them, never taking his eyes off me.

“I’ll see you soon,” he promised.

Once he left, I collapsed on my bed.

“He’s hot,” my wolf said.

I hated to admit it, but he was too die for! I’d seen him nude after a run. He was as magnificent as a shimmering vampire.

A hard knock came from my door.

“Who is it?” I jumped.

“Open the door, Kinslee,” Reya demanded.

I hurried to let her in. “What’s wrong?”

“That’s a dumb question. I see your lover boy came to see you. I didn’t know you were seeing each other before this.”

“It’s not like that. He’s just… nice.”

Reya nodded. “If you insist. There’s a bonfire in the back garden, but midnight’s rapidly approaching. Don’t you think we should wait for the marks to appear together?”

My sister was rash, but she had a good heart. I couldn’t believe what the prophecy said. I hoped those marks didn’t show up. However, what if Leilani was wrong and I was the bringer of chaos?”