Chapter 1

“She carries no scent, Alpha King.”

The king stood in the hallway; his gaze fixated in front of him. He couldn’t wrap his head around any of it. The woman who occupied his bed was his mate. But she was off limits because she’s a human and somehow humans are always weak. He looks at his third in command, Fredericko, with his eyebrows uncomfortably drawn together. “Let her stay in my room until she’s healed. Do not let her wander around.” Fredericko gasps as if realising the danger behind the Alpha’s words.

“B-but my king,” he starts with a foolish stutter. The king holds his hand out with a scowl.

“Do not let her wander around.” He repeats with a grumble.

“As you wish, Alpha King.” The king turns around and hurriedly strides down the hall, a nagging feeling washes over him.

His part of the castle contained little to no light which enables him to see seven percent of objects in his view.

His cloak sways behind him, a soft swishing sound erupting from the thick fabric. He remains nameless to his people. The only name they knew and called him gave him all the power he needed over them. Alpha King. He ruled over them without sight, he relied on his senses. They were after all like his eyes.

As he entered his office, The King let out an agonizing growl. He’ll stay away from her, even if it meant remaining in his office for who knows how long.

.

Apple woke up with a throbbing headache and a bandage around her ankle. She sat upright in the comfortable bed with a sigh and looks around the unknown room. She gasps when she sees a man lying on the couch that stood in the middle of the room, passed out.

She clears her throat loud enough for him to wake up and just as he lifts his head up, he drops it onto the couch again. ‘Where are my glasses?’ she thinks as she narrows her eyes. “Uhm, excuse me?” She throws the covers from her legs and attempts to get up. She falls onto the floor with a loud thud and groans out in pain. The man who had been asleep, wakes up and jumps into a fighting position, his face red and confused.

“Who’s there?” he asks and looks around the room as if he’s searching for an intruder.

“Just me…” Apple mumbles. “Down here,” Fredericko looks at Apple who tries getting up from the floor. He scurries towards her side and lifts her up onto the bed.

“Are you okay, Madam?” he asks politely. Apple nods and looks at the bandage around her ankle.

“I’m looking for my glasses.” Fredericko extracts her glasses from his pocket and Apple smiles before sliding them onto her face. She mutters a small ‘thank you’. “You weren’t the one who saved me.”

Fredericko nods and swiftly moves away from the beautiful female. “No, the king did.” He says and avoids her gaze by looking elsewhere. The king would kill him if his scent lingers on her.

“Where is he?” she asks with a frown.

“He’s- he’s busy.” Fredericko felt extremely cautious as he stood in front of Apple’s watchful eyes. He understood why The King wouldn’t want her near him, Onyx would never control himself.

“He has beautiful eyes. Absolutely pure and innocent.” She says while staring into space. Her mind clouded with thoughts of the devilishly handsome man who saved her from being ran over.

“Are you hungry?” Fredericko asks, ignoring her comments about the King’s innocent eyes. What does she anyway see in him, he thinks begrudgingly?

“Ice cream would be nice.” Apple says with a small smile. Fredericko chuckles and makes a beeline for the door. He’s stopped by Apple who grabs his wrist. “Tell the king Apple Joe requests for his presence.” She says and Fredericko smiles.

“I’ll see what I can do, milady.”

.

Fredericko stood in the middle of The King’s office, an uneasy feeling wavers in his throat. “You smell like her.” The king says slowly. Fredericko narrows his eyes in the dark room.

“My king-”

“Why do you smell like her?” he asks as he slams his hand onto the oak desk. The King gets up from his chair and slowly stalks towards Fredericko. His hands shook with rage as Apple’s scent grew stronger as he now stood face-to-face with his third in command.

“She fell, my king. I–”

The King’s huge, tattooed hand wraps around Fredericko’s neck. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you.”

“She requested your presence, my king. She doesn’t even care about me.”

“Get out.” The King says as his hand disappears from Fredericko’s neck. “Leave, Fredericko.”

“Very well then, My King. I do apologise if I’ve overstepped any boundaries. I will do anything possible to keep your mate safe.” Something snaps inside of him and the king suddenly tries hard to regain his breath.

“What did you just say?” Fredericko tries taking a step back but is stopped by the king whose hand wraps around his bicep. “Say that again and I’ll break your oesophagus.”

.

Apple wraps the fluffy towel around her body as she exits the bathroom. She halts in her steps as she sees the man who saved her a few days ago. She cautiously fidgets with the hem of the towel that is securely wrapped around her pruned body. “Oh,” she says softly. “I didn’t realise you’re in here.”

“I can’t see you.” The King says.

“Funny actually, because you’re looking directly at me.”

“Doesn’t mean I can see you.”

“You’re-you’re blind.” The words hit her like a wave of confusion. “But you s-saved me. How is that even possible?”

“You summonsed me here to thank me, not ask me questions.” The King gets up from the couch. “I’ll be on my way now. You can stay for as long as you need. Let Fredericko know when you’re ready to leave.”

“Wait!” Apple takes a few steps closer to the unbelievably huge and bulky man. She wraps her slender fingers around his long, thick ones and pulls the king down to her length.

“What are you doing?”

“Thanking you for saving me.” Apple pecks his cheek and steps back. “Thank you, Alpha King.” She says with a blush and hurriedly scurries towards the bathroom.