The King’s Unclaimed Mate

Chapter 1

SAGE

“Happy birthday, Sage,” I whispered to myself as soon as I opened my eyes.

I was in an exceptionally light mood this morning. Today is a very special day for me. Aside from being my 18th birthday, today is also the day that I will stand before the moon goddess and receive my wolf. My life has been tough since my father died. He used to be an alpha but was sentenced to death when he was accused of treason. Alpha Gordon, alpha of the Moonlake Crest Pack, was generous enough to spare me and take me under his wing to prevent me from sharing the same fate. I get up and fix my bed before heading towards the bathroom. I couldn’t help but smile while I was in the shower. I was truly looking forward to today. Aside from getting my wolf, Holt told me that he had prepared something for my birthday. Holt was the only good thing that happened to me since Alpha Gordon took me in to live with them. They never treated me as part of their family. I’m more like their maid, who lives just to serve them. Holt was the only one who treated me as a friend and not a slave.

I thought Alpha Gordon took me out of goodwill, and that he truly believes I’m innocent of the sin of my father. But everything became clear the moment I stepped foot into their home. They let me stay in the bunker, and cockroaches and rats are my constant companions. I’m only allowed to eat their leftovers. But Holt was different. He constantly sneaks in freshly cooked food for me whenever his parents are not around. He never shouted at me or hit me like the other members of his family. “Once I’ve become the alpha, I’m going to make you my Luna, Sage. I promise you. No one is going to hurt you again.”

These are the promises he made when he confessed his love for me. I was overjoyed when he told me that. I was already aware of my feelings for him before he confessed. He’s the lone bright spot in my current terrible fate. He is the only reason I am enduring the torture from Alpha Gordon and his family. I chose to wear the only quality clothes I possessed. Holt gave me a pink floral dress for my seventeenth birthday last year. We have been in a relationship for two years. Though we chose to keep it a secret from his family for the time being, I’m clinging to Holt’s promise to present me to the pack as his girlfriend soon.

I glanced at myself in the full-body mirror one last time before I headed upstairs to prepare breakfast for the family. It has been my routine for five years now since I arrived at this house. It doesn’t matter whether it’s my birthday or not; I need to serve them as usual.

I was surprised when I found everyone in the dining hall. The table was already set, and the food had been served.

“Oh, she’s here! The woman we’ve all been waiting for,” Alpha Gordon announced, smiling widely as he approached me. “Good morning, Sage!” he greeted before giving me a peck on the cheeks.

I felt a little bit awkward about his sudden kindness towards me. It caught me off guard, since I haven’t seen him smile towards me since I got here.

“Come on, Sage. Join us. We prepared this food especially for you,” Erica said, Alpha Gordon’s wife.

I immediately felt suspicious of the kindness that they were showing me. I’ve been celebrating my birthday for five years now, and not once have they prepared something for my birthday, not even a slice of cake. So, it’s completely out of their character whenever they do something like this.

I have a bad feeling about this. Are they planning to poison me?

I searched for Holt around the table, hoping I could get some answers from him. But when my eyes landed on him, he quickly averted his gaze. He looks apologetic and guilty. But what is he so guilty about?

“Here, take this seat,” Alpha Gordon said as he pulled up an empty chair placed on the other end of the table. Once I’m seated, he quickly goes back to the seat across the other side of the table. “Happy birthday, Sage,” Annika greeted with a smirk as she raised her eyebrows. She looks like she knows something that I don’t.

The mystery is already killing me. I had an urge to ask what’s happening. “What’s going on?”

“It’s your birthday, Sage. We’ve prepared something special for you now that you’ve come of age. Besides, tonight will be the night that you’ll be standing below the moon goddess to receive your wolf, aren’t you?” Erica answered.

“None of you has been kind to me since I got here. You’ve all treated me like a slave. So, please excuse me if I find it hard to believe that you’ve all gone through trouble just to prepare something for my birthday,” I said

Alpha Gordon’s laughter suddenly filled the room. He then picked up his cup of coffee and took a sip from it. “You’ve always been quick to catch on to what’s happening,” he said, revealing the devilish smile he has always worn since I met him. “You’re right. This isn’t just about your birthday and coming of age. I think it’s time for you to pay for all the kindness that we’ve shown you since you betrayed our pack.”

“What do you mean?” I asked in confusion.

“You’re aware of the peace treaty between the Lycan king and all the packs within this territory, right?” he started.

Of course, I’m perfectly aware of that. All the alphas within this continent agreed to send their daughters to the Lycan king as concubines to control packs and prevent them from betraying the kingdom. “Y-yes,” I stuttered. I’m already suspecting where he’s going with this, but I’m still hoping that I was wrong.

“Well, you should be thrilled to represent our pack and honor the treaty our pack signed into,” he continued. “But the treaty stated that you should send your oldest daughter.”

I stopped in my tracks when I realized something.

“What do you think is the reason I adopted you, Sage? It’s for this purpose at all,” he said, confirming what had been going on inside my head since he mentioned that savage and ruthless king."

I always wondered why he adopted me. Now everything comes to light. I looked at Holt, hoping to see some light in this terrible news. But he refused to look at me.

“You’ll be going to the palace tomorrow. Don’t mess this up for the pack, Sage. At least for once, be useful,” Erica commented.

I remained silent. I can’t even swallow my food. All I’m thinking right now is Holt. What will happen to us now?

Alpha Gordon and Erica left right after breakfast. They needed to arrange some things for the engagement tomorrow. I took that opportunity to talk to Holt. Maybe he has a plan. Annika was in her room, and Holt was preparing to leave when I stopped him to confront him.

“What’s your plan, Holt?” I asked him. “We can run away together. Let’s leave everything behind, Holt. I love you, and you love me. I think that’s more than enough reason for us to move away.”

He let out a loud sigh before he answered. “Do what my dad says, Sage. We don’t have a choice.”

I was surprised by his answer. It took me a while to recover. “What do you mean?” I asked, feeling confused.

“If you don’t agree, my father will have no choice but to send my sister to that monster. I can’t let that happen. She’s my sister,” he said.

I immediately took a step back upon realizing that he wasn’t going to choose me. “So, it’s rather me who will be sent to that so-called monster than your sister, right?”

He quickly grabbed both of his arms. “I’m sorry it has been this way, Sage. But I promise, once I’ve become the Alpha, I’ll get you back. My hands are tied right now, Sage. I can’t run away with you. You can’t expect me to throw everything away just to be with you. You have to understand.”

I took a deep breath. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked you to do that.”

He smiled before he cupped my cheek. “I know you’d understand. Just do what my father is asking you to do, okay? If the Lycan King discards you, I’ll take you back. I promise.” He then proceeded to press his lips against my forehead before he left. It hadn’t been long since Holt left when I heard a voice behind me.

“How brave of you to ask my brother to ditch his family and his responsibility as the future alpha of this pack. You must be delusional.” Annika sneered as she leaned against the frame door.

“You don’t know what Holt and I have. We love each other, and I believe him.”

“Really? Did he say where he is going right now?” She smirked.

“I don’t have to know. I know it’s something important. But I trust Holt.”

“Is that so?” She slowly walked closer to me and handed me a piece of paper. “That’s Emily’s address,” she said.

“Who’s Emily?” I asked in confusion.

“She’s Holt’s fiancée and his future Luna.”

I was taken aback. I tried my best to hide my surprise from Annika. “He wouldn’t do that. He promised he wouldn’t take any Luna but me, I answered confidently.

“If you’re that confident, then why don’t you visit them? See it for yourself,” she challenged me.

“I don’t have to. I trust Holt.”

She sneered, “Your innocence will get you killed, Sage.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Well, it’s your choice anyway. I’m just trying to be nice since you’re going to take place as the Lycan king’s new concubine. Let’s just say it’s my payment for your sacrifice,” she said before leaving me dumbfounded in the living room.

1 stared at the paper on my head for a few minutes. “Holt will not do that to me. I trust him,” I murmured.

Chapter 2

SAGE

I feel like I’m betraying Holt as I took a cab going to Emily’s address. I know I should trust Holt, but there’s a voice inside me telling me to check it out. Annika was never nice to me, but she didn’t have to lie to me either. She has no reason to do so, which makes me more convinced that there’s truth in what she told me. My heart was racing as I slowly walked towards the door of Emily’s house. My heart sank when I saw Holt’s car parked outside their house. Despite the obvious truth, I still wanted to hear it from Holt’s mouth.

I blew a loud breath as I stood outside the door. I was contemplating whether I should press the doorbell or not. I raised my hand, and I was about to press it when I was suddenly filled with fear. I was afraid to know the truth. I decided to turn around and leave. But before I could even take a few steps away from the place, the door swung open. And there I saw a beautiful woman with the sweetest smile I’ve ever seen. “H-Hi-“I nervously greeted. But before I could even finish, she immediately gave me a tight hug.

“How nice of you to come!” she greeted ecstatically. “You’re Holt’s sister, right? You came here for the announcement?” she said, flashing her sweetest smile. “Come on, let’s come inside. There’s plenty of food for everyone.” I didn’t get a chance to decline. She gently pulled me towards the crowd. Holt was busy talking to a member of our pack when he turned around and noticed us. I saw him turn pale when he saw me with his fiancée. “Holt, look who I saw outside. I thought you said she couldn’t come because she’s sick?”

Holt’s face was filled with surprise. I was probably the last thing he was expecting to see today.

“Oh, he’s probably talking about Annika. I’m Sage, his other sister.” I introduce myself, forcing a smile on my face.

Emily looked surprised, “Oh! I didn’t know Holt had another sister. But anyway, it was so nice of you to come to our engagement. We’re still going to have a formal announcement. Right now, it was just friends and other members of the family.”

Holt looked surprised and at the same time relieved when I didn’t tell Emily who I was. “Congratulations. You two will surely make a good couple,” I said, forcing a smile on my face.

“Thank you.” Emily answered. “Will you be a doll and take care of Sage for me, Holt? I wanted to spend more time with your sister, but I still have a lot of things to do around here. I’ll be back in a jiffy, okay?” Emily said before giving a kiss on the cheeks. She then went ahead to manage the party.

I don’t want to be left alone with Holt right now, but I had no other choice. “Congratulations,” I greeted him.

“I’m sorry. I don’t have a choice,” he apologized.

I grabbed a glass of champagne from a roaming waiter. “We all have a choice, Holt. Be a man and own it up.” I said before drinking the whole glass in one go. “Congratulations again on your engagement. Please say bye to Emily for me. She’s a nice woman, take care of her,” I said before leaving the party.

“How many did you drink, Sage?” Hillary’s voice was tinged with concern as she watched me down yet another shot of tequila. I had asked her to join me at the bar, seeking solace in the numbing embrace of liquor.

I believed I deserved this escape after the shocking revelation that had recently shattered my world. My adoptive father, Alpha Gordon, had decided my fate, binding me to the ruthless Lycan king without even considering my consent. What’s worse is, this is also the day that the only man I thought I could rely on abandoned me and hung me out to dry.

Until this night, I had been the timid, obedient girl who followed orders without question. I felt I had no other choice. My father had been killed, accused of treachery when our pack fell victim to a rogue wolf attack. Gordon, the man who had adopted me, was the only one generous enough to take me under his wing. No one dared challenge his directives, and I had remained grateful for the shelter he provided, despite what my father did. He took over the pack and became the new alpha after my father died.

But tonight, it was finally revealed the reason behind his decision to adopt me. All alpha of the pack has agreed to send one of their daughters to be part of the tyrant’s harem and become one of his wives. Now, it’s time for the Moonlake Crest pack to pay their due. And Alpha Gordon had every intention to send me on behalf of her daughter, Annika.

But what’s more painful above all this is the fact that the only man I’ve ever loved chose power over me. He promised to protect me, yet he’s the first one to throw me under the bus when his father decided that marrying me off to the ruthless lycan king would be the best for the pack. As I sat at the bar, staring into my empty glass, the gravity of my destiny weighed down on me like a looming thunderstorm. Hillary’s presence and her unwavering support were the silver lining on this darkest night of my life. She leaned closer, her voice just above a whisper, as though afraid the walls might betray our secrets. “What choice do you have, Sage?”

I met her gaz., “What choice do I have?”

“You do.”

Right after I said those words, I remember what I said to Holt. Everybody has a choice. Yes, that’s right. And tonight, I have a choice. I may not escape my fate to marry someone I don’t love, but I can choose who I will give my virtue to.

“Sage! You can’t do that, Sage!”

I smiled mysteriously, “But you still haven’t heard what I’m about to do.”

“Yes, but I know you, and I know that look. You’re about to do something dangerous.”

“Yeah, and so is marrying that pompous prick,” I retorted, my words a sharp retort against the future that had been cruelly crafted for me.

Panicked, Hillary was quick to cover my mouth with her delicate hand, a frantic look in her eyes as she scanned the bar for prying ears. The music throbbed in the background, its deafening bass drowning out most conversations. People were too absorbed in their own lives and dramas to pay heed to our whispered exchange. “Are you crazy? Someone might hear you!” she said, gently massaging her temple.

I smiled and said, “Don’t worry. The music is too loud; I’m sure nobody can hear what I said.” I told her, followed by a chuckle.

“You know what? Let’s go home. You’re drunk. Your father will kill us if he discovers that we went to this bar,” she suggested. “But before that, I’ll go to the restroom real quick. Don’t go anywhere, okay? Wait, me here.” She was hesitant to leave me alone, especially after what I said. But it seems like she doesn’t have any choice. She quickly turned around and ran to the restroom.

I seized the opportunity to execute my plan, not caring about who it would be. All I wanted to do was to put some Alphas to shame. And my risky game was about to start. Scanning the bar for a willing partner.

The bar was filled with eager men, each presenting himself as a potential candidate for my night and escape from my predetermined fate. Despite her palpable desire, none sparked my interest until I saw him - a solitary figure exuding an enigmatic allure. Our connection was immediate and undeniable, making the world around us seem to fade away.

He sipped his drink, held in a strong yet graceful hand, and my breath caught. His gaze met mine, igniting a desire I hadn’t known I possessed, and my heart raced in sync with the pulsating music.

His aura exuded danger, a primal force that could overpower me, yet I felt an irresistible pull. In that very moment, I longed to be consumed by that danger, to be held within his arms.

“Not him,” I repeated to myself, the words a feeble attempt to shield my racing heart from the danger that his mere presence seemed to embody. He was trouble, and that was the last thing I needed.

My intense attraction felt overwhelming, suffocating me. I needed to find someone else. Trying to redirect my focus, I scanned the bar for a new prospect. Yet, the memory of his alluring gaze lingered in my head, refusing to fade.

Navigating the crowded room, the anticipation hung thick. The pulsating music matched my erratic heartbeat. I urged myself to keep moving, escaping the tantalizing danger shadowing each step.

Amid the swirling lights on the dance floor, I moved urgently, propelled by a need to evade his intense gaze. Unsure of my destination, I surrendered to the night’s energy. Conflicting desires overwhelmed me. In a secluded corner, I leaned against the wall, attempting to regain composure and distance myself from the enigmatic stranger. Closing my eyes, I tried to forget his gaze and the allure of danger. My gaze returned to where he sat, disappointment washing over me as he was nowhere to be found. “He was right,” I mumbled to myself, shaking my head as if to dispel the irrational pull he had on me. “This is crazy.”

I decide to leave the bar, taking hesitant steps toward the exit. As I moved away from the dance floor, my head started spinning, likely due to the tequila shots I had earlier.

Desperately trying to steady myself, my unsteady fingers failed. Instead of hitting the floor, I felt something warm and solid beneath me. I landed against the chest of a stranger, gasping in surprise, my lazy eyes struggling to focus.

Looking upward, I met the familiar gaze of these mesmerizing gray eyes, gazing down at me with a knowing amusement.

“You should be careful, kitten,” he cautioned, his voice like smooth velvet, a seductive baritone that sent shivers cascading down my spine.

In that exhilarating moment, my inhibitions vanished like morning mist. With a newfound boldness, I threw caution to the wind. Without a word, I wrapped my arms around his neck-a sudden, daring move that surprised him. His initial expression shifted from surprise to a sly smile. Though unexpected, he didn’t resist my impulsive move. His arms encircled me in response, drawing me closer as the heat between us ignited. “You’re one brave little kitten,” he whispered.

I felt the warmth of his breath teasing my parted lips, sparking an irresistible urge to taste his mouth. Fixated on his luscious lips, the world faded away.

Driven by primal desire, I boldly reached out, seizing his nape to pull him closer. The hunger in my kiss claimed his lips fervently. In response, he answered with a lustful, urgent kiss.

An involuntary moan escaped as his warm, determined hands explored my body. His touch ignited a cascade of sensations, a mix of desire and need. In that charged moment, restraint blurred, and I surrendered to the intoxicating allure of his caress.

Chapter 3

SAGE

I found myself in a fancy hotel, and I couldn’t quite remember how we got there. It was one of those places where luxury was everywhere you looked. But honestly, I couldn’t care less about the details at that moment. My head was spinning, not from the fancy surroundings but from the captivating scent of the man I was with.

It was like I had entered a whirlwind, and everything else just faded away. The scent of this man wrapped around me, making me forget about everything. It was a scent that was hard to describe, but it was alluring—a mixture of his perfume and the natural smell of his skin. Honestly, it didn’t matter how we got here. All that mattered was that I was with him, lost in his presence.

The room we were in was fit for royalty. There was a king-sized bed that looked too comfortable to resist, adorned with soft sheets and plump pillows. The entire setup felt regal, as if we were in a palace. But all those fancy things couldn’t hold my attention. My mind was consumed by the man whose lips were locked onto mine, and the way his touch made my heart race. By aahhh, I let out a

Aaannn…

… a soft moan when his lips started to move down my neck onto the valley of my breast. Each trail of kisses set my body on absolute fire. I can feel the warmth of his body in every fiber of my being. All throughout my body, I felt waves of ecstasy as each touch sparked an inferno of need. The sensation of his body’s heat soaking into mine was enough to send me into a frenzy. I arched my back as an electrifying jolt of pleasure coursed through me as his hands explored my curves. In my effort to hide the stifled moan that tried to escape my lips, I gripped desperately to the edge of the bed. But my attempts backfired as he pulled my tender nipple into his mouth and teased it with his mischievous tongue.

“Fuck!” I cursed loudly as I failed to stop myself from making any sound.

His right hand kept going, sliding down my stomach to the center of my most intimate part. I let out a short gasp as his deft fingers began to caress my most delicate region, sending my senses on fire to the point where I could hardly catch my breath. The combination of the lingering liquor’s intoxicating effects and the exquisite enjoyment brought on by his touch sent my thoughts spinning in a whirlwind of sensations. The world seemed to dissolve, leaving behind only the throbbing beat of our mutual desire as we danced to the rhythm of pleasure that only we could hear.

With each stroke of his fingers, it was as if he were revealing a secret language, a hidden symphony of ecstasy that swept through me like a tidal wave. My body reacted eagerly to his every touch, and I found myself breathing in short, shallow gasps as I gave in to the euphoric tornado of feelings.

My toes curled up as I started to feel the tingling sensation building up on top of my belly. I knew that it wouldn’t take long before I reached the peak of my orgasm. It seemed like he knew my body better than I do, and he can feel as well that I’m about to hit my climax. I was so wet that his finger slipped into my core effortlessly. He chased his finger inside me back and forth while he continues to suck my breast. I don’t know where to turn my head while my body feels every movement of his finger inside me.

“Fuck! I’m cumming!” I moaned loudly as my body convulsed in so much ecstasy. I was breathing heavily as I slowly opened my eyes after that mind-blowing orgasm.

He licked every ounce of my juice from his finger.

“Sweet,” he whispered without breaking our eye contact.

I thought that would be the end of it, but my eyes widened when he slowly lowered his head into the center of my being.

“Wait!” I shouted in my attempt to stop him from going down on me. But it was too late. My protest turned into a loud moan when his sinful mouth touches my center. “Aaaahhh…fck!” My hand immediately landed on his head, and my fingers clasped into his hair as I tried to understand the unfamiliar sensation that was engulfing my whole being. His tongue moved with a delicious rhythm, flicking and caressing my most intimate center as if he were savoring his favorite ice cream. The sensation was electrifying, sending waves of pleasure coursing through my entire being. I had just experienced an intense release moments ago, but as his skillful mouth continued its sinful assault, I wouldn’t be surprised if I found myself succumbing to another wave of ecstasy.

The sensations were unlike anything I had ever felt, with each playful stroke of his tongue creating a symphony of pleasure that threatened to overtake my senses. It was as if he had mastered the art of pleasure, knowing exactly how to play my body like a finely tuned instrument. With each passing moment, I felt myself surrendering to the intoxicating sensations that he was weaving with his sinful mouth. Every flick of his tongue, every tantalizing tease, felt like a dance of desire, an irresistible invitation to explore the depths of carnal passion. My fingers instinctively grasped the sheets, my body arching in response to the undeniable pleasure that coursed through me.

With every passing second, I felt myself edging closer to another release, my breathing coming in ragged gasps as I teetered on the brink of pleasure. I could feel the heat building within me—a blazing inferno of longing that defied all restraint. My moans grew louder, a testament to the sheer intensity of the pleasure that I was experiencing right now. With each passing moment, my need for release grew more insistent, and I found myself teetering on the edge of orgasm. As if on cue, my body started to shiver with so much pleasure as he continued to lick my center. I lost track of when my orgasm started and when it ended. All I can remember is the memorable pleasure that he introduced to my body. He continued to lick my center, sipping every ounce of my juices until he was fully satisfied. Once he was done, he slowly crawled back on top of me and positioned himself between my legs. I gulped as I watched him unbuckle his pants and slowly remove his pants, revealing his whole body right before my eyes. I swallowed hard as I tried to imagine how his huge thing would fit inside my untouched blossom.

“You’re mine tonight, kitten,” he whispered with a playful smirk on his lips. He then rubbed the tip of his member into my entrance. Each stroke sends a shiver down every fiber of my being. Trying to stop myself from whining when he started to push his member inside me. With every inch that he pushes inside me, it feels like a sharp sword cutting me in half. I dug my nails into his skin as I endured the pain. “So, fucking tight,” he moaned as he continued to ease himself into my core.

Minutes felt like forever as the pain seethes right through me while he continues to invade my whole being. I only realized that he had already thrust his whole body inside me when he started moving on top of me.

“Breathe,” he whispered against my ear.

That’s when I noticed that I had been holding my breath for what seemed like eternity.

We remained in that position for a couple of minutes until my insides adjusted to his size. He felt like I’m ready for the next, he whispered once again.

“I’m going to move now,” he said with his rich, baritone voice.