The Alpha King's Rebellious Queen
The Alpha King’s Rebellious Queen Chapter 40

Cassius’s POV

Alpha Blake Reynolds seemed annoyed by my inquiry. He growled lowly. “What business is it of yours?” He sneered at me. I had to repress my urge to rip his smug face off his skull.

“It’s my business because I want to know the place I send my sister is safe for her,” I stated to him.

He shrugged. “My pack is one of the strongest in the kingdom. You know that, Terrance.” He looked at my father.

“Yes, I realize your pack is strong. I want to know how you treat she-wolves.” I said as calmly as I could muster.

“I am traditional when it comes to females, alright. Women should be seen, not heard. Speak only when spoken to. We, males, are in charge. The females are there to provide us with pups.”

My father growled lowly at him. “And do you believe in beating them?” His voice hissed out. I could see him clenching his fists.

Alpha Reynolds shrugged. “A little smack here and there keeps them in line. Reminds them who is in charge.”

“I believe in never striking a woman.” My father looked at me. “Unless it’s during a battle and the female is a rogue or enemy.”

The alpha snorted. “And that Terrance is why your daughter has a mouth like a sailor, and your mate speaks out of turn. A little smack here and there would have fixed that problem a long time ago.”

“Isabelle would have torn my nuts off if so much as attempted to hit her or treat her like trash.”

“I do not treat my mate like trash. I treat her the way a woman should be treated. We are alpha males. We shouldn’t allow anyone to walk all over us, especially not the women. That makes us weak.”

The more he spoke, the angrier I got. But I could not arrest him based on words alone. I needed hard evidence. Suspecting he beat Nicole was not enough. I was waiting for Jemma or my mother to confirm my suspicions. I don’t know how any male could look upon the Goddess’s greatest gift to us and think beating them was acceptable. Just the thought of seeing bruises on my beautiful mate made my b***d boil. I looked at the alpha’s son and wondered if he was anything like his father. ‘Dad, I don’t think we should allow them to take Ainsley.’

‘I will have to agree with you, son. I think she was better off with the vampire.’

I wanted to laugh at that statement, but I maintained my non-expression. “I believe our mates are our equals. Jemma’s words are as good as mine in this kingdom.”

Alpha Reynolds snorted. “Jemma MacKenzie of all the females in this kingdom being queen.” He shook his head. “I used to have a lot of respect for Alpha MacKenzie until I heard about his daughter’s wild antics. Getting pregnant at eighteen and sleeping with whomever. How you think a slut like her is even remotely qualified to be queen, I’ll never understand?”

‘Kill that fucker.’ Enoch roared in my head. I felt my father’s hand on my arm. I had to repress the rage that was threatening to explode as this a*****e spoke. “Jemma is not a slut, alpha.” I ground out through gritted teeth. “She may have had a few misguided transgressions a few years ago. But so did I. I am no better than her. I bedded my fair share of she-wolves before my mate came along.”

“Didn’t we all, King Cassius.” The alpha laughed.

“So, why is it okay for us to be man whores, but females are expected to be chaste virgins when we show up?”

He shrugged. “That’s just how it is.”

Jemma was right. There was a double standard. Males could sleep around all they wanted, and no one batted an eyelash. But a female doing the same thing was shamed for it and sometimes shunned for it. “And Jemma is more than qualified to be Queen. First off, the Goddess wouldn’t have chosen her to be my mate if she thought she was unworthy of me. Second, Jemma is very capable of being queen. She is brilliant and caring of others. She is also a fierce warrior.”

“Female warriors. That’s an oxymoron. Females do not belong anywhere near warrior training. They need to be in the packhouse making pups and arranging flowers. Leave the fighting to the males.”

I snorted at him. “That’s a piss poor philosophy if you ask me. Some of the most capable warriors in my army are females. Look at my Delta. I didn’t pick her because I needed a token female to look progressive. She is one of the fiercest fighters I have ever seen. She has even knocked me on my a*s a few times.”

“Lesbians don’t count. They aren’t really women.”

I glanced at Casper, who had been quiet the entire time. I wondered if he thought the same as his father. If he was even remotely similar to him, then Ainsley was not going to his pack. I would force him to accept the rejection. My father was right. Ainsley was probably better off with the f*****g vampire. ‘Cassius,’ Jemma’s sweet voice cut through my thoughts. ‘Alpha Reynolds has been beating Nicole for years. Her body is covered in bruises. He controls her food intake. He doesn’t allow her to talk to anyone.’ My b***d boiled as Jemma spoke through our mind link.

‘I suspected that,’ I didn’t think it was as bad as Jemma had just explained, ‘Take her to the hospital and have them do a full evaluation on her. In the meantime, I am taking the alpha into custody.’

‘And what about Ainsley’s mate?’ Jemma asked.

I looked at the young alpha. He seemed to be angry. I wasn’t sure at whom he was angry. ‘Dad and I will speak to him alone. We will make sure he is nothing like his father before we decide.’ I explained to her. I looked at my father. ‘Dad, I am arresting Alpha Blake for abusing his mate.’

‘Your mother just told me about it. What should we do about the boy?’

‘I think we should talk to him alone. See if he is a carbon copy of his father and then decides.’

‘Agreed.’ My father kept a neutral expression on his face as we mind linked each other.

I looked towards my guard, who was standing in the middle of the room still as a statue. ‘Sam, I need you to call in your squad, please. Via mind link.’

He didn’t move a muscle as his eyes flicked to mine. ‘Yes, your majesty.’

“So, can we leave now?” Alpha Reynold stood up.

I stood up and looked the alpha in the eyes. “You are leaving this office right now.”

“And your sister?”

“Ainsley isn’t going anywhere.” My father stated coldly as the office door opened while Sam’s men filed in.

“Alpha Blake Reynolds, I am placing you under arrest for the abuse of your mate Nicole.” I nodded to Sam and his men.

The alpha’s eyes grew wide as his face turned red. “ARE YOU f*****g KIDDING ME?!” He growled in my face. “I never abused her. I just made her mind me. She doesn’t listen, so I smacked her around to make her mind.” He snarled as the guards rushed forward to take him into custody. They had a little trouble restraining the angry alpha.

“Dad!” Casper shouted and stood up.

“You will wait here, young alpha,” I ordered him in my king tone. Casper sat down and glared at me as I followed the guards out of my office. Alpha Reynolds was growling and struggling to free himself from my guards. As we moved into the hall, I saw Jemma with my mother, sister, and Luna Nicole. Nicole cowered behind my mother and mate.

“NICOLE, WHAT DID YOU TELL THEM? YOU LYING w***e!” Alpha Reynolds was digging himself deeper and deeper.

I cringed when I saw Jemma take a step towards the angry alpha. Despite being held by six guards, he was still very dangerous. ‘Maria, I need you to bring sedatives to the hall outside of my office, now!’ I ordered my Delta. ‘Strong sedatives for an angry alpha.’

‘I’ll be right there, Cass.’ Maria replied.

“You will not speak to her that way.” My defiant Queen said to the angry alpha.

“f**k YOU!” Alpha Reynolds roared at my mate. My b***d boiled. No one roars at my mate. “YOU PUT HER UP TO THIS. I KNOW IT!” The guards were still struggling to contain him.

“No, Blake. You only have yourself to blame, you lying abusive pig.” Jemma said to him, making me cringe again. Why was she provoking him?

A roar-like growl came from the alpha as he managed to break free from my guards, and he ran straight for my pregnant mate. It was like the world was suddenly in slow motion as I watched his fist connect with Jemma’s chest, and she flew backward and landed on the floor in a daze. I let out a growl loud as thunder that shook the palace. In seconds I was on the alpha and pinned him to the wall by his neck. My claws dug into his sorry flesh. Enoch was fighting to come out and tear the alpha to pieces for touching our mate. “DO NOT TOUCH MY PREGNANT MATE!” I bellowed without thinking about what I had just said.

I looked over at Jemma, who was sitting on the ground with a shocked look on her face. “What did you just say?”

I didn’t have time to explain. I need to get this scumbag subdued and taken to the dungeons. Alpha Reynolds was writhing in my hold. He was a powerful alpha. “YOU WILL SUBMIT ALPHA REYNOLDS!” I bellowed in my king tone.

I saw the alpha struggle then he lowered his head and showed me his neck. I released my hold on his neck. He was still growling at me as I saw his wolf fighting for control. Maria ran towards me and handed me a syringe that I plunged into the alpha’s neck. “Nighty, night scumbag,” I said as he collapsed to the ground. “Now take him to the dungeons,” I ordered before walking over to Jemma, who was now standing up leaning on my mother. Luna Nicole was leaning against my sister. I walked over to Jemma and pulled her from my mother, and picked her up bridal style. “You are going to the hospital and getting looked at.”

“I’m fine, Cassius. It’s Nicole who needs medical attention.”

My eyes narrowed at her. “You just got knocked on your a*s by a very angry and abusive alpha, and you are carrying the future of this kingdom. You are getting seen by the doctor. Do not argue with me.” I said in a harsher tone than I intended.

She shrank away from me. “Am I really pregnant? How the hell do you know before me?”

“Yes, and I will explain later. Okay.” I looked back at my father, who had a stunned expression on his face. “Dad, stay here with the young alpha. I’ll be right back.

My father slowly nodded, then smirked at my mother. “Okay, son.” He spoke quietly.

“Luna Nicole, can you walk? Or do I need someone to carry you?”

She nodded. “I can walk.”

“I’ll help her, Cassy.” My mother said to me.

With that, I rushed down the hallway towards the royal hospital, which was a large building attached to the palace. I didn’t bother to see if my mother and Nicole were keeping up. My priority was my mate. I mind linked the hospital as I started running towards the hospital. Within a minute, I rushed through the doors. Dr. Angela Hall, my delta’s mate, was waiting for us in front of the reception desk.

“Take her into room 4, Cass.” She smiled at me.

I rushed past her down the hall to the room and gently set Jemma on the bed. A second later, Angela walked into the room. “So, Queen Jemma was punched by an angry alpha?”

“Yes,” I growled. “I need you to run every test, every x-ray, anything you need to do to make sure she and my pup are alright.”

“Cassius, I am fine. My chest doesn’t even hurt.”

I pointed the finger at her. “Jemma, what did I say about arguing.”

She rolled her eyes at me while Angela patted my shoulder. “Don’t worry, Cass. I’ll do everything I can for Jemma and your pup.” She smirked at that last part.

I ran my hand through my hair and nodded at her. “Also, my mother is bringing in a Luna who her mate has beaten for years. I need you to do a full evaluation on her and report to me everything you replace.”

Angela nodded. “Okay.” She replied.

I knelt beside the bed and cupped Jemma’s face in my hands. I lightly kissed her lips. “I have to go back to my office to talk with Casper Reynolds. I will be back as soon as I can. Alright?” I lowered my nose to her belly and inhaled deeply. “I smell him in there.”

She smiled at me and stroked my hair. “I’m pretty sure there is more than one in there.”

I looked into her violet eyes. “I can’t tell you how happy I am in this moment, right now. I love you so much, Jemma Skye.” I kissed her and wrapped my arms around her.

She deepened the k**s, and for a few moments, nothing else existed until someone cleared their throat. “Um, Cass. I need to examine your mate. Remember?” Angela said in her sarcastic tone.

I k**s Jemma one more time before releasing her and standing up. “You are so lucky I like you, Angela.”

She rolled her eyes at me. “Get out of here, Cassius. You are distracting me from my work.” She smirked while lightly pushing me towards the door.

“How the hell does Maria put up with your attitude?” I snarked at her.

She laughed as I walked down the hall. My mother and sister had just arrived at the hospital with Nicole in their arms. A couple of nurses rushed forward to help Nicole into a wheelchair before taking her down the hall.

“So, is it true, Cass? Am I going to be an aunt?” My sister smiled up at me.

“Yes.” I pulled her into a hug.

My mother clapped loudly. “I knew it. I just knew it.”

“I have to go speak with Casper.”

Ainsley frowned and pulled away from me. I placed my hand under her chin. “You will not go anywhere near that pack if Dad and I even remotely suspect he is anything like his piece of s**t father. Do you understand me, Ainsley?”

She sniffled and hugged me again. “Thank you, Cass. Can I be there when you and Dad talk to him?”

I nodded. “Yes, it’s your life, and you should be there. Come on.”

“I’ll stay here for Jemma and Nicole.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I squeezed her shoulder and then walked out of the hospital with my sister walking beside me. We walked in silence for a few moments.

“I sort of suspected Jemma was pregnant this morning when she crawled into my bed.”

“How?”

“I told her she smelled like you and not just on her but in her.”

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and laughed. “Good job, Ains.” We continued back to my office. My dad was sitting behind my desk while Casper was still sitting on the couches. He leaped to his feet as we entered.

“Ainsley!” He ran over to us and tried to grab my sister.

I took a protective stance in front of her and pushed the young alpha back. “You will not touch my sister,” I growled at him.

“Please, King Cassius. I just need to talk to her. I am not my father.” He pleaded with me.

“Sit.” I pointed to the couches. “Now.” The young alpha reluctantly returned to the couch he had been sitting on. My father walked over to me and smiled softly at Ainsley. She looked away from him. Their relationship had taken a big hit since everything had come to light. “Ainsley, sit behind my desk while Dad and I speak with your mate.” She nodded. Dad and I stood in front of Casper.

He looked up at us. “I am not my father.” He stated clearly.

“You do not believe in beating your mate?” I asked him as I folded my arms against my chest.

“N-no. I do not. He tried to get me to be like him. To treat women like trash. To beat them if they did anything wrong. My father is a monster. I watched him kill my mother. All she did was glance at another pack member. And my father tore her to pieces.” Tears brimmed in his eyes as he spoke.

“Why should we believe you, Casper?” My father asked him. “You lied to my son earlier.”

The poor kid slid off the couch and got onto his knees. “Please, your majesties, you have to believe me. Please. I swear to the Goddess I will never treat Ainsley like my father treated my mother or Nicole. Never. Ever. She will be cherished like the queen she is.”

I glanced at my father. “What do you think, Dad?”

He shrugged and looked at my sister. “Ainsley, come here.”

My sister stood up with a grunt and walked over to us. She glared at my father and tapped her foot on the ground.

Casper stood up and looked my sister in the eyes. He tried to grab her arm, but she backed away from him. “Ainsley, please. Give me a chance. Like I told your father and brother, I am not like my father. I swear to you I will never lay a hand on you in anger. I will never raise my voice. You are my other half. My Luna.”

My sister looked past him at us. “Do you guys believe him?”

“I think he is sincere.” My father replied to her.

She sighed. “Fine. I’ll give you a chance. But first, you have to take the anti-domestic abuse classes, which are a week long.”

He nodded. “I’ll do anything for you, Ainsley.” He reached out to touch her. She finally relented and allowed him to touch her hand. I saw their eyes meet as my sister smiled softly at him.

“Casper, do you believe you are ready to take over as Alpha of your pack?”

He nodded. “I have been training to be alpha since I was seven, King Cassius.”

“You can just call me Cassius. For now.” I winked at him. “Does your pack have a competent Beta?”

“Yes, Cassius. He doesn’t believe as my father does. But being beta, he couldn’t go against my father.”

“Okay, well, he is going to be in charge of your pack while you finish alpha class and the anti-domestic abuse classes, alright? That will give you time to show my sister that you mean every word that just came out of your mouth. Then she will decide if she will be your luna or not.” My sister smiled at me.

“And if you dare touch a single inch of my daughter’s body in anger. If you make her cry or hurt her, you will answer to us.” My father added as he leaned towards the young alpha.

Casper nodded quickly. “I swear to you both.” He turned to my sister. “Can we talk for a little bit, alone?”

Ainsley looked at me, then back to her mate. “Fine.” She replied to him.

“Cassius, Terrance-“

My dad held up a hand. “Call me Terry, please.”

Casper snorted. “Okay. But seriously, what is going to happen to my dad?”

“He beat Nicole for years, and depending on how extensive her injuries are, it’s likely he will be stripped of his title and imprisoned for many years.”

“He deserves to be executed for what he did to my mother and what he did to Nicole. Neither one of them deserved what happened to them.”

I sighed. “We can’t do anything about what happened to your mother without evidence, unfortunately.”

“What if your doctors can examine her remains? She is buried in the pack cemetery. Can’t they like to figure out how she died from her bones? You have my permission to dig her up.”

My father snorted. “You watch too much TV, kid.”

“Dad,” I growled at him. “I will send one of our medical examiners to your pack, and they’ll dig up your mother, and depending on their replaceings, your father will be severely punished.”

“I’ll call Beta Jeffery and let him know all about this,” Casper stated. “But first, I want to talk to Ainsley.” He smiled at my sister.

“Oh, go on, you two.” My father smiled at my sister. “Ainsley, I am so sorry.”

She threw her arms around my dad and hugged him. “It’s okay, Dad. I love you.”

“I love you too, princess.” My father kissed her cheek. “

Ainsley allowed Casper to clasp her hand, and he leads her out of my office. I blew out a long sigh. “f**k, this has been a long day, and it’s not even lunch time.”

My father laughed and clapped my shoulder. “No s**t, sherlock.” He looked me in the eyes. “And can I say congratulations on the pup? I knew my boy could do it.”

“Thanks, Dad. Speaking of, I better check on Jemma. Then I have to come back here to hear about what Deke found at Silver Paw’s packhouse.” I g*****d. “Being king is hard sometimes.”

Laughter erupted from my father. “Sometimes. That s**t is hard all of the time, son. And I am so glad I’m not the one doing it anymore.”

“You are an a*****e,” I said as he walked out of the office. He just flipped the bird at me while laughing.

Sighing, I walked out of my office and headed back to the hospital to see my beautiful mate, the mother of my kingdom’s future.