The Alpha King's Rebellious Queen
The Alpha King’s Rebellious Queen Chapter 85

Cassius’s POV

My dreams were filled with happiness and my pups frolicking in the usual spot. Then my dream was interrupted by the distressed crying of the pup on my chest. I opened my eyes, and Nick was clawing my chest and writhing with his eyes closed. Tears fell from his closed eyes. He let out a sob, and that seemed to wake Jemma up. She had been curled up beside me, and she turned to attend to her pup. She picked him up from my chest and held him to hers. His little eyes opened, and he continued to sob as she gently soothed him. I stroked his back while his body shook. He eventually quieted as he woke up more.

“Oh baby, more bad dreams?” Jemma asked him, and he had buried his little face in her chest.

“The bad men kept chasing me. They kept saying I was a bad pup and that I needed to be hurt with silver.” He mumbled against her.

She rocked him. “My poor pup. Mommy is right here. No bad men will get you.” She said quietly to him.

I leaned towards them and stroked his cheek. “No bad men will get through me, Nick.”

He smiled slightly at me and reached his arm out to me. Jemma allowed me to pull Nick to my chest. I stroked his back, and he seemed to be calming down. Jemma rolled out of bed. I smiled at her growing belly. She was wearing just a pair of shorts and a sports bra, so she was on full display. She walked into the bathroom, and I turned my attention back to Nick. “Let’s get ready for the day. Your Nana will spend most of it with you. She said she wants to take you to the zoo today.”

He looked up at me and grinned. “Tigers? I want to watch the tigers.”

“I’m sure Nana will make sure you get to watch the tigers as much as you want.” It amused me how much this pup loved tigers. I heard the shower switch on in the bathroom, and I wished I was in there with my mate. But right now, I had my pup to attend to. I sat up with him in my arms and then stood up from the bed. I carried him to the couch and sat him down. “Can you stay here and watch your cartoons while your Mommy and I get ready?”

He nodded as I turned on the TV and flipped the channels to his favorite. I walked into the bathroom and stripped off my shorts, and stepped into the shower behind Jemma. She was washing her hair. We took a quiet shower together and then toweled off. She wrapped her robe around her body and walked out of the bathroom. I heard her talking to Nick as I shaved my face. When finished, we went to the closet. I rummaged through my clothes, deciding to be formal today due to the sentencing of Casper. I chose a black three-piece suit with a silver-colored shirt. I glanced at Jemma, and she was wearing a black skirt with a light blue shirt and black jacket. I caressed her from behind as she stood looking at her herself in the mirror. “I like that outfit on you, love.”

She leaned into me and smiled. I placed my hands on her belly to feel the pups kicking, but nothing happened. “I think they finally went to sleep.” She snorted. “They were up all night.”

I laughed. “I suppose we should get used to that.” I leaned down and kissed her neck.

She pulled away from me. “I’ll get Nicky ready.” She said and walked out of the closet. I followed her out. She and Nick were walking out of the door. I sat on the couch and changed the TV to the news. About ten minutes later, Jemma mind-linked me, telling me she and Nick were ready for breakfast. I turned off the TV and went out of the room. Jemma was walking towards the elevator with Nick. I caught up to them wrapped my arms around Jemma. My father was waiting at the elevator.

“Good morning, Dad.” I greeted him. “Where is Mom?”

“The hospital is releasing Ainsley this morning, and your mother wanted to be there with her. I guess the vampire is there also.” He said with mild disgust. It was still hard for my father to accept his daughter being with a vampire. He was coming around, but it was a slow process. “He will be joining us for breakfast.”

I laughed. “I don’t know if the kitchen has any b***d for him.”

My father laughed out loud at that. “We’ll have to stock some for it.”

“Dad,” I snorted as the elevator door opened. We walked in. “He is not an it. He male as far as we know.”

“You two are horrible.” Jemma chimed in.

My father shrugged. “When one of your children mates with a vampire, we’ll see how calm you are about it.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “If the vampire is good to my child, then I’ll be just fine about it.”

The door opened, and Nick ran out ahead of us. We saw Ainsley with my mother and Titus waiting by the dining room. “Morning, Ains. How are you, little sis?” I greeted her as my father hugged her.

“I’m good, Cass. I’m glad to be out of the hospital.” She smiled at me.

I hugged her, and then we all walked into the dining room. Everyone stood up, and all eyes were on Ainsley and Titus. “Good morning, everyone. I hope your night was good. I see you all looking at the vampire standing beside my sister. This is Titus. He is my sister’s uh boyfriend.” I explained as there were some murmurs. “I’d personally like to thank him for saving my sister’s life, and thus he is welcome here in the palace. I want you all to treat him with respect.” I said and smiled at Titus. “Thank you, Titus, for saving my sister. Welcome to the family.”

He nodded at me and clasped Ainsely’s hand.

I looked back over the long table at the gathered warriors and my beta and his mate. “Let’s eat.” I finished my speech and sat down. The omegas started to bring out breakfast. They looked a little confused about what to do with Titus.

“I’ll just have some coffee,” He told one of the omegas. The omega looked at me for a second and then ran off to get the vampire some coffee.

I looked down at the breakfast offering, and it was a big slab of ham with eggs and hashbrowns with toast. A few of the others at the table were quietly watching Titus. I growled out, and they returned their attention to their food. Deke cleared his throat.

“So, Titus, you can drink coffee no problem?”

The vampire smirked at my beta. He did seem a bit nervous. Then he was a vampire in a room with about thirty werewolves. He took a sip of coffee. “I love coffee, sir.”

“Oh,” Deke laughed. “I am Deke Shade,” He pointed at me. “That lugs royal beta.”

Titus laughed. “I assume you must be good friends to talk about him so informal in his presence.”

Deke nodded. “We are like brothers, right Cass?”

“Yes,” I laughed. “I have known Deke since we were young pups.”

Titus laughed dryly. “Your court reminds me of King Romulus’s court. He is quite casual with his closest men.”

“Really? He always seems so formal whenever I have encountered him,”

“King Romulus is about formality in the right situations. But around his own people, he is pretty chill.” Titus explained. “He doesn’t even wear a crown.”

I snorted. “I only wear a crown on special occasions.”

We continued breakfast chit-chatting amongst ourselves. Nick’s grandmother, Liz, walked into the dining room. Her eyes were red and puffy. She sat a few seats down from us.

“Is everything alright, Liz?” Jemma asked her.

Liz sniffled as an omega walked towards her what she wanted for breakfast. “Just some oatmeal and coffee, please.” She turned to Jemma. “I am fine now, Jemma. I just woke up from a dream with my Jeremy and Mark.” She sounded sad.

Jemma stood up and walked over to the woman. They exchanged a hug. “Are you still up for taking Nick today?”

She nodded. “Yes, Jemma. I know you are sentencing the princess’s mate today, and I would prefer not to be around for that.” Liz looked at me. “Sorry. I just still have flashbacks from Jeremy’s sentencing and-“

I held up a hand. “It’s quite alright, Elizabeth. I’ll send guards with you two, of course. But enjoy the day.”

She smiled softly. “Thank you, Cassius.”

Jemma stood up and walked back towards Nick. She leaned down. “Why don’t you go cheer up Nana?” She said to the pup. “You always make her feel better.”

Nick squealed and trotted over to his grandmother. He sat in the empty seat beside her, and they started talking.

“Cass,” My sister’s voice broke me from my thoughts. “I would like to go see Casper now.”

I sighed heavily at her. I did not want to take her to see him. But I understood she needed to say her goodbyes despite everything. He was still her mate. “Okay, Ains. Let’s go.” I said to my sister.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” My father interjected.

“Dad, I already made the decision.” I stood up.

My father growled. “And I am her father. I should have a say.”

“Daddy, Casper is still my mate. Azra needs to say goodbye to her mate. She knows he is about to die. Gage never hurt me. Casper did.” She explained, referring to her and Casper’s wolves. “Gage deserves to say goodbye to Azra.”

My father sighed heavily. “Fine, but I am going.”

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, let’s get going.” I looked down at Jemma. “Do you want to go too?”

She shook her head. “No, I’ll go get started in the office, so it’s mostly caught up before the sentencing.”

I smiled and leaned down to k**s her. “Thank you, love. See you later.” I waved and then walked out of the dining room with my father, sister, and Titus close behind. We walked towards the dungeon in silence.

“Can you go outside in the daylight?” My father asked Titus.

The vampire indicated a pendant he was wearing. “A friend of mine is a witch, and she made this potion to act as a sunscreen so I can move about in the sunlight.” He explained.

“Interesting.” My father mused as we approached the dungeon building.

I put in my password and fingerprints. The door hissed as I opened it and held it to let everyone inside. We went down the stairs, and Maria was sitting at the desk talking to some of her guards. She looked up and raised an eyebrow. “Are we leading tours now, Cass?”

“No. Ainsley is here to say goodbye to her scumbag of a mate. And my father and Titus here insisted on coming with.”

Maria regarded the vampire. “You are alright with a vampire seeing the dungeon.”

“Yes. I am alright with it.” I turned to Titus. “He is just here for Ainsley, right Titus?”

He nodded. “Yes. I have no other interest in being here.” He clasped Ainsley’s hand.

Maria tossed me the cell keys and buzzed me into the inner part of the dungeon. I lead my little posse down the corridor towards Casper’s cell. I opened the door, and Casper was hanging from silver chains with his eyes closed. His head snapped up as we all filed in. He growled weakly as he saw Titus holding Ainsley’s hand. “Did you bring the bloodsucker here to rub it into my face?” He said to me.

“No, I brought my sister here because she wants to talk to you. My father and Titus are here in support.”

Casper looked at the ground. “I have nothing to say to any of you.”

Ainsley released Titus’s hand and stepped towards Casper. “I have a lot to say to you.” She reached her hand to touch Casper’s arm, but he growled, and she pulled back. “I had faith in you, Casper. You made me believe that being your mate was the gift I was told having a mate was. But you turned it into a nightmare. You made me believe I wasn’t good enough.”

He lifted his head to look at her. “I was taught that a she-wolf has her place behind her mate. I am your alpha. Your place was behind me.”

“I am your Luna. My place was at your side to help you lead your pack. But you threw me aside, and when you found out I was having a girl, you nearly killed me.”

“Girls are a weakness.” He justified his action.

“You tried to kill her first with poison, and when that didn’t work, you just kicked my stomach, hoping to make me miscarry.” Ainsley sniffled as tears formed in her eyes. Titus stepped towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

Casper growled. “Unhand my mate, vamp.”

“No,” Titus replied.

“I didn’t come here for you shitty justifications for my torture, Casper.” Ainsley sneered at him.

Casper snorted. “Torture? I did not torture you. I hit you here and there to make you mind.”

Ainsley grasped his neck and glared into his eyes. “You don’t deserve a goodbye. I am here so Azra can give her last goodbye to Gage. He was the only reason I stayed for so long. Poor Gage didn’t deserve a piece of s**t human like you. I only hope his next human is a far better match for his gentle nature.”

Casper’s eyes changed from blue to black, and Ainsley released him. He smiled weakly. “I am sorry for everything Casper did to you, my mate. I tried stopping him. I tried pleading with him. But I could not stop him.”

“I know, Gage.” Ainsley leaned forward and kissed his lips. I saw Titus tense up. “I will always love you, Gage. I’m sorry it’s come to this, and I know Azra will forever miss you.”

He whimpered. “Please take care of our pup.” He looked up at Titus with black eyes. “Is this your vampire?”

Ainsley nodded. “Take good care of my pup, please,” Gage said to Titus.

A slight smile spread onto the vampire’s face. “I will, wolf.”

Gage took a deep breath. “I am too weak from the wolfbane to maintain control much longer. May I please see Azra one last time? Please?”

I sighed and looked at Ainsley. “It’s up to you, Ains.”

“I’m afraid it’s too late in my pregnancy to shift, but I will give her control for a few moments, Gage,” Ainsley said through tears. Her eyes turned from blue to black.

“Oh, my sweet Gage.” A different voice came out of my sister. “I am so sorry we have to part.”

“My dear Azra. I wish I could be with you forever, but I got stuck with a jerk of a human who didn’t appreciate the gift our Goddess gave him. I will miss you forever, my sweet mate.”

I felt tears welling up in my eyes as I heard the two wolves speaking through their humans.

“I have to leave you now, Azra. Casper is fighting to get control back, and I don’t have the strength to fight him. Goodbye. I love you and Ainsley.” His voice faded as the body shook, and his eyes turned blue again.

“That stupid wolf and his sappy love.” Casper snarled.

Ainsley’s eyes were back to her own. She glared at Casper. “I want you to know I am naming my daughter Grace,” Ainsley rubbed her belly. “That is the only good thing I got from you, Casper, is my daughter. Don’t worry, I will tell her all about you. But she will be raised by a real man.” Ainsley said as she clasped Titus’s hand. “Goodbye, Casper.”

Casper growled. “You are my mate. You will feel the pain of my death.”

Ainsley took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes. “I, Ainsley Fury, reject you Casper Reynolds as my mate and alpha.”

“Accept the rejection, Casper.” I stepped towards him. I knew if he accepted the rejection, then his death would not cause my sister any more pain.

“No.” He growled.

“I said to accept it,” I ordered in my tone.

Casper stiffened and glared at my sister. “I, Casper Reynolds, accept your rejection.”

I watched as both he and my sister contorted in pain. Titus was quick to put his arms around Ainsley to keep her upright. She cried out in pain. “Take her to the hospital,” I told the vampire.

“No!” Ainsley shouted. “I am fine, Cassius.” Titus had picked her up bridal style. “I just need to rest.”

“Fine, I will take you to your room,” Titus told her. “Is that alright with you two?” He asked my father and me.

“It’s fine with me,” My father replied.

“Fine with me too.”

Titus smirked and carried my sister out of the cell, leaving my father and me alone with Casper. The former alpha was shaking as the pain of rejection affect his body. “Your sentencing is at ten,” I told him.

“Just kill me now.” He mumbled. “Why the pomp and circumstance? Just do it.”

My father stepped forward and grabbed his throat. “I would like nothing more than to do that. But we do things civilly in this kingdom.” He released Casper with a snarl and stormed out of the cell. I followed after closing and locking the cell. I tossed the keys back to Maria as I walked out of the inner cell unit. “Bring him to the throne room at ten,” I told my delta.

She nodded. “Will do.” She fake saluted, and I walked out of the dungeon.

My father was standing just outside talking to a couple of warriors. “I am going to the office, Dad.”

He nodded. “I’ll see you at the sentencing, son.”

I patted his back and then walked away. As I was walking towards the palace, the nurse from yesterday sauntered towards me. She was in a nurse’s uniform like you would see in a porn film. She stopped in front of me, and her pungent perfume wafted into my nose. “What can I do for you?” I asked her with an air of annoyance.

“I just came to apologize for my behavior, your majesty. I am ever so lonely without a mate.” She reached out to touch me. I pulled back from her with a snarl.

“You need to quit touching males without permission,” I said to her through narrowed eyes.

“I’m sorry. You are just the most handsome male in all the kingdom, and it’s hard not to throw myself at you. I want you so bad.”

I laughed. “My mate would tear you to pieces.”

She sneered. “I doubt it.”

“You keep thinking that.” I laughed. “Now, move along. You made your apology.”

“Please, Cassius, just one hug?”

I growled at her. “That is King Cassius to you. And no.” I walked around her and left her behind. I didn’t even look back.

“I am so much better than that queen,” I heard her whine. I just kept walking towards the palace. I finally reached my office, and Jemma was typing away in front of the computer. She looked cute sitting in my massive chair. Her violet eyes scrunched together in concentration. “Hello, Love.”

She glanced at me and nodded. “Hi.” She wrinkled her nose and glared at me.

“Yes, that Heidi chick approached me and tried touching me again. She tried apologizing for yesterday,” I said as I approached the desk. Jemma just stared at me quietly. “She is purely deluded, and I walked away from her.”

Jemma nodded quietly and returned her attention to the computer. I sat in her chair. “That’s it? You aren’t going to yell at me?” I asked her.

“No.” She replied.

I sighed. “Yesterday, you got all mad and jealous.”

She turned her attention back to me. “I am hormonal, Cassius. My emotions are all over the place. So give me a break.”

I laughed and ran my hand down her arm. She shuddered from the contact and finished up the email. “How are things going in here?”

“Fine. The kingdom is remarkably quiet this morning. Just a few emails and phone calls.”

“That’s good to know. The sentencing will be at ten.” I told her.

“How did it go with Ainsley talking to Casper?” Jemma said as she scooted closer to me.

I leaned in and touched my forehead to hers. “Their wolves said goodbye to each other. I feel bad for Casper’s wolf. He got stuck with an awful human that tortured his mate, and he has to suffer for it.” I explained. I was glad Enoch and I had a good relationship.

‘I’m glad you are my human, too.” Enoch responded in my head.

‘Ditto, buddy.’ I replied to him. ‘And I am glad we have such beautiful mates.’

‘Isn’t that the truth?’ He chuckled.

Jemma grabbed the sides of my face and kissed my lips. “I am thankful to the Goddess that I have such great mates. Leonora is too.”

“Enoch loves you so much, my queen.” I smiled against her lips. “Anyways, let’s get to work until it’s time. I need to think about something else.”

Jemma sighed. “Okay, Cass.” She stood up and allowed me to take my chair. Her chair was too small for me. We then got to work.

A couple of hours later, it was time for the sentencing, and we headed to the throne room. My parents were waiting just outside with Ainsley and Titus. “I thought you were resting, Ains?” I said to my sister.

“I need to be here for this.” She told me.

I noticed Casper’s former beta, now alpha of his pack, approaching. “Alpha Harris,” I acknowledge him as he bowed.

“King Cassius, Luna.” He said to my sister and me.

“How are things at Rocky Mountain pack?”

“They are slowly falling into place. Some pack members were hesitant about submitting to me. But I managed to win them over to me eventually.” He looked at my sister. “Luna, you are still welcome to come home and serve the pack.”

“I am no longer Luna of the pack. I rejected Casper, and he accepted. Besides, it was never really home to me. I was luna only in name; I never had anything to do with the pack.”

Alpha Harris sighed heavily. “I know. I just sort of need someone to help me run the pack.”

“I am willing to go there for a few days to help you get the pack affairs in order. But only if Titus can come.”

“He is free to accompany you. I am sad that you will no longer be luna. We all loved you. The pack. Casper f****d up not honoring you.”

Ainsley stepped forward and grabbed the alpha’s arm. “I pray to the moon goddess that you replace your mate and luna soon. You are a good man and will make a good alpha, Harris. Any she-wolf would be honored to have you as a mate.”

He sniffled. “Thank you, Ainsley.”

“Okay, guys, let’s get this sentencing over with.” I glanced at Jemma as she sniffled. She had tears running down her cheeks. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and leaned down to k**s her cheek, and then pulled her into the throne room.

“Sorry, that was just so beautiful.” She mumbled as we sat on our thrones.

My parents and sister stood just behind us, and Titus stood at the bottom of the steps. The doors were opened as Maria lead several guards dragging Casper into the room. I stood up. Casper was wearing only a white t-shirt and black pants. He glared at me as Maria stepped aside. The guards held him upright.

“Casper Reynolds, former alpha of Rocky Mountain pack, you stand before me accused of the abuse and attempted murder of your mate and my sister Princess Ainsley.” I began my speech. “Severe crimes in this kingdom. Do you have anything to say for yourself?”

“No.” He replied and looked at the ground. “Just get this s**t over with,” He growled.

I sighed. “I, King Cassius, sentence you to death for your crimes.”

“Big surprise,” Casper mumbled.

“I am giving you one last chance to speak,” I said to him.

He looked me in the eyes. “You may think you are the king of morality because you believe females deserve to be treated as equals. But that will be the downfall of this kingdom. She-wolves should be one step behind us, males. Not thinking they are equal. Did I strike my mate? Yes. But she deserved it.”

I growled. “No one deserves being beaten and tortured, especially by the one wolf that is supposed to love them no matter what.”

“I love Ainsley. I love her a lot. But she needed to mind me.”

“And your pup? You wanted to kill her for being female.” I snarled.

He snorted. “Whatever, man. Just f*****g kill me.”

“Take him away,” I ordered the guards. “Unless anyone has something else to say. This sentencing is over.” I announced as the guards dragged Casper from the room. I looked at my father. “Are you ready to get this over with?”

My father cracked his knuckles. “Very.”

“Do you wish to be there, Ains?” I asked my sister.

She shook her head. “I said my goodbye. I would like to go back to my room now and rest some more.”

I pulled her into a hug. “You rest well, little sister. I hope you’ll be well enough for our family dinner tonight.”

“I will.” She hugged my parents and then grabbed Titus’s hand and left the throne room.

I looked at Jemma, who was still sitting on her throne. “What are you going to do, love?”

“I sort of want a nap too.” She chuckled as she stood up. I wrapped my arms around her.

“If my queen wants a nap, then she should take a nap.” I kissed her forehead. “I have to go back to the office after my father, and I take care of Casper. I’ll come to check on you later.”

She smiled at me. “Okay.”

“Sleep well, love.” I kissed her softly before releasing her.

“I’ll walk her up to your room, Cassy.” My mom said to me.

“Thanks, Mom.” I kissed my mother’s cheek. “Okay, Dad. Let’s go.” I said to my father. We then left the throne room and towards the dungeon.