The Kings Series #1 His Beauty Queen
Chapter 19 Old Friend Or Not Anna May

Hundreds of shopping bags were being transported down the Mall's extravagant lobby, shecouldn't help but grimace. In her book, she thought Alexie was the most out of control spender,followed by Sofia.

Oh, how wrong she was. Her handsome and domineering mate put them all to shame. He was on awhole different level. Encouraged by Michael and Oliver, he was unstoppable.

Every expensive store they went in, he wanted it shut down --they exclusively shop with no otherpatrons allowed inside. His security team made sure of that.

As for his reason, which he explained to her every single time she protested, he doesn't wantanother incident where she was bombarded at VS the last time she and Alexie went shopping."How could your brother do this, Lex? All the managers almost peed in their pants at the sight ofhim." She whispered while Xander was in deep conversation with one of the managers. The ladiesgrinned at her while Rie looked in awe at the high-end stores inside the mall.

"Your mate Alexander, Xavier, and two others own this building.” Oh, shit! Of course. No wonderpeople were frantic when they saw him.

This was the newest and most expensive shopping mall anyone could ever replace in NYC. TheWestfield World Trade Center. It was located inside the Oculus at the newly opened World TradeCenter.

She pinned her gaze on Xander. He was up to something. Something she wouldn't like, merrimentdanced in his eyes as he approached her. Without a care in the world, he pulled her in his arms, hishands on her waist. She eyed him warily. He chuckled, a whole new different person when he waswith her.

"You are so cute when you defy me, mio amore.” Wrinkling her nose. Annoyed.

"I am hungry, Xander.” Gods! She would do anything to stop his shopping madness

"There is one more store, baby girl. Then we'll go eat.” His eyes widened at her growl. She actuallygrowled. He beamed

"One more, Alexander. If you will drag me to another store, you will sleep on the couch!" Heimmediately sobered. She didn't mean it. Vindictive enough, she savored his reaction.

"This is the last one. I promise, mia anima.” He guided her to an expensive jewelry shop. Once more,the store was closed exclusively for them. She can hear her sister murmuring in delight. Alexie andSofia went to the lighted glass counters, choosing expensive pieces.

"Get whatever you want, Rie. I'll take care of it." Xander called out to her sister. He said it so casually--as if he was buying someone a pack of candies.

"Alexander..." This was getting old.

"Shhh. Let me spoil you, baby girl. Please?" He pecked the tip of her nose then her lips. "I want tobuy you something new for our mating ceremony.”

"This is very expensive," she whispered on his lips, trying to distract him

"I'll buy you the whole shop then.” She felt like pulling her hair. He gave the Stubborn a whole newmeaning.

"Ok. I will buy a piece.” Consenting, he guided her to a corner where two velvet chairs and a smalltable were situated.

"Votre collection la plus chére.” He murmured to the waiting attendant.

"Qui, Votre Majesté." The man bowed

"What did you tell him?" She arched her brow.

"To show us their collection, mia anima. I hope you understand that I only want the best for you. Ineverything.” He rubbed his thumb on her flushed skin.

"I know, my soulmate. Be patient with me? I am really new to this. For such a long time it was onlyme and my sisters. Then all of a sudden, I have you in my life." Lovingly tracing her fingers on histaut cheek down to his jaw.

The man returned carrying velvet boxes and their moment was cut short. He opened one huge boxbefore them.

Her eyes couldn't be more rounder. This couldn't be right. She blinked. Then again. She had seenthis necklace once in a fashion magazine years ago.

Celebrities and royalties have been raving to own this piece of jewelry. Now, it was right in front ofher.

If she was not mistaken this was the L'Incomparable Diamond necklace. A one of a kind piece ofjewelry valued over $55 million. Jesus! So flawless. She was about to touch it --she withdrew herhand, hesitated. Was she allowed to?

Peering at the stoic man holding the velvet box for her then at Alexander, she chewed her bottomlip.

He was looking at her expectantly. Anna didn't move an inch, he sighed and unceremoniouslyremoved the necklace from the box and reverently clasped it on her neck. She gulped.

It was unusually cold. And heavy.

"The necklace looks good on you, mio amore. Have I told you that you look so exceptionallybeautiful this evening?" He traced her collarbone, making her shudder. "Do you like it?"

She must look like a deer caught in the headlights. She couldn't say no and she couldn't say yeseither.

"We will take this. Leave it on, mia anima. We will take those as well. I want my wife to haveoptions.” He pointed to the other velvet boxes opened before them. "Whatever those ladies choose,it's on me." The store manager nodded

"Xander, can I choose something for Mish?" She blushed at his indulgent smile. It was encouraging.Happy to buy her anything her heart fancied.

"Go ahead, mio amore," He nudged her towards Rie and the other two ladies. She kissed his lipsbefore going to them.

He was left speaking to the man. She shrugged. They must be finalizing their purchases.

Alexie and Sofia gaped at her upon noticing the sparkling jewelry on her neck.

"Goddess! That's the L'lncomparable Diamond necklace by Robert Mouawad. He is a Lebanesejeweler known for his diamond collection. His father was my mother's jeweler. We have severalmagnificent pieces at the vault. This one is so flawless.” They kept on admiring and exclaiming overa necklace. On her peripheral vision, she noticed Rie fidgeting nervously.

"What is it, Rie?" Alarmed at her pale face.

"Anna, that man in the newspaper, " She pointed at someone outside.

"What man, Rie?" In the pit of her stomach, she probably knew who her sister was referring to. Shewas right. It was HIM. She could recognize him anywhere.

"The man who attacked you at the NY Fashion week. He was looking at you, sis. I... think he wasobserving you for quite some time." Her fears came rushing back. The trauma of almost beingraped, the pain of losing her best friend. The scandal, the mockery, being shunned from society. Allbecause of that one vile creature.

The roaring in her ears intensified. She heard Alexander growled menacingly. Giving orders to theirsecurity. He possessively wrapped her tightly in his arms. She collapsed on him. Knowing he willkeep her safe.

Her peace has been shattered in a blink of an eye.

Michael

How can a perfect day end into a nightmare? They were enjoying themselves, spoiling their ladies. Ithad been a while and they wanted to make the most of it.

Dumb Fuck! That psycho had to ruin it.

Matching his king's purposeful strides, he concentrated handling out orders to their warriors.

Their Lycan leader was on murdering rampage and had to put a leash on himself to keep fromshifting, he carried his mate towards their waiting car.

With his own mate's hand in his, he reached out to open the door for Alexander. He nodded hisgratitude, his eyes grim. Michael watched as he gently deposited his precious cargo, he immediatelyfollowed inside.

He gave a sigh of relief. Goddess. That was close. The king almost shifted inside the mall. Thatwould have been an epic disaster. The only thing that prevented him from doing so was his mate inhis arms. He had refused to let her go to give in to his wolf.

"Baby, how are we going to catch that man? What's his name again?" His eyes softened at hismate's upturned face. By now, he was pretty sure she was carrying their first pup. Her scent hadcompletely changed, it was only a matter of time before they hear the pup’s heartbeat.

He scowled. She shouldn't be worrying. It was not good for her health. Gathering her in his arms, heguided her to their waiting car and nodded at the warrior who held the car door open.

He shut the panel, separating them from the driver for privacy. The vampires and Anna Marie hadleft ahead of them.

Her mate snuggled at his side, jolting him from his thoughts. He looked down and leaned to kissthe pout on her lips.

"My love, please don't worry about it. I have requested the CCTV tapes at the building. Our tech isreviewing them as of the moment. Alexander and I really thought Antonio Corpuz was in PuertoRico. We placed him under surveillance, it bothered me how he got away.” Brows furrowed, hethought of it again. He must be a shifter. Or something. No ordinary human could escape theirspies.

The other important question was---How did they miss his scent? Between him, his king, and Oliver,they wouldn't have misplaced it. The people they encountered earlier all had pack scent. Thevampires all had been accounted for. Most of them even approached Oliver to extend theircongratulations to the Vampire King.

"Baby, I know what you are thinking. I myself am wondering. He must be a shifter but we couldn'tscent what. Rie told me that she saw him several times standing outside restaurants and onceoutside a perfume shop.”

"Fuck! The man is clever. He knows how to cover his scent in public places.”

He encouraged his mate to lay her head on his lap to get some nap. They were more than an houraway from royal pack lands.

Satisfied she was resting, he opened his mind to review all the scents he has encountered earlier,particularly from restaurants they passed by. He paused, remembering the smell of burnt flesh. Likemeat on the smokeless grill. He had thought it was just that but he was wrong now. There was adistinct rotting smell on it that only such as they could have caught on. That was why his nosewrinkled. The king and Oliver even commented on it --at that time they were more occupied glaringat the males eying their wives and Marie.

Rotting flesh.

Irritating scent.

Hidden in shadows.

A warlock! He was a fucking necromancer. The caller of the dead.

They were enemies of the alliance. This was not a coincidence. That fucker was on a mission. Andtheir Queen Luna was an added bonus he wanted to take advantage of.

They were really going to war for this.

Anna May

She kept gnawing her lips and anxiously waited for the men to come out of the study. She was notstupid. She knew it was not a business meeting.

His mate must be using all of his resources to replace their nemesis. Antonio Corpuz. Eyes closed, shetook a deep breath.

She was surprised she fell asleep during their ride home and she found herself comfortablyensconced in the white and gold divan at the library when she woke up. Alexie and Rie were withher the entire time.

Her eyes went to Sofia who was sleeping soundly in one of the comfortable couches, tuckered outfrom all the excitement.

"Anna sit down, dear. Here, eat something. And relax, my brother will take care of everything."Alexie handed her a plate full of canapes and hors d'oeuvres Baxter had set up buffet-style in thelibrary.

She popped a morsel, chewing thoughtfully. Her stomach churned.

"Why do you think he is there watching me?" It had been years. Surely, he couldn't still beinterested in her.

"Well, to be honest, I think the bastard

may still have the hots for you and I also think he has a different motive aside from you." Alexieglanced at Rie, who was listening intently.

"You can trust my sister, Alexie. I promise you she will never betray us.” She knew her sister, she wasloyal to a fault. Plus, she was bound to replace out sooner or later.

"Tell me what?" And just like her, Rie was rather excited than scared of the unknown. Alexie shookher head in resignation.

"What we are going to tell you must never be uttered to an outsider or anyone not in our family ortrusted allies. Promise me, Anna Marie." Alexie was adamant. She knew why. Humans don't knowwerewolves and other supernatural creatures co-existed in reality.

"I promise, Lex. But before you go on, I already have an idea, you guys are so weird you must besupernatural or whatever. And I knew for a fact Xavier is a vampire,” And that's my sister for you.They were shocked. She and Alexie shook their heads. " I believed Mish."

"Just saying." Rie beamed.

"No way! You guys are amazing. Sofia and Oliver is a vampire couple, Lex and Michael arewerewolves and mates. And you, my sister, is a Queen Luna." Rie's eyes were round as saucers. Filledwith enthusiasm. She narrowed her eyes, realizing something.

"Wait... I am a Queen Luna?" How? She pinned her gaze at Alexie who was smiling at her sheepishly."Yeah... Alexander didn't tell you?" Oh, God! She was really considering letting him sleep on thecouch tonight.

"He didn't tell me anything. And what does it mean?” So blind and clueless.

"My brother is the King Alpha in the Lycanthrope realm. Since you are his mate, that makes youQueen Luna. You will ascent to the throne during your mating ceremony. After that, you will help mybrother lead our kind. And your sister, Mish will also become a Queen for the vampire realm sinceshe is King Xavier's beloved. The kings cannot lose you, kingdoms will fall if that happens.” Alexie'svoice was grave. Emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

"Itis a lot to take in, " she looked at her sister, asking for reassurance. She smiled. Assuring me."How many people are we leading?"

"Our last census brought us closer to five million. We have packs all over the world. Each pack isgoverned by alphas and lunas. That's what we call leaders of each pack. Our royal pack alone isclose to a million members. That is reasonable since we help maintain peace and order with ourallies.” She had a lot to learn before the ceremony.

"Michael is not just a PA, right?” She was certainly sure he was something more. Alexander trustedthat man with his life.

"Goddess, no. My mate is a royal beta. The second-highest official in our realm. He is acting as a PAsince Xander's wolf won't accept another female's scent in close proximity. His lycan will mostprobably bite the head of the female.” That information made her simmer down a bit. She reallyliked that idea.

"You will help me, Alexie? How to be a Queen?" The beta female squeezed her hand, reassuring her."You didn't have to ask, Anna. I am your royal female beta. I also consider you, Rie, Mish, and Sofialike my sisters.” This woman was simply wonderful. She never failed to put her at ease, even rightfrom the start.

"I have two questions?" Their attention turned to Rie. "Does Oliver have a brother and do I have asay in the mating ceremony's menu?"

She rolled her eyes --Alexie giggled beside her. And again, that's my sister for you!

Author's Notes

The villain is out. And Antonio Corpuz is a necromancer. A wizard or a warlock that practices darkmagic. He smells like a rotting flesh since he usually deals with the dead or zombies.

How will Alexander fight this type of threat? Is this still part of the various attacks happening all overthe supernatural world?

Anna May is really overwhelmed. But hey! She is stronger than she looks.