Cursed and Fated: Offered To The Wicked Alpha Prince

Ensley stepped out of the vehicle and walked straight inside, intent on greeting his father and mother first. His beta, Kendric, followed closely as they traversed the long corridor toward the King’s wing.

The guards at the entrance bowed in unison, parting to allow him passage. As he stepped inside, he found Alpha King Huxley and Luna Queen Presley deep in a conversation of hushed whispers.

"Dad! Mom!" Ensley called out, his voice echoing through the chamber.

At the sound of their son’s voice, both snapped their heads in his direction, their expressions shifting to shock at the sight of him standing right in front of them.

"Ensley!" Presley cried joyfully, rising to her feet at once.

He bowed respectfully to both of them before crossing the room to his mother, pulling her into a warm embrace first. A look of pure relief crossed her face as she pulled back slightly to plant a firm kiss on his forehead.

"You’ve matured considerably in just a few months," Presley observed, her gaze full of pride. "Wouldn’t you agree, Your Majesty?"

"He has indeed. Come here, son!" Huxley opened his arms, and Ensley stepped into a firm embrace. The King clapped him on the shoulder, his grip heavy and approving. "You finally look ready to step into your official role," he remarked as they pulled apart.

"I am, Dad," Ensley replied, offering a confident smile as he moved back to give them both space.

"The journey must have been exhausting. You should go to your quarters and rest for a few hours," Presley insisted. "I’ll have the staff bring a meal up to your room shortly."

"There’s no need, Mom. I stopped for lunch on the way here," Ensley said, shaking his head. "Don’t trouble the servants on my account."

The three of them sat together as a servant arrived to offer him water. After taking a few sips, Ensley began recounting the details of how he had successfully completed his final training mission.

Presley watched him with a thin, satisfied smile. "Your Majesty, while Prince Gideon was busy dismantling some of your most trusted alliances, your second son was out securing new ones."

"Did Gideon cause more trouble recently?" Ensley asked, his interest piqued.

"You know how he is. He constantly provokes your father’s allies," Presley stated firmly. "It falls on you to mend those bridges so your brother’s recklessness doesn’t cost us the throne’s stability."

"Of course, Mom," Ensley muttered, maintaining his mask of the dutiful son while in the Alpha King’s presence.

"Your brother is getting married soon," Huxley informed him, shifting the conversation to royal matters.

"What? He actually found a mate?" Ensley asked with a short, mocking chuckle. "Who is the desperate father who handed his daughter over to him?"

"I chose her for Gideon myself, and he has already taken a liking to her," Huxley stated firmly. He glanced toward the Luna Queen, his tone brook no argument. "Make sure they are introduced later. I have a feeling even Ensley will be impressed by his future sister-in-law."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Presley replied.

"I’ll now take my leave," said Ensley and rose to his feet. He bowed in respect to his parents and left the chamber.

"Kendrick, you can leave for your home," Ensley said and went ahead to meet Gideon’s woman. He was interested in knowing who was this woman who was jumping right into the well of death.

~~~~~

Adeline laughed at a witty remark from the attendant now assigned to her. Gideon had replaced the original servant earlier that morning, refusing to let her keep anyone appointed by Queen Presley.

"Lila, you have a truly wonderful sense of humor," Adeline replied, her mood light as she wandered through the royal gardens. She moved toward a vibrant bed of roses, admiring their deep hues. She reached out, her fingers trailing lightly over the velvet petals without the slightest intent to pluck them.

"Ahh!" she suddenly yelped, a sharp sting piercing her skin. A hidden thorn had caught her pointer finger, and a bead of dark crimson blood quickly oozed to the surface.

Before she could even press her thumb against the wound, a hand reached out from the shadows of the greenery. A fine silk handkerchief was pressed firmly against her finger to staunch the bleeding.

Adeline snapped her gaze upward, finding herself face-to-face with a man she didn’t recognize.

"Who are you?" she asked sharply, her instincts flaring as she withdrew her hand and took a hurried step back to create distance between them.

"Miss, this is Prince Ensley," Lila whispered urgently in her ear.

Adeline’s breath hitched, and she immediately lowered her gaze, offering a respectful bow. "I apologize, Your Highness."

"It’s fine. I caught your hand so suddenly that must have scared you," Ensley stated. "May I?" He looked at her hand.

"It’s not necessary, Your Highness. It’s not that big wound," replied Adeline. She bit her bottom lip, not knowing how to get out of that place.

"Gideon put his temporary mark on you, didn’t he?" asked Ensley as he noticed the slight glowing mark of the golden alpha on her ear, which would debar another Alpha from approaching her.

"Yes," Adeline answered.

"I returned not long ago. Dad mentioned about finding a bride for my brother. Before retiring to my chamber, I thought to meet you once. Let me properly introduce myself. I am Ensley Knightley," he forwarded his hand for a handshake.

"I am Adeline Valois." She forwarded her own hand and the two hand a handshake.

"Adeline, that’s a nice name. And I must say you’re beautiful. But what confuses me is that how a beautiful woman like you got stuck with my brother," Ensley muttered.

Adeline tried pulling her hand back, but he didn’t let it go.

"Ahh! I learned from someone that you were offered to Gideon," Ensley pronounced with a smirk. "Do you want my help to leave his side? You wouldn’t want to die by staying beside him, would you?" He took a step closer, his eyes lowering from her eyes to her lips.