Playing The Alphas

Chapter 68: Kayden And The Alien King

Kayden sat on his throne, his human form relaxed, his bare feet resting on the moss-covered floor.

Mira knelt at his feet. Her head rested against his knee. His fingers moved through her hair in slow, lazy strokes.

"Your heart is beating fast, my Alpha" Mira cooed.

Kayden smiled. "You can feel it?"

"Through your leg. Yes."

"It beats fast because of you."

Mira looked up. Her brown eyes searched his face. "Liar." She knew Kayden had his ways when it came to flirting. There’s no way he would think she’d be stupid enough to believe him.

"Truth."

She laughed. "You have been different lately. It seems you sold the grumpy side of you in the human world."

"Do not tell anyone."

"Your secret is safe with me."

Kayden leaned down and kissed her forehead. He didn’t leave any cuts because he was in hi human form. If he were in his Lizard form, he would’ve hurt her a bit.

"Alpha," a voice interrupted.

Kayden’s head snapped up. Korvus stood at the entrance of the throne room, his grey scales were paling.

"What is it?" Kayden asked with an irritated voice.

"Visitors, my Alpha. We have visitors."

Kayden’s jaw tightened. "Who?"

Korvus stepped closer. He kept his head bowed. "Alien King Ketem. He has arrived with his ship. He requests an audience."

Kayden sat up. His hand stopped moving in Mira’s hair. "Ketem? Now?"

This was an unusual visitor. He only came once in a blue moon. How did he suddenly appear here? And what did he want?! Ketem was greedy so Kayden didn’t like him. Also, he was extremely ugly.

"Yes, my Alpha."

Kayden stood up and Mira rose with him. She stepped back, out of the way.

"Why does he always come when I am busy?" Kayden muttered, walking to a mirror on the wall to study his reflection.

"Should I tell him to leave?" Korvus asked.

Kayden turned. "Can I tell him to leave?"

Korvus hesitated. "He is an ally, my Alpha. A powerful one. His ships could help us if the wolves attack. We should be trying to get closer to him."

"His ships would also help him attack us if he changes his mind."

Korvus said nothing.

Kayden sighed. He ran a hand through his hair. "Who did he come with? How many?"

"His personal guard. Twelve armed men. And his pilot. No more."

"Twelve armed men in my palace. In my throne room."

"They are aliens, my Alpha. Their weapons are different from ours. Less effective at close range."

Kayden laughed. "You believe that?"

Korvus did not answer.

Kayden walked back to his throne and sat down heavily. His human form flickered for a moment. Scales crept up his neck and then they receded. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

"Send him in," Kayden said. "But keep our guards close. If he tries anything, I want him dead before he reaches the steps."

Korvus bowed. "Yes, my Alpha."

He disappeared through the entrance.

Mira stepped closer to the throne. Her hand found Kayden’s shoulder.

"Be careful," she whispered.

Kayden covered her hand with his. "I am always careful."

"You are always reckless. There is a difference."

He smiled. "Stay behind the throne. Do not come out until I say."

Mira nodded and slipped behind the woven roots.

**********

Outside the palace, Ketem’s spaceship hummed in the clearing. The ramp descended with a hiss of steam.

Ketem stepped out. His skin was pale blue. His eyes were dark and his hair was white. He wore a long coat made of a fabric that shimmered in the moonlight.

Behind him, twelve armed soldiers marched in formation, their weapons glowing.

Ketem looked around the lizard camp, his lip curled.

"This place is a swamp," he said to no one in particular. "A dirty, stinking swamp. How do they live like this?"

One of his soldiers shrugged. "They are lizards, my king. They do not know better."

"They have been here for three hundred years. Three hundred years, and they have not built a single proper building. No roads. No walls. No technology beyond bubbling pots and stolen scrolls."

"Their Alpha is obsessed with the cure. He does not care about architecture."

Ketem laughed. "Obsessed. Yes. That is one word for it." freēwēbnovel.com

They walked through the camp. Lizard folk watched from the shadows. Their amber eyes glittered with fear and curiosity.

"Pathetic," Ketem muttered. "Look at them. Hiding in the dark. Living in fear. And their Alpha thinks he can become human and walk among the wolves."

"Stranger things have happened, my king."

"Name one."

The soldier was silent.

Ketem stopped at the entrance of the throne room. He looked up at the woven roots. The glowing fungi. The bones hanging from the ceiling.

"I have seen better caves," he said. "I have seen better ruins. I have seen better graves."

He stepped inside.

Kayden sat on his throne. His human form was immaculate. His golden eyes were cold.

Ketem stopped at the bottom of the steps. He did not bow. He did not kneel. Instead, he looked at Kayden with beaming curiosity. How could he have found something to help him stabilize his human form?

"Kayden," he said. "You look... different."

Kayden did not smile. "Ketem. You look the same."

"Flattery." Ketem’s eyes moved across Kayden’s face. He studied his neck, hands and arms. "No, wait. You look better. Younger. Fresher. What have you been doing?"

Kayden’s jaw tightened. "I have been living. As always."

"No, no, no." Ketem stepped closer. His dark eyes narrowed. "There is something different about you. Something... human."

Kayden stood. His height matched Ketem’s.

"I told you once not to question me," Kayden said. His voice was low. Dangerous. "I will not tell you again."

Ketem raised his hands. "Peace, brother. I am merely observing."

"Observe silently."

Ketem smiled. It was not a kind smile. "As you wish."

Kayden sat back down. He gestured to a servant. "Bring drinks for our guest."

The servant scurried away.

Ketem looked around the throne room. His eyes moved across the woven roots. The moss floor. The bones.

"You know," Ketem said, "you could renovate this place. Add some color. Some light. Perhaps a chandelier or two."

Kayden said nothing.

"I have a designer. Very talented. Works with bioluminescent materials. She could transform this cave into something... elegant."

Still, Kayden said nothing.

Ketem’s smile faltered. "No? Not interested?"

"I am interested in the purpose of your visit," Kayden said. "Not your opinions on my decor."

Ketem laughed. It was a hollow sound. "Straight to business, then. Very well."

The servant returned with a tray, two cups and a pitcher of fermented sap.

Ketem took a cup, sniffed it and made a face.

"This is what you drink? Fermented tree blood?"

Kayden took his own cup. He drank. "It is what we have."

"You could import beverages. From other worlds. Other species."

"I could. I do not."

Ketem set the cup down without drinking. "You are a difficult man, Kayden."

"I am a busy man. State your business or leave."

Ketem’s eyes darkened. His smile disappeared.

"Very well," he said. "I have come to discuss the wolves. The Cunningham triplets. They are becoming a problem."

Kayden leaned back on his throne. "How so?"

"They are hostile and aggressive. They attack my traders on sight. They have seized two of my cargo ships in the past month."

"And you want me to do what?"

"I want you to use your spies. Your network. Your old woman in the palace. Find out what they are planning."

Kayden was silent for a long moment.

"I will consider it," he said finally.

"Consider it quickly. War is coming. And when it comes, I want to be on the winning side."