Page 10 of The Alpha King’s Hidden Mute Mate

Me. The king of Moonhowl Kingdom. My fated mate was a mute?

Chapter Three

Mia

Leah and I stood in the town square. Vendors barked their wares, kids weaved through the crowd, and the air hung thick with the smell of fresh bread, smoked meat, and crisp apples.

Leah was rehearsing the new song I'd written. She said crowds made her nervous, so I'd brought her the mask I wore to the Howling Ceremony.

This song—I'd spent countless sleepless nights scribbling lyrics by my window at the orphanage, tapping out melodies on scrap wood in the shed out back. Every note was my blood and sweat. I'd given it all to Leah because she had a voice. I didn't.

When she sang, her voice rang clear as a stream. Every word landed perfectly. People stopped in their tracks.

"Your eyes are like the sea beneath the moon,

I waited on the shore all night for you..."

Standing at the edge of the crowd, I felt my palms sweat with excitement. Those were my words. My melody. Coming to life through her throat. The feeling was incredible—like I'd finally found a way out, a way to let everything trapped inside me fly free.

Then I saw him.

The man stood across the crowd in a charcoal coat, collar loose, revealing a sliver of honey-toned skin below his throat. No mask this time. I saw his full face for the first time—and God help me, I nearly forgot how to breathe. That face looked like some angel had carved it by hand. Sharp nose, chiseled jawline, thin lips pressed in natural arrogance. But his eyes—those gray-blue eyes—I recognized them instantly.

Him. The man from the Howling Ceremony.

My heart hammered like someone was beating a drum inside my chest. He came here. He came for me. He knew it was me that night, he must be here to—

Then I watched his gaze land on Leah.

His expression shifted. Something flashed in those eyes—wonder, like something had struck his soul. He stood frozen, as if Leah's voice had nailed him to the spot.

My smile died on my face.

Wait.

No.

You're supposed to be looking at me! I'm right here!

But my throat felt stuffed. I couldn't make a sound. I could only watch him cut through the crowd, step by step toward Leah, eyes locked on her like she was the only person in the world.

Leah finished the last note. She caught her breath, a perfectly shy smile on her face. Then she looked up, saw the man approaching, and her eyes lit up.

"Did you write this song?" His voice was deep and magnetic, carrying undeniable authority. He stopped in front of Leah, looking down at her with an urgency I'd never heard before.

Leah hesitated. Then—she nodded.

My brain went blank.

"Yes," she said, voice sweet as honey, "I wrote it. I'm Leah."

I stood three steps away with my mouth hanging open like a fish on dry land.

What are you saying? I wrote that. That's MY song! How could you—

I stepped forward instinctively, arm reaching out to grab her and demand answers. But then a voice cut through.

"Your Majesty, wait."