Page 18 of The Alpha King’s Hidden Mute Mate

I gasped for air, chest heaving violently, mind in chaos. So was she—cheeks flushed, lips swollen, eyes dazed, like she'd just been pulled from water.

No. This can't happen.

Damn fate. I was submitting to my instincts.

I forced myself to look away, keeping my expression hard. "Done."

Then I turned to leave.

She rushed forward and grabbed my sleeve.

I turned back, frowning at her. She gestured frantically at me, fingers flying through the air, expression urgent and anxious. What was she saying? What was she trying to express? I stared at her hands. Those gestures meant nothing to me.

"What are you saying?" I asked, tone more impatient than I'd intended.

Just then, footsteps approached.

Leah appeared at the hall entrance, gliding over with a gentle smile. She glanced at Mia's frantic gestures, then said softly, "Your Majesty, Mia means... she wants some jewels and gold coins as compensation."

I froze.

Jewels and gold coins?

I looked at Mia. Her expression froze in that instant, eyes wide, staring at Leah in disbelief. Then she turned to me, frantically shaking her head, gesturing again with those incomprehensible signs.

But I didn't need to understand.

I just felt cold water dumped on my heart.

So you're the same.

I'd thought maybe Mia was different. Because I couldn't help remembering that connection from the Howling Ceremony night, yet I desperately craved the soul resonance in Leah's lyrics.

Forget it.

"Ha," I laughed coldly, looking down at her. "Of course."

Her expression completely froze in that moment. Her eyes reddened, lips trembled, her whole body like a small tree battered by a storm.

But I didn't stop.

"The gold will be sent to you." I said, voice dripping with ice. "Don't bother me unless it's important."

Then I turned to leave.

But before I could take a second step, a thud came from behind me, followed by Leah's scream.

I whipped around.

Mia stood in front of Leah, one hand still clenched in a fist—she'd just hit Leah. One punch. Square in the face.

Now she was tearing at Leah's hair, looking ready to devour her.

"What are you doing?" I roared, striding over and grabbing her wrist, yanking her back.

She struggled, trying to break free, her other hand still swinging toward Leah. Her face was full of rage, those eyes—just filled with tears moments ago—now burning with fury.

"Enough!" I shoved her backward. She stumbled several steps and crashed into the wall with a thud.