Playing The Alphas

SAMANTHA

Seeing the fear etched on Molly’s face, King Lionel’s frown deepened with each passing moment. From the gravity of his expression, I could tell he was beginning to believe my words. I let out a quiet sigh of relief, feeling a burden lift slightly off my shoulders. Thankfully, King Lionel was no fool but a man of discernment. He had ruled for decades, and his judgment was rarely clouded by emotion or favoritism. I had placed my faith in that, and it seemed my faith was not misplaced.

Yet, just as I thought the storm had passed, John interjected, "Your Majesty, if I may, a sex slave’s testimony cannot be taken at face value."

Did John really call me a slave? The word hung in the air like a slap. My former fiancé, the man who had once promised me forever, now stood before the king, reducing me to nothing more than a title. The irony was bitter, almost suffocating.

He raised an eyebrow, throwing me a look of sheer provocation, his voice rising as he challenged, "Do you have a witness?"

His tone was laced with arrogance, the same arrogance that had always been his undoing. I remembered how he used to boast about his future, about how he would rise above his Gamma status and become someone important. And now, here he was, trying to tear me down to elevate himself.

John probably came to the palace on official duties. Or maybe not. His pack was too poor for any great pack to agree to do business with. He had no men, no money, no food, no nothing! He probably came to loiter around and spite me. And I promise to give him a show to watch.

My fingers curled into fists at my sides. He wanted to see me broken, humiliated, destroyed. But I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Not today. Not ever.

John’s words reignited the tension, and my heart leaped into my throat. The brief moment of relief I had felt evaporated, replaced by a cold knot of dread. John was a Gamma, and King Lionel was likely to trust him more than me. After all, John held a position of authority. He had connections, influence, and a title that still carried weight, no matter how impoverished his pack had become.

As I feared, King Lionel nodded in agreement, his stern gaze piercing through me once more. "Do you have any evidence?"

I could see the wheels turning in John’s mind. He was calculating, strategizing, savoring the moment. His lips curled into a gloating smile, certain that I had no proof and would soon face the king’s wrath. We had once shared love, yet here he was, eager to see me fall. The memories of our past—the whispered promises, the stolen kisses, the future we had planned together—all of it felt like a cruel joke now.

Despite having long since seen through his hypocrisy and coldness, a pang of disappointment still stung. I had once believed in him. I had once trusted him with my heart. And he had crushed it without a second thought.

I cast my eyes downward, letting out a bitter chuckle. The sound was hollow, a reflection of the emptiness I felt inside. When I looked up again, I had regained my composure. "Your Majesty, Prince Finnian witnessed the entire event yesterday. He is my witness," I stated with calm conviction.

I hadn’t planned to bring Finnian into this. His actions yesterday had left me disgusted. Moreover, I realized that he was just as cruel as Jayce. I doubted he would stand up for me, even if I named him. But John, stupid John, had forced my hand. Finnian was the only witness I had. The only person who could corroborate my story.

"Finnian?" King Lionel’s surprise was evident when he heard the name. His eyebrows shot up, and he leaned forward slightly in his throne. "My son?"

I nodded firmly. "Yes, Your Majesty. If there is any doubt, please summon Prince Finnian."

John scoffed, his eyes brimming with disdain and mockery. He likely thought I was too lowly, and that Finnian would never deign to support me. I could almost hear his thoughts: a sex slave, asking a prince to testify on her behalf? Preposterous. Ridiculous.

King Lionel weighed my words for a moment before instructing his subordinate. "Bring Finnian here."

The servant departed, leaving a thick silence to blanket the main hall. The tension was palpable. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me—some curious, some hostile, some indifferent. Molly fidgeted nervously with her fingers, her earlier confidence crumbling. She knew what had happened. She knew she was guilty. And now, she was terrified of being exposed.

John stood with arms crossed, his gaze fixed on me with unnerving calm. He was waiting, watching, plotting. I could see the gears turning in his mind, searching for another angle, another way to destroy me.

As time dragged on, my heart began to race. Each passing second felt like an eternity. I wondered if Finnian would even show up. What if he refused? What if he decided to stay away and let me face the consequences alone? I knew nothing about him, not really. His actions yesterday had been unpredictable, unsettling.

Just when I was on the verge of panic, Finnian finally arrived. He entered the main hall with measured strides, his presence commanding attention. His expression was unreadable, his posture relaxed yet alert. He bowed respectfully to his father.

"Good morning, Father."

King Lionel acknowledged him with a solemn nod and got straight to the point, recounting the incident between Molly and me. "Samantha claims you were present yesterday. If so, tell me everything in detail."

Finnian shot me a glance filled with something I couldn’t quite decipher, but he didn’t answer immediately. His hesitation caused a flicker of hope in Molly’s eyes, while John couldn’t hide his mocking smile. They thought they had won. They thought Finnian would remain silent.

I held Finnian’s gaze, my mind racing to think of a way to resolve this. Even if he refused to back me up, I had to clear my name today. I couldn’t let John and Molly destroy me.

To my utter surprise, Finnian suddenly broke into a smile, a rare expression on his usually cold face. Tilting his head slightly, he leaned closer to me. "You owe me one. Don’t forget to pay it back," he whispered.

I looked at him in astonishment, not yet fully grasping his intentions when I heard him address King Lionel with calm indifference.

"Father, I can confirm that Samantha is telling the truth. Yesterday, it was Molly who instigated the confrontation."