The Alpha Prince's Mate

x Joy x

“Ah!” I bolt upright in my bed, my heart’s trepidation matching that of a racing horse.

I hold my chest tightly, trying to steady my breathing and also look around to make sure I didn't wake poor Eldric. The last time he came to check on me after my recurring nightmares was about two weeks ago, and because of that, his back pains got more painful to bear.

I don't want to add to his burdens. He's already been kind enough to let a castaway like me stay in his shelter since that dreadful day— the one I just relived in my dream.

I sit up, gathering my shabby night gown and reaching over to the small stool beside my headboard to pour a glass of water. The space is cramped but I'm eternally grateful I even have it.

Once again, I saw him.

Again, I felt him.

Again, I heard him. 

To speak his name is to rudely pierce my composure. I can't even think about him without breaking down into an ugly fit of tears.

It's been two years and he still haunts me. Two gruelling years.

I take a deep breath, already decided on not stewing in my grief as it doesn't birth anything fruitful anymore. Instead, I walk out of the cramped room, through little shelves of herbal practice manuals, equipment and unusable clothing till I can peek out through the keyhole shaped window. It's barely dawn. 

Oh well, I'm used to waking earlier than most wolves which is ironic as I have no shred of that in me.

As I pace the small highway, a few steps and I glance into Eldric’s room. The old man's still sleeping soundly, thank goodness. A bleak smile appears on my lips before I make my way to the backyard to do some extra laundry. 

A few minutes after, I'm in the kitchen already whipping something tangible as a breakfast with the small supplies we have. Eldric’s not just the top herbalist in our pack and has this settlement for show; he implements it in his daily life too. For instance, one look at this humble kitchen and you'd think it's a herbs shop before anything else.

After storing the eatables and finally hearing the first morning howl, with the sun rising in accompaniment, I make my way to take my bath before Eldric wakes as we use only one shower room.

After I'm done dressing in my simple, beige mod dress, and packing my red hair with a cotton scarf, I walk by the kitchen to see Eldric is already drinking his lime-infused morning water.

“Morning, El.” I greet, carrying my work bag from the hanger in the hallway.

“Oh, morning dear… you're looking quite lovely today,” he says through his weak teeth, making me smile.

I approach him, ready to leave for my first day job,  “You always say that everyday, El,” and hand him a small envelope. “For the coming month's expenses.”

He eyes the envelope in my outstretched hand and gives me a sultry look, “How many times have I told you, my child, you need not pay for staying under my wing. You're like a daughter to me. This is insulting…” 

He looks away, feigning offence.

I smile at his endearment and hold his hand, then place the envelope in it, covering his other hand with it. “I know, El, but I still have to do this. The grace you've shown a stranger like me these past two years can't be left unappreciated. Plus, this is my small token and contribution for housekeeping. That's what diligent daughters do, isn't it?”

“You're the farthest thing from a stranger, dear.” He murmurs, reluctantly taking the money and placing it on the table. “Besides, you handle the shopping and other things. There's no need for you handing these to me.”

I flick a little ant from his shirt and grab my bag handle tightly, “You're still the papa of the house, so it's good I report them to you first. I should get going. The food's in the heater and I've opened up the shed already. I might come a little later  because the Maywelton’s are travelling today. Bye, now.”

“Bye, dear.”

As I'm about stepping out, his voice stops me, “Erm, Joy, did you have one of those dreams again?’

My hand on the door tightens, but I let out a deep breath and turn with a smile on my face, “No. Slept like a baby. Bye now.”

In my daily commut vehicle from the outer parts through the inner communities, my mind inadvertently replays the dream.

I've always been reliving that terrible day in my dream as if I was cursed to bear it for the rest of my life.

His laughter ringing…

His words piercing….

For the past two years, it's haunted me more than my abysmall financial condition and each time it breaks me the more.

But even still, it competes with my daily grief.

It's no new news that I've been blacklisted.

For a long time, I thought there was absolutely nothing left for me in the pack. 

That was until Angela came through for me about seventeen months ago. Like the angel she is, and I certainly don't know how she even did it, but because of her, I finally got hired by one of her old friends who’s the daughter of an old ailing couple I take care of. The lady is staying in Grindore for work and I sure as hell knows she isn't aware I've been blacklisted. Angela only told me last month that she didn't tell the woman. Of course. 

Well, today might be my last day working for them because they're travelling from the inner parts of Brimestone, Parks avenue.

This is why I've been daily commuting in the deep, grimy parts of Brimstone and in these two years, I've learnt more about Brimestone than I have in my entire life. 

The old couple is a man in a wheelchair, and his wife who uses a walking stick but with a terrible back. Working as their nurse, (the man was a vet and the woman was a school teacher) is also what made me so keen in learning about herbals and thankfully, I met Eldric on a fateful day. Long story short, he saw me as a potential prodigy, shared his home with me and I've been his apprentice too. Though it was hard to trust him, a man, as my experience with that gender is nothing to write home about, he proved to be a dependable father figure. 

And even saying that… I don't want to go down memory lane.

I finally arrive at the couple’s humble home to see some haulers with carriages, moving things and whatnot. I'm able to make my way to their living room and see Mrs. Maywelton talking with one of the workers on the couch.

When she turns she smiles and waves me over. 

I rush over, dropping my bag on a desk, and then move behind to start massaging her shoulders routinely. She has stiff joints. “Morning, ma'am.”

“Oh, morning Joy…”

×|×

📍AUTHOR'S NOTE📍

The events of this book happen two years after the events of the previous book, The Barbarian Alpha's Mate.

If you're completely new to this “franchise”, you can still read this book first but for better understanding of most continued subplots, it's advised you read book 1 first.

My writing style is very detailed. This is why I've leaned more into preparing books for traditional publishing like Amazon, but I try my best to tweak it to fit webnovel fast-paced formats. Apologies if some scenes are *dragged* but if you read Book 1, you'd understand I value emotional elaboration and detailed descriptions. Though, I do tweak some aspects of my writing as I continue to develop daily as a webnovelist.

In retrospect of my only lowkey hit book, TBAM, and the other “flops” (lol) (except Forbidden Mate tho, at least on the other platforms it's not one) which I plan on either unpublishing or rewriting and republishing, I thank all my supporters, from the day ones to the newest.

I wish to provide top-quality content not just hot fast garbage. It pisses me off more than you guys, spending hard earned money on some books only to be left hanging, disappointed or frustrated (for the wrong reasons) along the way.

Also, I can give you all the reasons I was building up this particular couple (ColexJoy) to be the main ones in Book 2, because funnily enough TBAM was meant to be a standalone and my love for those two just popped out of nowhere and fangirled myself into making this decision…. But all the details will be too burdensome to read.

Let's focus on what you're here for. Yes - to read.

And so, after 3 months of extensive planning, and an ongoing writing schedule for it, I present to you Book 2: The Alpha Prince's Mate. (No series name yet tho lol).

Update : 2 chapters/2k words daily.

(P.S I've kinda been cultivating this “mysterious” persona pseudonym, so all those bio optimization, SM promo, and whatnots ~ I'm horrible at that and choose not to indulge.

If you're interested in reading some of my other books, I go by the same penname and you can find me:

1• Mairee_ @ Letterlux: Novellair, Noveloasis, Literie, LitRead (Rec. Book: 90 days)

2• Mairee @ Novelsnack: AnyStories, ReadInk (Rec. Book: The Three Mated Luna ~ but it's unfinished)

3• Mairee @ FictionMe: FictionMe (Rec. Book: Forbidden Mate: Awakening)

4• Mairee @ Starywriting: Dreame (Rec. Book: My Mate, My Bully ~ but I'm currently rewriting it to republish)

Happy Reading!

× Joy ×

“I didn't know you both would get on the road so early, else I'd have come earlier. Apologies, ma'am.” 

She pats my hand still on her shoulder, “It's fine, dear. We also didn't anticipate this. It's Shelly who called us early this morning and talked about some temporary border policy changes and whatnot; because of the Alpha Prince's birthday event being today, borders are gonna be closed or something for only visiting royals. She said it'll be best if we get moving early.”

I shudder at the mention of the Alpha Prince but am able to steel myself enough to reply, “Oh. I almost forgot. Apologies again.”

“No need to apologize, dear,” a man says and we turn to see Mr. Maywelton also readily moving to us in his wheelchair.

“Goodness, sir, you could've waited in the room. I'd have come get you,” I rush over to assist him so he can sit by his wife.

“Don't worry, dear. With your hel