Filed to story: The Alpha King’s Intoxicating Mate
Except the study was no way near the kitchen. Nobody could get that lost. I opened my mouth to protest and demand a proper answer, but she saw the stables and rushed forward, while I followed behind at a more leisurely pace.
“Oh they’re all so beautiful” she whispered, putting a hand to her mouth, her eyes sparkling as she took in the rows of horses neatly stabled in their stalls. I grinned and stepped up beside her, my groom Neil coming up to us and bowing his head.
“Your Highness,” he said sounding stunned “what brings you to the stables today?”
It was unusual for me to visit. I only did it on the rare occasions. It had been months since I had last gone on a ride, so I didn’t blame Neil for being a little shocked.
“This is my mate, Leah,” I said introducing her.
Leah shyly shook his hand as he smiled at her and bowed his head again.
I looked around the stables impressed with Neil’s hard work and dedication. He had several junior grooms working underneath him, but the horses looked well-fed and healthy and the stable was immaculate.
“I thought that it might be nice to go on a horse ride with my mate,” I said to Neil, the man’s eyes as wide as saucers “Do you have any that would be quite docile for Leah to ride on for her first time?”
My groom grinned “I think I might have the perfect one for the little miss” he said jovially “And you’ll naturally want your usual horse I’m guessing?” he confirmed.
I gave a slow nod. He chuckled. “I’ll just get them sorted then and be right back.”
Something occurred to me then and I glanced at my mate, feeling guilty. I should have asked her this first. Still, I needed to make absolutely certain before we went ahead. I took a deep breath and stared her in the eyes, willing her not to lie to me. “Leah, are you capable of going on this ride with me? Or is it dangerous because of your condition?”
Silence. We hadn’t really spoken about her condition since the attack, but now I was asking her directly and she looked nervous, her hair covering part of her eyes as she bit her lip and looked at me. I wasn’t about to risk her safety for the sake of a horse ride and I was more than relieved when she spoke out, her voice conveying her conviction “I’ll be fine. My attacks only come when I’m stressed, angry, or upset. I am none of these right now” she added, “I am not missing out on this Kace, and I don’t intend on my heart condition restricting how I want to live my life.”
Leah POV
I was given a gentle mare to ride, a gorgeous white one that seemed placid as King Kace helped me to mount her. I held the reins in my hands and watched in awe as my mate gracefully mounted his horse, a gorgeous black stallion, with ease, his horse leading the way out of the stable while my own began to follow along beside it, content to walk slowly and steadily to my relief. While I loved horses, I had never ridden one before and I preferred not to make a fool of myself and fall off.
It was a gorgeous day out and the sun was shining. I breathed in the fresh air, feeling content. My mate was smiling as he looked over at me. I couldn’t help it. I was enjoying feeling like I was up high as I looked down at the ground, feeling the gentle sway of the horse as it moved beneath me. “See it’s not so bad is it?” Kace teased with laughter in his voice.
I laughed and patted the mare’s neck, loving the feel of her mane. It was so soft but also course as well “It’s nice” I admitted “but I bet running is even better,” I said excitedly.
His eyes widened “You want to run already?” he asked and I grinned, nodding my head enthusiastically.
I mean you only live once right? Who cared if I fell off so long as I survived I thought recklessly.
“Why not? You only live once” I said daringly as he grinned looking at me with admiration.
“What if you fall?” he asked with a hint of concern.
I shrugged “Then I fall, but at least I’ll have tried,” I said blithely, meaning every word.
He shook his head and laughed in resignation. “Fine, if you squeeze the sides of the horse with your legs it will encourage
it to run,” he said with a chuckle “But if you fall off don’t blame me” he warned as I nodded in acquiecance.
I instantly squeezed the sides of my mare and she immediately took off galloping. I shrieked, my heart racing wildly in my chest as she darted into the forest, weaving around trees and heading upwards, my mate galloping behind me with a wide grin on his face as he watched us go ahead.
“Just let it lead, she knows where to go” he called out calmly.
I let her lead. I was too busy taking in the scenery and enjoying the rapid pace she was setting out to try and stop her. It was magnificent. Like nothing I had experienced before. No wonder people enjoyed horse riding so much! I laughed, my hair billowing behind me, my eyes sparkling as I breathed in the fresh air, the horse’s hoofs pounding on the forest floor. She continued to head up a hill, her body lithe and agile and eventually we came to a cliff where she promptly slowed to a stop, Kace coming up beside me as I stared down at the forest below, awed by how beautiful everything was. It was so splendid that it brought tears to my eyes.
He slid off his horse and then helped me. “Should we tie them up?” I asked worriedly and he shook his head and lightly tapped their bottoms. The horses immediately began to go back the way we’d come.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?