Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate
Chapter 30: Rescued by the Alpha

Chapter 30: Rescued by the Alpha

You’d think getting saved by an Alpha werewolf right in front of a bunch of vampires would earn you a free pass from the king, right?

Ha! Wrong.

Instead, Riona found herself marching to her doom, the king’s study—a charming little place where nightmares come to life.

Today’s agenda? Oh, just a casual brush with death, courtesy of the king himself.

***

Noticing that Riona kept fidgeting at the sight of King Valentin after the dance, Thorin once again acted as a furry knight in shining armor and offered to take her out of the hall, which she reluctantly accepted.

The moment they left the grand hall, Thorin’s complexion noticeably improved, as if he’d just been given a moonlit spa treatment. He looked far more relaxed, almost like a werewolf who’d finally found the world’s largest chew toy.

He even mustered up some playful banter. "Isn’t this where I get my thank-you? Or do I need to save you from a garlic bread buffet first?"

I would finish a table of garlic bread buffet as rather than be at the banquet with King Valentin.

Riona rolled her eyes. "I never asked for your help!" she retorted, embarrassed.

Even though she didn’t want to admit it, she was indeed grateful, but expressing that out loud was more painful than a silver splinter.

"Oh, really? You certainly looked like you needed rescuing from King Fury, though," Thorin teased, still holding onto Riona’s hand with a smug grin.

She yanked her hand away, her nails almost scratching him. "...you..."

"Hm? What’s that, Lady Cranky?"

"I said!" Riona shouted, her eyes bulging out, then continued in a voice that squeaked like a bat, "...you."

"I’m sorry, Riona, but I still didn’t catch that."

Thorin leaned his ear closer to Riona, who was now the color of a ripe, seething tomato. She clenched her fists, bit her lower lip, and hissed through gritted teeth, "Thank..."

Riona quickened her pace, huffing with frustration, and muttered in a barely audible growl, "...you."

Thorin chuckled. "Ah, music to my furry ears."

Without another word, Riona spun on her heel and went off towards Florian’s chamber. She hadn’t seen him since she returned to the royal palace, and she could imagine him worrying about her like he always did.

As she approached Florian’s chamber, the door creaked open slightly. Thorin lingered outside, while Riona slipped inside, finding Florian sitting on the sofa, staring blankly into the air.

"Florian," she called softly.

He snapped back to reality, tears flooding his eyes as he jumped off the sofa and into her embrace. Even though he couldn’t speak, he still let out a soft wail when he cried.

Florian was trembling, his thin arms wrapped tightly around Riona’s neck as he buried his face in her shoulder. She brushed the back of his head, gently reassuring him.

Riona pressed her forehead to his and kissed him softly. "Were you worried a lot?"

He nodded without loosening his grip, his grip as firm as a vampire clinging to their last drop of blood. She stroked him gently.

"I’m sorry, okay? I only woke up a couple of hours ago, and I had to wait until nightfall before I could return to the palace. You know how it is—daylight and vampires don’t exactly mix."

Florian chuckled, and his laughter sounded so crunchy. Finally, he smiled again, just like he was supposed to.

Riona wiped away his tears, expertly navigating around his trembling fangless teeth, and led him to bed, tucking him in bed.

As she turned to leave, Florian grabbed her skirt, shaking his head.

"Do you want me to sleep here tonight?"

Florian nodded. He pleaded with his eyes.

She hesitated, her gaze flickering towards the door. Wait, why would she even consider hesitating just because that Alpha werewolf was lurking around? Why would she let him haunt her thoughts like a restless spirit?

Just as she thought about him, Thorin appeared by the door, slipping into the room like a shadow in the moonlight.

Knocking lightly, he said, "You should rest. It’s been a long day, and you’ll need your strength if you want to sink your fangs into the princess tomorrow."

He seemed to have overheard everything. Did werewolves always have such good hearing?

Riona shot him a glare sharper than his claws. "Perhaps you didn’t notice, but my nickname is Fangless, and they didn’t just call me that for fun. I don’t have fangs."

Thorin shrugged, his smirk widening like a wolf sizing up its next meal. "I was speaking figuratively, but if you want to take it literally, be my guest. Good luck!"

He headed out the door but turned around and added, "Fangs or no fangs, I’m sure you’ll do just fine tomorrow!"

"I don’t need luck, and I certainly don’t need you wishing it upon me," Riona retorted with a sharp tone after she realized her mind had involuntarily wandered towards him.

"Suit yourself. But don’t come crying to me when you’re too tired to face her tomorrow."

"Yeah, like that would ever be a problem!" Riona scoffed, stomping towards the door and slamming it shut.

"Ugh, I can’t bear him, really. What? No, don’t give me that look, Flo! I am so not close to him. No, not at all. We’re like strangers, you know, strangers with really annoying acquaintances."

***

Riona challenged Lisbeth to a spar, but the princess was adamant that she would choose the place. At that time, Riona expected a secluded battleground to avoid causing any casualties. She had planned to use level two on Lisbeth this time as part of her revenge.

But when the announced venue turned out to be the palace courtyard, Riona’s hopes were swiftly buried.

"What is she thinking?" Riona muttered to herself as she entered the courtyard, eyeing the assembled crowd.

Just as Thorin claimed last night, he was part of the audience, surrounded by his werewolf entourage like a pack of overenthusiastic spectators at a supernatural sporting event.

"What’s with the audience, Princess? Hoping to entertain the masses with your defeat?" Riona taunted as Lisbeth made her grand entrance.

However, Riona’s sarcasm died fast when she noticed someone lurking behind Lisbeth—the last person she wanted witnessing the spar—King Valentin.