The Alpha King's Bride novel · Chapter 20 of 24

Chapter 20: Jasper's Choice

Jasper went down on his back in the straw with blood running from his nose.

"I deserved that," he said, thickly.

"You deserved worse."

"Yes."

The guard on the floor between us groaned, and I stepped over his legs.

The back panel I had cracked open hung off its hinge, and the road slid by beneath it.

The cart was crossing a stone bridge, and the drivers were still singing.

"Jump when I say," Jasper whispered. "There's a gully under the bridge."

"I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Then stay," he said, "and wake up in the Frostmark with a cup in your hand."

I looked at the guard.

I looked at the road.

I jumped.

I hit the bank hard on my shoulder and rolled with both arms over my stomach, and the world turned over twice.

Then I lay in the wet grass, gasping.

Jasper landed beside me, swearing.

Above us the cart rattled on across the bridge, and the singing never stopped.

We lay under the arch of the stone until the sound of the wheels was gone.

I sat up slowly and checked myself with my hands.

Nothing was broken.

I put my palm against my stomach and held it there.

"Is it all right?" Jasper asked.

"Don't talk about it."

"Finola..."

"You don't get to ask."

He shut his mouth.

He sat with his back against the stone, bleeding and filthy, and for a long while he looked at the water.

"I knew," he said at last.

I did not answer.

"From the first month. My father told me what the hair was for. He said the Rookes would make me Beta, that the girl in the kitchen would be happy, and that I'd never have to do anything but let her think she liked me."

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