Betrayal: The Queen's Alpha Series, #11

By W.J. May

She will fight for what is hers.

When Katerina Damaris and her friends reach the lost city of Taviel, they assume their problems are finally over. Little do they know, the trouble has just begun…

When the crown goes missing, the only remaining option is to fight. But in order to do that, the gang must seek help from the last people they were expecting. After an unexpected betrayal leaves them running for their lives, alliances are questioned. Ancient blood feuds come to light, but in the chaos that follows, nothing is as it seems.

No matter what they do, the Red Knight is always five steps ahead. Gaining influence in the most unlikely of places. Moving the pieces around the board. The only way to save the five kingdoms, is to beat him at his own game.

But the Knight holds one final card. A card he's been waiting to play…

Be careful who you trust. 

Even the devil was once an angel.

Queen's Alpha Series: 

Eternal

Everlasting

Unceasing

Evermore

Forever

Boundless

Prophecy

Protected

Foretelling

Revelation

Betrayal

Resolved

The Omega Queen Series:

Discipline

Bravery

Courage

Conquer

Strength

Validation

Approval

Blessing

Balance

Grievance

Enchanted

Gratified

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Shadow Publishing
• Release date: May 12, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386119135

W.J. May

About W.J. May Welcome to USA TODAY BESTSELLING author W.J. May's Page! SIGN UP for W.J. May's Newsletter to find out about new releases, updates, cover reveals and even freebies! http://eepurl.com/97aYf   Website: http://www.wjmaybooks.com Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-WJ-May-FAN-PAGE/141170442608149?ref=hl *Please feel free to connect with me and share your comments. I love connecting with my readers.* W.J. May grew up in the fruit belt of Ontario. Crazy-happy childhood, she always has had a vivid imagination and loads of energy. After her father passed away in 2008, from a six-year battle with cancer (which she still believes he won the fight against), she began to write again. A passion she'd loved for years, but realized life was too short to keep putting it off. She is a writer of Young Adult, Fantasy Fiction and where ever else her little muses take her.

Book preview

Have You Read the C.o.K Series?

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The Chronicles of Kerrigan

Book I - Rae of Hope is FREE!

BOOK TRAILER:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gILAwXxx8MU

How hard do you have to shake the family tree to find the truth about the past?

Fifteen year-old Rae Kerrigan never really knew her family's history. Her mother and father died when she was young and it is only when she accepts a scholarship to the prestigious Guilder Boarding School in England that a mysterious family secret is revealed.

Will the sins of the father be the sins of the daughter?

As Rae struggles with new friends, a new school and a star-struck forbidden love, she must also face the ultimate challenge: receive a tattoo on her sixteenth birthday with specific powers that may bind her to an unspeakable darkness. It's up to Rae to undo the dark evil in her family's past and have a ray of hope for her future.

Find W.J. May

Website:

https://www.wjmaybooks.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-WJ-May-FAN-PAGE/141170442608149

Newsletter:

SIGN UP FOR W.J. May's Newsletter to find out about new releases, updates, cover reveals and even freebies!

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Revelation Blurb:

USA Today Bestselling author, W.J. May, continues the highly anticipated bestselling YA/NA series about love, betrayal, magic and fantasy. Be prepared to fight, it's the only option.

I will fight to the death for those I love.

When Katerina Damaris and her friends reach the lost city of Taviel, they assume their problems will finally be over. Little do they know, the trouble has just begun...

When the crown goes missing, the only remaining option is to fight. But in order to do that, the gang must seek help from the last people they were expecting. After an unexpected betrayal leaves them running for their lives, alliances are questioned. Ancient blood feuds come to light, but in the chaos that follows nothing is as it seems.

No matter what they do, the Red Knight is always five steps ahead. Gaining influence in the most unlikely of places. Moving the pieces around the board. The only way to save the five kingdoms is to beat him at his own game.

But the Knight holds one final card. A card he's been waiting to play...

Be careful who you trust. Even the devil was once an angel.

The Queen’s Alpha Series

Eternal

Everlasting

Unceasing

Evermore

Forever

Boundless

Prophecy

Protected

Foretelling

Revelation

Betrayal

Resolved

The Omega Queen Series

Discipline

Bravery

Courage

Conquer

Strength

Validation

Approval

Blessing

Balance

Grievance

Enchanted

Gratified

Contents

Have You Read the C.o.K Series?

Find W.J. May

Revelation Blurb:

The Queen’s Alpha Series

The Omega Queen Series

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Resolved Blurb:

AND NOW AVAILABLE!  Discipline

The Queen’s Alpha Series

The Omega Queen Series

Find W.J. May

More books by W.J. May

The Chronicles of Kerrigan

Chapter 1

Katerina leapt into the air with her eyes closed, half-expecting to feel Merrick’s deadly teeth sliding into her neck. Her arms flew forward without thinking as she sucked in a faltering breath, but there was no bite from the vampire. Instead, a pair of strong hands caught hers.

Dylan.

His fingers locked around her wrists as he pulled her straight out of the air and into his arms. She huddled there for a moment, not seeing the flash of terror in his eyes as he stared over the wing of the dragon, not seeing how close Merrick had actually come. By the time she lifted her head to look up at him, he was gazing down with a steady smile.

That was quite the performance.

It was kind of him to say so, especially considering how hard it had been for him to leave. In times of danger, his first instinct was never to run in the opposite direction and leave his girlfriend behind. But Cassiel had grabbed the back of his cloak and dragged him through the trees. The two would no doubt have words about it later. But for now, he was simply relieved everyone was safe.

And free.

How long had they been trapped with the vampires? It felt like ages, when really it had only been a few days. There was a kind of mania about them. An almost dream-like frenzy that had taken hold the second those first scouts had spotted them through the trees.

The terium-laced fire hadn’t helped.

Nor had the revelations about one of their closest friends.

Katerina smiled in equal relief, brushing a lock of flyaway hair out of his face before turning to check on the others, still clinging to the front of his shirt.

They had made it up—barely. And Kailas had managed a sprinting transformation into a dragon—barely. But the heavy silence and stricken features spoke to what a close call it had been.

Tanya was sitting directly between the dragon’s shoulders, knees drawn up to her chest, eyes glazed over as she played through what had just happened over and over in her mind.

Serafina was still having trouble shaking the lingering effects of the terium, which had been blowing directly into her face for the better part of the night. She’d stumbled twice as she raced through the forest to get to the dragon. If her brother hadn’t tossed her over his shoulder halfway through, there was a good chance she wouldn’t have made it.

Cassiel was looking tired. More than that—exhausted. Worn by the drugs, the adrenaline, the feeling of crushing responsibility for the people he loved. Dragging Dylan through the trees, carrying his little sister. Even now one hand was hovering behind Tanya, making sure she didn’t fall.

The queen could think of a thousand reasons to explain his expression, a thousand reasons for the aching fatigue and the dark bruises beneath his bright eyes. But the answer was as simple as it was sad. Taviel. A part of the prince had died in that city. A part of him had never come back.

And then there was Aidan.

Straining up on her toes, Katerina could just barely see him—sitting by himself at the tip of the dragon’s outstretched wing. His chin rested on interlaced fingers as he stared over the side, not noticing the wind, or the sun, or his dangerous proximity to the edge. He was lost in his own world.

Katerina stared at him for a moment before glancing back at Dylan. His face softened and he cocked his head with a faint smile, going to sit in the center with the others.

With the utmost care she made her way across the dragon’s back, grabbing occasionally on to the charcoal scales for balance. To be honest, she wasn’t concerned with the prospect of falling. It was what would come after. She’d never live down the teasing.

Hey, she called out quietly, still several feet away. You okay?

He gave no indication that he’d heard, maintaining his silent vigil. An endless forest of trees blurred past in his dark eyes, streaking the reflection with random spots of light.

Aidan?

He tilted his head ever so slightly, chin still resting on his hands. Do you need me for something?

She paused, caught off guard. No, I...I was just wondering if I could sit for a moment.

His shoulders tensed, but he was too inherently polite to ask her to leave outright. Instead he merely shrugged, turning his attention back to the trees.

She edged out carefully to sit beside him, occasionally grabbing the shimmering spikes that laced across her brother’s wing. When at last she joined him, she made the supreme mistake of looking down. A breath caught in her throat, and she realized that she’d been mistaken.

She was very afraid of falling. Teasing be damned.

You know we’re on the very edge, right? she joked lightly, trying to catch his attention. "I couldn’t care less, of course. But Kailas still has to fly. And not everyone’s as brave as me."

At least part of that was true. The prince was keeping his wing intentionally still, giving the vampire space to brood. But it couldn’t have been easy. And they were veering slightly to the left.

Is that what you came to tell me? Aidan asked quietly. To get off your brother’s wing?

Again, she was surprised by the response.

The vampire she knew was infinitely patient. It was a hard lesson, but one he’d mastered over decades. No matter what the rest of the day had brought, he was never brusque or dismissive. But that lesson seemed the farthest thing from his mind right now.

I came to say I was sorry—about Merrick, she answered softly. And to tell you that I didn’t hurt him with the fire. I just made him back off.

Although she was intentionally avoiding his eyes, she felt Aidan stiffen beside her. He wasn’t particularly jarred to hear the name, because he’d never really stopped thinking it. It was like a tidal wave building inside him, drowning all those things he couldn’t say.

You think I wanted that? he snapped. For you to spare him?

More questions. When you no longer had the answers, questions were the next best thing.

Katerina hesitated as they ventured onto shaky ground. In the last few days, she’d seen a profound transformation come over her friend. From the return to his brethren, to the revelation about his wife and, finally, the shocking discovery that his brother had made an alliance with the very evil they were trying to fight. It was enough to break a person. Even a strong person.

Aidan wasn’t broken. He was shattered beyond repair.

...I think you needed that.

For the first time since leaving the clearing, he looked at her straight on.

There were lines of red around his eyes. Faint bruising, as if he’d pressed his fists into his eye sockets. But there were no tears. She didn’t think he had any tears left to cry.

What do you want me to say?

Nothing, she said quickly, resisting the urge to take his hand. You don’t have to say anything. I was just going to sit here for a while.

Ironically, it was a strategy he’d used on her many times in the days after the battle. Times when she was so overwhelmed it was exploding out of her, yet she couldn’t find the words to speak.

He’d simply show up out of nowhere and take her gently by the hand. Together, they’d leave the palace and begin their aimless wandering. Strolling amongst the trees, perching on the rooftop, sitting beneath the stars. Sometimes they talked, sometimes they didn’t. But he was always there.

He’s my brother, he finally managed. And yet...he’s not.

A tight knot hardened in Katerina’s stomach, and she didn’t need her new twin telepathy to feel the sudden tension in Kailas’ wings. There had been a time when she’d said the same thing, when she’d felt the same way about her own brother. Quite recently, in fact.

Blood is blood, she said softly. It was a lesson a vampire knew better than most. He’s still your brother. No matter what he’s done.

It was hard to tell if Aidan heard her. His gaze had returned to the trees.

I was resigned that he wouldn’t help us. He spoke so quietly, it was almost impossible to hear him over the wind. Just to abstain would be an unforgivable crime. But this?

There were no words to describe the look on Aidan’s face when Merrick admitted to having forged an alliance with the Knight. Not even the sudden appearance of a massive dragon was enough to make him turn. If Tanya hadn’t grabbed him by the hair—pulling backwards with all her might—there’s a chance he would still be standing there. Too stunned to speak.

It was a question of survival. Katerina bowed her head, gripping the edge of the wing. Survival, not personal preference. He doesn’t want to condemn his entire race to death.

Aidan lifted his head sharply, those dark eyes fixing on her face. You’re defending him?

No, she said quietly, I’m not defending him. I’m just saying, in terms of room for absolution, there are worse reasons to commit such a crime.

There is no room for absolution, Aidan replied darkly. Not for something like this.

They lapsed into silence, dipping in and out of the clouds.

Most days, she would have instinctively tried to convince him otherwise. Most days, he would have been the one convincing her. But maybe he was right, maybe this was one step past forgiveness. In the end, all she could offer him was the truth.

He vowed to save your life. It was the first thing either one of them had said in several minutes, and Aidan lifted his head in surprise. She nodded slowly, meeting his gaze. That’s what he was screaming at me. That I was going to get you killed. That he would protect you.

His lips parted in honest surprise before he let out a short laugh. ...protect me.

Aidan, I think he actually meant it—

By aligning with evil, he interrupted. By sacrificing my soul. A bitter look swept across his face as he turned back to the skyline. Only Merrick would make such a trade.

There was another long pause before Katerina glanced up hesitantly. ...but it was a trade he made for you.

Of this, she was absolutely certain. The man might have been downright psychotic, a master-manipulator and one of the most frightening creatures she’d ever seen, but there were two sides to every story. She’d seen the way he watched Aidan, in secret moments when his little brother wasn’t looking. She’d seen the way he’d stroked his hair when he was sleeping. The look of physical pain that stabbed through him, when Aidan decided to walk away forever.

But secret looks and hidden feelings weren’t enough. Aidan had walked away. And from the looks of things, there would be no turning back.

His dark eyes flashed with a sarcastic smile.

Well I guess everything’s fine, then.

KAILAS FLEW AROUND in wide circles for the next several hours, taking care to stay out of the wide open sky. They skimmed the very tops of the forest, and whenever possible he cut through a ridge of mountains, then doubled back under cover of the clouds.

By the time they finally landed on the bluff beside a wide and quick-flowing river, the prince was utterly exhausted. He stayed standing just long enough for everyone to safely depart before shifting back and falling at once to his knees. Serafina rushed to his side, draping him with the cloak he’d dropped back in the forest.

Honey, you’re going to hurt yourself, she chided gently. You didn’t have to go so far.

I didn’t want anyone following us, he panted, tying the cord around his neck with a pair of trembling hands. The vampires, or any of the Knight’s spies...

You did well, Cassiel said suddenly, surprising everyone, before settling down on the bank of the river. The others followed him; Kailas hung back, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’d been expecting you to fall...

There it is.

Katerina shot him a sour look as she settled deliberately on the far side of the circle, patting the ground beside her for her twin. With a few graceful strokes of his hands Dylan lit a fire, and just a few minutes after that they were roasting strips of wild rabbit over the crackling flames.

The queen watched the meat sizzling with an unexpectedly heavy heart, calculating that there would be about four good bites for each of them. The only good thing about their time spent with Merrick was that he’d fed them well. (A rather ironic twist, considering they’d been inside a vampire encampment.) They’d been spoiled and pampered at the palace not long before that.

And now, we’re back to rabbit.

Don’t even say it, Dylan murmured, blowing on the stick before passing it her way. His eyes were dancing in the glow