ZEDKIEL.
I am going to punish you, Little Mouse, for disobeying me,Oh? So, she knows exactly what kind of punishment I have in my mind.Let’s bend a knee to our queen,“Zed!” She whispers, placing her hands on my arms. "Please don't."
I stand up slowly, our eyes meeting, before I turn to the others. “The true queen has been chosen, which means the tournament is off.”
“B-but a-a woman is going to be queen?” Franco splutters, earning a cold glare from Dad.
“If our creator, the Goddess herself, is a woman, then why can't our ruler be a woman?” I snarl.
He shuts up instantly, and Dad nods. “And she will have guidance from Zedkiel and myself as well as the chosen court-”
“Chosen court?” Philip asks.
“Each king chooses his court; you should know that,” I say coldly. “Or should I say, in this case, the queen will choose.”
“King works because you’re mine, and you will choose,” she whispers, her fingers lacing with mine as she looks up at me.
She’s struggling with her emotions, and I want to get her alone to ask her about everything. I don’t know what she’s going through, but I can sense it. However, before that, there is something I need to do.
“Dad, call a meeting of the court and the allied packs. There’s something I want to share,” I say, my eyes darkening.
“Did you find anything?” He asks me sharply.
“Perhaps, perhaps not. Make sure all the Alphas are there, too, especially the Lendorns. I want them all there,” I say coldly before I turn to Evangeline. Get dressed, then Kash will bring you to the throne room.Her eyes are filled with concern, Zed, are you angry with me?Yes. You went in there knowing it's dangerous,No, I …Okay. I’ll go change.I frown slightly, watching her walk away and motion for Kash to follow her.
“Congratulations,” Chasyn says to Evangeline as she walks past, removing his jacket and placing it around her shoulders.
“Thank you,” she whispers with a smile before she walks off with Kash, who casts a cold glare at Chasyn before he walks off.
There’s always been an issue between the two of them, and although Kash always refuses to tell me what it is, with Chasyn having no clue, I have my own ideas.
I decide to head to the throne room beforehand, and what I found isn’t enough to pin on anyone. But I am planning to weed them out by acting as if I know more than I do. It could go wrong, but I have my suspicions. The Lendorns are one of the closest and most trusted families of the Vilkas. For them to be targeted, someone is trying to weaken us from within, and I plan for them to realise that we will not let it slide. From now on, I'm powering down on them all.
I pace the hall, thinking. Two things stood out when I went to track down any changes. The paths out of the castle that were meant to be out of use had fresh footsteps. Rather well disguised but fresh. Someone was using them to slip in and out of the castle. Secondly, aside from the royal family, there were only a few who would know of those paths; that narrowed down the culprits, and they are part of the King's Court.
I tilt my head, my eyes flashing at the possibility that there is more than one.
If that’s the case, I don't plan to mention those footprints for now. If this plan fails, I plan to keep an eye on the paths.Luckily, we found the man who had supplied the poison, a person who is now in our custody. Although he couldn’t provide a name, he said he’d remember their scent and aura.
Now, all I need to do is bring him in at the right moment.I pace the dark room. I didn’t bother to turn the light on because the moon shone through the windows, bathing the room in light. My footsteps echo on the marble floors.
The doors open, and her intoxicating scent hits me before I even turn. When I do, my breath catches in my throat. She’s radiating that white glow, and in the darkness, with the moonlight shining through, she looks ethereal.
She’s dressed in a black dress that reaches below her knees, her white hair frames her face, and her beautiful hazel eyes are looking at me with love and concern.
“Zedkiel,”
“You were fast,” I say quietly.
She nods, her heart thumping as she walks over to me, and I close the gap between us, pulling her close upon reaching her, and she cups my face.
“I promise I didn’t want to take your throne. It’s still yours. I-”
I cock a brow. “I really don’t care for the throne. Yes, I wanted to be king, but that was to be able to lead our people to victory, to do the right thing, and I'm sure I can do that by your side,” I say quietly.
Is that why she’s so worried?She looks surprised. “But I thought you were angry at me,” she whispers.
“I am, for disobeying me. You’re still mine, regardless of your status. I don’t like to be disobeyed. Seriously, Little Mouse, did you really think that I'm angry because you are queen?”
Wasn't that obvious? Women and their minds are always assuming something else.A beautiful smile grazes her face, flooding with relief. “Thank the Goddess. But there’s more, lots more that I need to tell you,” she whispers, looking around.
I frown but nod. “After the meeting, we'll talk,” I say, cupping her face as I kiss her softly, relishing in the moment I feared I would never experience again.
I can’t lose her. Ever. You got your wolf,Yes, her name is Luna,A wolf with a voice? My woman is indeed special.Hello, Luna.I feel her cheeks heat up, her heart thudding, and I know her wolf liked that. As much as I want to continue to kiss her forever, the door opens, interrupting us. The first of the court members are here.
Time to find that snake amongst us.