Cursing my bad luck, I hurried through the maze of hallways for the noon meeting. King Kincaid had caught me as I had been heading outside for a private run in my wolf form to fully use my free time, informing me that my presence would be required for the gathering. All of the Prodigies were requested to be there. Not in the realm of normal, I had hurried my run, but I hadn’t been quick enough. A damn critter had chewed on my heels, wrecking them beyond repair.

I still wore my new outfit. Even shoeless. Oddly, I actually preferred it, but Jack had said the heels were sexy as hell. And now I didn’t have them.

I ran a hand over my outfit, trying to smooth away my nervousness as if it were a wrinkle in my attire. Ezra would scent that, and I wanted him to see me as confident in this outfit. Like all the other Vampire women that sauntered around in sensual clothing like this. I chewed my lip and slowed my pace so I could get it together.

Now minus my black heels, I wore leather and fur. The leather was the strapless dress, made of material so soft that it felt like butter. It skimmed in a straight line across my chest, revealing a goodly amount of cleavage, and hugged my body to right below my ass. No bending over for me. It was simple and sexy, as Jack had instructed.

The fur came into play with the soft, hooded jacket I wore. It was thin and its length barely skimmed the ground. Four buttons kept it closed, hiding my dress underneath. And it was the color of my wolf’s fur. In fact, it felt just like it because I had designed it that way.

Jack had approved with a whistle, although now he might scowl seeing my black painted toenails instead of sexy footwear. Oh, well. I had tried. If I could just focus on how comfortable the outfit was — because it was — I would be doing fine.

I sighed and rolled my head on my shoulders, hearing masculine voices drifting from the main conference room. I was a few minutes early, but it sounded like the majority of everyone was already in there. Running my hands over the soft fur again, I closed my eyes and relaxed.

It was show time.

Entering the room, I glanced around.

Blinked.

All the Kings were here. In fact, King Venclaire was pocketing a wad of cash. Antonio’s posse were also here, and Cahal was…my God…actually grinning. As in, a real damn smile. I couldn’t help but gape because he was handsome instead of so harshly imposing, with his pearly whites showing like they were. All eight of them stood on one side of the long conference table.

And Ezra was in here, standing on the other side of the table, lips lifting in amusement as he watched what everyone else was watching.

That being: a lion cub.

Specifically, a large lion cub with enormous paws that stalked back and forth on top of the conference table, hissing or growling while he eyed the Kings and Elders. The male cub already had muscle definition, even with its rounded, healthy belly, and his tail twitched in agitation as he moved. He held his head proudly, his chest puffed even though his gaze was watchful.

It appeared as if he were protecting Ezra, keeping the big baddies away. I couldn’t help but grin. He was damn adorable, though I knew full-grown he would be imposing even to a Shifter.

I strode forward, stopping at the end of the table. No one paid the least bit attention since the cub was at the other end. Honestly, I thought they didn’t even know I had entered.

Elder Merrick growled, “One out of two, Cahal. Not two out of two.” He glanced at Ezra. “At least it’s not damn eagles, like we got. Those fuckers shit everywhere they please.” He then glared at Antonio.

I was completely lost, but I didn’t miss how Ezra shot him an undisclosed look of aggression.

“I should probably ask for a cut since he’s my son,” Cahal said proudly to King Venclaire.

“You could ask.” King Venclaire shrugged. “I still won’t give you one.” He pointed at the cub. “He really is large for his age.”

“Hell yes, he is,” Ezra murmured, swiping his hand over the cub’s back as he passed, appearing just as puffed as the cub. His gaze — actually — moved from said cub, and he noticed me. He blinked slowly before his gaze traveled over my hooded red fur coat.

I watched in barely concealed delight as his breath hitched.

Score!

And he hadn’t even seen the dress yet.

My attention was jolted from Ezra when King Fergus asked, “What’s he doing?”

For a second, I thought they were talking about Ezra since his hood was down and he wasn’t exactly being discreet in his ogling, but a quick glance at the eight Rulers to my right and I saw they were all watching the cub. It had stopped directly in front of me and now sat on its haunches, staring up at me.

“I haven’t the foggiest,” Elder Jacobs answered.

Still lost at their commentary, I lifted a hand to pet him since he wasn’t growling at me.

“Don’t,” Ezra barked loudly, his eyes going wide.

I snatched my hand back. “What’s going on?”

The cub chose that moment to pounce. And he was damn quick. His front paws landed on my chest as he rose on his hind legs. His adorable face was now even with mine. He licked my nose.

I chuckled at the cub, even as I felt Ezra’s heat abruptly at my side. “Ah, you’re a charmer, are you?” He nuzzled his head against my face, his big paws beginning to knead, his claws briefly appearing before disappearing, but not hurting me. Tickled by his sweet antics, I rewarded him by scratching under his chin. He seemed to like it, arching his head back for me.

Ezra made an odd noise in his throat.

“What the fuck?” King Kincaid muttered.

“I bet it’s a surprise attack,” King Nelson stated. “He needs to get close to rip into her throat.”

I froze at that, and my face was bombarded with lion slobber as he licked all over my cheek. The cub made a noise, peering up at Ezra, who stood a breath away from my side, his hands raised almost as if they were frozen in mid-motion, aiming for the cub. My eyes followed the cub’s to Ezra. He was staring at the cub with what could only be called shock.

At that exact moment, I felt something slip under my coat.

Already a little freaked, I squealed and jumped.

Ezra unfroze, and in a blur, held the cub away from me, shouting in his furry face, “No!”

King Kincaid rushed to my side. “How badly did he hurt you?” His fingers began effectively unbuttoning my robe, his gaze intent on the action.

“He didn’t hurt me,” I squealed, bouncing on my feet. “Something’s under my coat!”

Everyone froze.

Except for the cub in Ezra’s grip, which batted at his hands, huffing at him. And me, as I continued squalling and bouncing. And then King Kincaid as he shouted, jumping away from me and staring down at the bottom of my coat.

King Kincaid blinked, holding up his hands. “Stop moving! You’re going to hurt her.”

Everyone in this damn room was acting crazy. I sure as hell wasn’t going to stand still and let a critter lie in wait to bite my ass. Quickly, I finished undoing the last button and yanked my robe apart, staring down at the ground. Within my wide stance was a small, reddish lioness cub.

She stared up at me, blinking innocently, even though her tail twitched in irritation.

“Fuck me, what a view she’s got,” Elder Merrick rumbled, his wolf growling low.

I glanced up and saw his eyes glow with craving. Blinking, I glanced down again, and realized what he meant. She was between my legs with an unfettered intimate view. I also realized I had revealed my attire not quite how I had wanted.

I couldn’t chance peeking at Ezra right now because that might be too obvious after Elder Merrick’s comment, so instead I lowered and picked the cub up. She instantly cuddled against me and hardly let me place her on the table, wanting to stay in my arms. Her ears instantly lowered when her paws touched the marble and she eyed everyone else warily, a bitty growl, which was barely distinguishable, vibrating inside her chest.

Slowly, she lowered and began creeping back in forth in front of me, her eyes not leaving the Kings and Elders. Goodness, she was really worked up, appearing to not like people much. Glancing at Ezra’s cub, which was having a fit to be put on the table, I reached over, plucked him from Ezra’s grip, and placed him on the table with an affectionate rub on the head.

“Go play.” I patted their rumps, pushing them. “And quit causing such a ruckus.”

Ezra made that funny noise in his throat again.

I chanced peeking at him as the large male cub began creeping in a circle around the small female cub, sniffing her. Ezra’s eyes were darting back and forth between me and the cubs, a mixture of shock and desire riding his features. I stood on tiptoe, asking him, “Now, what’s the matter with everyone?”

The room was mute except for the noises the cubs were making.

Ezra inhaled sharply, and his gaze darted to Elder Merrick, shooting him a poisonous glance, before his eyes returned to me. Actually, my cleavage. He licked his bottom lip, placing a hand high over the cubs, and said, “He let you touch him.”

I blinked. “And?”

His mouth opened again but his body stilled, his head snapping to the cubs. The female was raised on her hind legs and butting her head against his palm, obviously wanting him to pet her. Bit by bit, Ezra began stroking her head, bending at the waist with a look of awe as she nuzzled into his hand. He brought his face close to her, gazing at her watchfully.

Until the male swatted at Ezra’s hand and jumped, sitting right in front of his face with his furry back to Ezra’s nose. He puffed up his chest and growled once at the female. Ezra straightened as the male lowered his face and started nudging her with his head. She bit his ear gently, but moved when he kept pushing. When he stopped, she swatted at his face for his antics, but he ignored it and started circling her again, gradually lowering his body, his eyes avidly on her.

“What’s he doing?” I asked in fascination.

Antonio coughed hard, glancing at me.

My eyebrows came together as Ezra snatched the crouching male off the table, holding him against his chest. Before Ezra turned his back to everyone, gently scolding the cub, I saw that his cheeks were pink. Dazed and confused, I most definitely was.

I jerked and gasped as the female took a flying leap and bashed into Ezra’s side where he was resting his hip against the table. She didn’t claw him, but she most definitely batted at his arm before landing in a crouch, growling at him. Ezra stopped rebuking the male and peered at her. She sat straight and looked at him harmlessly, then made a whining noise, rising on her hind legs and placing her front paws on the male cub’s hanging limb.

Ezra’s lips twitched, and he said softly, “You can play with him later.”

And so help me if she didn’t actually listen to him. She dropped, and with one last glance at the male cub, she moved in front of me and started growling again, this time at the Kings and Elders.

“Maybe,” Elder Jacobs said into the quiet, appearing thoughtful, “they’re friendly when they know we mean them no harm.” A pause. “Not all of our eagles hated each other in the beginning.”

Cahal blinked. “Pet her and see.”

Elder Jacobs rubbed his chest, acting nervous. “Alright. I’ll test the theory.” He moved down the table and reached a hand out to the female cub.

I jumped when she attacked. I didn’t even have time to make a startled noise before Elder Jacobs shouted and jerked his hand away. Two of his fingers were sliced so badly from her bite that bone was showing, and he had long, deep scratches on his wrists that were bleeding profusely because she had caught him under his wrist at the veins.

“Mother-fucker!” Elder Jacobs hissed, holding his hand to his chest protectively. He glared at the female cub, which was licking her bloody chops and hissing at him. “She’s fucking viscous.”

I could have sworn the female cub grinned and made a chomping motion in his direction.

King Kincaid’s chest rose. Stayed that way. “Of course she is.”

My eyes about crossed. “What the hell am I missing here?”

Ezra was actually chuckling at the female cub, and with a quick glance at me, then back to her, he asked, “Didn’t you pay any attention in history class?”

Um, no. I had slept through most of it, only passing the class because Pearl had provided me with study notes. “It went in one ear and out the other as soon as I took the tests.”

Ezra sighed and carefully placed on the table the male cub, which appeared to have listened to his direction. He didn’t try crowding the female again, only squatting and watching her. “When Prodigies are in times of war, or when there will be a war during their ruling, they receive an animal of protection.” He gestured toward the cubs. “Vizoacs.”

I eyed the cubs, which would currently be lunch meat for any Shifter. “Vizoacs?” Ezra nodded, petting his cub, and I muttered, “I don’t remember anything like that.”

Ezra grunted. “They magically recognize where to find us. No one really knows where they come from, since they appear before the Prodigies are crowned. They’re only loyal to their owner. Anyone else who touches them will get an ugly surprise.” He blinked, and amended, “Well, they’re supposed to, anyway. That’s why it’s remarkable that he let you touch him and she let me touch her.”

King Venclaire interjected. “He’s forgetting to tell you a crucial detail.” He grinned, patting his full pocket. “Whichever of the four Prodigies is the powerhouse of the group is how the Vizoac is determined.”

Ezra explained at my blank expression, “If the Shifter is the most powerful, the Prodigies receive wolves. If the Elemental is, they receive hawks. If the Mage is, they receive eagles.” Ezra’s lips twitched as he glanced at Cahal. “A Vizoac lives as long as its owner, so Dad’s still got his eagle. And he’s a crafty, mean bastard.”

Huh. That meant Antonio was the most powerful of their four.

I deduced the rest. “And if the Vamp is, the Prodigies get lions.”

Ezra nodded once and shrugged.

I barely withheld rolling my eyes. It might have worked for him to underplay being the ‘powerhouse’ if his eyes weren’t gleaming with satisfaction. As if the man needed anything else to be cocky about. A bit irritated, I crossed my arms. Just once, I would have liked to have been the best at something.

He watched me as I processed this, and like it couldn’t be contained, a smile of smug delight lifted his lips, and he drawled, “Was there ever any real question?”

I scowled, instead of pouting like I really wanted to.

King Kincaid rubbed my back. “Who needs another wolf when you can control them all?”

I blinked. “Good point.” A quick glance at him, smiling gratefully. “Thanks.”

He kissed my forehead, giving me a quick squeeze before backing away rapidly when the female cub had a hissy fit on the table.

“What are you two going to name them?” King Nelson asked.

I chuckled, jerking my head at Ezra. “He’ll probably name his something barbaric like Zeus.”

Ezra grunted. “I know what I’m going to call him.” He glanced at his dad. “I’ve had the name picked for years in case we got one.” He chuckled as his dad’s eyes narrowed. “I had to come up with something better than,” he coughed, “Bastard.”

“The name he picked isn’t much better,” Cahal grumbled, eyeing my clothes.

“It wasn’t always such,” Antonio said quietly.

“Bastard?” I asked, ignoring his dad and Antonio.

Ezra jerked his head toward Cahal. “That’s what he named his eagle.”

Hmm. I was betting Cahal had been miffed that he hadn’t been top dog.

Eyeing the little lioness, I picked her up. She immediately stopped hissing and rubbed her cute head against my face, peering at me with the most beautiful golden eyes. I smiled. “Bonnie. I’m going to name her Bonnie because she’s so pretty.” I wasn’t going to be mean and name her something horrible because I was upset Ezra had more power than me.

She licked my cheek. Guess she liked it.

Ezra made that funny noise in his throat, and he sputtered, “Seriously?”

“I know it’s not a tough name, but,” I kissed her nose, “she’s gorgeous.”

Cahal snorted, coughing over it, and turned his back to everyone.

“Well, what’s this name you’ve had forever?” King Nelson persisted.

Ezra cleared his throat, staring hard at his cub and rubbing the back of his neck. His dad glanced over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow at him. Ezra cleared his throat before sighing and saying quietly, “Clyde.”

I blinked. Clyde was the special name he’d had picked forever?

King Venclaire laughed outright. “Oh, that’s perfect.”

King Fergus and King Nelson nodded, chuckling hard.

King Kincaid raised his eyes to the ceiling. “Lord help me, not Bonnie and Clyde.”

Huh?

I blinked slowly as comprehension dawned.

Well, there was nothing to be done about it now. I had already named her. And I guess it fit.

“Clyde?” Elder Merrick asked, his nose wrinkling in distaste.

Ezra’s hooded gaze snapped to him, but before he spoke his dad murmured softly, “We adopted a tabby cat when Ezra was a toddler. He ended up with cancer and died a few years later. The shelter had named him Clyde and we never changed it.” His dad’s lips lifted in a soft smile, making me stare again. “Ezra called him ‘Tide’ for almost a year because he couldn’t pronounce it right.”

“Dad,” Ezra grumbled, his jaw hard and cheeks pinking.

Cahal shrugged, unrepentant about embarrassing his son.

Elder Merrick’s lips twitched. “Little putty tat make a lasting impression?”

Ezra’s eyes flashed. “He was a protective animal that died too soon.”

The male cub, newly named Clyde, peered up and growled at Elder Merrick.

I stepped forward into Ezra’s line of sight, since the furious vampire appeared like he wanted to rip the Elder’s throat out. And damn Elder Merrick for taunting him, especially when he knew Ezra was already out of sorts with regard to him. Tilting my head, I asked, “What else should I know about our Vizoacs?” I held his infuriated gaze when he looked my way, and I could tell he was barely holding it together by the squint to his eyes.

He inhaled sharply and his free hand, which wasn’t petting his cub, fisted, but he said evenly, “They understand when spoken to and do exactly as the owner says.” He glanced at the cubs. “Normally, they hate each other, but work together when needed.”

Antonio walked past me, whispering, “And they’re said to have a touch of your essence.”

Ezra’s eyes darted to him. “That, too.” Green eyes met mine.

Oh! No wonder they didn’t mind each other.

Glancing down at Bonnie, I watched as she sat when the Kings and Elders began talking amongst themselves. And pretty much fluttered her eyelashes at Clyde. I choked and quickly snatched her off the table. “You know, I think I’m going to have a talk with her.” If she could understand me, she and I needed to have a conversation about discretion. Now.

Ezra’s lips lifted, not missing Bonnie’s antics. “That would be wise.”

Rejoining the group after my ‘talk’ with Bonnie in the hallway about restraint, I sat at the long conference table and placed Bonnie on it. Jack and Pearl had finally joined the group. They had been late because their cubs had found them, both of them immediately knowing what the animals were since they apparently paid better attention in history class than I did. I nodded toward Pearl’s lioness cub, which was almost blond in color and larger than Bonnie. “What are you going to name her?”

She grinned as everyone began to seat themselves around the table. “Buttercup.”

I smiled at the lioness, who was grooming herself on Pearl’s lap. “It fits.” My grin grew. “I’ve always loved that name.”

Antonio rolled his eyes, understanding.

“Thank you,” Pearl nodded, giving Buttercup a quick kiss on the forehead.

“What about you, Jack?” Ezra asked, sitting directly across from me.

Jack sat next to him holding his lion cub, which was a perfect tawny color, close to his chest. “I’m going to name him after the direction of my element.” He chuckled when we stared at him. “West, people. West is my element’s direction.” He held the cub in front of his face, and spoke softly, “West is your name.” He got a lick of gratification on his chin.

My jaw dropped at the same time Antonio chuckled hard.

“What?” Jack asked, pulling the cub back to his chest protectively. “It’s a good name.”

Antonio glanced at me, raising an eyebrow.

My gaze darted back and forth between Jack and Pearl as I sputtered, “Have you two never seen The Princess Bride?” It wasn’t completely the same, but it was close.

“No,” Jack answered slowly, his eyebrows coming together.

Pearl shrugged, shaking her head.

Antonio jerked his head toward me. “It was her favorite movie growing up.” He rubbed his forehead. “I think I can probably recite the whole damn thing, we watched it so many times.”

I continued looking back and forth between Jack and Pearl, but they were waiting for clarification, so I fluttered a hand. “Never mind. Probably a fluke.”

Antonio snorted, then his lips quickly thinned.

Or not. Oh, my. I was sure my eyebrows were almost in my hairline.

Jack’s eyes narrowed as he watched me.

Again. Oh, my. Now I understood what Jack had been saying this morning when helping me with my clothes. A quick glance at Pearl told me she had no clue yet. I swiftly averted my gaze to Ezra, who was staring at me with an arched eyebrow.

He murmured quietly, “I’ve seen the movie.”

I pressed my lips together as his head cocked to check out the other two.

Jack flipped his hair out of his eye and stared Ezra straight on when their eyes met.

“Interesting,” Ezra whispered.

“And shut up and butt the fuck out,” Jack whispered, just as quietly, fully comprehending that his little secret was no longer secret.

Ezra and I both nodded once.

“Jack, grab West before he attacks Buttercup,” Pearl blabbered quickly, her attention fully caught on West, who had snuck across the table and was lying on his belly with his head hanging over the side right in front of Pearl, staring avidly at Buttercup. He didn’t really appear like he was going to attack, just staring, but Pearl didn’t understand that they were ‘friendly’ yet.

And as I quickly snatched West up when Pearl started to squawk when he reached a paw out to Buttercup, Jack didn’t understand either. Jack’s jaw hung open in blatant shock as I set West next to Bonnie, who was staring across the table at Clyde, who was returning the favor. West bent and sniffed Bonnie, and she pulled her attention away from Clyde to sniff at him curiously.

Clyde didn’t like this so much.

I don’t think any of us anticipated the level of hostility Clyde had in him as he had behaved ever since Ezra had talked with him. West wasn’t a small lion cub, but he was about an inch shorter than Clyde and had a little less muscle definition. You wouldn’t think that would have been a big deal, but add in Clyde’s instant fury, and it made for a bad situation for West.

Clyde gave a furious hiss and pounced straight on West, using his big paws and claws against the cub’s chest to knock him onto his back, snarling and batting at him.

“Shit,” Ezra muttered, jumping to his feet.

“Stop him!” Jack shouted, smacking the back of his hand against Ezra’s chest. “West didn’t do anything wrong.” His chair fell over as he got to his feet.

“Now that’s more like it,” Elder Jacobs stated, watching as the cubs rolled and fought each other, not playfully at all.

“I got a hundred on Clyde,” King Venclaire stated instantly to King Kincaid, who shook his head, not taking the bet.

“Clyde,” Ezra yelled. “Stop that right now.”

Clyde paused, glancing up at Ezra. He had a dab of blood on his nose from a nasty bite to West’s ear. And that moment of distraction caused him to get raked across his face by West’s claws. Demanded or not by his owner to behave, Clyde still growled at West, his ears lowering.

“West, stop!” Jack ordered harshly.

West’s claws disappeared, but he bared his teeth at Clyde. Clyde huffed at him, but when no other attack came, his head began darting between Ezra and Bonnie, his huge paws pattering in place on the table. He appeared anxious, especially when he glanced away from them to West, then back to Bonnie, making a whimpering sound in his throat as he danced around.

“Oh, Jesus,” Ezra muttered under his breath quietly, then more loudly, “Just behave.”

Clyde’s chest heaved as he hopped to Bonnie. He flat out threw himself on top of her, lying on her haphazardly and nuzzling his head against hers when she grunted. He kept this up until she quieted, lying her paw on top of his head, their noses together. When her eyes closed, Clyde’s gaze left her face for a heartbeat to narrow at West before it found her face again, and closed peacefully.

“What in the world?” Pearl muttered in awe.

Ezra sat down slowly, reaching across the table to pet their now sleeping forms. “Our lions don’t hate each other. Or us.” He ran a finger over Bonnie’s small head. “They’re friends.” He paused, then said quickly, “I think Clyde was afraid West was going to hurt her.”

Um, yeah. I didn’t need to scent the air to know that was a blatant lie.

That was Clyde jealous.

“Well, at least the male’s…” King Nelson’s jaw gently shut as West bounded forward and butted his head against Ezra’s face.

Ezra froze, but all the cub did was nuzzle his head against Ezra’s cheek twice before bouncing to me and rubbing his furry back under my chin where I had leaned over to pet Clyde and Bonnie, then bounce to Pearl and flop down in front of her, again staring at Buttercup.

Jack blinked. Blinked again. Then snatched West off the table, saying, “I’m going to take him to the bathroom to clean his ear off.” I was pretty sure I had never seen him move so quickly without actually running.

Into the silence I cleared my throat. “Why didn’t the current Kings get an animal as Prodigies?”

Cahal answered, “Because it means you four will be the Rulers before the war technically begins.” His gaze traveled to King Venclaire as he raised a questioning eyebrow.

I swallowed hard. War wasn’t that far off.

King Venclaire stood and glanced at King Fergus. “Should we wait for Jack to return?”

King Fergus nodded.

King Venclaire began pacing at the far end of the table, ignoring how Buttercup growled at his movement, as he waited for Jack to return.

A quick peek at Ezra didn’t help, because his gaze was hooded and not on my face. He had rocked back onto two legs of his chair and was balancing effortlessly with his arms crossed as he stared covertly at my cleavage, my leaning position over the table giving him an excellent view. Too bad I hadn’t planned it that way, but maybe I should have. Well, at least right now I had gotten the outfit right.

“Is that a new dress?” King Kincaid asked skeptically into the somewhat hush, as the Elders and Kings had begun talking quietly amongst themselves.

My gaze snapped to him. “Yep, you like?” It wasn’t normal Shifter wear. He may not approve.

He eyed it. “Can you shift easily?”

Ah. The main concern. “Yes, it’s more functional than my normal clothes.” I pulled back the coat, showing my side. “It has a side zipper so I can remove it easily, and I’m not wearing anything under it.” I shrugged. Easy shifting.

Thump.

King Kincaid had been in the process of nodding in approval, but everyone went quiet as their attention turned to the Vampire across from me.

Ezra had toppled back in his chair to the floor.

I couldn’t see him because of the table, but from the ground I heard him mutter, “Fucking shit.” He blurred, and he was on his feet, brushing off his clothes. He waved a negligent hand, not looking at anyone. “Just lost my balance. I’m fine.” He sat his chair to rights.

“You sure, son?” his dad drawled lazily.

Ezra did glance at him. His gaze was blank. It would have been perfect if his cheeks weren’t flushed. “Yes. I’m fine.”

King Venclaire’s lips twitched. “Perhaps you should sit in your seat correctly from now on.”

Ezra grunted, his fingers tight on the back of his chair.

“So, what have we heard…,” King Kincaid began asking, and I tuned him out.

‘Cause Ezra was beginning to agitatedly remove his robe with movements that were just a touch too quick. I barely withheld my grin, watching him. I knew exactly what he was doing. The man had just fallen out of his chair at my words, and now he was trying to even the score, since he had embarrassed himself. It wasn’t my fault that saying I was wearing no underwear had made his concentration falter.

But his body still had its normal impact on me. He wore a thermal white shirt, a pair of holey blue jeans that hugged his hips, and a belt with a black buckle. Simple, and quickly thrown together since he had been working that morning, the combination hugged his hard body to perfection, his mocha skin gleaming. Lord, have mercy.

And the fucker went and turned around, sauntering to the bar to grab a drink. And the back half of his clothes molded just as perfectly as the front did. His back muscles moved under his white thermal like a cat’s — the Vampire’s Vizoac was a great representation — and his ass tightened with the movement, those long, defined legs hardening with each step.

Just. Not. Fair.

“Close your mouth,” Pearl whispered down to Buttercup.

Knowing it was meant for me, I did so as I made myself turn away from the sight. A little out of sorts, I tentatively reached a hand over Buttercup’s head. Pearl held her breath as Buttercup sniffed my hand then lifted and jumped into my lap, rubbing against me.

“Remarkable,” Pearl murmured, sounding awed again and reaching out her own hand to Clyde and Bonnie. Gradually, she lowered it, petting them in soft strokes. Waking slightly, they both sniffed, their noses moving against each other’s before they fell back asleep. “It’s just remarkable.”

“Yes, it is,” Ezra said softly, moving between Antonio and myself to rest a hip against the table, only inches from me. He rested his coffee on the table and bent over me with a hand extended toward Buttercup. She sniffed it, and when she didn’t bite him, Ezra’s hand joined mine in petting her, repeatedly and deliberately brushing against mine. Buttercup ate up the attention as Ezra’s fingers grazed under my wrist, making my pulse jump.

Our hands moved away from each other’s as Buttercup hopped onto the table and sniffed at Bonnie and Clyde, circling them to lie at their heads, curling around them. I watched with amusement as Bonnie swatted Buttercup’s wayward paw off Clyde’s shoulder, almost lazily, before putting her paw back on Clyde’s head, not seeming to mind Buttercup lying against her. Clyde made a grunting noise, but readjusted so Buttercup wasn’t touching him anywhere else.

Pearl blinked, then snickered quietly. “Oh, that’s precious.”

Ezra grunted, his own body angled possessively next to mine.

“He’s all cleaned up,” Jack stated, all business, as he hurried into the room.

West was clean, his fur around his ear matted with water. Anyone with half a brain would know Jack could have done that from his chair using his magic, but the Kings and Elders weren’t paying much attention as they continued their conversation. Jack set West on the table, who gazed up at him with pleading eyes. Jack considered the sleeping cubs, then nodded with approval. “As long as you behave.”

West’s nose crinkled, but he bounded over to the cubs and, not going anywhere near Bonnie, he curled up around Buttercup, resting his head on her flank and tossing a few paws over her and Clyde. They both grunted, but didn’t move. In fact, Buttercup lifted her face and licked West’s bum ear a few times before lowering her head. Then they were all adorably asleep.

“I wonder,” Antonio whispered quietly, reaching out a hand.

Cahal’s attention went to him. “What are you doing?”

“Testing a theory,” Antonio answered calmly.

I watched in horrified fascination as Antonio’s fingers inched closer to Bonnie.

Cahal reached across the table and grabbed his wrist, eyes flashing. “It won’t work, and you know it.” He shoved Antonio’s wrist back at him. “Let them rest.”

I blinked because Antonio rarely ever did anything without caution. “Maybe he’s right.” I paused. “Bonnie might not attack him.”

Cahal turned heated eyes on me. “Not forgetting Jacobs, she also scratched King Kincaid.”

That stopped me, even as Ezra re-positioned himself to cut off my view of his dad. I sat mute for a moment, then peeked around his hip to Cahal. “You’re right.” She probably would attack Antonio if she had attacked King Kincaid.

Cahal nodded once and gestured at the slumbering cubs, turning his glare on Antonio. “Just let them sleep while they can.”

Antonio watched him with a cocky expression, giving him a blatant ‘fuck you’ glance, before turning his attention away. Though, he didn’t reach out again to pet Bonnie, apparently thinking better of the idea.

Seriously, I had no clue how those four had managed to be Rulers together, every single one of them constantly bickering with each other. I perused all four of my besties and thanked God that I had the relationship I did with them. Pearl smiled at me as she petted the cubs, Jack also smirking as he petted them, and Ezra began doing the same. I place my hand next to theirs and joined in loving our affectionate cubs.

“Could you repeat that, please?” Jack asked for clarification.

Ezra stopped secretly massaging my feet under the table, where I had placed them on his lap, sitting across from me again. “You want us to do what?”

“Are you crazy?” I asked in disbelief.

“It is pure chaos out there for any Mys,” Pearl expounded.

The Kings stared at us with stoic faces, none of them cracking.

King Venclaire continued his pacing, but stated — again — calmly, “You will each be traveling separately, with only one Elder of your choosing, to the new Prodigies. They need to be brought here for their safety.”

We stared, the four of us not believing what we were hearing.

“It’s the way it has always been done,” Elder Jacobs clarified. “Be happy you’ll have an Elder for company. They’re only allowed during unfriendly times.”

“The way things have always been done is archaic,” I said heatedly, not wanting any of us out there, much less with only one Elder per ‘retriever’ against all the hostile Coms.

King Kincaid’s expression cracked so he could glower. “You know not what you speak of. You are still too young and inexperienced to have an opinion on that.” He growled at me. “So keep your fucking mouth shut before you embarrass yourself.”

My wolf snarled at him, tired of his demands. Yes, the majority of the time he acted as more of a father figure, but there were plenty of other times he acted the righteous King. “Kiss my ass.” My mouth snapped shut.

Not soon enough.

“Oh, Christ,” Elder Merrick breathed.

Everyone in the room got a first-class view of what happens when two alphas lose it.

King Kincaid stood from his seat, leisurely taking his jacket off, then vaulted over the table at me, not backing down because I had pretty much challenged his authority — in front of a power group. I grunted as his massive shoulder hit me square in the chest. My chair toppled backward, taking us both to the ground as his fist swung at my face too fast. Jerking my head to the side, I managed to take the blow as it glanced off my cheekbone, instead of hitting me squarely on my nose. Fury ripped through me as I cried out, pain throbbing at my cheek.

“One of you stop him!” Pearl shouted. “He’s going to hurt her.”

I lifted my legs and thrust with all of my Shifter strength as another fist aimed at me. He flew straight up in the air, not touching me this time. He grunted as his back and head slammed into the ceiling, and I jumped to my feet, whirling and kicking out as he fell. My blow landed smack in his gut, and I watched as if in slow motion as he bent over my leg before the force tossed him through the air and across the room, slamming into the bar. The harmony echoing throughout the room was a combination of shared growls.

And the goddamn man stayed on his feet when he landed, charging at me again. I crouched and sprung at him, letting my nails shift to claws. He saw that and quickly did the same. We met somewhere in the middle of the room with fists and claws and legs being thrown, all our shots missing their marks as we each evaded the other.

“Goddamn it,” Jack shouted. “You are the fucking Kings and Elders! Get in there and stop this! If he hits her, he could kill her!”

And he did hit me right then as I paused, distracted by Jack’s words. I took a brutal blow to my ribs, feeling and hearing at least two crack as his foot connected. I choked in agony as he followed through, flinging me through the air. My right shoulder and head crashed against the rock wall, and my vision went to a black void of oblivion.

When I blinked my eyes open, I was lying on my stomach. I quickly re-positioned to my hands and knees at hearing footsteps pounding toward me, only to fall again as I screamed from the sharp stabbing in my ribs and shoulder, tears instantly flowing down my cheeks. But he didn’t care, grabbing my throat and jerking me into the air with one hand. I grunted a high-pitched sound as my body straightened out, and I instantly grabbed his wrist to take some of the weight off my neck.

My back was slammed against the wall as he growled, “I said to shut your fucking mouth.”

I gasped, pulling in as much air as I could, my cheeks wet. “And I said to kiss my ass.” I swung as hard as I could on the side he held me, which had left him open. My blow was just shy of its true mark because my ribs screamed at me, but I did land the punch well enough to hear and feel some of his ribs break, too.

Just returning the favor, bitch.

King Kincaid stumbled back, shouting and releasing me so that I fell to the floor again, my own agony-induced cry ringing throughout the room.

Elder Merrick was suddenly between us. “That’s enough.” His eyes were glowing with the command in his tone. “You two may be damn animals, but act like the fucking Rulers you are.”

I growled even as my head hit the floor, but unable to resist his command, being hurt as I was.

“Get over here and help her,” Elder Merrick growled at someone, catching King Kincaid as he started to fall. “And keep her quiet.”

King Venclaire was instantly next to me, kneeling beside my head. “How badly are you hurt?”

“Broken ribs and dislocated shoulder,” I murmured, blinking up at the ceiling where I could see a crack in it. I jerked my head at it. “Did King Kincaid’s body put that there?”

King Venclaire didn’t even look. “Yes.” His hands were roaming over my body before he peered away. “Get a medic in here fast before she heals like this.”

I saw a flash of light, hearing King Kincaid yell, “Leave me the fuck alone!”

“Shut up!” Elder Merrick demanded, the mandate blatant. “Not another word.”

I didn’t hear one, but I did hear King Kincaid’s wolf growl as another flash pulsed.

A Mage I didn’t recognize was suddenly kneeling at my other side. As his hands hovered a few inches from my body, golden light spotlighting from his palms on me from head to toe, his eyebrows rose. “Someone did a number on you, Ms Ruckler.”

I grunted, but the movement hurt. “Just fix me up.” Everyone here knew my damn name.

He looked at King Venclaire. “The ribs have already healed. Give her peace while I do this.”

King Venclaire nodded, his eyebrows furrowing as he touched his index finger to my forehead, serenity transfusing me. I sighed, glancing around and trying to ignore the popping sounds I could hear inside my body as the Mage worked. I could see Jack, Antonio, and Pearl standing by my head, their cubs at their feet, but I couldn’t see Ezra anywhere. Slightly tilting my head to the side, I saw his cub in the doorway to the room battling to keep Bonnie back, which he seemed to be having a hell of a time with.

“Where’s Ezra?” I asked, my lids drooping.

Jack and Pearl shrugged, their worried eyes traveling from me to scan the room, just now noticing he wasn’t here.

“Where is he?” I whispered, getting sleepy, my lids closing completely.

I felt King Venclaire shift, and a second later, his mouth was next to my ear, and he breathed, “Elder Zeller forcibly removed him from the room. No one else saw because of their speed.”

I blinked my eyes open. “Huh?”

“Ezra was,” a pause, “upset when King Kincaid attacked you.”

“Oh,” I breathed. “That’s sweet.”

King Venclaire chuckled against my ear even as more pops sounded from my body. “I don’t think King Kincaid would have found it very sweet.”

“I took care of him,” I grumbled more loudly.

Pearl stated, “And got your ass kicked in the meantime.”

“No more than he did,” I retorted lazily, grinning when I heard a growl nearby.

“I said to keep her quiet,” Elder Merrick barked. A heavy grunt. “And we need the medic once he’s done with her.”

I chuckled, but whispered, “See? What did I tell you?”

Jack’s expression was still worried, but he did glance at the ceiling and bar. “Remind me never to piss you off.”

Pearl looked at the crack on the wall where I had hit. “Or King Kincaid.”

The Mage’s hands started to glow more, and I heard my shoulder pop loudly before he leaned down and whispered at my ear, “Your fallopian tubes?”

I stiffened just as King Venclaire did at my side, able to hear him, too. I was sure the Mage could sense I’d had them magically tied. And now King Venclaire knew something was up with them. I said through gritted teeth, “Don’t fix them.”

The Mage paused, but nodded before raising his hands to my head, not asking any more questions but instead beginning to fix whatever was injured with my skull. But that one question had been enough. I glanced at King Venclaire, and his eyes were on mine. Sighing, I whispered, “I don’t want children right now.” Truth.

King Venclaire stared hard. “King Kincaid was right about you being still too young and inexperienced about some issues to know what you’re talking about.”

I shifted my eyes away from him and kept my mouth shut.

“Okay, let’s try this again,” King Venclaire stated. “Without the added,” his eyes met mine, “commentary this time.”

My lips thinned, but I nodded.

We were sitting around the conference table again. Ezra had returned to the room and sat across from me with his boots on the table, his eyes lowered to Bonnie — as they had been the entire time since he reappeared — who had jumped into his lap and lain on her back, while he ran his fingers up and down her belly. Not to mention Clyde, who was glued to me, his paws heavy on my chest and his head on my shoulder. Anyone would think he was asleep, except that his tail kept twitching in distress.

I rubbed his back comfortingly and listened as King Venclaire outlined what we would be doing. Which would be to go on four separate missions to find the new, young Prodigies, while only being allowed to pick one Elder to go with us. A spell, almost like a compass, would lead us to them, the spell telling us when we had found the correct individual. Also, the picked Elders were not allowed to intervene once the journey began, only along for the ride, unless our lives were in danger…then they could start killing any Com they saw fit, in order to save us.

How sweet.

I raised my hand politely, and King Venclaire sighed in exasperation but gestured for me to speak. “No one ever did that for me.” I paused, my eyes swinging to the still irritated King Kincaid. “I know the mate gets the power, but you still never did that.”

King Kincaid’s jaw clenched. “I did do it. You just didn’t realize it. It’s something that has to be done even if we know the truth plainly enough.” He rubbed his chest, glancing away from me. “You were in bed asleep when the spell found you.”

I blinked. “Oh.” Nice to know he had snuck in on me when I was vulnerable, and I hadn’t even noticed him. I glanced with irritation at King Venclaire. “That’s all.”

“How fortunate,” he muttered before stating loudly, “You’ll all be leaving as soon as you’re crowned.”

All four of us froze.

King Venclaire clapped once. “The other Kings and I need to begin helping the Elders with the war they believe inevitable. We have more contacts at our disposal, so it’s time for the four of you to become the faces and names of our people.”

I raised my hand again.

Elder Jacobs sighed, “Are you fucking kidding?”

“Obviously, she’s not,” Ezra hissed, his eyes still down. “So shut the hell up.”

King Venclaire gazed at me with forced patience when Elder Jacobs glared at Ezra. “Yes, Lily?”

I cleared my throat. “Won’t it worry our subjects to have,” another clearing of my throat, “young and inexperienced Rulers when a war is approaching?”

King Kincaid smiled. It wasn’t his nice fatherly one. “Everyone knows the Elders are who really rule when a war erupts.” His smile turned satisfied. “You won’t have only me to listen to. All the Kings’ and Queens’ actions are a majority of the time dictated by,” a pause, “the Elders’ decisions.”

Perfect. I needed to find that damn history book. Again, I was thinking too much like a Com. Playing it smart for the first time since entering this conference room, I kept my mouth shut as King Venclaire walked to Ezra.

King Venclaire stared down at him until he eventually looked up. And now I saw why Ezra had kept his gaze down, hidden beneath his lashes. His eyes were slightly glowing and his furious expression was only barely masked. King Venclaire didn’t seem surprised by it, and he held Ezra’s gaze with unfeigned tolerance.

“There’s no time for fanfare or parties. We need this done immediately and have the four of you back here as soon as possible so we can begin our duties as Elders.” King Venclaire pulled the red and black ring off his finger. “Do you have your Prodigy ring with you?”

Ezra grunted and leaned on one hip as he dug into his pocket, holding Bonnie carefully with his other hand. “You told me to always keep it with me.” He pulled a smaller version of the King’s ring out of his pocket. “I listened.”

“Good.” King Venclaire nodded. “Place it on your finger.”

Ezra slipped it onto his index finger.

“Ezra Zeller,” King Venclaire took Ezra’s hand, making Bonnie hiss, “I, the current King Vampire, hand over my right to the Vampire people and dub thee the new King Vampire.” He slipped the King’s ring onto Ezra’s middle finger, and I blinked as it molded perfectly, and then fused, with the Prodigy ring, leaving only a little space between his fingers. As Ezra stared at his hand, holding Bonnie back with the other, King Venclaire smiled. “When the spell reaches the new Prodigy, the rings will separate again, and you will pass the Prodigy ring to the child or child’s guardian.” He rested his hand on Ezra’s shoulder, grinning at him. “You, I know, will do amazing things.”

Ezra cleared his throat, glancing at his dad, who had a small smile playing on his lips. Green eyes quickly darted to King Venclaire. “I pray I do as well as those before me.”

King Venclaire patted his shoulder, hastily taking his hand away when Bonnie almost got free of Ezra’s grasp. “You will.”

King Fergus stood and did the same spiel for Jack, only their rings were multicolored with red, yellow, blue, green, and white. Together, they placed the King’s ring and Prodigy ring in the same location. Index finger and the middle finger.

My eyebrows furrowed as King Nelson did the equivalent with Pearl with identical fingers, but golden rings. That was going to be an issue for me, and I would feel foolish for asking if I had to do the same. This was probably another deed I should already know. Nervously, I watched King Kincaid stride toward me. He seemed to be over his alpha’s temper, walking fluidly, the Mage having done his healing magic on him.

As he neared, I removed the Prodigy ring from the chain around my throat where I had kept it as only a reminder of Dominic, and not because it was the Prodigy’s ring. I stared at it, remembering it on Dominic’s finger in that parking lot so long ago when I had watched him tap his thumb on my rear-view mirror as he confronted me. The gradually decreasing memories weren’t any more welcomed than they had been previously, but as I glanced around at everyone else’s fingers, I blinked and realized maybe that was the answer to my question.

King Kincaid stopped next to my chair, and ignoring the fact that it was an embarrassing question, I quickly asked, “Can I put the ring on whatever finger I want?” I paused, staring up into his startled dark eyes. “I need to be able to shoot my gun properly if I’m going out there beyond protection, and Dominic wore it on his thumb.”

King Kincaid’s eyes instantly softened, glistening a little, but he gazed down at me with pride. “Yes. Any finger you like. They just need to be next to each other.”

I sighed in relief and stared down at the ring I had never slipped on before. It was still Dominic’s size, and I was betting that once I put it on it would form to my finger. The last bit of him gone to me. My Core ached at the thought, so much so, I rubbed the center of my chest…but it wasn’t as horrible as I thought it might be. My eyebrows puckered as I tried to work that one out in my mind.

It didn’t take long.

Because it was simple.

Well, if simple meant…being in love with the, now, King Vampire.

My breathing hitched as full comprehension dawned at just how far I had fallen for him.

Sure, I loved him as a best friend…but now…I was in love with the man. I was in love with the private smile he graced only me with. I was in love with his demanding attitude. I was in love with the way he sometimes drooled while he slept. I was in love with the way he cared for Jack and Pearl. I was in love with every single one of his goddamn imperfections just as much as I was in love with everything perfect about him.

I was in love.

Just as I felt a debilitating dose of fear, which seemed to radiate in pounding pulses throughout my body, at the thought of him not wanting me as badly as I wanted him…I paused my thoughts…and a brief bloom of hope, which had made an appearance yesterday, broke throughout my body, causing me to physically shiver with instant warmth, almost like adrenaline pumping through my system.

The ache in my chest decreased, so much so, my hand dropped to my lap. I bit my lip to quiet my panting breaths, inhaling deeply through my nose and exhaling shakily through my lips. God, I hoped he felt some of these emotions for me. If he didn’t, and he said no to a relationship…Christ, he would break my newly, fragilely mended heart. This was different without magic bringing two individuals together.

It was…my choice. Utterly and completely my choice. I had walked down this road without being led, at any time being able to turn away. Instead of magic throwing me at Ezra, my heart had followed him.

And I wanted him to be mine, since the damn man held my heart in his hands.

All. Fucking. Mine.

I was growling softly when I felt a hand shake my shoulder quickly. Clyde growled. The hand just as quickly disappeared. My head snapped up.

“What?” My wolf was riding my voice, both my wolf and I feeling astronomically possessive.

I wasn’t sure who had shaken my shoulder, but Antonio leaned forward, his eyes close to mine, his expression worried. “Lil, are you alright? King Kincaid’s been saying your name for a while now.” He brushed hair out of my face, getting swiped by Clyde’s claws but not even seeming to notice that he bled for a millisecond before he healed. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“Lily?” Ezra’s voice came gently from the other side of the table.

Before I could say anything, Elder Jacobs cursed, asking, “She’s not pregnant again, is she?”

And, like clockwork, everyone at the table froze.

Stared at me.

I could imagine what was going through their minds, since almost every individual in here knew about Ezra and me. Our sexual relations were the most widely known affair with these people, but somehow they still managed to be kept a secret. There was humor in Elder Jacobs’ comment somewhere, but my wolf was riding me too hard to give that thought the proper time it deserved, wanting to pounce on Ezra and hold him down until he wanted me, too.

“Honey, are you pregnant again?” King Kincaid bent, staring me in the face. His eyes widened, horror overtaking his features. “Christ, we just fought.” His gaze slammed to Antonio. “Get the fucking medic back in here.”

Absurdly, a chuckle escaped, sounding growly because of my wolf. “I’m not pregnant.” I fluttered my hand. “Only a little distracted.” I peered around the table, evading Ezra’s gaze. “Sorry, everyone.”

And still, they stared.

Sighing heavily, I reiterated, “I. Am. Not. Pregnant.”

King Kincaid eyed me. “No chance for pregnancy?” His nostrils flared.

Well, now, hell. Bindi had told me the procedure wasn’t one hundred percent effective. It was better than a condom, but there was still that less than one percent chance. So, how to phrase it? I petted Clyde absently, thinking quickly. “The man I’m sleeping with didn’t go bat shit crazy when he smelled me, and I was able to shift into my wolf today.”

His eyebrows puckered. “I don’t know how much you know about conception, honey, but sperm can live inside you for up to five days. You may have ovulated today and the egg fertilized after he scented you and your shift.” Okay, my face was flaming by now, my wolf receding. “Have you had sex in the last five days?”

My lips pinched, not looking at anyone. “I’m not pregnant.”

King Fergus stated, “Our women often become absent-minded when pregnant…and you most definitely were a moment ago. And you did just get into a fight. With you miscarrying recently, it’s better to be safe than sorry.” And he meant it kindly, too, by his tone. Damn him.

King Kincaid stated, “Just answer the question.”

Rubbing my forehead, cheeks flaming brightly, I muttered, “Yes, I’ve had sex in the past five days.”

King Kincaid murmured, “Truth.” A pause. “Was it protected?”

Oh, for the love of God! Instantly, I thrust my finger across the table in Ezra’s general direction, stating heatedly, “Just bite me and tell these people I’m not pregnant.”

King Kincaid sighed. “Honey, you really should have your partner wear a condom.”

The table was looking better and better to bang my head against. I waggled my pointed index finger and stole a quick glance at Ezra, who was sitting frozen, his heartbeat thumping so loudly in my ears I was surprised everyone in here couldn’t hear it. “Come on, Ezra. I’m not pregnant and this is getting to be a bit much.” I paused. “Or I can prove I’m not pregnant by stripping down right here and now to shift.”

Ezra swallowed, then his boots fell heavily to the floor from the table. He nodded. “Alright, I’ll do the blood test.” Yeah, he didn’t want me getting naked in front of Elder Merrick. Bending over the table, he used his free hand not holding Bonnie to hold my extended hand. He lowered his head, fangs descended, and his lips closed over my finger. His fang pierced my skin, and when he pulled I felt a wave of light comfort wash over me, my shoulders drooping and nerves relaxing with the gentle mind hold. As before, he grazed the tip of my finger with his tongue before pulling it from his mouth. And like before, he kept his head down as he swirled my blood in his mouth, slowly swallowing.

I heard the answer first in his heartbeat, which immediately slowed, before he sighed, shaking his head as he sat back in his chair. “She’s not pregnant.”

“Truth,” Elder Merrick stated, sounding bewildered.

King Kincaid pointed a finger at me. “Condoms, Lily.” His eyebrows rose. “Understand?”

I bit my lip because it was so damn hard not to bust up from the absurdity. “I understand.”

He shook his head. “Say you will.”

“I will.” To what, wasn’t said.

King Kincaid nodded. “Truth.” I could have sworn I heard King Venclaire chuckle, a few heads even turning his way, but King Kincaid either chose to ignore him or didn’t hear it. “Now, shall we get on with this?”

I nodded, and as best I could, I pushed aside my thoughts of Ezra. Rolling Dominic’s ring around my fingers, I stared at it. Right along with all that new hope and fear inside me, I also felt peace as I examined it. Peace at moving on. Smiling softly, I lifted the ring to my lips, kissing it gently. This was it. I slipped the Prodigy ring onto my pinkie. It hung way too large on my finger for only two beats of my heart before I watched it mold to my finger.

Goodbye, Dominic.

King Kincaid made a soft sound in his throat before whispering, “You had never put it on before.”

As I stared at the ring, the last of my mate gone to me but my Core amazingly peaceful, I realized that for a while it had been time for this. I was strong — had been for some time — the weight no longer so heavy that I couldn’t take a step forward. Using my other index finger, I turned the ring so the wolf was facing up. My life stared me in the face.

I glanced up at King Kincaid, who was wiping away a tear he couldn’t stop from falling, and I smiled. “Are you going to name me Queen now or are you going to hoard the ring because I broke your ribs earlier?” Yes, it was past the time.

He sniffed hard, trying to make it look like an act of irritation even though I was positive he just had the sniffles. He took my hand, making the action look rough even though it was gentle, and I barely caught Clyde before he launched at him.

“Hold on.” I took my hand back, grabbed Clyde with both hands, and lifted him. “Ezra, can you take him?”

“Sure.” Ezra’s voice was deeper than normal as he reached across the table, nostrils flared. His fingers deliberately ran over my own as he lifted Clyde from me. Green eyes captured mine. “You’ve found your solace?”

My smile was genuine. “I have.”

His head tilted as he placed Clyde next to Bonnie on his lap. “I’ve recently found risk comes next.”

My smile only grew. “Bring it on.” I knew what I wanted. I held the challenge — fuck yes, there was an ultimatum there — in his gaze for a moment longer before returning my attention to King Kincaid. Holding my hand up, grinning cheekily into his dark eyes, I stated, “Make me Queen.”

He did as the — now — Queen’s ring slid onto my ring finger.

I didn’t miss the symbolic nature of the action.