“It’s only been three days. Give them a chance to arrive. It’s a big adjustment for anyone who gets marked. They will be here, I’m sure.” This is from the final council member, Audrey Coldicott, a tall, statuesque female with a sharp dark bob. Yesterday, General Bryson informed me she was a general with the shifter army before him. She retired when the former queen was replaced by Lucas, and he was appointed. I asked if there was any bad blood, but he insisted there wasn’t. She simply wanted more time to spend with her mates and her grandchildren. He informed me that she is a great asset to the council and can be trusted. She is also one of Emmett’s mates
Apparently, it’s up to me whether I keep these people on the council or replace them, and so far, I’m not keen on keeping most of them, but they seem to have forgotten that they are replaceable.
I wipe my mouth with my linen napkin and focus on the council members. “While that is very kind of you, I don’t believe I will need your presence at breakfast every day. I am still taking advice from the king and queens, and should I need your input, I will ask you. I look forward to hearing your thoughts at our scheduled council meeting at the end of the week,” I tell them firmly, and I see both Emmett’s and Audrey’s eyes sparkle with amusement, whereas the other four look angry that I have dismissed them so easily. When Councilman Tideman goes to argue, I don’t let him get a word in. “After all, I am still making decisions on who I will keep on the council and who will be released from their positions, as is my right as the new ruler.”
“Look here, missy! Until that crown is on your head, you have no say in who is on this council,” Sophia hisses. “And that’s not happening until six mates appear—if they ever do.” I hear the threat in her voice, and so does everyone else at the table.
“Yes, I don’t believe there is a precedent if that happens, so we will have to consult the archives. Can there even be a queen without mates?” Jonathan Altmore muses thoughtfully, but I see the glee in his eyes. Lucas and Layla exchange a loaded glance. It seems like they know more than they are saying. I will have to corner them later.
“Enough!” Lucas slams his hands on the table and stands up. “Colbie has been selected by the goddess Aramis to be the next queen. Who are you to question anything she does?”
“Calm down, Lord Lucas. We were merely stating the facts. After all, it is a tumultuous time, what with missing shifter children and the upsurge in ferals. We want to make sure our leader is prepared and at full strength for the coming months,” Councilor Altmore states, and I feel my brow wrinkle. Missing shifter children and upsurge in ferals? Lucas and the queens didn’t mention anything like that in our meeting yesterday. A hand rests on my leg, giving it a squeeze, and Layla, who is on the other side of me, gives me a minute head shake. I see the promise of information in that gesture and allow my frown to smooth out, but before I can form a response, Emmett huffs.
“I don’t know about you, but I believe that conversation should be left until we have finished our meal. It’s not suitable in the aid of my digestion.”
“Fine, but it will be discussed in great detail in our meeting later this week. I want to know what the queen is going to do about both issues,” Sophia sneers. “So far, we’ve kept the information from the general shifter population, but that could change at any minute, and that wouldn’t go down well if our people were to learn that the royal family has been keeping secrets.” Everyone at the table hears her threat.
“Careful, Sophia. Your words could be considered treasonous. You swore an oath to the crown, and if word leaks of any of those things, you will be the first person we look to for answers,” Bryson threatens, causing the sneer on her lips to drop.
I’ve kind of lost my appetite now, but I force myself to eat, knowing I have a long day ahead of me. Conversation picks up again, and I relax slightly once all the attention is off me.
“You handled that beautifully,” Lucas says quietly. I know shifter hearing is exceptional, but hopefully no one is paying us much attention. It seems like each of the councilors have been distracted by one of the others, like they all decided to help me out, which I appreciate.
“I’m not sure about that,” I mutter, and Evie leans around Lucas, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she nods.
“Did you see Sophia’s face when you put her and Gianna in their place? That was golden, and it will live rent free in my mind for the next couple of days. I hate that snake, and her daughters are just as bad. I pray to Aramis regularly that Gianna won’t be marked for our boys.”
“Didn’t you choose them for your council?” I argue, and Mia leans a little closer from Layla’s other side so we can keep this conversation as private as possible. “All four of us were new to high society. None of us knew what they were like when we agreed to keep the previous queen’s council. We regretted that very quickly, but once they are sworn in, it’s for the whole term of the reign. We couldn’t get rid of them, and they’ve done nothing but throw roadblocks in our way for the past forty years.”
“Actually, I think you should keep Emmett and Audrey. They are really wonderful and have the best interest in the shifters as a nation. The rest of them are only out for themselves,” Layla suggests. “Ultimately, it is your decision, but it is one that needs to be made before you are crowned, so think carefully, okay?”
Before I can reply, our private conversation is interrupted.
“I believe you know our younger son, Brock,” Councilor Tideman’s wife says to me, her eyes bright and hopeful. She hasn’t said anything until now, and I can’t remember him telling me her name. Neither of their other children are here today, and at the mention of Brock’s name, Vallen’s whole body stiffens.
“Yes, I do. He and his partner own the business next to mine in the neutral zone,” I reply casually.
“Can’t you do something to appeal his ban?” she pleads, and I frown at her.
“You have no one to blame but your own husband for your son’s actions. He’s the one who gave him permission to bring my mother into the shifter zone despite the rules during royal succession,” I reply, unable to hide my surprise.
Vallen glares at me. “That had nothing to do with me. Brock got his information wrong.” Of course he would deny it just like I was told he would.
“I gave the ban, and it will stick. Brock should have known better. It is unfortunate, but there is nothing stopping you from going to visit him, Ashley.” Lucas gives Vallen his own glare. “Maybe your office needs to be clearer with its communication in the future.”
I can see how annoyed Vallen is, and when his wife starts to argue, he reaches for her hand and squeezes it so hard, she winces, but it stops her from speaking again. I can’t wait to see the back of that man. He’s reprehensible.
Conversation turns to more mundane things as everyone finishes their meal around me. I don’t get to speak to any of Watch Team One at all, but I observe them and their interactions. They seem to ignore the councilors, answering their inquiries with short responses, and I watch with amusement as Gryffin fends off Gianna who is like a grabby octopus, constantly putting her hands on him. At one stage, Layla removes my knife from my hand with a knowing look, and I feel myself blush. Brodie, Gem, and Hunter talk with Hunter’s siblings and Violet, and it’s nice to see them include her like she’s a friend.
I notice Talon’s attentiveness toward her, and I have to wonder if I’m going to have a brokenhearted friend on my hands when his bond group gets their mate. I hope for her sake the goddess is kind and makes it happen sooner rather than later. I can see her growing more and more attracted as the minutes go by. Liana glares at her like she could blow up her brain with her mind. We will need to keep a close eye on that one as well. Maybe I should assign Violet a protection detail. It’s something to discuss with Bryson.
I stand, knowing the former rulers are being patient but have been waiting long enough. “Shall we get started then? I’m sure you’re going to overwhelm me again this morning, so we shouldn’t put it off any longer,” I say, and Lucas laughs, standing as well.
“Come on, Colbie, it won’t be that bad, I promise,” he tells me as the four rulers, Violet, and I make our way to the conference room we were in yesterday after bidding farewell to the remaining breakfast guests.
“I think you’re telling me lies, Lucas, but I appreciate it,” I retort with one last look at the men who I now know are my mates. All five of them watch us go, and Brodie gives me a wave and a wink.
“We’ll see you for training this afternoon. Can’t wait to see what you can do with your animal,” he calls, and I nod in response.
