“Battle. Three years ago. A rogue wolf caught me off guard.”
“And this?” Her fingers found the newest mark, still pink, barely healed.
“The coup attempt. When I first arrived. One of the traitors got close.”
Her expression went fierce, protective. My wolf preened at her reaction. My mate, wanting to defend me.
“They’re dead now,” I assured her. “The ones who attacked. They’ve all been dealt with.”
“Good.”
I pulled her close, tucking her head under my chin. The water lapped against our bodies, warm and soothing, but my mind was already working through the puzzle that had been nagging at me for days.
“The immediate threat of the war has been neutralized,” I said. “But I suspect someone close orchestrated it.”
“What do you mean?”
“The attack came too quickly after I left. Too coordinated. They knew the exact moment the throne was vulnerable, when my father was alone without my support.” I’d been piecing this together for days, my mind working through it even while my body was occupied with my mate. “Someone on the inside tippedthem off. Someone who knew our schedules, our weaknesses, our movements.”
“A traitor.”
“In the inner circle.” My jaw tightened, a growl rumbling in my chest. “I just don’t know who yet.”
Riley was quiet for a moment. Then: “Should we get dressed? Meet with the others? Maybe you can figure out who it is if you watch them.”
I sighed. I didn’t want to leave this bath, this bubble, this perfect moment with my mate.
But she was right. And my duty as alpha prince demanded it. As usual.
“Yes. We should.”
We dressed and made our way to the council room.
Riley was wearing clothes Thessa had brought. Simple but elegant, in deep blue that brought out her eyes. She looked regal, like she belonged here. My wolf swelled with pride at the sight of her. My mate, walking through my castle, wearing my kingdom’s colors.
The corridors were busy now. Servants paused to bow as we passed. Guards stood at attention. Everyone stared at the woman on my arm, curiosity and speculation in their eyes. The rumors had spread, clearly. The prince’s mysterious mate, arrived through a portal in the midst of heat, causing chaos in the war room.
I kept my hand on the small of her back, a possessive claim that my wolf demanded. Mine. She is mine. Let them all see.
When we entered the council room, everyone was already gathered. The conversation stopped, every head turned, and they stared.
Nothing subtle about it. Just open, blatant staring at the woman on my arm.
Riley tensed beside me. I took her hand, squeezed once. A silent reassurance from alpha to mate.
“Everyone,” I said, my voice carrying through the room with natural command, “allow me to formally introduce my mate. Riley Hawkins.”
The silence that followed was deafening.
Then my mother rose from her seat, gliding forward with the grace that decades of queenship had perfected. She was smiling. Warm, genuine, curious.
“It’s lovely to finally meet you properly,” she said to Riley. “I’m Elspeth. Caelan’s mother.”
“Your Majesty.” Riley started to curtsy, stopped, clearly unsure of the protocol. “It’s... thank you for... I’m sorry, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
My mother laughed softly. “You’re family now. You don’t need to bow.”
My father approached next. The king, massive and intimidating, his expression unreadable as always. He studied Riley with thesame calculating gaze he used on enemy generals and political rivals.
