“So,” he rumbled. “This is the woman who’s had my son so... distracted these past weeks.”
Riley’s chin lifted, meeting the king’s gaze without flinching. “I prefer ‘focused,’ Your Majesty.”
Approval crossed my father’s eyes. “She has spine. Good. You’ll need it in this family.”
My wolf swelled with pride. My mate had just faced down the king and held her ground. Of course she had. She was magnificent.
Patt was next, grinning broadly, clasping Riley’s hand with both of his. “Welcome to the madness. I’m Patt. The handsome brother.”
“The only brother,” Thessa interjected, appearing at Riley’s side. “Which makes the title meaningless.”
“Still handsome.”
“Debatable.”
And there it was. My siblings, competing for my mate’s attention within thirty seconds of meeting her. I should have expected nothing less.
I watched my family surround my mate, warmth spreading through my chest. This was what I wanted. What I’d imagined during all those sleepless nights during the war. My mate, here, accepted, loved.
Then I noticed the council members still present. Seven of them in total. Soren and Vix among them, plus five others who served as advisors on matters of territory, trade, military strategy, and diplomacy. They’d stepped back to give the royal family space, but they were watching. Observing.
Soren in particular was staring at Riley with an expression I couldn’t read. His face had gone pale, his eyes wide, with the look of a man who’d seen a ghost.
Interesting. And suspicious.
A growl built in my throat before I could stop it.
“Soren.” My voice cut through the family chatter with warning. “Is there a problem?”
The man startled, his gaze jumping to me. “No... I... forgive me, Your Highness. I was just...” He swallowed, visibly composing himself. “She reminded me of someone. For a moment. My apologies.”
I filed the reaction away. My wolf marked Soren as someone to watch, to investigate.
Before I could press further, another voice cut through.
“How cute.”
Of course. Vix. Because this moment couldn’t go unspoiled.
She was standing near the back of the room, arms crossed, her expression a perfect mask of disdain. Her brown hair caught the firelight as she tilted her head, studying Riley with distaste.
I tensed immediately, a protective snarl building in my chest.
I knew that tone. Knew what Vix was capable of when she decided to be cruel. She’d been after me for years. Pushing, suggesting, making her interest known in ways both subtle and overt. I’d rejected her every time, but she’d never accepted it.
And now she was looking at my mate with calculation in her eyes.
“Vix,” I said, warning clear in my voice. “Choose your next words carefully.”
“I just think it’s adorable,” Vix continued, ignoring the warning. “The prince’s mysterious mate. So... exotic.”
“Vix.” Thessa’s voice was cutting. “Shut up.”
“I’m simply welcoming her to the family. Isn’t that what we’re all doing?”
The tension in the room spiked. Riley’s hand tightened in mine, but when I glanced at her, she didn’t look afraid. She looked... calculating. Sizing up an opponent.
My wolf rumbled with approval. My mate had claws of her own.
