“Control the shifters.”
“Hmm.” I nibbled on my bottom lip. “Who is the other alpha king?”
“The man standing behind us.”
My shoulders stiffened.
Theron laughed softly. “You have nothing to fear from me, Poppy. I handed over the crown to my son. I’m on vacation.”
I blinked again. “A vacation means you’ll be back.”
Godric grunted.
“I ruled for over two thousand years. I’ll be on vacation for a long time until I get bored. By then, my son will need a vacation.”
“I already do,” Godric muttered under his breath.
Theron patted his shoulder. “You’re doing great, son.”
I stared straight forward, unable to speak.
“Breathe, pet,” Godric whispered.
I choked, “Twothousandyears?”
Theron sighed. “I’m old. But I still look good.”
A startled laugh burst from my throat. “I see where you get it from, big man. Like father like son.” I looked behind me and evaluated his father again. “Does that mean you’re a lion too?”
A private smile curved his lips. “No.”
“What do you shift into?” I was curious.
He shrugged one shoulder, not answering.
Godric tapped the last bit into his bracelet. He grabbed my hand then and pulled me down the hallway.
His father followed, whistling quietly.
“Cassander’s here,” Godric stated, distracted.
His father replied, “I know. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
Even I knew that was a lie, his shoulders tensing.
“I wish you two would talk things through,” his father crooned. “You were best friends, and then—”
“I know what happened, Father,” Godric interjected. “I’m sorry, but I can’t accept it like you did. Your mating may have been hell, but she was still my mother.”
Theron sighed. “He’s hurting just as much as you are.”
“Good,” Godric growled.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE
“Finally,” Cassander grumbled.
