“Are you keeping me from your Council, Leigh?” Alden sniffs my hair. “Do I smell trouble?”
I smile, though my insides turn watery. “The only trouble I have is with you and the company you surround yourself with.” My scowl lands on Ravi, who blinks.
Alden laughs.“Ravi means you no harm, Leigh. He is here to help with your untrained abilities as a thank you for your hospitality.”
“What?” I ask.
“He’s a Lunar Witch—a talented one who happens to be your relative.”
“So he claims.”
Ravi must have shared the same story with Alden about his supposed ancestry to gain favor with the wolf royals. If he thinks Alden has a chance to seize my throne, he could plot against him, manipulating both sides to ensure his own success, no matter the outcome.
“Remember my keen sense of smell? Trust me, Ravi is your cousin.” My breathing quickens. “But don’t worry, he isn’t here to challenge your throne. I just want us all to be friends.”
“But why?” I ask, my voice hard.
“You have something I want.”
“Oil?” I ask.
Alden grins from ear to ear. “That and other things. But we can hash those details out later.”
I wish I had Alden’s keen sense of smell to tell whether he is lying, but considering I invited him here to broker peace between us, rejecting his “gift” seems like a terrible way to start.
“Fine,” I grumble. “I accept your gift.”
Ravi glares at the concrete, his brows furrowed.
His presence offers a chance to investigate his relationship with Alden.
“Excellent,” Alden says, and I lean away from his touch. I can’t wait to shower.
“Now, may I make one request for our outing?” I nod, my stomach hardening in anticipation. “I’d like to end the day at that vampire bar, the famous one.”
I falter. “Little Death?”
“Yes, I’ve been dying to go. Pun absolutely intended.”
That’s the last thing I thought he’d say. Werewolves and vampires don’t get along. What is Alden’s angle here?
My hands find my hips. “The vampires are Corona’s friends now. If you mess with them, you mess with me.”
Alden’s eyes darken at my tone, and his jaw tightens. I straighten. Shit, did I declare war without even trying? But then his expression shifts, and he laughs it off like I’m some amusing child who doesn’t know any better.
“I have nothing against the vampires,” he says, his tone breezy. Too breezy?
“Okay,” I say, unconvinced.
“I want to have a good time.”
If Alden’s at Little Death, he’ll be drinking. “I’ll make the call.”
“Excellent.” Alden strides toward the lower platform escalator, then suddenly stops, patting his pockets.
“My moonstone!” he barks, dashing toward his train at a speed that could shame Borealis’ best athletes. His guards quickly follow.
“Leave it!” I shout, but he’s already too far away. We have metaphysical stores littered throughout the city.
