“If I could take back that day, I would. If I could trade my life for Alpha Jack’s, I would—right now. I am truly remorseful for what I did to you,” I say.
Queen Alaina nods, finally giving me a somber smile. “I know.”
I hold my breath, waiting for her to suddenly snap and light me on fire, but the flames never come.
“Months ago, when I was a bargaining chip for my kingdom, in Colin’s own way, he tried to explain it wasn’t personal. We all have our sides. I don’t harbor any ill feelings toward you.”
“Not even after what he did to you?”
“Colin made his choices, and I killed him for them. If I blamed you, you’d already be in our dungeon where I’d torture you until your pain bored me.”
A man appears with seductive red eyes and shaggy dark hair. Long lashes, stubble and oval-shaped face.
“Ah, perfect timing. Jay, this is Lord Vincent. He is our liaison to the vampire community.”
“Jay.” Lord Vincent bends at the waist in greeting and lifts my hand to his lips, looking at me intently through his brows. “Call me Vince.” He kisses the back of my hand and releases it.
I’m sure the women just swoon over him constantly. I’m even getting a little hot.
You have a mate,my wolf snaps.
Who doesn’t want us. We’re going to have to start somewhere. And Vince is very attractive.
I shake my head to pull myself from staring at him. “Lord Vince. I’m sorry, you’re a lord and a liaison? What do you do?”
A twinkle glints in my eye as I purr the honorific, but it’s forced. I don’t care about titles, but something tells me he does. Further, I’m not over Caleb—I don’t know if I ever will be—but I’ve got to try. The least I can do is feign interest.
“My job is to relay and inform. Keep people in line. Ensure they’re following our hybrid King and Queen.”
Alaina nods with a pleasant smile, just what one would expect of a ruler. “Vince will show you to your room.”
I follow him, and for a few moments, we’re quiet. Unable to withstand the uncomfortable silence, I speak up by asking the obvious. “So... you’re a vampire?”
“Yes. And you’re a wolf,” he says.
I frown, and he catches this.
“Have I said something wrong?”
I shake my head.
“Youarea wolf, correct?” he jokes.
“Yeah... yes.” I mind my manners and try to be proper. “I think that’s the first time someone’s referred to me as a wolf instead of just a rogue.”
“Should I not have called you a wolf? Do you prefer to be called a rogue?”
“No. No, I don’t.” I surprise myself with the response, but I stand by it. “I’m a wolf first—outside of my pack status or class. It’s nice to be seen as a who instead of a what.”
“Wolf it is, then.”
“I think I prefer Jay,” I giggle. “So, Vince, do you have a mate?”
He pauses, hardly concealing his confusion.
I realize how forward that question seemed. My cheeks get red. “I’m not hitting on you, I promise.”
His eyebrow raises with a smirk.
