“Youngerbrother,” he all but spat, and my mind chewed on that information.
A bell chimed from up front, and I turned to see Grandpa standing at the podium.
Crap.
‘Making me look bad up here all alone, Crescent,’ Ragetaunted.‘Hurry up or I’ll come fetch you.’
‘Don’t you dare!’I started toward the stage, whisper-yelling to the twins, “Let’s catch up after!” Then I broke into a run.
Honor stayed at my heel as I gracefully, or not so gracefully, climbed the stairs and stumbled to my seat. I dropped into the golden chair beside my mate … the king.
‘I’m sitting on a throne.’I wiggled my butt and grinned at Rage.‘I could get used to this.’
Rage looked out onto his people, but his lips tipped up in a smirk.‘Mine’s higher.’
‘Pshh,’ I scoffed, not even caring.‘I’m going to put six-inch risers on mine. Ooh. Or maybe I’ll challenge you—’
Reaching out, he grasped my hand and squeezed. ‘I’ll make sure they’re even before the day is done.’
Mother Mage, I loved him.
“Welcome, wolves!” my grandfather spoke from the podium, his voice carrying throughout the room just as it had at the affinity ceremony. “As high mages, we stay out of shifter affairs. But because of the Wolf-High Mage peace treaty, we bear witness to the coronation of a new alpha king.”
There must be two thousand wolves in here and more spilling outside.
The wolves of Midnight Pack rumbled their approval. Rage tried not to smile, but I could feel his pride.
‘You’re going to be an amazing leader,’ Itold my mate.
‘Thank you, love.’
“Courage Midnight,” my grandfather said, turning to face us. “Have you picked a member of your pack to officiate?”
“Noble Midnight,” Rage said.
Gramps stepped to the side, and Noble walked out of the crowd and into the center of the empty circle, microphone in hand.
‘This is it.’Rage looked at me and winked.
Rage descended the steps and crossed the red rug to where his brother stood in the center of the room. Unable to sit, I stood as well, nerves churning through my belly.
Gramps shuffled over to me and leaned in closely. “I need to talk to you about something…” he wheezed. “As soon as this is done.”
“Of course.” Poor guy had been through the wringer the past few days with me and needed his rest.
“Wolf clans of Shifter Island!” Noble bellowed. “Come forth and pledge loyalty to the new alpha king …Courage Midnight.”
There was a thunder of applause that reverberated through the wooden platform all the way up to my chest. I scanned over the crowd and frowned because a significant portion from the Daybreak Clan remained … quiet.
My father stepped forward and then dropped to one knee. “As alpha of Crescent, we pledge fealty to Courage Midnight as alpha king.”
He bowed his head, and Crescent cheered. I felt so much pride I might burst.
Kaja’s father came next. He looked so much like his daughters with his shock of red hair. Representing Harvest Clan, he bowed his head and dropped to one knee. “As alpha of Harvest, we pledge fealty to Courage Midnight as alpha king.”
Justice stepped forward, and my momentary confusion cleared as I connected the dots. As the next heir, he would have to concede his place and not contest his brother.
With a deep bow, Justice took a knee. “As second alpha heir of Midnight, I pledge my fealty and that of our pack to Courage Midnight as alpha king.”
