“I hope you’re not serious, Horseman Alarie. She is awoman. There’s no such thing as a female Grim Reaper. It’s a lifelong commitment, sir.” Rick looks around the room to gauge if he is gaining any supporters. “I think we should wait for Horseman Blackburn to find his Fated mate and give the kingdom anaturalmale heir worthy of the title.”
Did he really just call me unnatural and unworthy in the same fucking sentence?
“Welcome to the 1850s bitches.” Seiji mocks, leaning back in his chair like he’s waiting for Angel to finally snap.
I love fighting my own battles, but I’m really enjoying watching someone else stand up for me.
The look on Angel’s face screams murder. If I didn’t know with absolute certainty that he would never even think about hurting me, I’d be worried. His once bright eyes darken withrage.
Angel looks one wrong word away from informing Ricks’ family that their son died from an unfortunate mouthing incident.
“Tell me, Warrior Morgan,” Angel doesn’t look so angelic as the lid on his anger slips back. “Are you aware of the ratio between men and women in high-ranking positions in the supernatural world?”
“Uh, no, sir.” Rick stammers.What a coward.
“It’s seven to three. Can you name the ten greatest leaders in our history?”
“No, sir.”
“Sixof them are women.” Angel fixes Rick with a deadly stare while the rest of the room holds their breath. “What do you think those stats prove, warrior?”
After a few minutes of Rick tripping over his words and failing to come up with a simple answer, Head Reaper Vesta speaks up. “Women have a majority inqualityleadership.”
“Excellent observation, Vesta.” The woman perks up at Angel’s praise. “It also proves that, despite men believing they rule the world, women are better at leading it. Imagine all the positive changes they could bring with a little more support and a little less narrow-mindedness.”
I’m beaming at my mate with pride. I’m surprised Angel handled it so calmly without even raising his voice or throwing Rick off the roof. I would’ve picked the latter, but to each their own.
“If you still have doubts regarding her capabilities, you’re welcome to challengemy mateto a friendly duel.”
Rick goes pale when Angel finally reveals we are mates. The council looks equally shocked, and while most of them offer congratulations and genuinely mean it, like Vesta and Khatri, the rest can barely conceal their reservations.
Rick wisely stays quiet after Angel calls him a fucking moron—graciously, of course. He never forgets his manners. At least Rick’s sheer embarrassment allows the meeting tostart without any more idiotic interruptions.
While the council members try to digest that Angel and I are mates, I’m having a hard time processing something Seiji just whispered in my ear.
Grace and Rick are in a relationship.
Excuse me while I go throw up.
Apparently, Rick’s mate died when they were young, and since Grace didn’t have one, he proposed a “mutually beneficial” relationship.Yuck.
I know Grace can be a little naïve sometimes, but I didn’t think the girl was downright blind. Even if she believes she doesn’t have a mate, surely Rick couldn’t have been the only available option in the entire fucking kingdom.
How can someone as kind and cheerful as Grace end up with someone like Rick? I don’t see a single admirable trait in that douchebag.
Eventually, I stop fantasizing about how to permanently remove Rick from existence without anyone suspecting me, and try to focus on the meeting.
“What have you found on the little werewolf?” Angel asks.
I know it’s bad when Warrior Vesta takes a deep breath to brace herself. She throws me an apologetic glance before sliding a file across the table.
“August Trevino, son of Alpha Trevino.”
August.I finally know my little boy’s name.
A warm feeling spreads through my chest as I look at the picture of August with his parents, standing outside what I assume is their house. The smile on his face is so pure and innocent. He looks like a boy untouched by darkness.
Angel swears under his breath, the sharp sound cutting through the silence. He presses my hand to his chest, over his heart. When I look up, his eyes are filled with grief and sadness.
