“He was my father’s rival,” I said. “They competed for territory, influence, and every scrap of power they could claim. When my father died, Bastian believed the northern packs would support him as king, but they didn’t. I’m sure he expected me to quickly fail.”
“But you didn’t.”
“I was nineteen, and I had no idea what I was doing, but I refused to let his expectations become reality.”
“Good for you. Even then, you were a good king.”
I didn’t like how pleased she made me feel.
Mate,my wolf reminded me.
As if I could forget?
“He’s been waiting for me to prove him right,” I said. “To show I’m not strong enough to manage all the packs and maintain peace.”
“You proved him wrong today.”
“Weproved him wrong today.”
Her mouth curved. “Fair point.”
I reached over, catching a strand of hair that had come loose from her arrangement and tucked it behind her ear.
Then realized what I was doing.
She didn’t move away or comment. She just watched me with her sharp eyes that saw too much.
Neither of us spoke.
I dropped my hand and stepped back, putting distance between us before my wolf could offer commentary on how right this felt, how natural.
“I have reports to review,” I said.
“I have samples to test.”
We both knew we were retreating, though neither of us acknowledged it.
Acorn leaped off her shoulder and scooted inside, probably to claim his favorite sunny spot in the basket on the windowsill, where he could pretend he hadn’t watched the whole exchange with too much interest.
Victoria collected her notebook and headed for the door. She paused with her hand on the frame.
“Thank you for introducing me properly and not nudging me to the side or behind you.”
“You’re my queen. That’s not negotiable.”
She nodded and disappeared inside.
I stood on the balcony, gripping the railing much too tight.
The pack was accepting her. She’d handled Bastian better than I could have alone. She’d asked how I was feeling instead of what I was planning.
No one had asked me things like that in years.
My wolf said one word.Queen.
I couldn’t argue with that.
I left the balcony, descended the stairs, and headed for the tree line.
