8
Sagan
I made it clear over and over again with each Alpha that there would be a cost for having the meeting they wanted days after my parents’ funeral. If they wanted this huge allowance against customs and protocols that could come back on me, then there were things I expected in return.
They allimmediatelyagreed, assuming I would use it to smack the elders in place.
Yes, but that wasn’t all.
Fools.
Saturday morning, the main players of the royal family were on the same page—for once—and with a determination maybe never seen before. No matter our differences or even grabs for power, we all agreed on something very, very important.
We were not livestock to be traded for breeding and the elders had gone way too fucking far this time. If they would do it to me, they would try it on any of us like nothing. Even my cousins were clear that this was handled decisively and they were all in so they weren’t sold off to some noble in another country for a bullshit treaty.
I promised them that would never happen as long as I was queen. If they lent me their support now, I would take the hitand give the Alphas what they wanted, but I wanted the elders cut off at the knees.
So we were ready to throw down big time.
And there were enough of us that when we put our focus on one task to save our asses, we could actually get a lot done. The ballroom was set up for a massive conference while making it clear who was in charge and the hosts.
It had taken a bit to arrange since we had round party tables that were polite and inviting—always enchanting with whatever decorations for the appropriate celebration. This was a time for rectangular tables.
One per Alpha and whoever he allowed at his “seat” with him. So seventeen facing the several we had as the royal family. Mine was front and center with Uncle Darren on my right, Uncle Fraser and Aunt Maple on my left showing solidarity.
And to the horror of the elders, they were banished to tables off to either side of the center where the Alphas were clearly the focus… And with squads of guards all around them.
Nameplates were at the tables, one seat per elder, and the Alphas were warned they could bring three guests. That was it.
And it wasn’t open for debate.
It certainly wasn’t the time to test me given what they’ddemandedof me.
Luckily, they heeded the advice.
“Before we get started, I want to make it clear that I’m disappointed in every leader in this room,” Uncle Darren said as he stood, and I had to do my best to school my reaction.
Because that was far from the opening we’d discussed.
“All of you wereselfish,” he chastised. “It’s not even a week. Not even aweeksince—” His voice cracked and he looked away from them. He chuffed a few times and then focused back on them. “You lost your king and queen, but she lost her parents.Shame on you. Shame onall of youfor being selfish and pushing your agenda foryour convenienceafter what the elders pulled.
“We are better than this. Youshouldbe better than this as leaders of Thovudin. Be better from this moment forward or so help me, everyone who sits up here with Sagan—we will scorch the ground around her. We are united in this because what happened from the moment mysisterand her mate died is unacceptable. All of it.
“So accept your part in that,acceptyou were selfish, and don’t be again. It was noted and won’t be forgotten but try to fix it. You saw aslightin the elders’ coup attempt that your family wasn’t chosen instead of rallying to shut it all down completely. I’m disgusted. Sagan is willing to handle it differently to move forward and for the sake of the nation.
“Personally, I wouldn’t. I would let you all fry and let everything burn—let the people find out and—do better, because if you don’t, I will have my way and protect my niece. She will become your queen, but she is ourfamily. Never forget that again because she’s not unloved or unprotected just because her parents are gone.”
“Hear, hear,” my family said loudly… Along with a few others like Treena.
Yeah, she was basically family after all.
“On that note, if any elder saysanythingagainst the explicit orders of Princess Sagan, they are to be removed and placed on leave for a month,” Uncle Darren announced… Which was how the meeting was to start. He nodded to a few people who started passing out folders to each Alpha. “Givenallof them were involved in or had knowledge of—”
“The lamest coup attempt ever?” Aunt Maple drawled. “Mating her off to pawns they would control and puppet her, I believe several said.” She glanced over at the elders. “You didn’t even try to hide it. You’re all disgusting.” She smirked when afew stood. “Please, tell me to be quiet. Prove my point that you will never respect Sagan or any woman of this family.”
She really knew how to push the right buttons, but they got themselves under control and sat back down.
“The proof is all there and we have more,” Darren continued. “The castle has excellent security and we control it.Everyoneshould remember that going forward. Always.”
