And he probably wasn’t wrong.
I just didn’t think I was either for feeling the way I did.
I almost ignored the email that came through, but when I saw it was from Sagan’s new royal account, I was stupidly filled with hope.
thank you for helping with the situation with the Alpha Heir and going on the record with Alpha Vex. It was appreciated. We will speak soon.
-Queen Sagan
I frowned and read it three times. Sagan was impeccable. Always.
She would never have started a correspondence with a lowercase letter. Never.
And there was a weird space before it. Almost like something was missing? I didn’t even start to think about what the message contained. It wasn’t true and I hadn’t spoken to Vex. I didn’t care that she put that in writing. It was probably cover for why I’d come to the castle early or maybe a paper trail in case someone asked?
Whatever. It was fine.
But something was clearly off. I was about to respond and ask to talk to her when a call came in.
I ground my teeth when I saw it was my uncle. “Yes, Alpha.”
“How are things at the castle?” he asked, the smugness in his voice always there when I referred to him that way.
Which he fucking required.
“I’m not there,” I answered honestly. There was no point to hide it, and if he learned later that I had, it would be a serious problem.
“What? Why? Did you mess up your interview or—”
“My interview isn’t for two weeks,” I reminded him.
“First, I’ve warned you about interrupting me,” he bit out. “And yes, of course. I forgot you were called there for something you couldn’t tell me about.” He snorted softly… But he wasn’t annoyed. More amused.
We’re missing something. He knows something. What?
“Why aren’t you at the castle? There’s no reason you shouldn’t be there until your interview when you helped the prince—queen.”
I sighed. There was no world where I was going to tell him the truth and I hated to play games but knew it was needed. “And how well does that go over? I can more than afford to stayin a hotel until my interview and look better to her and those around her closing ranks after too many have taken advantage of her and the royal family.”
He was quiet a few moments. “You’re smarter than I give you credit for.”
It was my turn to snort. I knew it wasn’t a compliment and he enjoyed mocking me that I couldn’t take my rightful place back from him like he’d won some big fight over me.
I’d been a fucking child—a child of hisbrotherthat he’d fucked over.
He should be ashamed, never conceited.
“Keep being smart, Thorn,” he warned. “I don’t need to tell you how important this is to our family.”
I lost my temper then, chuffing and barely keeping myself from crushing my phone. “What family,Alpha? We haven’t beenfamilyin a long time, and don’t even try to play it off asking why or that I’m the reason. You know what you’ve done and how wrong it is. You know that Father will peel your skin off of you when you see him again and—”
“Shut your fucking mouth and do as you’re told, boy,” he snarled. “I did what was needed and you should thank me. You weren’t ready and you’re still not. Throwing fits like a toddler always and bitching what’s owed you. Nothing is owed us in life. I never bitched I was second born or missed out. It was what happened.
“This is what happened to you. Now I’m allowing you to becomeprinceand serve our queen instead of being kicked out like my Betas want because you’re a threat. So seduce the damn queen and make her your mate to benefit our family and Starhaven or I’ll listen to them and toss you out ofmyarea. Then you’re really fucked, you whiny little shit. Do you understand?”
“Yeah, I understand,” I bit out, glad I had started the recording like always. I did for my own sanity even if it neverwent anywhere and the king had never listened to me, but… Maybe now there was hope?
“Oh yeah, she’s going to help you with anything after how you treated her, moron,”my dragon drawled.
