CHAPTER PETY SEVEN


    didn’t do for him does not matter.”


    “Henry,” I growled. “Answer my question!”


    +25 Bonus


    “Fine. When Nn arrived in Silverfang, the Alpha King held a banquet in his honor,” Henry said tly.


    My fists tightened until my knuckles ached. “A banquet… for him?” I spat the word like poison. “Nn gets treated like royalty while I am dismissed like amon guest?”


    My father’s voice echoed in my head. Never let them make you look weak. And yet, that was exactly what had happened here.


    “They think I am beneath them.” I said through gritted teeth. “They’ll regret this. One day, I’ll sit on that throne, and they’ll bow to me. Everyst one of them. The King, Nn, all of them.” (1


    Henry spun around and hissed, “Watch what you say, Jason. What if someone is listening. Do you want to fail before you even get started?”


    My wolf bristled and snarled within me. He wanted to punish Henry for talking to us like that, but Henry was right. Anyone could be listening to our conversation right now.


    Henry continued, “You need to be patient. Have I ever stirred you wrong?” 1


    “No.”


    “Then listen to me. The Hunting Rite will be held in a month. You know the tradition. Remember the n.”


    If I won the Hunting Rite, the Alpha King would have to grant me a reward. It didn’t matter what that reward was as long as it didn’t go against the rules of the Council, the Alpha King had to grant it. I would ask to marry the Princess as a reward and the Alpha King would have to allow it.


    “You’re right,” I said, breathing deep. “Thanks for bringing me back to my senses.”


    Henry nodded. I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Find out where the Princess lives. I want to know everything about her.”


    “Yes, Alpha,” Henry bowed and left the guest quarters to investigate.


    I walked out onto the balcony to get some fresh air. The garden below stretched wide, green paths bordered by blooming roses and tall hedges. My gaze swept across the garden and then I froze.


    There, sitting on a stone bench beneath the shade of an oak tree, was a familiar figure. A book rested in her hands, her head bent as she read, and the breeze picked up as strands of her hair.


    Talia.


    She looked calm, happy even. She looked happier than I have seen her in a long time. She looked radiant in the garden. 1


    Excitement surged through me.


    I would make sure she wouldn’t slip away from me this time.