Chapter 13

Bowden

I am deeply annoyed with Clara by the time she finally deems to show her face. She is twenty minutes late, and if there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s when others think my time is invaluable and can be wasted. “Come in,” I bark when she finally knocks on my door.

This door, unlike the ones on the upper floors, is modern and easily swings open. The red-headed she-wolf steps into my office, her head respectfully bowed. “You wanted to see me, your majesty?” she asks, her tone of voice not nearly as respectful as her body language.

“You’re late.”

“I got lost.”

When I was a pup, my father taught me that there were some battles worth fighting and some you just needed to let go. The she-wolf not showing up in time might not seem important to others, but it sets a tone for relationship going forward, and disrespect has a way of rippling outwards and taking root. “And you could not let me know that you would be late?” I ask, keeping my voice low and dangerous.

“How?” she asks and l