Share
199. The Selection – Part 1
~ JESSE ~
Standing next to Cazz on that dais at the top of the Audience Chamber, the entire spectacle left me breathless. I felt like I had walked a hundred years back in time… or maybe into a fantasy novel.
When we’d first gone to the servants so they could fix my dress, I was mortified. But it struck me that this was going to happen every time. My only options were to get used to it and enjoy myself, or spend a good chunk of my life blushing and stammering.
I did not want to be that woman. I wanted them to see my strength. I wanted to be a mate Cazz could be proud of. So, after that initial shaky moment when the servants were smiling a
Related chapters
Slave to the Wolf King 200. The Selection – Part 2
~ JESSE ~After our lovemaking, while Cazz had helped me straighten my clothes as best I could, he’d hurriedly explained the events of the night.He would address the wolves, welcoming them and reminding them of the historic nature of the occasion, and warn the males on how to address their conflicts when more than one shared an interest in a female. He would give them the date for their return and declaration of mates—another formality, since the pairings would be approved by Cazz and the Alphas of the packs in the week between this rite, and the banquet that closed the Selection for this season. Then there would be the Calling. At least, that’s what I remembered. Cazz hadn’t been entirely clear on the times.“The events will happen as they happen, Jesse. There is no time set, except fo
Slave to the Wolf King 201. The Selection – Part 3
~ CASIMIR ~Jesse was stunning. So stunning, it was difficult to focus on the traditions playing out in front of us. These Selections were a lot of annoying pomp, but they always served to bring the wider packs together, and cement the links between families.Politically, they allowed those in strength to remind the others why they had been chosen. And within the packlink, they reaffirmed the hierarchy in very clear ways, even as they offered to shift power if the right alliances were made in mate-pairs.Usually, I looked forward to these events. But tonight, my attention kept turning back to my mate who watched everything wide-eyed and whose pulse fluttered with her nerves.I knew she’d been looking forward to this as well—her first true outing as Queen, as s
Slave to the Wolf King 202. The Selection – Part 4
~ CASIMIR ~‘She calls a lowborn wolf?’‘A prophetess?’‘She has not even finished her apprenticeship!’‘Is this a joke?’‘Does the human think to weaken the bloodlines since she hasn’t been able to bear her own young?’‘Has the King indulged his human—?’‘QUIET, ALL OF YOU,’ I snarled in the link. ‘Your Queen speaks. Listen.’
Slave to the Wolf King 203. Uproar
~ CASIMIR ~‘Call me for my declaration. NOW!’ I hissed at Rake in the link.He blinked, then jerked his head forward, calling for everyone’s attention as Jesse took her place back at my side. She was looking at me uncertainly, reaching for my hand again.And I took it. Damn me, but I took it.Let them make of that what they would.“Our night is almost over,” I barked at them, reminding the Alphas who were looking agitated, like they might actually rush to me now, that this was not the time. The pack was bubbling, no longer hiding their shock and disapproval, openly leaning into each other. The mind links would be awash.
Slave to the Wolf King 204. Culture Shock
~ JESSE ~There was a strange clenching in my chest at those words from Cazz. He hadn’t shut down in the bond, so I could feel him—angry and apprehensive, and his simmering pride as well. There was a lot of conflict in him, but when I looked at him, all I could see was an utterly self-assured King, eyeing those approaching him as if they were annoyances.I prayed that’s all they could sense, too, though with the wolf scent and bonds… who knew?“Cazz—”“Quiet.” He bit the word off, his eyes never leaving the males moving towards him. “Do not waver. Do not question me. And do. Not. Speak. Not unless you are asked to do so specifically. So help me, Jesse, you have got to let me handle this.”
Slave to the Wolf King 205. Step Carefully
~ JESSE ~Cazz’s eyes narrowed and I felt him curse in the bond.“And the King stands sure,” he called back, then lifted his eyes to the crowd below them all, raising his chin with pride. “Tonight the King will meet Council and answer the call. But, the rite stands and the traditions are met.”Then he looked a challenge down at Cayn, his upper lip trembling like he fought not to bare his teeth.Cayn nodded once, snorted the air from his nose, then turned on his heel and marched back down the steps to the crowd below as if that had been his plan all along.Cazz watched his back, fury and indignation burning i
Slave to the Wolf King 206. The Bigger Picture – Part 1
~ JESSE ~“Can I have everyone’s attention please?” Rake called from up on the dais.I felt the rush of relief rock through Cazz, immediately followed by a new zing of tension. We were standing elbow to elbow in front of a cluster of older females that Cazz had introduced me to as matriarchs of three different packs. The females were all eyeing me with a combination of disapproval and sharp attention, but all of us turned to face the stage then because Rake was calling the rite to a close.“The King and Queen thank you for your attention and attendance tonight. And they wish all the Select blessings and clarity. Now that our traditions have been fulfilled, you will be given seven days to consider—to grow to know each other better. Then all of us will return here a week from tonight for any f
Slave to the Wolf King 207. The Bigger Picture – Part 2
~ JESSE ~Rake gaped at me as I forced myself to stop stumbling back, fisting my hands at my sides.“If this is how the wolves react when someone does something outside the traditions, then… then you need to have your world shaken up a bit I think.”Rake shook his head, glaring at me. “Really, Jesse? Really? You’re just going to stand your ground and learn nothing?!”“I didn’t say I wouldn’t learn—I just meant—”“You just meant that you aren’t going to let anyone tell you that there was another way to handl
Latest chapter
- Slave to the Wolf King 217. Give
- Slave to the Wolf King 216. The World in My Eyes
- Slave to the Wolf King 215. Jump Before You're Pushed
- Slave to the Wolf King 214. Hidden Away
- Slave to the Wolf King 213. Who's to Blame?
- Slave to the Wolf King 212. The Scent of Fear
- Slave to the Wolf King 211. Regret
- Slave to the Wolf King 210. Control
- Slave to the Wolf King 209. The Challenge
