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.”
<~ 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
~ 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
~ 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
~ CASIMIR ~As we gathered in council, I was grinding my teeth, pacing back and forth across the center of the room, staring Cayn down at any moment I had the option. Because the fucker had every right to call me to account like this—but I was beyond angry that he’d chosen to do so publicly. He knew that my mate had stumbled into this minefield. He knew that if we worked together we could smooth ruffled fur and turn bared fangs into submissive stances.But instead, he’d publicly called me to answer for her.Her.My heart squeezed as Jesse’s face swam in my memories—her bright eyed eagerness to stand in front of the wolves and call a female. She’d been like a child with a surprise. And there was a part of me that wanted to tell
~ CASIMIR ~“You believe my mate is capable of… neutering me? Choose your words very carefully, Cayn,” I muttered.All eyes in the room snapped back and forth between me and the elder wolf, whose stony expression didn’t waver, though I caught the tang of fear in his scent.He swallowed, but he didn’t submit, and when he spoke his voice was strong and sure.“Your previous mates have been little more than vessels at your side.”“Weak and mindless, both of them,” I growled. “Jesse’s streng
~ CASIMIR ~Cayn’s eyes widened. He was rigid, his body bowed away from me, but held upright by my grip on his lapels.I snarled in his face, the power swirling around me and through me and lashing him like a whip. I didn’t hear the other wolves, didn’t see them, didn’t know anything except that my mate was under threat and my authority was being challenged, and suddenly everything in me wanted to fight.Everything.My wolf snapped and threw itself against the cage of my ribs.My power swelled and crashed, driving me to unleash—I held it back by my fingernails.
~ CASIMIR ~Every wolf in the room felt the weight of the order and flinched.‘Cazz?’ Jesse sounded frantic. I sent her a sense of having placed a steadying hand on her back, but didn’t turn my focus from the wolves in the room with me.‘Go, and lead. You have not been outranked—show those below you how to face an unknown. Walk in dignity and strength. And do not waver.’ My voice echoed with the power until I wasn’t sure if I was instructing, or compelling them. I shivered, a bead of sweat sliding down my spine.At my feet, Cayn stirred, pushing up on his hands, trying desperately to get up, but unable to keep his feet under him. I snee
~ CASIMIR ~The scent of fear hung in the air like perfume, wrinkling my nose, because I knew it coated the walls after all those wolves descended into panic together.It was a measure of Rory’s steadiness that he’d returned so quickly—and that he met my eyes steadily, even if there was tension in him.He approached carefully, his steps deliberate, eyes on me, but his senses pricked. If he’d been in his wolf, his ears would be flicking to every corner of the room as he instinctively gauged the level of danger in this room.I sighed. “I will not compel you,” I growled. “That is, not unless you have distasteful things to say about my mate as well?” I arched one brow, half-trying to ease the tension, half-warning him of the bou