Page 27 of The Wolf Prince's Mate

I knew she was my mate almost immediately. There was the undeniable pull I felt towards her, the need to bury myself deep inside her, and the possessive streak that washed through me the moment I saw the pack harassing her.

She was doing a great job holding her own for an Omega, and I was impressed. But when that piece of shit Karl raised his arm to strike her,I had to employ the will of my ancestors to keep myself from tearing him and his father into shreds.

Then, we spoke, and I realized she was alone. I could’ve given a royal decree to the pack for everyone to stay out of her way, but my wolf wanted her close. I wanted her close, and despite my better judgment, I brought her to my palace.

Her stay was even more beautiful. It was the only time I genuinely shared a private joke with someone and had someone look at me with so much adoration.

“People will only join a reform if you get them to see how it can be beneficial to them. Instead of telling them how the reform is the right way to go, speak to them of how an uneven structure might affect them if there’s a sudden change of power or rules. No one would like to be on the side where they stand to lose in the long run,” she replied when I asked for the best approach to sway the elite during one of our many short conversations.

“What if the family is of noble heritage, and there’s zero to no chance of them ever being demoted? How do you convince someone of such status?” I queried, more interested in her reply than I’d been in the suggestions of some of the court members.

She let out that shy smile that always had me weak in the knees. “Power changes hands, and whoever sits on the throne is the law. Just as you’re making reforms, your children will make theirs, too, and it’ll continue that way for decades on end. If structures are not put in place to protect everyone regardless of rank or position, who’s to say things won’t turn around and the mighty will find themselves at the bottom? And when that happens, won’t they be happy to know they’ve built a community where they can thrive and grow no matter how hard they fall? You just have to find a way to present it well to them.”

I couldn’t contain the proud smile that spread through my face. I knew the answer to the question, but I wanted to hear her thoughts on the matter, and she never failed to leave me in awe of her wisdom.

She had a grace that followed her everywhere, and there were times I found myself almost giving into her charms. But I fought against the pull, determined to flip destiny the proverbial bird and be the author of my own fate. Then, just as I was about to slip, she revealed herself to be something else.

I was momentarily grateful to have discovered her true colors on time. I almost gloated about how I had proven the mating bond to be a complete sham. Yet after that, all I felt was rage and disappointment.

I was disappointed because, despite the circumstances under which we met and my past, a part of me hoped she would prove me wrong. I felt rage at myself for letting my guard down around her.

But now she’s back, and though she appears to have grown a tough skin, she remains the empathic, kind, and resilient girl she was years ago. Nothing seemed to have changed about her. The same cannot be said for the mate of my choosing.

“The court is ready for the meeting, my prince,” Michael’s voice snapped me back to the present, and I looked around to find the garden cold and empty, devoid of the laughter from the happy couple.

I made my way to the courtroom, readying myself for what was to come. The talk about Victor being invited to contest for the throne was no longer discussed in hush tones. It was pretty much a hot topic at this point, and all that was left was for it to be slapped on the front page of every magazine.

What I didn’t expect, however, was to find him seated on the other side of the throne. I thought these people would at least accord me the respect of discussing issues before going this far, especially sincethe given time for me to produce an heir was yet to expire. But if they wanted to play dirty, I wouldn’t hesitate to indulge them.

Years in the boardroom playing corporate politics and financial gambles have prepared me for situations of this sort.

“Good afternoon, my prince,” Elder John greeted, alerting the court to my presence.

Over a dozen eyes turned to me, but my focus was on Victor and the smug expression on his face. How he managed to deceive people about his true self for so long will always remain a mystery to me.

He was the sleaziest bastard I’ve ever known. Father, as strong as he was, couldn’t contain his excesses and had to send him away. That was the last I saw him, and I never made any attempt to seek him out. What I couldn’t understand was how people were blind to his true nature.

“Brother,” he greeted, holding out his arm to me.

I eyed the outstretched arm, half tempted to snap it in half and hand it back to him.

The wicked smile playing on his lips let me know he knew what was going on in my mind, and he slightly cocked his head to the right, daring me to act out my emotions in front of the council.

I took his hand in a quick shake, ensuring to squeeze extra tight before letting go.

“We are gathered here because of the current state of the court.” The bald-headed man who I had come to know as Elder Edmond addressed the court. “After weeks of deliberation, we’ve decided that in order to even the grounds and increase the chances of our throne being occupied, Prince Victor will be invited to contest for the throne as he is of direct royal bloodline, too. This decision is not up for votes or deliberation. It is a unanimous agreement by the elders andcouncil heads.

A unanimous agreement? Who agreed to that? I glanced at Elder John, who suddenly decided that the carvings on the wood in front of him were the most interesting thing.

I shook my head in disbelief. I should’ve expected this, but I felt he would extend his loyalty to my father to me, but here we are.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see Victor’s lips tilt, fueling the anger in me.

“I reject the decision.”

My outburst was met with a mix of surprised murmurs and angry growls, but I continued. “I am the only legitimate heir to the throne, and I was given two years to produce an heir. We’re barely a month into our agreement, and I’ll not let any of you disrespect me by calling a meeting behind my back and forcing your decisions on me.”

Baldhead tried to interrupt me, but I shot him a silencing look. “I may not be king here, but I still have almost fifty percent of the right to revise and dismiss whatever rules don’t serve me. Do not push me to the wall.” My eyes swept through the crowd, making sure my message was effectively passed across.

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