Page 52 of Royal Bite
“Yes, Your Grace.” The line went dead.
“The entire fucking town?” Bijou stood from her seat and paced the floor. She was in full general mode. The anger radiating from her was palpable.
“When was the last time we had contact with them?” Hegna asked.
“I will find out, Your Grace,” Bijou snarled.
“We have to alert your sisters and parents. How many other towns have ben commandeered and we are in the dark?” Corbin asked.
“We need to find out. Send word to every vampire post to check on all neighboring towns and cities. We need to ensure this hasn’t happened to more,” Hegna ordered.
Corbin scribbled notes on his tablet.
“Send word to my sisters, too.”
“Will do. You have another call—”
“It can wait.” Hegna pushed back from her desk and stood. This time her legs held all of their strength.
“This can’t wait. It’s either take this call or he’s bound to show up,” Corbin said.
Hegna rolled her eyes and blew out a deep breath. The hologram box on her desk alerted them of the incoming call.
Corbin glanced down at his tablet. “He’s on time.”
“Who the hell is it?” Hegna growled. She didn’t have time for this. She needed to formulate a plan, and maybe even travel to Sanlow herself. For a pack to take over an entire town, the alpha had to be there.
“It is Lord Vilson.” Corbin eyed her.
She closed her eyes and flopped back down in her chair. Corbin was right. If she didn’t take this call, then the coven’s council member would show his face here at the castle.
“Make it quick,” she grumbled.
He reached across the desk and hit the button on the box. Bijou took her seat as well.
“Your Grace. Thank you for your virtual audience today.” Lord Vilson’s figure appeared in the room. He stood, dressed in dark clothing with a cloak resting on his shoulders. His long black hair flowed around them. His piercing blue eyes were locked on her. He had been the lead council member of their coven for centuries. There were plenty of times when Hegna and he had butted heads. The elder vampire still insisted on using his official title of Lord from centuries before.
“I’m a very busy woman, Lennix. How can I help you this evening?” she asked. Lennix Vilson always assumed he was of the utmost importance and everything needed to stop when he spoke.
“The entire town has been in an uproar about your future mate,” he began. He paced back and forth, his hands dramatically flailing in the air. “The coven is demanding the mating be as soon as possible.”
“The coven wouldn’t dare demand anything from me.” Hegna kept her voice quiet, but her patience was running low. This call could have waited for another day. “What I do with my personal life is my business, not yours—”
“Don’t forget your duty is to the coven and to the entire vampire nation as the heir to the throne. You must complete the mating bond with the human as soon as possible. The entire coven is demanding to meet the woman whose beauty and caring nature rumors have spread throughout the town and the territory.”
Hegna arched an eyebrow. Stormey had been the talk of the territory? Hegna glanced over at Corbin’s smug face. She itched to land a punch and split the lips that curved up in a smirk.
“Thank you for reminding me of duties that I know more than you do,” Hegna snapped. She was done with this conversation. Her annoyance level was through the roof. She had more pressing things than to be reminded of something she’d been told since she was born. “Right now, the lives of vampires are at stake. I’m sure when you are hosting your parties and entertaining members of the coven, that you don’t discuss the lycan threat that overshadows us. That is what is important, not who I mate with.”
“I have come up with a solution.” He paused and turned to her, completely ignoring her barb at his infamous parties he liked to throw. “We will have a small dinner party at the castle where you can introduce us to your mate. We’ll worry about an official introduction of the future princess once you have sealed the bond. I will send word to Edward, and we’ll work out the date.”
“That will be fine,” Corbin said, interjecting before she could respond. Her friend must have taken a look at her face and saw the fury that rolled through it.
Lennix bowed, and the call disconnected.
“Where in the seven hells does he gets the balls to try to tell me what to do?” Hegna said.
She glanced between Corbin and Bijou. Corbin had the nerve to grin at her while Bijou shrugged.
