Page 12 of The Wolf King's Demand

“Because what if it’s just a dream? What if I wake up and you’re not here, holding me, confessing your heart to me?”

Tyler laughed. “Oh, this is not a dream, Addison. It’s what fate has planned for us. There is not one adviser in my court who doesn’t think the same about you. You have won over everyone with the courage of your convictions. They have told me so. You are my queen already. You’re just the last one in the realm to realize it, my dear.”

Addison blushed and laughed. Her eyebrows raised to say maybe he was right. She was the last to realize the inevitable, natural evolution of a couple who would bring the realm out of the rogue pack, dark ages, and into the light.

Tyler slapped his knee. “And now, onto other, more urgent business. What is your wish for that little girl who desperately holds onto your skirts?”

“Cassia?” Addison flipped her head back in a full-throated laugh. “Oh, you mean my brand-new shadow? Ah, yes. Isn’t she just the sweetest little child you’ve ever seen? I can’t believe her mother could treat her so horribly.”

“Right. So there is no returning the little tot to a home life like that. Have you had any thoughts about her future? The pack will handle the adults, but we’ll need a plan for the children.”

“Well, yes, I have, in fact. Tyler, I’m not sure how you will view my wish, but here it is. I want desperately to give Cassia a safe and loving home with a mother and father she can trust and learn to love. And I think that mother and father are you and me.”

It was Tyler’s turn to be shocked. The admission by his queen stunned him into silence.

“Tyler, please, let us adopt her.”

EIGHT

TYLER

Tyler knew he was making Addison panic with every second he didn’t respond. He saw how attached Cassia was to Addison. But more than that, he saw how attached Addison was to the little girl. The bond between the adoptive daughter and mother already existed. And because he adored Addison so, whomever she loved, he knew he would adore. Tyler smoothed away Addison’s worry lines with the tip of his thumb.

“Trouble yourself no more, darling. Of course, we can adopt Cassia. What better place could she be raised than with us in Somberglen Castle?”

“Oh, Tyler.” Addison hugged her king with all her might, which made Tyler uproariously laugh. His wolf yipped in delight at making his mate happy.

“What made you agree to adoption? I know you must look at it as a serious move, given we have just bonded ourselves.”

Tyler spread his arms with upturned hands. “Oh, that was a fairly easy decision for two reasons. First, I will give you anything you desire. Second, I adore children. Secretly, I’ve always wanted a house full of them laughing, playing, and running about. After all, aren’t children what makes a house a home?”

Addison wiped tears from her eyes, hugged Tyler once more, and ran back to the shed, overflowing with joy, just as two enforcers left the building to await further instructions from their king.

“Ah, yes, Malcolm and Valerian. Now that I have settled things with my queen, I need you to move the children and the women to a larger house in a more convenient location. Might I suggest the large groundskeeper’s cottage on the other side of the lake by the castle? The old codger refuses to live in the cottage, preferring to rough it in that cabin he made for himself a while back. Make sure it’s outfitted with all the necessary supplies. Food, linens, and whatever Addison requires for the group. They may be there for a while, at least until we have thoroughly dealt with this rogue pack.”

“Yes, Your Majesty, right away,” chorused the two. The men bowed and marched off to arrange the transfer.

“Henry, I have a different task for you. You and I need to interrogate the rogues we’ve kept for questioning.”

“Your Majesty, you do not want to get your hands sullied by these two louts.”

“I will accompany you but observe from a distance. I’ll be there in case you require backup, as I don’t trust these pack members. They are out for blood anyway they can get it. We can’t take their behavior for granted, even if they are bound in chains. Has the mage arrived?”

“She is almost here, My King. But until she arrives, I would like to play with the prisoners.” Henry gave him a wink. The king detested torture, especially since they didn’t need it to get what they wanted. But he’d let his enforcer have his “fun.”

Tyler watched as Malcolm and Valerian returned to the shed to round up the small group. When he knew all was well, he and Henry made their way to the shack where the two remaining rogues were held.

Henry opened the door for Tyler. Inside, the single room was cloaked in darkness, save for a couple of lanterns burning on a simple pine table. In wooden chairs sat the chained prisoners. By the looks on their faces, they were ready for what they thought was to come.

Tyler took a seat in the corner nearest the door while Henry began the “interrogation.”

“Well, well, what do we have here? A couple of miscreants, losers, who are lucky to be alive. How has the questioning been going so far, men?”

The one guard spoke up. “We have yet to obtain the pack’s permanent lair location, the strength of the pack, weapons caches, or their current location in the realm.” The guard smacked the one prisoner with his hand for good measure. The rogue cried out in pain.

“Hmm, seems like we picked two tough cookies. What is the main reason for the attack? Any results there?” Henry slowly walked around the two chained men, leaning in close as he growled out his query.

“We were working on that when you arrived, sir.”

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