60

I stare at the ground, not knowing what to do. I’m not as cultured as Erik; I never received that type of education. I’m well aware that I’m not the most tactful person in a room. My whole life, I’ve only known the battlefield. I never got a chance to receive the formal royal education that my father had received when he was a boy. The elders wanted to control me, to use my inexperience and naivety to rule through me.

Harriet tried her best to shield me, but she was a mere maid. She couldn’t protect me. But Harriet had held another role during my parents reign, so she had enough resources to send me to the border to fight without alerting the elders. She remained at the castle, sending me letters and teaching me politics through our correspondence. I don’t know how she managed it, but she held the kingdom together for the two years I was at the border. It was the one place where I was safe from the elders, who were too scared to step foot there unless surrounded by guards.

Harriet has never mentioned what happened in those two years. When I returned, her son Rothan had just had his ninth birthday, and her mate had been executed for treason. Her head probably would have been on the chopping block next had I not taken control of the kingdom. She never thanked me for saving her, and I never thanked her for keeping my kingdom secure for me.

Our bond was silent and unspoken for the next couple of years while I fought at the Veil. I appointed her as my delegate during my absence, a decision the elders did not dare oppose because I was no longer the grief-stricken boy who had just lost his parents. When I finally returned to claim my seat on the throne, I offered her power and status, and she refused both, simply wanting to look after me. She was the one who suggested the position of head maid, and I gave it to her.

Without Harriet, I would be a puppet in the hands of the elders right now. She sent me away at a critical time to protect me. It was a sacrifice, and she knew it. I have never been a proper royal. Because of me, the wolves of the North are considered barbarians. I have never before wished that I had received the usual royal education, but today I do. If I had studied etiquette and politics from the right tutors, I would know how to talk to Leanna, how to convince her through my words and actions. I wouldn’t be this brute that she wants to stay away from.

I doubt Leanna would appreciate me bringing the head of a monster to her. She wouldn’t think it very classy. And Leanna is classy. She still carries herself elegantly, with so much grace that I could watch her all day. Even when she gets angry, she is mesmerizing. Vivian is nothing like her. She acts like a princess, but she’s not as refined as my Leanna. She’s not as beautiful or charming.

From the moment I laid eyes on Vivian, I felt disgust.

If I had known back then that Leanna was still alive, I might have been able to get rid of Vivian. But the elders’ interference, their threats, and my already shattered peace of mind had me choosing to protect the kingdom and just leave the castle and Vivian behind. But now—Now I know my Leanna is alive and well. She is the rightful queen. I finally have a reason to dispense with Vivian.

It’s not going to be easy. The elders will protest. But I don’t care anymore. Maybe if I bring their heads to Leanna…

I blink as another idea strikes me. If I bring Vivian’s head to Leanna, won’t that prove to her that I—

The light in one of the rooms of the house turns on. Instantly alert, I fix my eyes on it.

A small figure moves toward the window, which is then slid open. I watch my son climb through and sit on the ledge before jumping down. He looks around before shifting into a wolf and heading toward the park. When he doesn’t notice me, I realize he hasn’t caught my scent. He’s still young. And living in the human world, he probably doesn’t get to spend much time in his animal form to hone his instincts.

I watch in amusement as the little wolf cub streaks across the street. He has clearly done this before. I have a feeling my mate doesn’t know about his little late-night adventures. I’ve seen the defiance in the boy’s eyes. He’s going to be a handful in the future if he’s not difficult enough already. He has nearly made it to the edge of the woods when I pounce, grab him by the scruff, and give him a rough shake. “I don’t think so, Finn.”

He lets out a howl of fright before looking at me. I see the recognition in his eyes. It is instantly followed by dismay.

“Shift back,” I order.

He just goes limp, refusing to obey. I give him another rough shake, and he whimpers.

“Shift back, or I will give you a walloping that you will never forget.”

His ears twitch at the threat, and reluctantly, he shifts back into his human form in a shimmer of light. Staring at me now is an angry, sulking boy. I readjust my grip so that I’m holding him by the back of his shirt. “And where were you off to?”

His lips move, and I see him try to come up with an explanation quickly. “Nowhere. I just wanted to—I had to pee.”

“In the woods?” I ask in disbelief, not buying his tall tale.

He shrugs.

“And does your mother know you’re out here to relieve yourself?” I demand. From the guilty look in his eyes, my suspicions are confirmed. “How often do you go out like this?”

His scowls at me. “None of your beeswax!”

I stare at him. “What do bees have to do with this? I asked you a question.”

He gives me a frustrated look. “Are you stupid?”

Now, that, I understand.

I give him a light smack on the back of his head, and he lets out a howl, clutching the spot. “You can’t hit me!”

“That wasn’t hitting, boy,” I say darkly. “That was a warning tap. Does the human world not teach young ones to respect their parents?”

“I respect my mom!” Finn grumbles, instantly offended. I realize I’ve made a slip of the tongue, and for a moment, I’m relieved he doesn’t catch it. However, for a seven-year-old, my son is quite perceptive. He blinks. “Wait. Were you talking about yourself?”

I drop him on his behind.

“Ow!” he hisses from the ground. “Why’d you do that?”

“Go inside,” I order.