FIRST CONSORT

Scarlett’s POV

No one spoke after that.

The dining hall felt suffocating.

Servants continued bringing food like nothing had happened, but no one was really eating.

I could feel the eyes.

Watching.

Judging.

Waiting to see what the disgraced ex-convict would do next.

Across the table, Ione lifted her wine glass slowly, her gaze never leaving mine.

Satisfied.

Like she had just reminded everyone exactly where I belonged.

Not here.

Not at this table.

Not beside him.

I set my fork down carefully.

The small sound still echoed louder than it should have.

“I believe that will be all for me tonight.”

My voice was calm.

Too calm.

Several heads lifted.

I pushed my chair back and stood.

For a brief moment, the entire room watched me.

Ione’s lips curved faintly.

“Leaving so soon?” she asked smoothly.

“I find I’ve lost my appetite.”

The King placed his glass down.

“Scarlett.”

I paused.

Slowly, I turned back.

King Alaric studied me with the careful gaze of someone weighing a political problem.

“You should understand something,” he said.

“This family does not break its promises.”

His gaze flicked briefly toward Reed.

“The engagement between House Donovan and House Solace will stand.”

My chest tightened, but I only nodded once.

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

But the King wasn’t finished.

“We are Lycans,” he continued.

“Our customs differ from the smaller packs.”

The room grew quieter.

“A Lycan king may take more than one consort.”

Ione’s smile stiffened slightly.

Interesting.

The King’s gaze remained on me.

“If the bond between you and my son is real,” he said, “there is no reason you cannot remain in this court.”

He paused.

“You could stand beside him as his First Consort.”

The words settled over the table.

A compromise.

A place.

Just not the one already promised.

I felt Reed’s gaze on me now.

Waiting.

I considered the King’s offer for exactly three seconds.

Then I inclined my head politely.

“That is a very generous suggestion, Your Majesty.”

My tone remained respectful.

But something colder had settled under my skin.

“However,” I continued softly, “I am not in the habit of accepting positions offered out of convenience.”

Sayer choked on his drink.

Cassian closed his eyes.

The King watched me carefully.

“You would refuse?”

“I would prefer time to think.”

It was the most diplomatic way to say no.

The King nodded slowly.

“Very well.”

I bowed my head slightly.

“Thank you for the hospitality.”

Then I turned and walked out of the dining hall.

No one stopped me this time.

The palace corridors were quiet.

Too quiet.

My footsteps echoed against the marble floors as I walked.

I had almost reached the guest wing when I felt it.

The bond.

Pulling.

Sharp.

I didn’t stop.

Footsteps followed moments later.

Of course they did.

“Scarlett.”

Reed’s voice.

I kept walking.

He caught up quickly.

“Scarlett.”

This time he grabbed my arm.

Not hard.

Just enough to stop me.

I slowly turned to face him.

For a moment he just looked at me.

Like he was trying to read something on my face.

“You walked out,” he said.

“Yes.”

“You embarrassed my father.”

“I doubt your father embarrasses easily.”

His jaw tightened.

“That wasn’t necessary.”

A quiet laugh escaped me.

“Neither was letting your fiancée call me a murderer in front of your entire family.”

The words landed harder than I intended.

Reed’s expression darkened.

“I was trying to control the situation.”

“You were silent.”

“I was thinking.”

“I was standing alone.”

That shut him up.

For a moment we just stared at each other.

The bond between us pulsed uneasily.

Then he said it.

“You could stay.”

I already knew where this was going.

“As First Consort.”

There it was.

I studied him for a long moment.

“Is that supposed to make this better?”

His brows drew together.

“It’s not an insult.”

“No,” I said quietly.

“It’s practical.”

Reed exhaled sharply.

“You’re my mate.”

“And yet,” I replied calmly, “you are still engaged to someone else.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Uncomfortable.

For the first time tonight, Reed looked uncertain.

Which meant he knew exactly how bad this was.

“Ione and I have history,” he said.

“So I gathered.”

“But you’re my mate.”

“Yes.”

I let that word hang between us.

Then I stepped back.

“But tonight,” I added softly, “you chose silence.”

Reed’s jaw tightened.

“That’s not fair.”

“Perhaps not.”

I met his gaze steadily.

“But it is how it felt.”

Another long silence stretched between us.

Then I inclined my head slightly.

“I think I should retire.”

“You’re just leaving?”

“For tonight.”

I turned and continued walking down the corridor.

“Scarlett.”

I paused but didn’t look back.

“You’re still my mate.”

His voice was firm.

Certain.

I let out a quiet breath.

“I know.”

Then I walked away.

And this time—

He didn’t follow.