CHAPTER 3: A Show For Our Mate

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“She did,” he went on, not pressing, simply stating what he’d observed. “Before we left. Her eyes lingered on you.”

Jeremy smirked. “Hard not to notice him. He has that whole quiet judgment of the universe thing going.”

Kade shot him a sharp look. “Focus.”

Jeremy lifted his hands in mock surrender. “I am focused. I’m just… curious.”

“About what?” Dylan asked.

“What happens now,” Jeremy said. “I mean, she’s clearly important. I can feel it. Can’t you?”

“We haven't decided that yet,” Dylan replied calmly.

“That’s boring,” Jeremy muttered.

“It’s safe,” Kade corrected.

They all looked at me.

I said nothing.

The throne room doors stood open ahead, torchlight spilling into the corridor. Voices echoed inside—petitioners, advisers, lords arguing over territory and trade.

Everywhere fell silent as soon as we entered the court room.

Inside, Lord Allen stood near the dais, scroll already unrolled. His shoulders were stiff, posture formal to the point of discomfort. He always looked like a man bracing for impact.

I took my seat at the center without ceremony.

“The Alpha of Credence Wood has sent word,” Lord Allen announced.

I inclined my head once. “Speak.”

“He requests assistance,” Lord Allen said. “In dealing with unrest within his pack.”

Kade didn’t wait. “Define what he means by unrest.”

Lord Allen hesitated. “A traitor, according to the letter.”

The hall exploded in murmurs, then died down almost immediately.

“What’s his name?” I asked.

“Andrew,” Lord Allen replied. “Alpha Andrew.”

Kade’s brow creased. “New.”

“New Alphas ask for help,” Dylan said. “Or they try to prove they don’t need it.”

“Or they borrow authority,” Kade added flatly.

I leaned back. “He doesn’t need assistance. He needs orientation.”

Lord Allen nodded. “That was my assumption as well, Your Highness. But the letter continues.”

He cleared his throat.

“The former Alpha was killed. His daughter escaped.”

Jeremy let out a low whistle. “Well, that escalated.”

Dylan frowned. “A child?”

“A young woman,” Lord Allen corrected. “He claims she is dangerous. Just like her father.”

Jeremy scoffed. “That’s always how it’s framed.”

Kade didn’t smile. “It’s a familiar excuse.”

Kade’s jaw tightened. “What does he want from us?”

“Passage,” Lord Allen answered. “He intends to search neighboring territories himself.”

I considered it.

“He’ll come whether we approve or not,” I said. “Permission only decides whether he does it openly.”

Kade nodded. “Granting passage keeps him in check.”

“And accountable,” Dylan added.

“And in our territory,” Kade said. “Where mistakes become our problem.”

“Yes,” I said. “Where we can watch him.”

I paused.

“Grant him passage.”

Lord Allen bowed. “As you command.”

The meeting dragged on.

Land disputes. Trade negotiations. Old grudges sharpened into legal appeals. I listened, spoke when necessary, and ended arguments before they grew teeth.

Halfway through, movement caught my attention at the far edge of the hall.

Dark hair.

Gone when I looked again.

She was closer than she thought.

“And the second appeal,” Lord Allen said, rubbing his temple, “again from Alpha Andrew.”

Jeremy groaned openly. “Persistent man.”

“He requests temporary residence,” Lord Allen read. “For himself, his mate, and accompanying dignitaries.”

Dylan frowned. “That’s excessive.”

“We announced open borders,” Kade reminded him. “Publicly.”

“A mistake,” Jeremy muttered.

I stood.

“They can stay.”

Lord Allen’s gaze flicked to Dylan, then back to me.

Dylan exhaled slowly. “I’m fine with it.”

Kade studied him for a moment longer than necessary, then nodded once.

“Proceed,” I said.

The remaining appeals passed quickly.

When court finally adjourned, relief moved through the chamber like a released breath. Lords bowed and filed out. The torches dimmed.

We left together.

Jeremy stretched his arms over his head. “That went smoother than expected.”

“Don’t tempt fate,” Dylan said.

Jeremy glanced between us. “So. Her.”

No one answered.

“Should we check on her?” he asked.

“She’s likely already out of Simone’s care,” Dylan replied. “Hovering won’t help.”

“And it won’t make her safer,” Kade added.

Jeremy shrugged. “Just asking.”

We walked in silence for several steps.

Then Jeremy grinned. “So what’s the plan? Slow burn? Destiny nonsense? Accidental bonding during a crisis?”

I stopped.

They stopped with me.

“We don’t plan her,” I said. “We don’t corner her. And we don’t lie to her.”

Jeremy opened his mouth, then closed it.

Kade nodded once. Dylan’s shoulders eased.

Kade said nothing.

A scent brushed the edge of my awareness.

Closer.

Dylan noticed it too. “She’s moving.”

“Toward us,” Kade confirmed.

Jeremy straightened. “Should we—”

“No,” I said.

They looked at me.

“We don’t do anything for now,” I continued. “We observe.”

Footsteps echoed ahead.

She appeared at the end of the corridor, hesitating when she saw us. Smaller than what she looked like earlier. Paler. Still carrying pain like a second skin.

Her eyes lifted. Met mine.

Something in her didn’t bend, which only made me like her even more..

I stayed still.

Silent.

Waiting.