The Shifter King

The seamstress shop sits on the corner of a brick building with a dim blue door. I approach, taking my time to reach the entryway. I've never had fancy gowns or attended a ball before. Most of my marks are ones I can reach in alleyways or dark bar corners. All I need for that is my cloak. The king will be more difficult. I will have to blend in, look like a noble who belongs in silk gowns and glittering jewels to even get through the door. I take a breath before turning the handle and stepping inside. The shop is filled with beautiful gowns from reds, blues, and purples to greens, yellows, and bright oranges. The silk is finer than anything I've ever owned. I approach the first dress and lightly run my fingers down the fabric, stunned. Was it cut out for this? "Hello, how can I help you?" I turn to find a woman in a plain dress–at least, plain compared to her merchandise. She looks a little older, her dark hair mixed with strands of white. She smiles kindly but I can tell the

I don't bother hiding the shock or disbelief on my face anymore. This guy is crazy. His golden eyes haven't left mine for a moment, which only solidifies that he really does believe everything he is saying to me. "Aren't you rich enough to afford a head doctor?" I say, the irritation evident in my tone. This was supposed to be an in-and-out job. Easy? No, but I was so close to slitting his throat. And now I'm sitting across from him, a little worried that his insanity might be contagious and contemplating how to talk my way out of this one. King Ambrose laughs deeply, his chest rumbling. He sits back in his seat, relaxing as he drinks the dark liquor in his drink. He's so handsome, it's very distracting. I wait for him to speak, and he seems to consider his next words carefully. "You tried to kill me," he says. It's not a question but I respond anyway. "Sure did," I smirk at him. "Do you know who hired you?" "What makes you so sure I was hired? I could be here because I h

As I open the door, a maid stands with her hand prepped to knock. "Sorry, my lady," she says, dropping her fist. "The king has requested your presence tonight for dinner. I'm supposed to help you dress and take you there." "Help me dress?" I say. "I'm already dressed." I gesture to my gown and the maid smiles like she finds me absurd. Right. I needed to blend in. Fit into the box of pretty, bimbo noble girl. I straighten and nod at her, standing to the side so she can come in. The next few hours are spent brushing my hair and pinning it into an updo on my head and tightening me into a corseted gown. When I look at myself in the mirror, I once again don't recognize myself. But I suppose that's the point. The maid leads me through the maze of palace halls until we stop at a door. She bows and leaves me to it. I knock gently on the door. "Enter," the king says inside. The room is a study, similar to the one he first brought me to the night before. This one, however, has

I'd never been to a hearing before, especially not at court. I usually stay away from politics. But I couldn't help the curiosity and excitement of seeing the king work. The great hall is filled with nobles and commoners alike. I know the basics of how this works: people bring their concerns or complaints to the king–he does what he can to help. I find a spot along the wall where I can see the throne but I'm tucked aside from the crowd. The room is packed and I'm content staying out of the way. There's a bang that silences everyone in an instant. "The king!" I hear someone announce. Ambrose strides in, looking regal as ever. He wears a long, red cloak and his crown sits tilted on his head. He has a serious expression on his face, but as he scans the room and catches my eye, he winks at me. I smile to myself. That man knows he's hot, and the confidence was doing something to me. Sebastian follows his brother, wearing similarly royal robes, but nothing as extravagant as

I spend the day in the garden, soaking up the sunlight and memorizing the list. Ambrose has laid out the names perfectly with their titles next to each name. His 'pack' and the nobles overlap, many of them supposed shifters. There are only a few nobles living at the palace that are human but they seem to be traveling through and not in the king's close circle. The ball tonight was specifically for them, and although the list didn't feel long, I knew there were at least 50 names on it. The ball would be small…intimate. It would make it easier to talk to people. Although, I had no doubt I was going to stand out like a sore thumb. Might as well embrace it. The gown I choose is blood red, making my hair and skin pop. I leave my hair down, cascading down my back in loose waves. As I make my way toward the king's study, I push down any creeping nervousness trying to break to the surface. I find him inside at his desk, the crown atop his head sitting at a tilt. He is dressed in royal