Lucien's POVElvis's expression didn't change. But something behind his eyes did—a small sharp adjustment, recalibrating."My king," Elder Crane started carefully, "the principle of the matter—""The principle," I cut in firmly, turning to look at him, "is not your concern."Crane's mouth closed. He was close to a line and he knew it, could see it. I looked around the table slowly, making the eye contact deliberate and unhurried, letting each elder understand individually that I was not reacting. I was deciding."She is my slave," I continued, my voice carrying that low evenness that the room had learned over the years to treat as more serious than volume. "Assigned to my chambers. Operating under my authority." I paused. "Which means her movements—and her discipline—fall under my jurisdiction exclusively."'Mine!' My wolf growled, threatening to burst out and prove it. I clenched my fist, holding him back. "Of course, your majesty," someone murmured. "No one is suggesting otherwis
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