Claimed by the Ruthless Alpha Prince
My expression doesn’t change, but both my friends are still going.
“Concubine.”
The word comes out perfectly calm, perfectly controlled.
“It’s an archaic practice,” Seth says quickly. “Only the royal family is permitted to take concubines, and no king has done so for generations. But technically, the law allowing them still exists.”
“The Council might see it as a reasonable solution,” Leon adds. “Zari gets the crown, her father gets his alliance, and you get to keep your... personal interest... close by.”
I study Leon’s face with clinical detachment, noting the way he avoids my eyes when he says “personal interest.” The way his hands fidget slightly. He knows exactly how insulting those word