Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
ESTEE
J erome awaits us outside Theo’s office, a picture of composure marred only by the exhaustion on his face. His grey slacks and maroon three-button jacket are immaculately tailored, as always, but the dark circles beneath his eyes tell me he hasn’t slept in days.
He bows slightly as we approach. “Your Majesty. Your Highness.”
I step forward before Theo can respond and lightly grab Jerome’s elbow, softening my tone but remaining firm. “Take the rest of the day off, Jerome. Go home and rest. If you return to work before sunrise tomorrow, you’ll be relieved of your duties for even longer.”
He blinks, visibly startled, before glancing at Theo as if seeking confirmation.
Theo nods in agreement. “Estee’s right. You haven’t stopped since she went missing, and I’ve relied too heavily on your support. Go home to your family. If something urgent comes up, I’ll contact you.”
Jerome hesitates, his loyalty evident. “Sire, I don’t mind?—”
Theo shakes his head, silencing him. “You’ve done more than enough for both of us and for Selaris. That’s an order, Jerome.”
Finally, he bows deeply. “Yes, my king. Princess Estee.” He turns on his heel and walks away, his steps measured but heavy with fatigue.
Once the advisor goes around the corner, Theo turns to me. “Thank you for seeing the things I don’t. I should’ve sent him home long before now.”
“We’re more than just mates,” I tell him with a smile. “We’re partners who are going to balance each other out for many years to come.”
He kisses my forehead. “Yes, we most certainly are. Now let’s greet our guest.”
Theo opens the door to his office, and we enter together. I’ve yet to meet Queen Sloane, and when I find her lounging in Theo’s chair as if it were carved just for her, I’m not the least bit disappointed by her commanding presence.
She exudes authority without effort, and her icy blue eyes are razor-sharp as they assess us. The faintest curve of her lips could almost be called a smile, but there’s a sharpness to her expression, a silent challenge that accompanies her grace.
“King Theo. Princess Estee,” she says, her voice smooth as velvet, carrying an undertone of strength. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you both.”
As she rises, her movements are deliberate and fluid, like a predator surveying its domain. Her ebony hair cascades past her shoulders, glinting under the light. Atop her head rests a silver crown, its intricate twists forming seven distinct points that glimmer without the aid of jewels. Her gown, a deep purple masterpiece of silk, clings to her nearly-six-foot frame, accentuating her regal presence.
I accept her outstretched hand, the warmth of her palm contrasting the coolness of her gaze. “The pleasure is ours. Thank you for coming all this way.”
Her eyes flicker to Theo, narrowing slightly. “When Jerome reached out, relaying King Asher’s suggestion that our two kingdoms collaborate, I found myself intrigued. Especially when so few details were offered.”
“Allow us to fill you in.” Theo gestures to the four chairs still in his office.
I nearly expect Queen Sloane to take the bigger of the options, but she shows her respect by selecting the smaller one.
We settle in across from her, still holding hands, remaining a united front as he speaks, recounting his history with Orix, hopefully for the last time.
Queen Sloane gives nothing away as she listens, and when he’s finished, she stands as if to leave, keeping her hands poised in front of her and face devoid of emotion. “The gods are fickle beings. Even trusting Aurora is a calculated risk, one I wouldn’t take lightly.” Her lips flatten. “For centuries, our kingdoms have fought separately for survival.” She pauses, her gaze meeting mine and Theo’s as we wait for her rejection. “I think it’s time that changed.”
Relief floods my chest, though I keep my emotions in check. Not that I believe we need her help to end this nightmare, but with everything Theo’s just shared, I wouldn’t have felt good about her walking away with that new information either.
“This god that’s tied to you. Orix,” she continues, remaining standing. “He was banished from the god world, made to feel less than for who knows how long, and it seems he now seeks not only retribution but acknowledgement of his power, yes?”
“He’s mentioned wanting to rule all of Lunara,” Theo confirms. “So, yes, I’d agree with that.”
“Then deny him the very thing he craves,” she says as if that will be the easiest thing to do. “Show him that what he’s done has no effect on you any longer. That you’re living your best life, thriving regardless of what’s been done. You need some sort of grand gesture, a celebration of what’s to come. Maybe the crowning of the new queen would be sufficient.”
“What about a grand ball?” I suggest as an idea begins to form. “Not that my crowning shouldn’t be celebrated, but if we put on an event to commemorate defeating Orix, I bet that would more than ruffle him.”
The visiting queen offers us a wicked grin as she points at me. “Now that is an excellent idea. There’s still a battle to be won, but your escape from the shadow realm is a victory to be thrown in his face. Lure him back here, where he relies on the energy of others to be strong, and take back what’s yours.”
Theo remains quiet a beat longer before he nods in agreement. “The last time I addressed some of the pack, I’d mentioned a ball to welcome Estee as future queen. We can use that, combined with her safe and triumphant return, to invite the pack into the castle for a celebration, but their safety needs to come above all else. We can’t put them at risk.”
Sloane takes her seat again, still grinning. “I’ve been fighting men like him for over two hundred years. His eyes will be on the prize of power. Your pack, even present in the same room, will be of no consequence to a monster like Orix, as long as they’re not attempting to be a threat. Command them to stand down, and they’ll be safe.”
She talks as if she’s spent a lifetime not only ruling as queen but as a warrior. Suddenly, I find myself especially eager to get to know her.
I have a feeling I can learn more than strategy from her.
Our time with Queen Sloane proves more productive than I anticipated. Discussions flow easily—strategies, contingencies, and ways to ensure the pack’s safety take precedence. Sloane speaks with an authority that demands attention, yet there’s a genuine concern in her words, especially when the topic shifts to the people of Selaris. By the time we’ve finalized our initial plans, I’m struck by her ability to command and inspire.
Theo and I escort her to the guest wing, where she’ll be staying during her visit. I can’t help but admire how he guides her through the halls, his movements purposeful yet respectful. When we reach her quarters, I realize my old room—apparently, the second-best in the castle—will serve as her temporary accommodations. All my belongings have already been moved, so we leave Queen Sloane to rest after her long journey and head back to our room.
As much as I’d like to seclude myself with Theo, I have to make a phone call that’s long overdue.
He kisses my forehead as I sit near the phone. “I’ll be in the next room, dealing with a few other matters I’ve ignored of late.”
I grimace. He’s once again disappointed his people, this time because I was missing. We’re going to have plenty of damage control to do later, but until tonight’s pack meeting, I’m going to focus on the things I can do something about.
The phone operator connects me to Polaris castle, then to Isla and Asher’s room. When the voice on the other end of the line isn’t either of them, my stomach drops.
“The royal suite, how may I help you?” a woman says.
“This is Princess Estee,” I tell her. “I’m looking for Queen Isla.”
She clears her throat. “Of course, Your Highness. She and the king are in the observatory and have asked not to be disturbed.”
“Oh.” Part of me wants to have them interrupted, but if anything with Isla has worsened and she’s finally having a moment of peace…
“Unless you called,” the woman quickly adds. “If you don’t mind holding, I’ll make sure to let them know you’re waiting.”
“Thank you.” I grip the phone. “I’ll hold as long as it takes.”
Suddenly, I realize how much I miss my sister and how worried I should’ve been about her these last few days. There’s no telling if the person sending the threats is someone right under their noses. Someone who could’ve been on the ship with them or anywhere within the castle the day they got back.
I nibble on the inside of my cheek and pick at my manicured nails as I wait for someone to come back to the phone. Minutes tick painfully by, and I regret not putting an urgency on the handmaiden that answered to get Isla on the line.
At least until I hear my sister’s giggle and the deep timber of Asher’s murmurings just before she says, “Hello, my dearest sister. Were you too busy plotting a war yesterday to care about my safe return to Polaris when I called in the morning?”
That’s why she’s not worried about my previous silence. I didn’t consider the time it would take them to get home. She has no idea anything happened to me, and hesitation chokes me. She sounds happy, a far cry from when she left Selaris several days ago, but when she ultimately finds out, she’ll be furious with me if I keep it from her.
“I was, well, unconscious for a decent part of yesterday and didn’t know you called,” I say sheepishly, while trying to make light of the situation.
“What?” The sharpness in her voice snaps through the line. “Explain. Now.”
I glance at the door separating me from Theo, drawing strength from his proximity before I answer, my words coming out rapid fire once they start. “Orix kidnapped me the day you headed home, and I was in the shadow realm with him for over twelve hours before Theo rescued me, but by the time he got to me, I was in a bad way. Elyn fixed me up, and after a couple days, I woke up, accepted my bond with Theo, and everything’s on its way to being okay again. So, nothing to worry about here.”
Asher groans in the background as Isla snaps at him. “I told you we should’ve gone back. Leaving her alone was a mistake. Get the ship ready to sail again.”
“Don’t you dare put yourself at risk,” I tell her with more authority. “By the time you get here, this will likely already be over. Plus, we have plenty of help. Queen Sloane showed up today and according to Theo, when Aurora made her brief appearance, she gifted Elyn with so much energy that the elder wolf looks like she’s in her thirties, instead of on her deathbed.”
Asher mutters, “That goddess shouldn’t be messing with our wolves,” but that seems to be the least of Isla’s worries.
“You were kidnapped, and nobody called me?” Her snarls echo through the phone so loudly that Theo must hear because he’s at my side by the time she finishes her next sentence. “I’m your sister and the queen of Polaris. How dare they keep this from me? I’m going to be there in two days, and when I arrive, I expect?—”
Theo takes the phone from me. “I owe you an apology, Isla. I meant no disrespect. I was so out of my mind with fury that I wasn’t thinking clearly. Then, when I got her back and she didn’t wake right away, I was scared to leave her side for any reason. I should’ve asked someone else to notify you. There’s no excuse, but it wasn’t the least bit intentional.”
I listen carefully for Isla’s response, but it seems my mate has rendered her speechless, which isn’t something that happens very often and has me grinning.
“What’s most important,” I say, “is that Theo did bring me home, I’m okay, and at some point today, we’re going to be officially bonded.”
This isn’t something I’ve actually discussed with Theo yet, and the shock on his face makes me laugh, which only gets louder as my sister stumbles over her words.
“You’re…the two of you…how did this…what now?”
“If it makes you feel better, Theo didn’t know until just now either.” I reach for him, holding his hand tightly as I speak to my sister. “Everything is clear now. I know being kidnapped by an insane god shouldn’t be a good thing, but I can feel the bond with Theo, and I know what I want now. What I’ll always want, and that’s him.”
I’m saying the words to him as much as to Isla. I need them both to know that I’m all in and there are no doubts in my mind any longer. This is where I was always supposed to be. Where I’ll stay.
Asher cuts in. “What your sister means to say is that she’s happy for you and wishes we could be there, but we understand your urgency and know that everything’s going to be perfect for the two of you.”
“Yeah, that,” Isla adds with a bit more enthusiasm. Though she doesn’t let us completely off the hook. “But I’m still pissed, and I expect a two- week visit from the two of you when this mess with Orix is dealt with.”
“Consider it done,” Theo says, still keeping his bright stare on me. “Have the threats there been dealt with?”
Isla sighs heavily. “I think so. We have a lead on who might’ve sent the notes. If we’re right, there’s nothing to worry about, but we’re being cautious until we’re sure.”
I want to ask more, but Theo cuts in again. “Great. We’re going to get bonded now. Estee will call you tomorrow. Or in a few days, if I have my way.”
“Seriously? I still have questions, like?—”
Theo hangs up, and I shake my head, my heart never happier. “She’s going to kill you for that.”
“She’ll have to get through you first.” He throws me over his shoulder, heading for the door. “Cecil is making preparations. He’ll get Sloane to perform the blessing, since we need an alpha and I can’t do it myself. We’ll be bonded within the next half hour.”
My light-hearted laughter echoes through the room as I dangle upside down. “Are you afraid I’ll change my mind?”
The air whooshes out of my lungs as I’m jerked back to my feet, suddenly standing in front of Theo. “Am I rushing you? The way you looked at me and what you said… I thought…”
I reach up, holding his face securely between my palms. “This is exactly what I want. Me and you, now and forever. Let’s do this.”
“Oh, thank gods.” This time he grabs my hand, and we exit the suite together, practically running through the castle to get back downstairs. I’m not sure where we’re going, and I don’t bother to ask.
Theo not only has my heart already, but he has my trust. Whatever happens next, it doesn’t matter as long as we’re together.