Chapter 8 Stark #2
Her disheveled, shocked appearance is delightful. “You casually suggested killing his mate’s rider. He does not approve.”
If possible, her brows shoot even higher and her jaw drops open, just for a moment. Then she shuts her mouth, shakes her shoulders, and stands up straight again.
“My apologies, Cratos,” she says directly to my wolf. “I wasn’t aware, and I will change strategies. Your mate will not be harmed.”
Cratos gently gets off Genicos, who quickly butts him in the head and snarls, then retreats to the far side of the room. Still, I scoff.
Change strategies. Because that’s all she sees Meryn as: a strategy.
Heat creeps up my neck. I know only too well what happens to those Siegrid sees as a tool instead of as a person. After all, I’m her most carefully craftly instrument.
I might be worried about my own influence on Meryn, but the Sovereign Alpha would be so much worse.
Siegrid slides smoothly back down into her chair, and I right mine, sitting as well. “So Cratos is mated to Meryn’s direwolf, hmm? How interesting that you’ve neglected to tell me that piece of information.”
Cratos lies down at my side, his eyes still fixed on Siegrid as if waiting for another threat. Clearly, this is more important to him right now than guarding Saela, and I don’t blame him.
“Grigore,” I think, reaching out to my packmate. “Cratos had to leave his post, please get back on guard in front of the queen’s chambers immediately.”
Then I run a hand down Cratos’s back, trying to calm him. “Forgive me for thinking that the woman bonded to Cratos’s mate deserved to learn of it before anyone else. Since when have you taken an interest in my life, anyway?”
Siegrid’s face twists in a scowl, and for a second, it’s like looking in a mirror, which just makes me more on edge.
“You know this is bigger than just you,” she snipes. “She’s the queen, Stark. Were you aware that historically, the wolves of Sturmfrost Queens have always had mates? And that the riders are typically involved with each other?”
A chill runs through me. “No, I was not aware of that, since you keep so much information to yourself, Sovereign Alpha.”
She doesn’t blink at my harsh tone. “This is an excellent development. You should woo her.”
“I agree,” Cratos says.
My stomach bottoms out. The last thing I need is to spend more time in close proximity with Meryn.
“Like fuck I will,” I growl. “Are you out of your mind?”
Siegrid lifts a shoulder casually, as if making a suggestion for a paint color and not a romantic partner.
“Why not? Your wolves are mated. You have an infamous reputation for your escapades at the front, so I’m well aware that you are not otherwise engaged.
She’s powerful and relatively attractive. You could do worse.”
Meryn’s long, toned legs exposed to me in the moonlight. The full shape of her breasts under that nightgown. Her pert mouth that spews tart words but looks like it would taste so sweet.
Unfortunately, there’s nothing fucking relative about Meryn’s looks.
“You know, you would probably get to see her naked,” Cratos helpfully chimes in.
“One more word out of you and I’ll have you kenneled,” I toss back.
As attractive as the queen is, it’s a line I’m never going to cross.
What happened in the arena with her killing those Bonded… I caused that. I saw the moment she debated whether to use her powers, and the chaos inside me spoke up, egging her on, encouraging her.
When she took those lives, a dark thrill lit my veins—so much raw, unvarnished power. She should have every man groveling at her feet.
Our country needs her to be a steady leader, and I’d only corrupt her. The depraved parts of me long for it.
Siegrid just folds her hands onto her lap and frowns at me like I’m being the unreasonable one. “It makes good sense, and it would bring our family that much closer to control.”
And there’s that reminder again: Everything is about control with Siegrid.
I might be a bad influence on Meryn, but I need to keep Siegrid away from her at all costs. I’m a living record of the damage the Sovereign Alpha can wreak on a person in the name of seeking and retaining power. If she lays so much as a finger on the queen…
I stand abruptly and walk away, pacing throughout the room. If my body stops moving for even one moment, I’m going to punch the self-satisfied look off this woman’s face, and I really don’t think I should hit the person who birthed me.
“First of all,” I grit out as I pace, “I am not interested in wooing her. She’s made it very clear that she dislikes me, and I can assure you it’s mutual. She drives me mad, and spending more time than strictly necessary in her presence sounds like torture.”
“You don’t have to like someone to be with them,” Siegrid retorts. Unbelievable.
“Second,” I continue loudly, “even if I was interested, you are talking about a woman who had her heart savagely torn out mere days ago. She’s an absolute wreck.”
Siegrid sniffs. “Hearts heal. She will eventually have to marry. Do you want to suffer through your wolves’ mate bond while she marries someone else? The queen’s future marriage is a state matter. Whether or not you’re interested, our family will help her make those decisions.”
I say nothing, too livid to speak.
“Just continue to think about it, that’s all I ask, Alpha Stark.” She manages to make the title sound like an insult; her voice is sharp as a knife, but she can’t quite pierce me, not after all these years of building up my armor.
I can’t do this fucking dance with her anymore tonight. Looking at Cratos, I say, “Time for us to get back on guard duty.”
He stands, baring his teeth once more at Siegrid in a snarl. Then he whips his tail at her as he turns, slapping her in the leg, and saunters out the half-splintered door.
“By the way,” I say, pausing in the doorframe and looking casually over my shoulder at the Sovereign Alpha.
“Meryn’s sister has been turned into a Siphon.
The queen is keeping Saela in her chambers, and if you so much as cast either of them an untoward look, I’ll remove those scheming eyes from your head. ”
I slam what remains of her door behind me as I leave.