14. Chapter Fourteen - Leigh
Wilder’s train pulls away with a metallic screech, and I stand on the platform alongside Alden, Ravi, their entourage, and my guards, watching it fade into the distance.
A sigh escapes my lips.
He’ll fix things, restore the power, and stop Stellan.
Wilder doesn’t know how to let me down.
I face my royal companion with crossed arms.
I can’t risk taking Alden to the palace for lunch with Janus and the Council—it would jeopardize the illusion of unity and strength.
Instead, I’ll discuss our borders with him elsewhere, away from Janus’s influence.
If Janus is colluding with Stellan, I don’t want her anywhere near Alden until he’s agreed to a peace treaty.
First, I need to know his terms.
Why is he here?
Why are his wolves encroaching on our territory if peace is his goal?
“So, what do you want, Alden?” I ask.
“Peace talks could happen over the phone. Why travel hundreds of miles in your brother’s place? You could have stayed with your father. Why didn’t King Simon send Zeus?”
Alden grins, towering over my five-foot-eight frame.
His scars tell the story of countless battles.
Being a Wolf Prince means earning respect through combat—his title alone isn’t enough.
His rugged handsomeness is undeniable, but not enough to sway me.
“You’d prefer Zeus’s company over mine?” he asks, feigning indignation.
“I was not born yesterday. You declined my invitation for my coronation. If you needed our resources, you could have asked then. Yet here you are, weeks later. So, why now?”
Alden steps closer.
“You know, your picture doesn’t capture your true beauty. The glowing skin, those soulful eyes that could bring any man to his knees, and a figure that begs for?—”
“That’s enough. Flirting will get you nowhere with me.”
“Then why are you blushing?”
“Don’t mistake my annoyance for interest,” I state.
Alden’s laugh is deep and rumbling.
“Fiery little thing.”
I force a smile.
“Seeing as you lack a filter—no doubt something all the half-wit girls back home enjoy—there will be rules while you stay under my roof. We aren’t going to hook up. We aren’t going to be friends. Together, we are establishing an alliance. Do I make myself clear?”
Alden inhales deeply, his nostrils flaring.
I stiffen.
“What are you doing?” I ask, but he gives nothing away.
“Your scent. Anger can be intoxicating,” Alden grumbles.
“I can tell a lot about someone’s smell: Age, rank, and breeding condition.” He takes another sniff, pupils widening.
“You enjoy sex. A lot. So, who will scratch that itch while your boyfriend’s away?”
“Not you,” I say through gritted teeth.
“It’s okay, Leigh. I enjoy playing with toys that aren’t mine.”
I step back to create distance.
“Unless you want to keep making an ass of yourself, tell your people to grab your things. We have places to be.”
“I am excited to see how Rowan Palace compares to Nocturn Castle,” Alden says casually as we leave the train platform.
“We aren’t going to the palace.”
Alden stops mid-stride.
“Was the luncheon with the Council canceled?”
The luncheon is still on.
Bennett will question Janus about the blackout.
My absence will anger the president, but she shouldn’t have vanished two nights ago with no explanation if she didn’t want scrutiny.
“I thought you might like to see the city first.”
“Are you keeping me from your Council, Leigh?” Alden sniffs my hair.
“Do I smell trouble?”
I smile, though my insides turn watery.
“The only trouble I have is with you and the company you surround yourself with.” My scowl lands on Ravi, who blinks.
Alden laughs.
“Ravi means you no harm, Leigh. He is here to help with your untrained abilities as a thank you for your hospitality.”
“What?” I ask.
“He’s a Lunar Witch—a talented one who happens to be your relative.”
“So he claims.”
Ravi must have shared the same story with Alden about his supposed ancestry to gain favor with the wolf royals.
If he thinks Alden has a chance to seize my throne, he could plot against him, manipulating both sides to ensure his own success, no matter the outcome.
“Remember my keen sense of smell? Trust me, Ravi is your cousin.” My breathing quickens.
“But don’t worry, he isn’t here to challenge your throne. I just want us all to be friends.”
“But why?” I ask, my voice hard.
“You have something I want.”
“Oil?” I ask.
Alden grins from ear to ear.
“That and other things. But we can hash those details out later.”
I wish I had Alden’s keen sense of smell to tell whether he is lying, but considering I invited him here to broker peace between us, rejecting his “gift” seems like a terrible way to start.
“Fine,” I grumble.
“I accept your gift.”
Ravi glares at the concrete, his brows furrowed.
His presence offers a chance to investigate his relationship with Alden.
“Excellent,” Alden says, and I lean away from his touch.
I can’t wait to shower.
“Now, may I make one request for our outing?” I nod, my stomach hardening in anticipation.
“I’d like to end the day at that vampire bar, the famous one.”
I falter.
“Little Death?”
“Yes, I’ve been dying to go. Pun absolutely intended.”
That’s the last thing I thought he’d say.
Werewolves and vampires don’t get along.
What is Alden’s angle here?
My hands find my hips.
“The vampires are Corona’s friends now. If you mess with them, you mess with me.”
Alden’s eyes darken at my tone, and his jaw tightens.
I straighten.
Shit, did I declare war without even trying?
But then his expression shifts, and he laughs it off like I’m some amusing child who doesn’t know any better.
“I have nothing against the vampires,” he says, his tone breezy.
Too breezy?
“Okay,” I say, unconvinced.
“I want to have a good time.”
If Alden’s at Little Death, he’ll be drinking.
“I’ll make the call.”
“Excellent.” Alden strides toward the lower platform escalator, then suddenly stops, patting his pockets.
“My moonstone!” he barks, dashing toward his train at a speed that could shame Borealis’ best athletes.
His guards quickly follow.
“Leave it!” I shout, but he’s already too far away.
We have metaphysical stores littered throughout the city.
“It belongs to Tanith,” Ravi murmurs behind me.
I whirl to face him.
“Tanith?”
His expression clouds over.
“Alden’s mate.”
“Alden has a mate?” I scoff.
“You expect me to believe that?”
Ravi glares at me.
“I’ve done nothing to warrant your distrust.”
I snort.
Right.
Other than sitting on my damn throne.
Just then, Alden reappears.
Ravi and I step apart.
“I have the perfect afternoon planned,” I say cheerfully to the prince.
“You’re not afraid of heights, are you?”