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“And reveal to the humans that there is a way to capture the strongest of our kind?” Cedric’s upper lip twists. “It is better to raid these human territories one by one.”

“So that the humans decide we are threat?” Erik sneers. “Ever heard of diplomacy?”

“Ever heard of stupidity?” Cedric shoots back.

“Enough,” I snap. “This is why my going on this expedition is important. I will be able to identify the markers so we can narrow down an area. Then, we attack in human form, masked, concealed. Until we are certain we are in the right place, we do not reveal who we are. We do not shift.”

Erik and Cedric exchange a look.

“That is a possible solution,” Cedric admits.

Erik nods.

“Good,” I say, grateful that I’ve managed to get the two of them to agree on something. “And Maya should be able to provide invaluable intelligence about what they have been producing in their labs—”

“Where were you last night?” Erik interrupts me, his tone deceptively casual.

I freeze momentarily, then reach for the glass of water in front of me. “In my room.”

“All night?” Erik raises an eyebrow.

I narrow my gaze at him. “What are you trying to—”

“You and Maya both smell like each other,” Cedric states bluntly. He turns from the window, his expression unreadable. “Not just a passing encounter. Hours of close proximity.”

Heat rises to my face—not from embarrassment but irritation at the intrusion. “I fail to see how that’s relevant to our strategic planning.”

Erik laughs, the sound sharp in the quiet room. “Oh, it’s relevant. Especially with the full moon coming up.”

I stiffen in my chair. “I can control myself.”

“Control yourself?” Cedric asks, moving away from the window to stand at the head of the table. His presence fills the room, the power of the Northern king unmistakable. “Why would you need to control yourself?”

“Because they’re fated mates,” Erik interjects.

I glower at my brother. “He doesn’t need to know that.”

“A human as a fated mate?” Cedric looks surprised. “Is that possible?”

Erik shrugs. “I’m sure it’s not an anomaly. But I do admit I am intrigued.”

“You support this?” Cedric studies him.

My brother’s expression grows tense. “Is there any reason I shouldn’t? If the kingdom was able to survive with a false king at its helm, it should be able to function just fine with a human as its true king’s fated mate.”

I feel a smug satisfaction at my brother’s unwavering loyalty.

Cedric shrugs. “Very well. The North stands with your kingdom as you stood with mine earlier this year. When do you plan to have the mating ceremony? I would prefer my mate to have had our child before she goes prancing about, but she is only six months pregnant.”

“Maya doesn’t know.”

“Know what?” Cedric blinks.

“About the fated mate bond.”

The silence that falls after my words is heavy.

“How does your mate not know that the two of you are fated?” Cedric gives me a look as if he’s reconsidering my intellect.