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“She’s human,” I bite out. “She doesn’t feel the tug of the bond, not like we do.”

“How do you know she doesn’t feel it?” Cedric demands. “Have you asked her?”

“I—” My mouth snaps shut as I stare at him. “Of course not.”

“Then you don’t know that she doesn’t feel it.”

Erik rolls his eyes. “What Cedric is trying to say is that she might feel the tug of the bond but not understand it.”

Cedric grunts, and Erik meets my gaze.

“You need to tell her,” he says to me. “Before the full moon, Griffin. You know what could happen if—”

“I’m aware of the implications,” I cut him off sharply.

Cedric moves to stand directly across from me, placing his palms flat on the table and leaning forward. “A human fated mate,” he says, shaking his head slightly. “The Goddess has a sense of humor, it seems.”

“Maya is more than just a human,” I say, unable to keep the edge from my voice. “She has proven herself a dozen times over. She’s braver than most wolves I know.”

“I’m not questioning her worth,” Cedric replies, his tone even. “I’m simply stating facts. If you intend to claim her officially, you’d better prepare for a fight. The elders of your kingdom aren’t known for their progressive views on human-wolf relations. And the other kingdoms will see it as a weakness they can exploit.”

“I’m well aware of the political ramifications,” I say stiffly.

“Are you?” Cedric straightens to his full height. “Because from where I stand, you’re making decisions based on instinct rather than strategy.”

Each accusation lands like a physical blow, but I keep my expression neutral. “It has only been a day since our return. I’m not going to overwhelm her with things she doesn’t understand. Maya has been through enough. She doesn’t need the additional pressure of knowing she’s fated to a wolf king, especially when she’s still recovering from being in captivity.” I look between them. “She needs time.”

“Time is a luxury you don’t have,” Erik points out. “The full moon—”

“Is in over two weeks. There is plenty of time.” My voice is severe. “I don’t want you or anyone else interfering in this. I may have been in captivity for the past ten years, but that doesn’t mean I have been robbed of my comprehension skills. I am still the king, even if I don’t wear the crown at the moment.”

Erik arches a brow. “I’m not talking to you in the capacity of our political roles, Griffin. I’m speaking as your brother. She should know.”

“Know what?”

Maya’s voice from the doorway startles all three of us.

I get to my feet, turning to face her. She stands with one hand on the door frame, her expression caught between curiosity and suspicion. Leanna is just behind her, looking uncomfortable in a way that suggests she knows exactly what conversation they’ve interrupted.

For a moment, silence fills the room. I search for words, acutely aware of Erik and Cedric watching me with expectation, waiting to see if I’ll tell her the truth about our bond.

Before I can speak, Cedric clears his throat.

“We should be going,” he announces abruptly, nodding to Leanna. “Your friend is alive, and you’ve confirmed it. We will return at a later date.”

Leanna narrows her eyes slightly at her mate, clearly reluctant to leave. “Or we could stay and—”

“Alexander is awaiting our return. He is too young to be left alone.”

Leanna hesitates at the mention of the young king of the Eastern Kingdom, the orphaned child the Northern royal couple is helping raise.

“Fine.” She sighs.

Erik gives me a pointed look that says our conversation isn’t over before saying, “I have to go, too.”

The three of them file past Maya, who steps aside to let them through the door, her eyes never leaving my face. Leanna squeezes her arm as she passes, a gesture of support that only intensifies the knot of guilt in my stomach.

When the door closes behind them, Maya steps fully into the room. “Well?” she asks, crossing her arms. “What should I know, Griffin?”