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I gesture to the chair where Cedric was standing. “It’s nothing of immediate concern. Just kingdom politics.” The lie tastes bitter on my tongue, but I tell myself it’s for her protection. She’s already dealing with so much.

Maya studies me for a long moment, clearly skeptical. “You know, for a king, you’re a terrible liar.”

The observation makes me smile despite myself. “Only with you, it seems.”

She moves to the chair, and we sit across from each other. “Must be important if everyone cleared out so quickly.”

“Cedric has never been one for lengthy discussions,” I deflect. “How are you feeling?”

Maya accepts the change of subject, though her eyes tell me she hasn’t forgotten the question I’ve avoided. “Fine. Sorry about last night. I thought I was dreaming when you showed up. I didn’t mean to manhandle you like that.”

A chuckle leaves my lips at the idea of this tiny little human manhandling me in any way. “I give you leave to manhandle me in any way you see fit.”

Her breath catches at my words, and I see the flicker of uncertain desire in her eyes, a flare of heat that has my wolf pacing within me.

She clears her throat. “Anyway, how are you settling back in? Must be strange.”

I shrug. “It is. But I’ll be fine.”

She sits on the edge of the chair, looking around. “So, you’re going to be king of all this once again. Must be…isolating.”

Her choice of word takes me by surprise. “Why do you say that?”

She shrugs. “You’ll be the king, in charge of everyone, above everyone. Standing alone is isolating. No equal.”

I blink at her slowly. “You’re the first person to say that. Normally, I am envied, or I used to be.”

She laughs now. “Being in charge of so many lives is not something I would envy.”

“You’re right,” I murmur, studying the flush to her skin, mentally making a note that I should have more fattening foods prepared by the chefs. “But it is what I was trained for since I was born.”

She smiles at me. “Well, once you reclaim the throne, you’re going to be the king, and I’m going to be just another human—”

“No, you won’t,” I say abruptly. “Not you. You will always be Maya to me.”

When she looks at me, there is a hint of sadness in her eyes, a heaviness that has no place there, and I find myself giving in. I should tell her the truth.

Once she knows that we are bound for life, she’ll be willing to open up to me more, but—

I stop myself.

The moment she finds out, everything will change for her. As my fated mate, she will have her share of responsibilities. Is she ready for them? Will she ever be?

I cannot bring myself to tell her about our bond, one that will force her into the limelight in front of the entire kingdom. I have a feeling she won’t like it.

I need to find a way to tell her that will make her amiable to this change.

As I see her smiling at me, I feel my heart sink.

The more I delay it, the more upset she’s going to be.

“Order.”Elder Thorne raps his knuckles against the ancient oak table. “We will maintain order in this council.”

It has been a week since I retuned, and my brother has been able to hold off the noble families the whole time. But not any longer.

The murmuring around the table subsides gradually. Seven faces turn toward me, each bearing the weight of centuries of noble lineage. The heads of the seven noble families have convened to discuss my return and what it means for the leadership of the Human Wolf Kingdom.

Elder Thorne, with his silver hair and piercing blue eyes, sits directly across from me. To his left is Elder Blackwood, her face a map of wrinkles that can’t hide her sharp intellect. Beside her sits Elder Monroe, whose perpetual scowl has intimidated generations of young wolves. The others—Elders Vane, Howlett, Lyall, and Nightshade—fill out the circle, each watching me with varying degrees of skepticism and curiosity.