Page 8

Cedric Raine

It was Harriet who had pointed out to me that Leanna had not once shifted and gone for a run since she came to the North. Harriet had suggested that perhaps my mate was shy. I had already been planning to show Leanna this beach and have her go for a run here, but I hadn’t realized that the reason behind her unwillingness to shift was because she had never been allowed to before.

I’m starting to wonder what grudge Princess Vivian could possibly have had against Leanna. My mate is well read, highly educated, and she knows how to carry herself. If she was being groomed to be the princess’s shadow, she had to be perfect in that role. Shadows are not unheard of in the wolf kingdoms, but they are usually concealed, to be used in times of danger. From what I understand, Leanna’s existence was known to everyone in that palace.

I’ve spent some amount of time in the same room as Princess Vivian, even if we didn’t interact, and I can see a stark difference between them. Leanna is graceful and quiet. She carries herself with an elegance that is admirable and regal. Vivian was haughty. She liked male attention, and she wasn’t shy about it. She had a cruel streak that I often witnessed, but Leanna treats the castle staff gently. Even though she doesn’t trust them, she doesn’t lash out at them.

It has only been a few weeks, but she has managed to win the hearts of not only the workers in the castle but also in the nearby villages. She has increased jobs and created trends among the nobles of using the local craftspeople. I don’t know if she realizes how much she has accomplished. She’s keeping her head down and working diligently, almost as if she has something to prove. I always thought I was a workaholic, but Leanna seems determined to outdo me.

When my mother was queen, she would go with my father to the outskirts of the kingdom to battle the monsters. She was one of the strongest warriors in the North, and her presence was required at the Veil. As a result, she had less time to manage the inner workings of the castle, but she tried. My father never cared if she was able to manage the castle or the kingdom. Together, they worked it out. But what Leanna is doing is different.

She can’t fight on the border, but the work she’s doing within the kingdom is no less impactful. She’s introducing changes that I never once thought of. While the Northern Wolf Kingdom is rich in gems and gold, it is also poor. The lack of fertile land has villages living in poverty. I don’t have time to oversee them all. But within just a couple of weeks, my queen has managed to do what Bella was never able to. If she cannot visit a village personally, she sends people there. She’s gathering reports, trying to come up with solutions, setting up financing for those who wish to start their own businesses.

I heard from Rothan that she asked for certain items from the Human Wolf Kingdom, books on certain trades that don’t exist within our kingdom. I don’t know what she’s planning, but Rothan seems quite impressed.

I doubt Princess Vivian would have put in the same amount of effort as this woman.

Maybe it wasn’t the worst thing to have brought her here instead of the princess.

I watch the change wash over her, and when her wolf stands before me, I can’t help but stare at her. Leanna may be identical to Vivian in her human form, but her wolf form can’t be more different. She has a ring of white fur around her neck and on the edge of her tail. It’s a very unique look. I’ve never met a wolf who has two different colors.

I see the apprehension in her eyes when I approach her, and when I run my hand over her head, her eyes flutter shut, and she leans into it.

“Stunning,” I breathe out, in awe of her magnificent animal.

She rumbles, a hint of pride in the sound. She then turns around as if wanting me to see her tail. In our wolf forms, it is our beasts that are in control. Leanna’s quiet personality has taken a back seat; her wolf wants to preen and show off how pretty she is.

Amusement fills me.

I run my fingers through her fur, marveling at how exquisite her wolf is. She rubs against me before taking off at a sprint along the shore. When she glances over her shoulder at me, almost coyly, I bare my teeth in a grin.

Bursting into a run, I shed my human skin, transforming into my wolf and chasing her. I nip at her ankles briefly, and she howls happily before trying to outrun me. I’ve never seen her have so much fun before, and while I don’t care, I also do. Refusing to examine these confused feelings, I wrestle her to the ground, playfully biting her neck and then her tail. She snaps her teeth at me in an unexpected move, and I’m impressed.

Wriggling out from under me, she keeps running, and I have no choice but to chase her down again. My wolf is enjoying itself, and so am I. I don’t remember the last time I was this carefree.

While I do participate in pack runs, I’ve never played more than a cursory role. At the end of the day, I am the alpha and the king. I have an image to maintain. But around this woman, who is my mate, do I really have to maintain anything? I catch her once more and tumble with her to the ground before aggressively grooming her. She lies still under me, letting me do as I please, before suddenly biting my leg and darting out from under me again.

We play like this for a while till Leanna finally begins to slow down. I realize that she’s tired now. She doesn’t want to stop, however, so it’s my job to make sure she does. Snapping at her, I block her path. She takes a few steps backward, unwilling to change back to her human form. When I snap my teeth at her again in warning, she gives me an irate look before sinking to the ground.

I’m the first one to shift back. “That’s enough,” I tell her. “We need to go back to the castle.”

Huffing, she closes her eyes, and I watch her shift back into her human form. As she finishes, she stumbles forward, and I catch her in my arms.

“I—” She struggles to say something, but then she passes out. I’m not surprised. If she has never taken part in pack runs before, it makes sense that she would not be accustomed to holding her wolf form for such a long period of time.

I hold her still form in my arms, gazing down at her relaxed features.

Her breathing is steady. She passed out due to exhaustion, that’s all.

Harriet is waiting for us when we return, and she smiles when she sees us. “Did she have a good time?”

I shrug. “She seemed happy enough.”

“Good,” she says decisively. “She complements you, Your Majesty.”

She takes the sleeping woman from me as I frown. “What do you mean?”

“While you are cold and rational, she is understanding and gentle. She softens your rough edges.”

“I don’t need anybody to soften me up.” I bristle, and the older woman chuckles.

“Of course you don’t, but she is your perfect match. I’m glad you brought her here. And I know I’m not the only one who feels that way.”

I look at the motionless person in her arms, and I hesitate. Is this tiny slip of a woman really changing me? And more importantly, do I want her to? I don’t think I’m acting any differently than normal, but maybe I should be more cautious around her.

“How is she eating these days?”

Harriet beams, setting down my mate on the bed. “She’s doing much better. The healer is seeing remarkable progress. It seems like she wants to get well now, so her body is going along with it. It’s amazing how the mind assists the healing process. Perhaps it’s got something to do with your growing relationship with her.”

I scowl. “There’s nothing going on between us.”

Harriet disagrees. “You’re fated mates. Of course there’s something going on between you. There’s no need to deny it.”

“When did you get so talkative?” I growl, and she raises a brow.

“I can leave if it’s a problem.”

Shaking my head, I mutter, “That’s not what I meant. Anyway, you say she’s eating better now?”

“We’ve introduced some fatty foods, and she’s able to keep them down. Healer Pat told me to let you know that if you wish to try for a child, she will be able to conceive.”

“And her body? Will it be able to withstand the strain?”

A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have cared about how her body would handle the effort of carrying a child. But now, after seeing how fragile she truly is, I don’t know if putting her through that stress is a good idea.

“If she conceives, then she will have to monitored and cared for, but Healer Pat believes it should be safe enough with the right amount of vigilance.” She hesitates. “The elders are being vocal about this and called to ask him. That is why he told me.”

A snarl builds up within me.

The pack elders are the heads of the noble families. My father always kept them at bay, but ever since I came to power, they have become more interfering, especially during my constant absences when I’m fighting at the Veil. The only reason they did not protest my bringing in Princess Vivian as queen was because she was of royal blood. They want to preserve the sanctity of the royal and noble bloodlines. I understand the importance since my parents also believed in it. That is why I have not revealed Leanna’s true identity to them.

If they find out that she is not of royal blood, they will call for an immediate dissolution of the marriage. While I can prevent that because she is my fated mate, it doesn’t change the fact that any child she bears will not be a pureblood. I have to admit that this thought does bother me, but it was my decision to bring her in for political purposes, and I can’t hold that against her.

There are only a scant few individuals who are aware of Leanna’s true identity. I plan to keep it that way.

“I have not decided whether I want to have a child with her yet.”

I know I told Leanna differently, but seeing how she passed out after holding her wolf form for more than an hour gave me pause. It would be better to wait till she’s healthier. I don’t trust that Healer Pat’s words are not influenced by pressure from the elders.

Leanna stirs, and Harriet moves toward her. “She will want to change her clothes.”

“Leave her be. She’s tired. You can retire for the night, Harriet.”

Harriet leaves, and I strip off my shirt before climbing into bed. Gathering Leanna’s small form in my arms, I curl around her. As I sink into sleep, I feel her body jerk. When I open my eyes, she’s still asleep, her breathing deep.

Maybe I just imagined it.

I allow myself to drift off, my wolf content.

The first report about the surge of monster attacks on the villages near the Veil lands on my desk two days later. I dispatch a squadron of my soldiers to assist the two units that are already stationed around the Veil.

The second report arrives three days later. Derrick paces in front of me as I read the hastily written report. “We had it under control. I think we will have to go ourselves, Cedric.”

I frown. “This isn’t a typical time of the year for attacks to increase. It’s still winter. Considering the extreme temperatures around the Veil, the monsters should be in hibernation. Why are they getting worked up?”

Edgar shoots me a sharp look. “You think somebody crossed the Veil?”

“It could be a reason why they’ve ventured out of hiding,” I muse, my brows knitted together. When the Veil is crossed, it draws out the monsters that are affected. That’s why the Northern Wolf Kingdom is in charge of monitoring who crosses the Veil and when.

“But nobody saw any movement within it,” Rothan points out.

“The Veil is vast and covers a large amount of territory. Part of it is in the Misty Forest. Even our kind doesn’t venture in there,” I say thoughtfully. “We have no one guarding the Veil in that area.”

“But that’s because nobody has ever been able to exit the Misty Forest,” Edgar responds.

“What about the rebels in the Eastern Kingdom?” Derrick stops pacing and turns to face me, and I set down the report in my hand.

We share a quiet look. There’s not much information about the individuals who murdered our families. Now that we have seized some control over the Eastern Wolf Kingdom, we have begun our preliminary investigations into the assassinations. The previous king, Vivian’s father, refused to look into the matter. After nearly two decades now, it’s hard to find much information.

About half a century ago, various factions rose within the Northern and Eastern Wolf Kingdoms, attempting to overthrow the monarchies. The people initially sided with them till they realized how important the existence of the royal families is. Royal bloodlines are stronger than any other, which means we are able to control and manage the ruthlessness within the wolf packs. When the monarchy was on the verge of being displaced, the other wolf packs realized that they were being used, and they turned on the rebels. While the Northern Wolf Kingdom was able to squash the rebellion entirely, the Eastern one was not so fortunate.

They were unsuccessful in completely wiping out the rebels, and they refused to accept help from the Northern Kingdom. As a result, a few factions still exist in the East. It was one of those rebel groups that attacked my mother and father. My parents’ bodies were discovered two months after their kidnapping. “Mutilated” is a kind word to use to describe the state they were in.

I know my parents were horribly tortured for those two months, and that fact continues to eat at me to this day. They were the strongest people I knew, warriors of incredible strength. I still don’t understand how they could have been captured.

Lately, there has been extra activity within the Veil, which leads me to consider Derrick’s theory. What if the rebels have managed to enter the North and are using the Misty Forest to access the Veil and go to the human side? There will be fewer checks and balances on them within that world. If this is what is happening, we will have to increase security around the Misty Forest.

I get to my feet. “Derrick, you take your squadron and head to the Veil by the Misty Forest. If there has been no change, send word, and I’ll come to deal with this myself.”

My friend nods, but as everyone else piles out of the room, he lingers behind.

“What is it?” I ask him, seeing the troubled look in his eyes.

“Bella.”

I sigh in irritation. “Not this again. I’m not reinstating her, Derrick. Your feelings for her aside, what she did—”

“I understand that.” Derrick gestures with his hands in a pacifying manner. “She crossed the line. I’ll be the first to acknowledge it.”

“Did she send you here to talk to me?” I demand, and he shakes his head.

“You know she has too much pride to do that. But she’s been upset, Cedric, and rightfully so. You know how loyal she is to you. I don’t think it’s fair to punish her like this. At least don’t humiliate her. Everyone, even the noble families, knows that you removed her from her position and took away all her privileges because of the queen. She has been a good friend to you. She managed the castle when you were not here. You trust her. So she’s arrogant. We all know that. She knows she messed up.”

“She still doesn’t accept Leanna as queen,” I say darkly.

“Can you blame her?” Derrick argues. “Consider the family she’s from. They are some of the most extreme supporters of maintaining pure blood within the royal line.”

I consider his words. The Ashers were one of the two noble families that fought alongside the royal family during the attack of the rebels. They were determined to preserve the royal bloodline and are some of the most loyal members of the kingdom.

“I’ll talk to her,” I finally relent. “But Leanna is the queen. If Bella refuses to acknowledge her, it is going to cause issues among the elders. I cannot have that.”

“I know. I’ve had a discussion with her. She’s going to try to overlook her bias. Even she can’t deny how much work Leanna is putting into the kingdom. Just talk to her, please. I’ve never seen her this upset.”

He leaves after saying that, and I ponder his words. Even as a child, Bella was proud to a fault. She was never one to admit her mistakes and always wanted everybody else around her to placate her. We all grew out of doing that except for Derrick, mostly because of how infatuated he has been with her.

I don’t want to talk to Bella. We’re not kids anymore, and this sort of behavior has no place in the castle, given our statuses. However, I can’t deny Derrick’s words. She has been very loyal to me.

I get to my feet. I’ll give her one last chance.

Finding Bella isn’t hard because she’s always cooped up in her office. When I enter the room, she’s sitting hunched in her armchair, a book in her hands and a scowl on her face. Her hair looks disheveled, as if she hasn’t combed it for a few days. There’s also a certain smell in the room that has me reluctant to go inside any further than I have to.

“When was the last time you cleaned this place?”

She looks up from her book, and I see the surprise in her eyes. “Cedric.”

She gets to her feet as I say, “I’m here because of Derrick.” I tell her this to make sure I prevent any ideas in her head that she has gotten her way. “He pointed out that you have been loyal to me for a long time.”

“Some reward I get for that loyalty.” She crosses her arms over her chest.

“Don’t even try it, Bella,” I say harshly. “We aren’t children. Throwing a temper tantrum is not going to work in your favor.”

Her face flushes with anger, but she falls silent.

“I’m not going to reinstate you,” I inform her. “Understand that much. You clearly don’t respect Leanna, and I can’t have anybody picking up on that. If the elders realize that I’m letting one of my most trusted people mistreat the queen, it will cause a problem for me.”

“It was just a prank!”

I give her a long look. “It was not a prank. We both know that you intended to humiliate her, and you succeeded to quite an extent. What would’ve happened if I had not stepped in? How much further would you have gone to harass her? You let the maids mock her. She trusts no one in the castle because of your stunt. Even when the staff wants to cater to her, she declines. How am I supposed to handle that? She is the queen, a queen who doesn’t trust the people around her.”

“She’s not of pure blood—”

“That doesn’t matter!” I roar. “The real Princess Vivian is dead. The whole purpose of marrying Leanna was so that we could control the East. Princess Vivian was a symbol of the Eastern Kingdom. As long as they think she’s in the North, they will not retaliate against us. This is our only chance to crush the remaining rebel factions. Your pride is destroying our chances. That is why I do not want you in that position anymore.”

She snaps her mouth shut. “Fine. But if I’m not the royal advisor, then what am I?”

“I will be putting you in a new position. I might be leaving for the border soon, and you will be my delegate. You will not be able to interfere in the queen’s matters, but you will deal with the elders in my absence. Leanna is going to be managing the castle and doing her normal duties. You will be handling my commands from the border. I will explain it to her before I leave.”

“What about Rothan?”

Rothan is usually the one I leave behind in the position of delegate. “He’ll continue serving as royal advisor to Leanna.”

“When did you stop calling her Vivian?” Bella asks after a beat.

I pause, suddenly realizing what I have been doing. If anyone were to overhear me—

“Don’t worry about that. Do you understand your new role?” A smile stretches across Bella’s lips before I give her a stern warning. “None of your decisions will impact Leanna. You are only to coordinate with the elders and me. If I find out that you are trying to interfere in the queen’s matters, I will remove you from the castle permanently. That will be the end of our friendship.”

She nods, solemn now. “I understand.”

I hope she does, I muse to myself as I exit her office. But just in case, I plan to have Rothan keep an eye on her.

Because my trust has already been broken once. And Bella isn’t one to give up easily.