Page 98 of Contested Crown

Tabitha finished her beer, standing to put the empty bottle in a small trash can just inside the door. She turned her wrist, checking her watch.

“They’re probably in session. This way.”

She held open the tent flap, and Cade pushed himself to standing. I caught his elbow when his feet stumbled unevenly. He looked at me, lips pursed.

I released him, tilting my head and grinning. He shook his head, unable to find amusement in the situation. He stepped out first, then let Tabitha take the lead. I walked side by side with her, Cade a few steps behind.

“You decided to become a consort in order to get away from Declan?” she asked, voice low enough that just the two of us could hear it.

I looked away, studying how two dryads had twisted together, their trunks interlocking. Strangely, that was exactly what had happened, but I didn’t want to admit it.

“I’m not a consort.”Yet. “Cade and I have a complicated relationship. It turns out that his enemies are also my enemies.”

“And the magic?” She looked down at my chest, although she couldn’t see anything through the sweatshirt.

“It’s complicated. I’m not collared.” I said the last almost defensively, feeling like I was talking to my mother, having to defend my new boyfriend against her scrutiny.

“Okay. You’re a strong alpha. I know you’ll make the right decisions.” She raised an eyebrow. “Right?”

“Yes,” I said. “I want to make things better for all of us.”

She nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing on my face. I didn’t want to ask what she saw, but her brows drew together, cloudy with some emotion.

Shaking her head, she led us into a circle of trees. A massive, multi-trunked tree sat in the center. Its roots lifted out of the ground, providing seating for the variety of creatures around it.

“Council, I come to request an audience,” Tabitha said.

“Werewolf.” A group of fairies flew together, moving in intricate patterns in the air. It was impossible to know which of them had spoken. “We will not talk to you. We will only talk to the head of your kind, as we are the head of ours. And you have said you are not alpha of any pack, much less alpha ofallthe packs in Los Santos.”

A massive piece of rock moved, turning its head. I blinked. It was a gargoyle. One stone eye fixed on Tabitha. “Leave.”

My heart was beating fast in my chest, and I fumbled in my pocket, pulling out the ring and putting it on my finger.

“She is not the leader of her kind. I am. I claim the mantle of Emperor Wolf, and I would speak to you, council.”

ChapterThirty-Two

Silence answered my claim, and I found myself being regarded by the creatures in front of me. The buzzing swarm of fairies, swirling like glittery bees, turned toward Tabitha, spiraling in and out of formation.

“Is this true, Alpha? Is he your Emperor Wolf? Does he speak for all of your kind?” Their voices echoed on top of each other. When they spoke, it was like listening to a hundred voices at once.

Tabitha gave me a long, searching look, her eyes dropping to where I presented the signet ring for examination.

“He bears the ring,” she said.

“That is not an answer,” the gargoyle said. Dust drifted down as he shook his mane. “Is he recognized as Emperor Wolf?”

“I am prince of House Bartlett, and I recognize him as the Emperor Wolf.” Cade’s chin went up, his voice crisp and clear.

“Prince Bartlett.” The voice seemed to come from everywhere before a pair of eyes opened on the tree, the face coming into stark clarity as a mouth formed. “The elder dryad of your forest says that you have been displaced, that you do not represent your house anymore.”

“The elder of my forest will verify that I am honorable. My position in my own house is not up for question, simply whether or not Miles is Emperor Wolf.” Cade looked at me, something in his gaze clear and sharp. “I recognize him as Emperor Wolf.”

“Prince of House Bartlett,” Tabitha murmured. Her eyes cut to me, and she raised a single brow in question.

I tipped my head. Whatever complicated history Cade had with wolves, we had mostly worked through it.

“There is a threat to my kind, and Tabitha said the same threat might be hurting yours.” I looked around the circle.