Page 53 of Royal Bite

“Just remember he’s thinking of the good of the coven—”

“He’s thinking of himself,” Hegna grumbled. She pushed back from the desk, and this time she was officially done with calls. No more. She didn’t care who it was, she was not taking another wretched call. “No more calls—”

The hologram alerted her of another one. Hegna growled and reached for it, intent on tossing it out of the window.

“It’s your mother.” Corbin chuckled.

Hegna glanced at the window and saw it wasn’t open. The steel coverings were raised, allowing the moon’s rays to come in through the glass. Hegna may be the heir to the throne, but she wouldn’t dare not answer her mother’s call.

“Hello, Mother.” Hegna hit the button.

Her mother’s figure appeared. Corbin and Bijou stood and bowed to the queen. Hegna stood from her seat and reciprocated the motion. Her mother was dressed in a royal golden dress that flowed around her body. A purple belt was resting on her waist. Her blonde hair was drawn back away from her face. She was the epitome of a queen, and Hegna could never pull off a look as regal as her beautiful mother.

But Stormey could, a voice in the back of her head mentioned. Her human was beautiful and had a kind soul. An image of Stormey sitting on the throne beside her came to mind. She’d be stunning as queen consort. While Hegna would be dressed in her fighting leathers, her mate would be in the fanciest of dresses, with the most precious jewels adorning her, while they led the nation together.

“Hegna. Corbin. General.” Mira nodded to them, turning her attention to Hegna. She walked over to her, assessing Hegna. Her gaze paused on Hegna’s face. “When was the last time you fed?”

Corbin snorted.

“I doubt you are calling to check in on the last time I consumed a meal.” Hegna held her mother’s stare.

The queen sighed and shook her head. “You and your sisters are all the same. You have a mate, seal the bond with her.”

“Mother—”

“I don’t want to hear it. Lethia refused to bite her mate and drink from her, and look what happened to her when she fought that wretched alpha,” the queen snapped.

“I am stronger than my sister—”

“But no smarter,” Mira cut her off. Her hologram figure moved away and walked over to a window.

As the future queen, Hegna had been trained since birth on how to rule.

“Again, Mother. To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?” Hegna bit back a growl and rested her hands on her waist.

“In two days’ time, we will need to meet via hologram. Your sisters and your father and me. We need to share information that will help in the fight against the lycans.”

“I have information that I will give. Something I just found out today, but we will be getting more details.”

“Good.” Mira turned back to her. She went back over to Hegna and stopped in front of her. “I will be making a trip to Black Hollows soon to meet my future daughter-in-law.” The queen spun on her heels and took a few steps away. The call disconnected with her mother’s figure disappearing into thin air.

Hegna stood rooted in her spot, shocked.

“Am I not the heir to throne?” she wondered aloud. She glanced over at Bijou and Corbin and threw her hands up in the air. “Apparently, everyone can tell me what to do and what is best for me.”

“I’m not going to argue about the queen. She basically can tell all of us what to do.” Bijou chuckled.

Hegna ran a hand along her face and moved over to her desk. She leaned back against it, resting her bottom on it.

No one truly knew what it took to be warden or commander of an army but her sisters. The responsibility weighed heavy on all of their shoulders. Hegna was thankful she had people she trusted.

“I’ll start reaching out to the guard posts,” Bijou volunteered.

“Thank you, General.” Hegna paused at the sound of a knock at the door.

Corbin and Bijou shrugged at her questioning look. She wasn’t expecting anyone to step by while she met with her personal small council.

“Come in,” Hegna called out.