Chapter 65: 66: A Werewolf Matter

ARIEL

I’m fuming.

Natalia has been caught sneaking into the dungeons to see Xavier. After I’ve given her the benefit of the doubt, she’s betrayed my trust.

It would be one thing if she just wanted to see her ex-mate—but he’s mine too. And he’s proven to be the most dangerous criminal in the kingdom.

Natalia’s treachery almost makes me regret sparing Xavier’s life.

~Ungrateful bitch.~

Alex and Dom are practically skipping to keep up with me as my anger propels me forward.

When we approach the palace, guards bow their heads in respect before opening the front gate. I return the gesture with a curt nod and enter the front hall.

“Where is she?” I say. “Where’s my sister?”

My head snaps around to see Alex and Dom trailing behind me through the doors.

“She’s waiting for you,” Dom says. “Upstairs.”

I’m seething when I reach Natalia, who, even after her betrayal, is waiting for us—unguarded—in the family’s quarters.

It takes everything in me not to claw the prim smile off her face when I see her.

Alex puts a hand on my arm and leans into my ear: “Perhaps I should start…”

Natalia’s eyes meet mine before flickering to Alex. “Your Majesty?”

“It’s a serious offense,” Alex says. “Xavier is—”

“How could you?” I say, breaking in. I can tell Alex was planning to be diplomatic, but I want him to take my side. “You’re here as our guest, Natalia.”

“I—” Natalia says.

“He’s dangerous. He’s the reason our family has had to seek refuge here in the first place.”

“It’s not like I was going to let him out,” she says. “I just wanted to see him…”

“See him? The kingdom’s most treacherous criminal?” I exhale, shaking my head. “Do you really have no remorse?”

“Remorse?” The word sounds foreign, coming from her lips.

I feel the heat rising to my cheeks. “We took you in when you had nowhere to turn—”

“Oh, aren’t you righteous? Ariel: the only person standing between me and the life of a rogue…”

I bristle at the sarcasm and glance at Alex. I want him to cut in and bring home the severity of disobeying Royal Pack law, but he just stands there.

“He’s family, too, Ariel,” Natalia says.

“He’s not ~my~ family.”

“He’s Xavi’s…” Natalia moves her gaze across the room to where my nephew is taking his afternoon nap, undisturbed by the dispute around him. “I don’t want him to grow up without a father.”

“You’d rather he have a criminal in his life?”

“Yes, actually. It’s better than losing his dad.”

I turn to look at Alex again and notice that Dianne has been hovering in the doorway.

Alex has that troubled look in his eyes, and I know he’s thinking about his own father. I’m disappointed that he won’t speak up.

Natalia knows what she’s doing. Fatherhood is Alex’s soft spot.

My sister looks triumphant. “So, if I want to see the father of my child—”

“Oh, shut up, dear.”

All eyes land on Dianne.

“Can’t you see?” she says. “Your sister is not just a luna—she’s the queen. If she says you can’t see Xavier, you can’t see Xavier.”

A rush of appreciation washes over me, and I smile at Dianne.

“It’s a wise decision. And Ariel’s right to make it. We don’t want Xavi taking after the wolf who landed us in this position, do we?”

“But, I—”

“But nothing. Obey your sister. That’s your role now.”

Natalia looks shocked. She takes a moment to close her mouth and compose herself.

I’m just as surprised.

~Dianne is taking MY side in an argument? Finally.~

VIVIAN

I tap on the ornate door of Ariel’s study. The guard seems to view me with disdain, giving me a reproachful look.

After a moment, he steps aside begrudgingly, and I pass.

I know that to be successful in my role here, I’m going to need the queen on my side. And I think I’ve found my opening.

“Your Majesty.”

Her yellow eyes meet mine. There’s an intensity just beneath the surface.

I can’t help but picture her wolf when I meet her gaze. I almost admire how the queen makes no effort to hide the animalistic side of her nature.

“Ambassador,” she says. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“I…”

She arches an eyebrow.

“I was actually hoping I could help…you. I heard about the incident with the prisoner, and I…” I’m speaking too quickly. “While I don’t personally have a sister—”

“No, thank you.”

“I just thought I could…”

“This is a ~werewolf~ matter.”

With nothing left to offer, I turn to retreat from the room.

I thought that a family dispute would be the perfect opportunity for me to offer my advice. I’m no stranger to familial friction.

But the way the queen dismissed the matter of her sister and the prisoner has me thinking I misjudged the nature of the problem altogether.

~A werewolf matter.~

~If only she knew the truth of my identity…~

I’ve kept that side of myself a secret my whole life, ashamed I have it in me. In school, I used to blush in History class whenever we covered human-werewolf conflicts—as if the only thing these races had in common was their fights.

Being a mix of both races, I initially thought I was perfect for the role of ambassador when President Cooper first assigned it to me. But being here is bringing up feelings I didn’t know I had.

I feel almost guilty for repressing my inner wolf. Almost envious of the carefree werewolves, shifting between forms openly and at will.

~Almost.~

My phone buzzes in my pocket.

~My dad will bring me back down to earth.~

Dad

You haven’t updated me all day.

Vivian

There’s not much to report…

Dad

You’re going to leave it at that?

Dad

You’re not exactly instilling confidence.

Vivian

Sorry

Vivian

I’ve been trying to approach the queen. Her sister decided to visit the prisoner, and there was an argument that followed

Dad

What happened?

Vivian

I tried to broach the subject, but I don’t think I’ve gained her trust yet

Dad

Damnit, Vivian! Are you wasting this opportunity?

Dad

You need to get closer to the queen.

Dad

Whatever she’s doing, offer to help. Insert yourself into her affairs. Make yourself indispensable.

Dad

You must gain their trust, above all.

Dad

That’s what you’re there for.

Dad

Don’t let me down again.

Dad

You should appreciate every opportunity you get.

Dad

After all, I didn’t throw you out when your mother left you.

Dad

I thought you might be of some use. Don’t prove me wrong.

ARIEL

Vivian barges into my study again. I’m not pleased to see her, but perhaps I was a little too dismissive before.

“Ambassador?”

“Your Majesty, I don’t know how I can best be of service to you, but I do want to help.”

“I thought I said I didn’t need it.”

“I’m offering my cooperation in whatever capacity you see fit. The truth is, I don’t think I can succeed without your support.”

I know she’s flattering me, but…I should hear her out, at least.

“Whatever your reservations about humans, you must agree this would be a good thing. Peace. For both our kinds.”

She has no idea what it would mean for me—to finally see the Hunters’ reign of terror come to an end. It sounds almost too good to be true.

I imagined the Hunters coming to justice so many times while they were torturing me.

I meet her eyes, trying to discern her true intentions. I smooth out my uncomfortable dress, knowing I look the part of queen more than I feel it. “Yes, it would be a very good thing.”

She smiles. “Can we work together then, Your Majesty?”

“It’s Ariel. And yes. We can try.”

~But I still have my eye on you…~

***

It’s the type of spring day perfect for training—sunny but with a breeze to cool you down as you run.

I walk through the Royal Pack grounds in search of the ideal location for the unification ceremony. But no particular spot calls out “treaty signing” to me.

Dianne pulls a shawl around her shoulders at the slightest gust of wind. On my other side, Maria gives her opinion to Vivian, who lags behind.

“It needs to be a location large enough for a tent, in case of rain. Somewhere with no history of violence between…”

I have difficulty concentrating on the task at hand. It’s not a difficult job, but it’s not exciting either.

I glance over at Vivian. I included her after she volunteered her assistance because I know, deep down, what she stands for is right.

I don’t want to spend my time choosing event locations. And I certainly don’t want to be doing it with a human. But I need to set a good example for my people.

If a treaty between humans and werewolves is going to work, then we should begin by getting along on a personal level.

~They’re not all Hunters, after all.~

I try to pay attention to the conversation as if I’m interested. Still, this isn’t how I pictured spending my time as luna and queen.

~I’m a glorified party planner.~

We hear voices—shouts and grunts—as we approach the training grounds. I have to consciously tell myself not to sigh as my eyes land on the squad.

“Ariel!” Steve says, nodding to the young recruits sparring in the ring. “Wanna take on the winner?”

I’m tempted to jump in the ring with my old squad, but Dianne shakes her head slightly. I feel like a child too old to play with her favorite toys.

I shake my head at the squad, hoping my smile reaches my eyes. “No thanks, Colonel. Keep up the good work, boys.”

I lead the women away from the training grounds before my wistfulness becomes obvious.

“This whole area is picturesque,” Vivian says to me. “How will you ever choose?”

She’s trying to be diplomatic. It’s not like I really care who picks the spot or what she thinks of the Royal Pack grounds.

“How about along the western border?” Maria says. “It’s already a sort of bridge between werewolf and human land.”

Dianne agrees, gushing over Maria’s “queenly expertise.”

We’re heading into the western side of the forest when I scent something unfamiliar—human.

For a second, I think a bad memory is making me paranoid, but Dianne and Maria stiffen too.

An eerie feeling ripples down my spine, like I’ve been in this position before.

So much time has passed since Lola lured us out to the woods to orchestrate a rogue attack, but the moment still feels raw.

A more potent whiff reaches my nostrils, jolting me out of my hesitation.

My warrior instincts kick into gear a little slower than usual.

I reach for the sword at my hip—but there is none. A luna doesn’t carry a weapon.

~Shit!~

I hear a rush of crackling leaves and turn on Vivian in suspicion. She’s the stranger among us.

But it’s too late.

A Hunter comes up behind her just as I turn.

He holds a knife against her throat. “You fucking traitor!”

I glance from side to side in panic as his cronies surround us.

One drops from a tree with a crossbow in hand. Two others emerge from a hunting blind several yards away.

~How did I not sense them sooner? Now they’ve ambushed us.~

As the blade grazes Vivian’s neck, the Hunter shouts: “Humans and werewolves will never be allies!”