Pitch-black eyes find mine. “I’m going to be challenged soon, probably by my Second, Eliel. I’m hearing things.”
I nod. It’s the way of our people, but being challenged as the sitting king is a whole different ball game, to use one of the human sayings Thea, a new resident, recently taught me. “You’ve been challenged before. What makes this different?”
Marco’s eyes flash with irritation. “This pendejo has always had an eye on Lola. I’d fight to the death to not cede the crown to him, but, moons forbid, he wins, he’d force her into a bonded arrangement.”
I snarl. “I take it she doesn’t want that?”
Marco scoffs. “The only thing that girl wants is to play music. My Second is a raging asshole, but he’s good at his job, so I keep him close. I cannot have her end up as a political bargaining chip.” His fierce look softens. “Can I send her to you?”
My mouth drops open, but I zip it quickly.
“You’re the only one I trust, Richard,” he croons in that same convincing tone he used to get me in trouble when we were pups. He was the brains and I was the brawn, and we got into our fair share of bullshit.
I glance around my treehouse, considering all the angles of allowing the shifter princess to come to Ever. Finally, I look back at Marco. “Ever isn’t without danger, old friend. We’ve had increased thrall attacks, and a warlock recently orchestrated multiple battles here.”
Marco grins wickedly. “Word on the streets is that the Keeper’s new mate killed him with black magic. Is that true?”
I think back to the events of last week. What I saw Morgan do to Wesley will haunt me for the rest of my life.
“Yeah,” I admit. “She obliterated him. She was able to?—”
“So that’s no longer an issue,” my king interrupts. “I’ll stop worrying about Lola if she’s with you. No place is completely safe. I just need her out of here until I can deal with this threat. Then she can come home and resume her duties.” He gives me a soft look. “Hey, it’ll be a good chance for you two to reconnect. You haven’t seen her since she was a pup.”
I smile at that. “Remember that time you fell in a fucking hole on a pack run, and I had to carry her home for you?”
He scoffs. “She’s not that little anymore. She’s a grown-ass woman, as she likes to remind me on a daily basis.”
I smile bigger. I was around a lot when Lola was young, but then I gave up my position at court and left Santa Alaya. So, I haven’t seen her in many, many years. “When do you want to send her?”
Marco’s eyes wrinkle at the corners with what I assume must be relief. “Tomorrow, if that isn’t too soon?”
I hold back a sigh as I consider all the things I’ll need to do to prep Shifter Hollow for a royal visit.
“Works for me,” I say.
We make small talk for a few more minutes before I leave to call my Second, Connall, and begin the preparations.
I had hoped, after recent events, I could take the next few months slowly. Spend time with my pack, rebuild after the recent loss of our packmate, Leighton. The unofficial shifter motto is “Above All, Family”. I wanted to keep my insular community slash family, well, insulated.
As much as I’d like to reconnect with Lola, my duty and drive is to my pack first.
Fucking great, my wolf snarls into our bond, butting into my thoughts. Babysitting is my favorite.
Indeed.
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER - LOLA
Islept like the dead after Nuñez dragged me back home. A soft, repeating chime helps wake me as I flutter my eyes open. Above me, the arched wooden ceiling is painted the faintest of pinks.
“Good morning, amor,” I purr to the castle.
The pink ceiling beams ripple and shimmy, her version of a hello. Across my expansive room, a wall of double doors shakes, the doors opening and shutting on an imaginary breeze.
“What time is it?” I groan. The sun is barely peeking above the turquoise waters of the Bahía de Santa Alaya.
Five creaky chimes ring out from somewhere in the room’s depths. I sigh and roll out of bed, pulling to a stand and stretching from side to side. My room is still the same pink and turquoise it was when I was a teen—we’ve lived in the castle since I was little. I keep thinking that since I’m well past coming of age, I should redo it to be more adultish. But somehow, I can never bring myself to do so.