Page 44 of The Court of Truth

Someone is definitely happy to see me.

Strengthening my smile, I tilt my head, waiting for him to say whatever it is that has his face scrunched up like that, and he doesn’t keep me waiting all that long.

“You’re not welcome here.” Each word comes through clenched teeth as his anger rises, and I’m certain I catch a glimpse of his wolf in his eyes, but they turn to bleak pits before I can be sure.

Cassian inches a step closer, trying to act as a barrier, but I nudge him back into place. I don’t need protecting, especially not now. Hiding behind my man will only piss this guy off more.

“And why is that?” I ask, tugging my hand free from Cassian’s as I stare him down, making sure to keep my features neutral.

“Take a look around,” he declares, stepping back as he flings his arms wide. “Does it look like anyone wants you here?” His snarl deepens, his rage at my presence rising as I take his advice.

The girls seem to be gathered in booths to the left, while the guys are spread out to the right. The soft country music drifting through the speakers has my foot itching to tap along, but now isn’t quite the time.

I spy Janie at the back, frozen in place as she watches everything unravel, but I don’t linger on her. Instead, I circle back to the man with the issue.

“What’s your name?”

“Wellen.”

I nod. “I can’t say it’s nice to meet you, Wellen, but here we are. To clarify, was that a rhetorical question or do you want me to actually point out everyone who does and doesn’t appreciate my presence right now?”

His eyes narrow to nothing more than slits, his lip curling in irritation as he steps toward me. “Nobody present wants you here,” he reiterates, and Cassian grunts from beside me.

“I do, and I’m the fucking alpha, so watch your tone before I make a spectacle of reminding you,” he bites, hands clenched so tight at his sides that his veins protrude.

The big guy’s breath stutters, panic consuming him as he blinks up at his alpha’s threat of a challenge. He fears him, and he’s right to, but I don’t want him to accept my presence because he fears the man I love. That’s not who I am. Not now, not ever. Besides, I’m the fucking queen of this entire kingdom. I’m never going to back down to some pissed off wolf.

“And you’re a spectacular alpha, Cass, but could you get us a drink?” I murmur, turning to face him. I can sense the instant rejection of my request, but I sink deep into my gut and tug at our connection, silently pleading with the hotheaded ass. To my surprise, he relents.

He places a soft kiss at my temple, then slowly prowls through the crowd, and I watch in amusement as it parts at his approach. I didn’t think he could get any hotter, but he just did.

Reluctantly tearing my eyes from his ass, I turn back to Wellen with a sigh. “I’m going to cut to the chase, okay? I have a busy day tomorrow and I’m hoping to spend the evening with one of the men I love before all of that happens.” Irritation grows along his features, setting his lips into a thin line as he glares at me. “I’m aware you don’t care, and that’s okay, you don’t have to, but just because you and a handful of others don’t want me here doesn’t mean the entire room doesn’t. Some people want to show respect to their alpha. Some people are intrigued by the fact that the new queen of Floodborn is in the room, while others don’t care at all because they’re trying to enjoy their evening too.”

“Nobody—”

I cut the remaining distance between us, standing toe to toe with him as I snarl. “Are you forgetting that I’m a fucking half-breed? A label many wolves have been happy to try and slander me with before they challenged me for the man I love. I can sense everything in this room, just as you can, but you’re also forgetting that royal blood runs through my veins. Royalfaeblood. I can connect with air, fire, water, earth, and the mind,” I declare, tapping my temple as he shrinks back half an inch, and I know I’ve won.

He blinks once, twice, three times as he takes another step back, but his anger doesn’t evaporate with the distance. “How dare you use your mind magic to?—”

“I didn’t. I read body language, but if you like, I can take a deep dive into your mind,” I offer, smiling sweetly like I’m not threatening him at all.

“Whatever,” he grunts, stepping back farther. “Just stay the fuck away from me,” he adds before turning away from me and slinking back into the crowd. It’s tempting to bark something else at him, to make sure he doesn’t get the last word, but it’s the only thing he’s winning here tonight, so I give him that and head toward Cassian and Janie.

Eyes watch my every move as I travel across the floor, and amusement grows on Janie’s face as she smirks at me. “I’m going to need to see some identification if you’re claiming to be the new queen of the Floodborn Kingdom without a crown on that pretty little head of yours,” she goads, her mouth twitching as she fights to hold back her smile.

I shake my head at her, offering a one finger salute as I near. “Screw you. That thing is heavy,” I grumble before embracing the teasing wolf. She squeezes me tight as she presses her lips to my ear.

“I always knew you were a damn warrior.”

I don’t get a chance to offer a single response before she’s slipping from my hold and heading toward the bar area. When she returns with a beer, I frown, instantly panicking over how to politely decline the offer, but she produces a bottle of water from her back pocket a moment later and I murmur my thanks as I take it.

“Jake wants to chat with you, Cass. Go find him while we have some girl time,” she orders, waving Cassian away without a backward glance as she tugs me toward the closest booth.

Thankfully, I don’t get a negative vibe as we approach. Everyone seated around us looks at me with curiosity more than anything, and when I climb into the booth, my ass settled on the top of the high-back leather seats, the questions come rolling in.

“Why are you here? Aren’t you going on a tour tomorrow?” The blonde girl to my left asks. She’s sitting beside my feet, using the booth how it’s supposed to be used. A soft smile touches her lips as I nod.

“I am.”

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