Page 80 of The Court of Truth

I want to know what the vial was, I want to know where he’s going, and I want to know why it’s important, but before I can get to any of that, I need to talk about my issue first. Spurred on by my curiosity, I clear my throat.

“I’m disappointed I wasn’t on hand to help. That I had to learn there was some kind of battle after the fact.” The words burn up my throat as she lifts her head to look at me properly.

“It wasn’t my intention to make you feel like that. We had to act fast, we were already in a royal council meeting. One thing lead to another and then we’re suddenly here,” she explains, and I try to give her a smile, but it falls flat.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, I just… I don’t know how I’m supposed to do both of these things anymore.”

“The pack and me?” she whispers, her lips pinching as I nod.

She looks as helpless as I feel. There’s no right or wrong answer here and we both know it. We’re just caught in a mess of actions that aren’t always our own.

“You can.” The comment comes from a windswept Janie who enters the room in a flurry, offering everyone a smile in greeting before she turns a pointed look my way. “Do I need to repeat myself or did you actually hear me the first time?” she snarks teasingly, and I shake my head.

“I heard you, I just don’t understand,” I grumble back, and she rolls her eyes at me before settling her gaze on Addi.

“Queenie, make him the alpha of the kingdom or some shit. I don’t know the wording, but whatever it is, do it. Then he can appoint someone else to be on hand here while he’s by your side. Boom. Then you can do both things.”

I gape at Janie, my body frozen, leaving me unable to turn to Addi to gauge her reaction, but the room has fallen quiet at her outburst and there’s no taking it back.

“I can’t force him to do that,” Addi whispers, her words thundering through my veins when the door at the far left of the room swings open and Doc sticks her head out.

“You should,” she states, making my eyes widen in surprise. “Then he’s technically still our alpha, but not a grumpy asshole like he has been lately. But, only if you appoint Janie. Jake at a push, but I think we deserve a woman’s touch around here,” she adds with a wink. “Oh, and Nora’s awake, but please give me a few more minutes with her before you barge in.” She’s gone as quickly as she came and I finally turn my attention to Addi.

She’s already staring right at me, the pair of us trying to predict the other’s reaction. She won’t make a decision without my input, though. So I need to gather myself together and spit it out.

“It’s settled then. If there’s room for me,” I breathe, taking no time to consider another solution. I can’t have Addi and the others rocking up here with blood staining their clothes. I need to know in real time, not after. I can’t. I’m missing everything, not protecting her when it matters most.

“Call it,” Raiden hollers from his seat, not even bothering to look up from his lap, and Addi’s gaze flicks to Arlo.

“Are you listening, Arlo?” she asks, and he nods before she turns her attention back to me.

“It’s impossible not to when you’re all so goddamn loud,” he snarks, earning a snicker around the room as Addi’s eyes light up.

“Say it,” I beg, ready for whatever change this may bring.

“Cassian Kenner, I appoint you as the Alpha of the Floodborn Kingdom.” A weight lifts from my chest at her words.

“Except you,” I state, and she frowns.

“Except me?”

I nod. “Because you’re my alpha.”

Her smile is undeniable, and I know I’ve made the right decisions as she parts her lips.

“Because I’m your alpha.”

45

ADRIANNA

Despite the loss of Pearl—that pain still burns in my heart like a hot poker—I feel like there’s a positive outcome for the evening. Cassian is back in the fold. I’m sure it won’t be quite as simple as that, but the fact that he’s back at my side makes me feel complete again. We’re ready to face all of the destruction as a team and defeat the woman that continues to rain hell on me and my people.

Clementine.

Her time is coming. Her end is near.

I can feel it with every breath I take. Her demise will be mine. In honor of Pearl and everyone else she’s hurt along the way. Nobody dies in vain because of that woman. I refuse.

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