Page 37 of The Omega Thief

Carter nodded. “If the presentation fails, His Highness cannot be crowned King. If he had a direct heir, then a suitable governing body would be formed until the heir came of age. As His Highness doesn’t currently have an heir, then the rules are muddied somewhat. The prince can be challenged for the crown by any wolf, but as the Fenrirs are the most powerful, it would likely fail unless another Fenrir came forward in challenge.”

Thakeray cradled his tea. “But if the challenge succeeded, doesn’t the same problem then apply? The bonding of an omega?”

“Yes,” Carter agreed. “Exactly, and the challenger has the same problem as His Highness.”

“But?” Attiker pressed. “I know there’s abutin there somewhere.”

Raz met Attiker’s gaze. Hadn’t he put his bonded through enough already?

“This is where the trials come in,” Carter said.

“And what exactly are the trials?” Attiker asked.

“If the omega fails to shift at the presentation, then the challenge is permissible to His Highness, but as the Fenrirs are the most powerful of all wolves, it would be unlikely to succeed. If, however, there are special circumstances, then the challenge can be issued before the presentation, but not to His Highness, but to the omega consort. It’s only ever done if the judiciary accepts proof that the normal presentation won’t work.” Carter paused. “If, for example, the omega’s wolf was dormant. It’s rare, very rare, but the challenges are supposed to prove that the omega still possesses the ability of a wolf, and therefore, the prince can take the crown, but that they simply cannot shift into their animal.”

Raz knew he needed both Carter and Thakeray there, but he wished just for those few seconds they were alone and Raz was holding his bonded. Close, as he should always be.

“You’re also granted a second. The second has to be without a wolf. The second accompanies you if either of the trials involves you leaving the palace, which is often likely.”

“That’s easy enough,” Thakeray said.

“It can’t be someone in the service of the prince,” Carter said, regretfully.

“That’s okay,” Attiker said. “I know a lot of people if it comes to it.”

Raz didn’t think he could cope with much more of this and clutched Attiker’s hand, pulling him closer. He was thankful when Attiker didn’t seem to object.

“At least, the second scenario is unlikely. Grape is too busy running from the noose, and the only people who know His Highness’s wolf was affected are sitting in this room,” Thakeray offered.

“Highness,” Laronne whispered. “I had no idea.”

Thakeray’s head snapped up. “What?”

“My servant,” Laronne admitted. “We think he heard me say I suspected His Highness’s wolf was dormant. But I trust him,” he added. “He’s worked in the healing ward for years.”

Thakeray stood immediately. “I need his name and where he lives. The issue isn’t that you trust him. The issue may be who he trusts.”

And who he tells, Raz thought. Could today get any worse?

Chapter sixteen

AttikerturnedtoRazas Thakeray left. “Do you have anything else you need to do tonight?” Raz simply shook his head, so Attiker took his hand and pulled him from the couch. Raz looked exhausted, and just for once, after the ridiculously crazy week they’d both had, he wanted to call a halt.

“Then let’s go back to our rooms,” Attiker murmured and turned to Carter. “Who do I ask for His Highness to be left alone tonight unless it’s an emergency?”

Carter bowed slightly. “I will take care of it, but His Highness’s manservant is called Raynard, and his guards have just changed, so I will make sure they’re informed.” Attiker thanked Carter. Raz wouldn’t need a personal servant tonight because Attiker was going to take care of him, but he’d sort that out upstairs.

Four guards all surrounded them when they left the healer’s ward, and Attiker informed the one who looked for instruction that they were retiring for the night.

“Yes, Your Highness,” the older one responded politely, but Attiker fancied he approved after glancing at Raz and noting the exhaustion that seemed to surround him like a cloud.

“Your name?” Attiker asked.

“This is Benta,” Raz supplied with a smile. “My father appointed him as my personal guard nearly twenty years ago. I’ve offered him a retirement cottage just to get him out of my hair finally, but he keeps refusing.”

It thrilled Attiker to hear the affection in Raz’s voice. It made him seem more human somehow.

Benta grinned, his weathered face creasing and his matching salt and pepper eyebrows dancing with every movement. “That’s because, sire, it’s taken me all of those twenty years to learn how to foil your every escape plan.” He grunted. “It was clearly a mistake to go visit my sister last week.”

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