Page 80 of Bonds of Hate

Inever would have thought a palace gala could be this damn boring. Several Alphas have attempted to approach the table, most under the flimsy excuse of paying their respects to the presumed heir. For his part, Logan acts beyond dismissive. Growling and snarling whenever anyone within spitting distance has the nerve to so much as glance my way.

Prince Nikolai is a notable exception.

Nikolai’s claiming mark is high enough on his neck to be clearly visible, framed by a long fall of blonde hair that somehow does nothing to soften the harsh lines of his face. Saffron is by his side and she gives me a little wave.

“Brother,” he greets Logan with a friendly smile beforenodding at the others. “Strange to see you sitting here all alone. Mind if we join for a bit?”

Logan’s body language sayshell no, but he surprises me by giving a grunt of assent.

Then I realize he doesn’t have a choice.

Nikolai is bonded, his mate with him. He wouldn’t dare make himself a threat because that might put his own Omega at risk. Even further, it would be an insult to turn him away. Even Logan plays the politics game well enough to know that.

“Where is your pack?” Logan grumbles.

His brother makes a show of looking around the ballroom. “I know you arrived late, so I don’t mind catching you up. You see those musicians and that dance floor over there, don’t you? Some people like to take advantage of those things by actually using them.”

I laugh, biting it back only when Logan glares at me.

I like his brother already.

Nikolai helps Saffron into the seat next to me. His large hands rest gently on her shoulders for a moment as she settles before he takes a chair beside her. I can’t help but notice that he immediately takes her hand and cradles it between both of his.

“Eliot and Xander are dancing. As social convention demands, in case you missed that part,” Nikolai continues. His gaze flicks over the others at the table. “I know Poe and Cillian always hold up the walls at these things. But Ares, I’m surprised you aren’t out there spinning a harem beta hard enough to make her vomit like he did at the king’s birthday celebration last year.”

Initially, none of them answer. I get the impression thatthey don’t want to admit that all four of them have to sit in the corner all night just to keep any curious Alphas away from me. Not only would it make them sound a little ridiculous, but would also undermine Logan’s position. If he isn’t strong enough to protect his Omega, then he isn’t strong enough to sit on the throne.

Ares is the first to speak, though he sounds like the words taste bad. “I messed my back up during training yesterday. No dancing for me tonight.”

“What a tragedy,” Nikolai replies affably, eyes dancing in amusement. “And what excuses to sit here all night have you come up with, Logan?”

Logan glares at him. “I’m saving my strength for beating one of my brothers into a bloody mess after the gala is over. Think you might be available?”

“I will always make myself available for you, little brother.”

Saffron leans over to whisper in my ear. “Nikolai is going to ask you to dance. You need to say yes.”

I make sure Logan isn’t watching before I answer, but he’s currently too busy trading not-so-friendly barbs with Nikolai, who just looks more amused with each passing moment. “Logan will kill him.”

She scoffs, “He’ll try. Nikolai is only nice for as long as people let him be.”

“Fine. Logan will kill me.”

She rolls her eyes at that. “Doubt it. But murderous feelings are sort of the point.”

My brow furrows. “Why would I want to make him murder-level angry?”

“I swear something in your brain is broken,” Saffronsays with a sigh. “We need to get Logan off the fence and make him commit to you. Leopold won’t name him as heir to the throne until he claims an Omega. Hopefully, you.”

“You want to help me become queen?”

“Who else? Me?” she laughs, when I cast her an incredulous look. “Do you have any idea how much it takes out of me to play the bitchy queen bee? I can handle it for a few days, at the most. I’ll take the quiet life with a devoted Alpha who has plenty of money and influence, but enjoys staying out of the spotlight. You are so much better at this than I am. You have no idea.”

My mouth turns down in a frown, not so sure I appreciate her assessment.

“I’m not calling you a bitch, by the way,” she adds. “I’ve just never seen anyone walk in here and command a room like you do. No nerves, no backing down, just pure confidence in every movement you make. Now, I understand that it’s all an act, just like with the rest of us, but people have to get real close to see it. I’ve met no one better suited to be queen, and that includes Midale.”

I’m surprised by what sounds like a genuine compliment. “I appreciate that.”

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