Page 55 of Eclipsed Heart

“Well, any new royal has a hard time during the transition. All this responsibility is thrust upon them. Even those who have been prepared for it their entire life struggle with how overwhelming it is. Trust me. I know.”

My knees shook. I suspected the direction this was going.

“But for a hidden heir everyone presumed dead to be resurrected…. If everyone was as shocked as my wolves described, that offers me one very important piece of information.” She paused.

Donotsay anything,Michael linked with Bodey and me.She wants you to ask.

The queentsked, and the corners of my vision darkened. Even if I didn’t oblige her, she was still going to talk. This was a show I couldn’t control, and she wasright. I was unprepared to rule.

“Your claim is weak, and your packs will be wary of your leadership.” She sighed as if she carried the burden with me. “I can only imagine what sort of weight is on your shoulders. The heir no one wants with the brother who expected to wear the crown you stole from him. It’s quite a misfortune.”

My wolf growled in my head, refusing to remain quiet. “While Iappreciateyour insight, forgive me if I don’t give a flying fuck, seeing as your wolves attacked mysisterand left her to die. Had she not already given me your number, we wouldn’t even be having thislovelyconversation.”

Blowing out a breath, Jack rolled his shoulders as if he was relieved that I made a point of adding that to the conversation.

“Ah, maybe you do have a bit of bite in you after all. I wasn’t certain since your sister came to me, begging me to save her family, which you were somehow a part of. A queen who was unable to shift and pack link. The story sounds odd. Maybe yourmatehad something to do with that? How is he doing, by the way?”

Bodey’s hands clenched, and he gritted his teeth.

The bitch just threatened my mate. “Listen, I wasn’t calling for you to inform me of things I already know.” I laughed harshly, knowing that I was most definitely not acting regal. “I want to see if you’re willing to meet to discuss a truce between our territories.”

Queen Kel laughed, and Lucas and Miles flinched. “Why in the world would I agree to that?”

“Because people are dying on both sides.” I couldn’t hold back the bitterness in my words. “If we continue to fight, we’ll both lose more people. I’m assuming you don’t want that any more than I do.”

“Let me give you some advice,Callie.” The queen’s tone became condescending. “I’ve been talking to you in hopes that we can come to a shared understanding. Theonlyone. You're not in a place to fight me, so agree to submit to me.”

She had some balls. I had to give her that. “I’ll find it interesting to see what happens when both your people and mine learn that I requested to meet with you to try to end this conflict amicably.” This time, I was the one totsk. “There have been deaths on your side too, but maybe that’s easily explained…you just don’t care about your people. It’s funny what a recording can do to public perception.”

She blew out a breath. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.” I prayed to the gods that she wouldn't call my bluff because I hadnothing.This was just one big ol’ lie in an attempt to get her to stop attacking us. “I mean, youth does have a way with technology after all.”

Pride swam from Bodey into me.

“What do you want?” she spat.

“What I asked earlier.” I tried to keep my voice steady and calm, but I could hear the tremors in it. “I’d like to meet and discuss a way to resolve our issues without fighting.”

“It’s called a parlay.” Condescension crept back into each word. “Text me the time and location, and I’ll think it over. Until then, don’t bother calling unless you’re ready to deal with the consequences.” The line went dead.

Did she hang up?Lucas asked, his eyes sparkling.

I nodded, unable to link or speak. My body sagged.

You were amazing. Bodey pulled me into his arms, nuzzling my neck.And so damn sexy.

Amazingwas a stretch, but I didn’t want to reject the compliment he was trying to give me. “I antagonized her.” I winced. “Which I don’t think was the point.”

“You did well,” Michael reassured me. “You pretty much forced her to agree when she had no plan to. Not many people could do that.”

I wasn’t so sure. I leaned against Bodey, needing him to support my weight. The stress of everything was catching up to me.

“Now we wait.” Bodey tugged me against him as he continued, “Stevie should get some rest after the ordeal that she went through, and my mate and I need a nap.”

“Good idea.” Phil yawned. “We can all meet here for dinner so we can talk about what happens next.”

That sounded more than fine with me.

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