Page 29 of The Princess and the Pack

Princess Rose steps forward, regarding us with a careful eye. “No bond mark…how very interesting.”

The judgement in her voice is apparent, and I wonder what offense I’ve made against her. Winning her approval will be a hard-fought battle, but I’m in this for the long haul. One day she’ll see that everything I do, I do in service of her sister.

“Rosie, that’srude,” Princess Lily whispers. Of all Ivy’s siblings, she is far and away the most reserved. In fact, this may very well be the first time I’ve heard her speak.

I mean to thank her, to open my mouth and get a word in, but?—

“Yes, maybe you should worry about your own situation, sister.” This from Aspen, who smirks at the proverbial daggers Rose throws in his direction.

“Anyone care to explain why I was dragged from my marital bed?” Ivy cuts in with an impatient edge. She is likely used to the chaos of seven siblings, and I’m happy to let her handle the situation as she sees fit.

“Gods. Don’t say things like that in front of me,” Sage groans.

The twins, Daisy and Oleander, on the other hand, break into a fit of giggles.

There are too many of them to contend with—too many quips and opinions this early in the day. I thought being a triplet was nightmarish, but apparently my life with Ciaran and Cal has been a simple one.

“Enough, all of you,” King Hawthorn barks, the voice of reason. All at once, the room falls silent. Clearly, each of them respect him—well-earned for all he’s done in service to his siblings. I can’t say I would have been able to handle becoming king at such a young age, while simultaneously caring for so many. Not as graciously as he did, anyway.

With a steadying breath, Hawthorn speaks again. “We received a letter from Glenndyre this morning. King Blair is very insistent upon discussing his betrothal to our Rosie and has requested an audience at once.”

“One can only hope he’s come to accept the depths of my loathing and is ready to call the whole thing off,” Rose says, almost triumphantly.

I doubt it. Beyond the obvious benefits to wedding a Lucernian princess, rumor has it the king is very besotted with his betrothed.

Apparently, she doesn’t feel the same.

Hawthorn sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. It seems he and his sister have had this conversation one too many times. I’m curious about Rose’s reasoning. Being twenty-two and without any alphas to help her through her heats is a dangerous thing. I hope for her sake, and my wife’s, that whatever comes to pass, she will be cared for.

“We’ll return in a week. Just in time for your coronation,” Prince Sage reports.

Glenndyre is only a day’s sail from Ancaire’s nearest port and is a perfectly safe trip. I must admit I admire Blair for the interesting maneuvers he’s making in pursuit of the princess. It has me curious if perhaps he knows something she doesn’t. Maybe I’m not the only one who?—

“You’reallleaving?” Ivy cries.

I hate the anguish in her voice, and part of me wants to convince the king against his travels simply to soothe her. But my mind is working so quickly, putting pieces together about what this opportunity could bring.

I thought I would have to keep this charade going for weeks, at least, while Ivy’s family visited. But if they were to go…

Wooing my queen, breaking apart what she knows of the world, and exposing her to pack living certainly won’t be easy feats to accomplish in one short week. But if Sloan, Oran, and I are successful, we could present our pack to Ivy’s family sooner than we intended. A public display of their support at our coronation would cause a stir throughout the western kingdoms, but perhaps a little shock is necessary to spark change.

“Ivy, dear.” Hawthorn frowns. “I’m so sorry. But Roseisgoing, whether she likes it or not, and I can’t very well let the twins remain here. Can you imagine the havoc those feral sirens will wreak on the poor alphas of Cillian’s court? It would be like leaving lions amongst lambs. Not to mention, I don’t want to have to explain to Viggo and Aedan about why their intended omegas are collecting marriage proposals from Namarian lords.”

I laugh then, right from the depths of my gut. It’s been rumored the Bancroft twins are quite the devious flirts. Oleander is a rare male omega. I have no doubt the alphas in my court would line up for a chance to warm his bed. And Daisy, the youngest, is said to be a vicious little alpha-eater herself.

“And the others?” Ivy asks.

“Sage is coming with me, of course. Someone has to help me wrangle Rosie. As for Lily and Aspen, that is up to them.”

“I’ve decided to stay,” Prince Aspen asserts. “There’s much to love about Namara, and so manyactivitiesI’ve yet to tire of.”

My gaze swings to my brother as Ciaran sputters aloud at the implication. Gods, they are far too obvious. For a silver-tongued Namarian prince, Ciaran turns into quite the mess when Aspen is involved. I really must speak to him about the way he’s carrying on. I don’t want him falling if no one’s there to catch him.

“We’re all standing right here, you know?” Rose huffs. “Talking about us like we’re problems to be solved is very condescending, you monumental ass.”

“Yes, I’m amonster, Rosie dear. And when you’re the queen of Glenndyre, you’ll have all the authority to wage war against me and my wicked ways,” Hawthorn quips, fighting a grin as rage bleeds red across his sister’s face.

“I will also stay,” Lily says, barely a whisper above the chaos of her siblings.

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