Page 2 of Securing the Kingdom

“You probably shouldn’t do that.”

I jumped and looked behind me, seeing Shaun standing there. I raised an eyebrow, narrowing my eyes at him. He gave me an easy grin. “What are you doing?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean why are you standing right behind me?”

“Because this is where I ended standing,” He shrugged. I turned back to the drama in front of me.

“Fine, then move so I can get out of here,” I muttered under my breath. I heard Shaun scoff lightly. I felt him lean in toward me, his hot breath on the back of my neck. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying not to freak out and jerk away from him, causing a scene.

“Not a chance, princess,” He hissed in my ear. I frowned, opening my eyes.

“Dean put you up to this, didn’t he?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I felt Shaun slide back a bit, but his ever-present shadow still fell on my neck, reminding me that he wasn’t going anywhere - and neither was I.

I looked over at Dean, who was still standing in front of Jason, but whose eyes were locked onto me. I narrowed my eyes at him, letting him know that I wasn’t afraid of him, even though my heart started pounding. I was tired of my body reacting to him in this way. He didn’t get to have this kind of power over me.

I frowned and turned on my heel, intending to get the hell out of the throne room, regardless of Shaun standing behind me. I had had enough of all of this. “Amara?”

I stopped, closing my eyes and wishing I had moved faster. I turned around, surprised when I realized it was Lily who had called me. I glanced over her shoulder, watching Jason still trying to manage Jack and the crowd that was lingering in the throne room.

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

Lily rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Amara?”

“We’re in the throne room, Your Majesty. It is my place to address you as such,” I responded, dipping into a small curtsy. She rolled her eyes again, smirking. She took a step closer, lightly grasping my arm and moving me closer to the door I was trying to escape through.

“Can you do me a favor? We really need someone to keep an eye on Elle and Sarah. Maybe give them a tour around the castle or something. Can you do that? Please?” Lily asked. I stared, wide eyed at her. I frowned, tilting my head at her.

“Your Majesty? You want me to watch out for Elle and Sarah?”

Lily smiled, nodding at me. “You’re the only one I trust with something as important as this. Besides, they are going to need an ally in this area. You’re not a wolf, but you’re still part of this pack. You don’t have the same allegiances to the pack as others may have, so you’ll be able to keep the girls safe and balance the needs of the pack. Please?”

I blinked, taken aback. “Of course, Your Majesty. I appreciate your confidence in my abilities. I am honored you asked for my help.”

Lily looked relieved. “Oh, thank you. I appreciate it so much.”

She gripped my arm and gave it a slight squeeze before turning back to Jason and rejoining the conversation. I looked across the room, seeing Elle and Sarah tucked against the opposite wall. I sighed internally, closing my eyes as I realized I’d need to pass by Dean to get to them. My heart was already speeding up with the idea of catching his smell again.

A throat cleared from behind me. I turned sharply, glaring at Shaun, who was standing right behind me, eyes focused straight ahead with the ghost of a smirk on his face. I let a little growl slip out, causing him to chuckle that turned quickly into a cough. I marched my way behind Jason and Lily, not letting myself turn to look at Dean as I went. I could feel his presence though.

I made it to the other side of the room and quietly walked down a few feet down, making my way toward Elle and Sarah. I had to brush by a few of the pack members, but I had practice making myself invisible. I got bumped into by a few of the roudier pack members, tucking into myself and trying to keep out of their way. A growl vibrated through the room, causing everyone to fall still. I turned around slowly to look up at the front of the room.

Jason had his hand clamped down on Dean’s shoulder - hard. Dean had murder on his face, his eyes glowing bright with his wolf. He wasn’t focused on me - he was focused on the male wolf standing next to me. I blinked, frowning at his show of anger. He tried taking a step forward, but Jason didn’t allow it. The wolf next to me shrunk away, his head bowing.

“Dean,” I said, my voice sharp and clear. He slowly turned his head toward me, his wolf still blazing clearly through his eyes. “Settle down.”

“He touched you.”

“He bumped me. It was an accident. Back off.”

Dean scowled, but his wolf faded from his eyes and he cleared his throat, stepping back slowly. He looked annoyed and still on the verge of attacking someone at the slightest provocation, but seemed at least somewhat under control. I turned away from him, catching Jack’s eyes locked onto me, curiosity shining through. I frowned at him, but turned back to Elle and Sarah, the former seeming confused while the latter seemed alarmed and worried.

“Come with me, you two.”

ChaperThree

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