The Mad Alpha's Substitute Bride

Chapter 96: Bound by a Crown

(GRIFFIN)

"If it’s human-owned, private property, we have very little chance of finding the place." Erik sounds tense.

Locke stands by the window, his broad frame silhouetted against the morning light. He’s been uncharacteristically quiet as I’ve recounted the events of my captivity and the past few days.

Erik is sitting behind his desk, his expression thoughtful. Unlike me, he has never bothered with the formalities of royal bearing. Where I am disciplined, he is casual. Where I am reserved, he is expressive. It has made him an excellent diplomat, people trust his easy smile and relaxed demeanor, but it also makes him infuriatingly difficult to read at times. On the battlefield, however, my relaxed and normally charming brother is a demon. That is why he and Locke get along so well.

"So," Erik says after a moment, drumming his fingers against the polished oak of the table. "We approach the human government for permission."

"And reveal to the humans that there is a way to capture the strongest of our kind?" Locke’s upper lip twists. "It is better to raid these human territories one by one."

"So that the humans decide we are threat?" Erik sneers. "Ever heard of diplomacy?"

"Ever heard of stupidity?" Locke shoots back.

"Enough," I snap. "This is why my going on this expedition is important. I will be able to identify the markers so we can narrow down an area. Then, we attack in human form, masked, concealed. Until we are certain we are in the right place, we do not reveal who we are. We do not shift."

Erik and Locke exchange a look.

"That is a possible solution," Locke admits. Erik nods.

"Good," I say, grateful that I’ve managed to get the two of them to agree on something. "And Maya should be able to provide invaluable intelligence about what they have been producing in their labs—"

"Where were you last night?" Erik interrupts me, his tone deceptively casual.

I freeze momentarily, then reach for the glass of water in front of me. "In my room."

"All night?" Erik raises an eyebrow.

I narrow my gaze at him. "What are you trying to—"

"You and Maya both smell like each other," Locke states bluntly. He turns from the window, his expression unreadable. "Not just a passing encounter. Hours of close proximity."

Heat rises to my face, not from embarrassment but irritation at the intrusion. "I fail to see how that’s relevant to our strategic planning."

Erik laughs, the sound sharp in the quiet room. "Oh, it’s relevant. Especially with the full moon coming up." I stiffen in my chair. "I can control myself."

"Control yourself?" Locke asks, moving away from the window to stand at the head of the table. His presence fills the room, the power of the Northern king unmistakable. "Why would you need to control yourself?"

"Because they’re fated mates," Erik interjects.

I glower at my brother. "He doesn’t need to know that."

"A human as a fated mate?" Locke looks surprised. "Is that possible?"

Erik shrugs. "I’m sure it’s not an anomaly. But I do admit I am intrigued."

"You support this?" Locke studies him.

My brother’s expression grows tense. "Is there any reason I shouldn’t? If the kingdom was able to survive with a false king at its helm, it should be able to function just fine with a human as its true king’s fated mate."

I feel a smug satisfaction at my brother’s unwavering loyalty.

Locke shrugs. "Very well. The North stands with your kingdom as you stood with mine earlier this year. When do you plan to have the mating ceremony? I would prefer my mate to have had our child before she goes prancing about, but she is only six months pregnant."

"Maya doesn’t know."

"Know what?" Locke blinks. "About the fated mate bond."

The silence that falls after my words is heavy.

"How does your mate not know that the two of you are fated?" Locke gives me a look as if he’s reconsidering my intellect. "She’s human," I bite out. "She doesn’t feel the tug of the bond, not like we do."

"How do you know she doesn’t feel it?" Locke demands. "Have you asked her?"

"I—" My mouth snaps shut as I stare at him. "Of course not."

"Then you don’t know that she doesn’t feel it."

Erik rolls his eyes. "What Locke is trying to say is that she might feel the tug of the bond but not understand it." Locke grunts, and Erik meets my gaze.

"You need to tell her," he says to me. "Before the full moon, Griffin. You know what could happen if—" "I’m aware of the implications," I cut him off sharply.

Locke moves to stand directly across from me, placing his palms flat on the table and leaning forward. "A human fated mate," he says, shaking his head slightly. "The Goddess has a sense of humor, it seems."

"Maya is more than just a human," I say, unable to keep the edge from my voice. "She has proven herself a dozen times over. She’s braver than most wolves I know."

"I’m not questioning her worth," Locke replies, his tone even. "I’m simply stating facts. If you intend to claim her officially, you’d better prepare for a fight. The elders of your kingdom aren’t known for their progressive views on human-wolf relations. And the other kingdoms will see it as a weakness they can exploit."

"I’m well aware of the political ramifications," I say stiffly.

"Are you?" Locke straightens to his full height. "Because from where I stand, you’re making decisions based on instinct rather than strategy."

Each accusation lands like a physical blow, but I keep my expression neutral. "It has only been a day since our return. I’m not going to overwhelm her with things she doesn’t understand. Maya has been through enough. She doesn’t need the additional pressure of knowing she’s fated to a wolf king, especially when she’s still recovering from being in captivity." I look between them. "She needs time."

"Time is a luxury you don’t have," Erik points out. "The full moon—"

"Is in over two weeks. There is plenty of time." My voice is severe. "I don’t want you or anyone else interfering in this. I may have been in captivity for the past ten years, but that doesn’t mean I have been robbed of my comprehension skills. I am still the king, even if I don’t wear the crown at the moment."

Erik arches a brow. "I’m not talking to you in the capacity of our political roles, Griffin. I’m speaking as your brother. She should know."

"Know what?"

Maya’s voice from the doorway startles all three of us.

I get to my feet, turning to face her. She stands with one hand on the door frame, her expression caught between curiosity and suspicion. Corrine is just behind her, looking uncomfortable in a way that suggests she knows exactly what conversation they’ve interrupted.

For a moment, silence fills the room. I search for words, acutely aware of Erik and Locke watching me with expectation, waiting to see if I’ll tell her the truth about our bond.

Before I can speak, Locke clears his throat.

"We should be going," he announces abruptly, nodding to Corrine. "Your friend is alive, and you’ve confirmed it. We will return at a later date."

Corrine narrows her eyes slightly at her mate, clearly reluctant to leave. "Or we could stay and—"

"Alexander is awaiting our return. He is too young to be left alone."

Corrine hesitates at the mention of the young king of the Eastern Kingdom, the orphaned child the Northern royal couple is helping raise.

"Fine." She sighs.

Erik gives me a pointed look that says our conversation isn’t over before saying, "I have to go, too."

The three of them file past Maya, who steps aside to let them through the door, her eyes never leaving my face. Corrine squeezes her arm as she passes, a gesture of support that only intensifies the knot of guilt in my stomach.

When the door closes behind them, Maya steps fully into the room. "Well?" she asks, crossing her arms. "What should I know, Griffin?"

I gesture to the chair where Locke was standing. "It’s nothing of immediate concern. Just kingdom politics." The lie tastes bitter on my tongue, but I tell myself it’s for her protection. She’s already dealing with so much.

Maya studies me for a long moment, clearly skeptical. "You know, for a king, you’re a terrible liar." The observation makes me smile despite myself. "Only with you, it seems."

She moves to the chair, and we sit across from each other. "Must be important if everyone cleared out so quickly." "Locke has never been one for lengthy discussions," I deflect. "How are you feeling?"

Maya accepts the change of subject, though her eyes tell me she hasn’t forgotten the question I’ve avoided. "Fine. Sorry about last night. I thought I was dreaming when you showed up. I didn’t mean to manhandle you like that."

A chuckle leaves my lips at the idea of this tiny little human manhandling me in any way. "I give you leave to manhandle me in any way you see fit."

Her breath catches at my words, and I see the flicker of uncertain desire in her eyes, a flare of heat that has my wolf pacing within me.

She clears her throat. "Anyway, how are you settling back in? Must be strange." I shrug. "It is. But I’ll be fine."

She sits on the edge of the chair, looking around. "So, you’re going to be king of all this once again. Must be...isolating." Her choice of word takes me by surprise. "Why do you say that?"

She shrugs. "You’ll be the king, in charge of everyone, above everyone. Standing alone is isolating. No equal."

I blink at her slowly. "You’re the first person to say that. Normally, I am envied, or I used to be."

She laughs now. "Being in charge of so many lives is not something I would envy."

"You’re right," I murmur, studying the flush to her skin, mentally making a note that I should have more fattening foods prepared by the chefs. "But it is what I was trained for since I was born."

She smiles at me. "Well, once you reclaim the throne, you’re going to be the king, and I’m going to be just another human—"

"No, you won’t," I say abruptly. "Not you. You will always be Maya to me."

When she looks at me, there is a hint of sadness in her eyes, a heaviness that has no place there, and I find myself giving in.

I should tell her the truth.

Once she knows that we are bound for life, she’ll be willing to open up to me more, but— I stop myself.

The moment she finds out, everything will change for her. As my fated mate, she will have her share of responsibilities. Is she ready for them? Will she ever be?

I cannot bring myself to tell her about our bond, one that will force her into the limelight in front of the entire kingdom. I have a feeling she won’t like it.

I need to find a way to tell her that will make her amiable to this change. As I see her smiling at me, I feel my heart sink.

The more I delay it, the more upset she’s going to be.