Blood of the Wolf: The Crown (Mackenzie Grey Book 11), Karina Espinosa [top 10 ebook reader txt] 📗

bold statements, Your Majesty,” Charles said as he took in the temperature of the room. It was fairly obvious I wasn’t making any friends.

“I am,” I agreed, “and I hope you know I’m not playing any games. Things are about to change, boys. Either get on board, or submit your resignation.” I calmly took a sip of my decaf coffee and tried not to grimace. “There’s a long line of lycans ready to take your place. Remember that.”

“You can’t keep threatening us in this manner!” Grayson fumed, his fist smacking the table.

I shook my head. “It’s not a threat, just a reminder. You’re all replaceable. Everyone is.”

That went for me, too. There was nothing special about me except that Alexander’s blood flowed through my veins. Anyone could replace me at any moment. But they didn’t need to know that.

Quiet encompassed the room for a moment as they processed what I said. I gave them time to let it sink in. I didn’t want to go through the trouble of replacing the whole Summit. I would prefer getting the opportunity to change their mindsets. The lycan needed to change their way of thinking, but I couldn’t get rid of everyone who didn’t think like me.

“What about the threat lurking in the forest? What do you plan to do about that?” Stefan, the alpha of the German Pack asked. He was sitting in the back of the European side of the room.

“Ah, finally something we can discuss and be on the same page about!” I smiled brightly. “We’re tracking the demon, but unfortunately haven’t gotten any leads. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.”

“So it is a demon?” Charles confirmed.

I nodded. “A demon named Abaddon. If you have any information about him or his whereabouts, now would be the time to share.”

The room remained quiet, but I didn’t think it was because they were holding out on me. The lycan had just never heard of a demon before. At least not one being real. This was a first for all of us. Well, except for Junior.

“Very well,” I sighed. “If you find out any information, please pass it along. In the meantime, I suggest you stay out of Caledonian Forest. This demon is extremely powerful—”

“Have you encountered it already?” Lucas asked.

I nodded. “Yes, I have, and it wasn’t fun whatsoever. He can mess with your mind, which is more dangerous than you can imagine. Be careful.”

“Do we know what he’s after?” Stefan asked.

I shook my head. “Not yet,” I lied easily. “But I’m sure he’ll make it known soon.”

“What about the Lycan god that almost killed you? Is he still a threat?” Charles asked almost giddily.

I snorted and gave him a smirk. “Sadly, Charles, Fenrir is no longer a threat as of now. He has decided to team up with us to defeat Abaddon. Unfortunately, your dreams of my demise will have to wait.”

The others gasped at my boldness, but my eyes were fixed on Charles, awaiting his reaction. Like the snake he was, he gave nothing away.

Grayson stood, shifting my attention from Charles to him. “We will assist with the capture of Abaddon. In return, we need something from you, Your Majesty.”

I leaned back on my throne and laughed, handing my empty mug to Liam. “I didn’t realize we were negotiating. You do realize the lives of the lycan are on the line, don’t you? So what – if I don’t agree to your demands, you’ll allow hundreds of your own people to die?”

The menacing alpha growled and Liam growled back, extending his claws and canines in defense of his Queen.

“Easy, Liam. He’s just being a little pissy. He wouldn’t dare attack his Queen.” I stared Grayson down knowingly.

“We would like you to approve a transfer, Your Majesty,” Grayson gritted between his teeth.

“Sure.” I shrugged breezily. “Do you have the paperwork?”

Grayson grabbed some papers from the table he was sitting at and started walking toward me, but Liam intercepted him halfway. My guard snatched the documents from the alpha and sent him back to his seat.

Liam handed me the papers and I took them without looking them over. “I’ll review them once I return to the office,” I said. “Is there anything else?”

Lucas nodded. “We would like an increase in our budgets.”

“I’ll have to speak with Ranulf, but if our numbers align, I don’t see why not.”

Lucas bowed in his seat. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

They weren’t asking for anything abnormal, so I shrugged it off until my eyes fell on the documents in my hand and I caught the name of the lycan they were trying to transfer.

I saw red.

I flung the papers across the floor and shot up from my throne, my eyes flashing silver. “What the hell is this?” I yelled as I pointed at the pages strewn across the marble floor.

Charles had the audacity to smirk as he stood up beside Grayson. “They’re transfer forms, Your Majesty.”

“Did he request the transfer?” I demanded, still pointing at the documents.

Charles remained unruffled as he smoothly explained, “We thought it was in his best interest to join the Toronto Pack where he can be taught how to be a lycan and flourish—”

“Bullshit!” I shouted.

“I’ll take very good care of him, Your Majesty.” Grayson bowed.

My eyes widened in pure outrage. “You can forget about it! I’m not approving that transfer. Especially if he didn’t request it!”

I could hear Liam requesting Ranulf to come to the throne room through the guard’s radio, but I ignored it. I was beyond angry. If I could kill Charles in this moment, I would. Truthfully, I was very close to doing so.

“You would really risk the life of the Lycan for your brother?” Grayson tilted his head condescendingly.

I huffed deep breaths in and out, my chest heaving up and down as I scanned the room, knowing everyone was waiting for my answer. This was what they wanted. They wanted me to prove to them that I wouldn’t put the Lycan over my family when push came to shove,