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

“Did he attack ye again?” Ranulf asked.

She shook her head. “No. He gave us a message … for the Queen.”

All eyes turned in my direction and I tried to keep my composure. “What was the message?”

“The next full moon, he wants ye to meet him.”

“Nae!” Alexander exclaimed. “Absolutely nae!” He slammed his fist on the mahogany table.

“Relax, Alexander.” I held up a hand and looked back at Ailios. “Location?”

“Deep in the highlands. He gave us the coordinates.” She wrote it down on the notebook in front of her and slid it over to Ranulf. “He wants ye to go alone. He said he will nae hurt ye.”

Alexander snorted. “As if we can trust him. He’s a demon!”

“Alexander is right,” Junior said. “This could be a trap.”

“Can I see the coordinates?” Rowan—Jacob’s granddaughter—asked and Ranulf slid the notepad to her. She looked it over and thought about it for a moment. “If I remember this correctly, this place is atop one of the hills that overlooks the loch.”

“How do you know that?” Bash asked suspiciously.

“I’ve memorized just about everything in Sheunta Village. Bring me a map, I’ll prove it,” she smirked.

I laughed. “No need. We’ll check later. But I’m not stupid enough to meet him alone. I’m reckless, but not that reckless.” I rolled my eyes.

“He said if ye don do as he says,” Ailios interrupted, “he’ll enter the village. He left that statement hanging, but it was obvious it was a threat.”

“Hells bells.” Ranulf slumped back in his chair. “The full moon is tomorrow night. We cannae evacuate the village in time.”

I thought about it for a moment, rubbing at my chin as I processed all my options. I couldn’t go by myself and put me and the baby in danger, but I also had the village to think about. It was a lose-lose situation.

“Ranulf,” I interrupted their musings. He turned his attention in my direction. “Go into the forest and look for Fenrir and Raven. Bring them to the castle. But you must bring them today.”

“You’re going to ask them for help?” Bash looked surprised.

I nodded. “Isn’t this what the union is for? They’re hiding deep in the highlands, and they’re very good at it. If I must go alone, at least let me have them as back-up.”

“You can’t trust them, Mackenzie!” Bash shouted. “He wants you dead!”

“I agree, Yer Majesty,” Ranulf said. “They’re nae trustworthy.”

I sighed. “Just bring them. I think I have a way to make it work.”

No one was happy with me after the impromptu Council meeting. Truthfully, I understood their hesitation. No one trusted Fenrir and the Valkyries, but right now, they were our only hope.

Abaddon hadn’t caught Fenrir and the Valkyries yet, which meant they were good at hiding. We had to use that to our advantage.

I returned to the Queen’s Chamber since technically I was still on bedrest, to wait for Dr. Harris to come and check on me. If I was going to meet Abaddon, I needed to make sure I wouldn’t pass out at the demon’s mere presence like an idiot.

“I cleared all the guards, Yer Majesty. It’s just ye and me,” William reported as he entered the common room where I was seated.

“Thank you, William.”

“Yer Majesty,” he spoke suddenly. “May I speak bluntly?”

I peered over at him and nodded. “Of course, what’s on your mind?”

He sighed before coming over to sit on the armchair across from me. “Yer Majesty, I don think ye should meet with Abaddon tomorrow. It’s too dangerous.”

I pressed my lips into a thin line. “You know what will happen if I don’t. I can’t sacrifice the village.”

“Ye have an army at yer disposal, Yer Majesty. We can take care of the village. Ye wouldn’t be sacrificing anything. Protect yerself,” he implored earnestly.

I blew out a breath. “Thank you, William. I know you only want to make sure I’m safe, but this is my job. I have to think about the safety of my people before myself. I might have an army, but you’ve seen what Abaddon is capable of. I don’t even think an army could withstand that. This is the safer route. Just … trust me. Please.”

“But … the baby!” he pleaded.

I smiled. “I will protect this baby with everything I have. Nothing will happen. I also won’t be alone.”

He nodded reluctantly. “I understand, Yer Majesty.”

Just then, Dr. Harris walked in with Bash and both William and I stood. William bowed before exiting and taking his post at the door to make sure no one interrupted us or attempted to eavesdrop. I led the way into my bedroom, Bash and the good doctor following me in.

“How are you feeling, Your Majesty?” Dr. Harris asked.

“I feel better compared to a week ago,” I admitted as I sat on the edge of my bed. He came over with his bag and started to take my blood pressure. The cuff tightened around my arm, making me want to fist my hand.

“Okay, looks like your blood pressure is under control for now. Sebastian has asked if you can be taken off bedrest,” Dr. Harris stated as he put his things away.

“She’s not really built for bedrest, doc,” Bash mentioned as he eyed me. I glared at him in response.

“I promise to work the bare minimum,” I promised. “But I do need to get out of this room.”

Dr. Harris sighed and came to sit beside me on the bed. “I’m going to be straight forward with you, Your Majesty. If you were human, I would automatically say no. Low blood pressure during the first trimester is fairly normal and expected, but not to the point where it causes you to pass out. However, because you’re not human, we have some leeway. You’re also an alpha, so your strength is more than that of a typical luna.” I straightened and prepared for the but that was sure to come. “With all that said, Your Majesty, lunas are still