Queen of the Lycan, Karina Espinosa [accelerated reader books .TXT] 📗

even met with them yet, but correspondence between them and Alexander was frosty. Let’s just say I had my work cut out for me.

I tapped my finger on the table and stared at it for a whole minute before saying, “Do they not realize the gravity of the situation they’re in?” I peered up at Alexander and Ranulf, whose attention snapped my way.

“How do ye mean, Princess?” Ranulf asked.

“The Council—don’t they realize the precarious situation they’re in?”

Alexander let out an awkward chuckle. “I don understand what ye mean, darling.”

I shrugged. “I’ll be their Queen in less than a week. That means this council will no longer be coined the King’s Council, but the Queen’s Council. In that case, every position on the Council is to be filled by those I deem trustworthy enough to guide me, and I don’t trust a single one of those old bastards.” I raised a brow. “Are you following me now?”

“Keep yer voice down!” Ranulf peered around the room and practically jumped across the table to shut me up.

“Mind yer tongue, Mackenzie,” Alexander reprimanded with a dangerous glint in his eye. “Yer nae Queen yet.”

“The ones who should be minding their tongues is them! They can be replaced just like that.” I snapped my fingers and gave a wicked grin.

I knew I was playing a dangerous game, but it was true, nonetheless. Once the Council became mine, I didn’t care how many monarchs they’d served, they wouldn’t be serving under me. Especially not after the chilly welcome I’d received this week.

“Are we done here? I have to get to hair and make-up.” Without waiting for an answer, I pushed back from the table and stood from my chair.

Alexander waved me off. “Yer dismissed.”

I’m probably giving him more gray hairs.

Without a backward glance, I left the council room and darted down the hallway, ignoring all the portraits with judging eyes, and hurried for the stairs. I might have been all sass and confidence back there, but it didn’t mean I wasn’t nervous. I had to be Mackenzie Grey on steroids around here and I didn’t like it. If I didn’t stand up for myself, no one would.

Bash and I had the whole guest wing to ourselves until my coronation. Once I became Queen, we would move to the King’s quarters, which would then be known as the Queen’s quarters. Alexander would be moved to a different set of quarters somewhere in the castle.

I felt bad leaving Bash behind the last few days while I ran from meeting to meeting, but luckily, he attended every event with me as my date. When I entered our bedroom, I found him standing in front of the floor-length mirror in a tuxedo, looking all kinds of dashing.

I gave a hearty whistle. “Well damn, you’re looking hot.” I walked in and kicked off my shoes.

He grinned at me from the mirror. “Why, thank you. I can’t wait to see you in your dress.” There was a mischievous twinkle in his ocean blue eyes as he smirked. “And then I can’t wait to take it off.”

I laughed. “Dirty, dirty man.” I flung myself onto our massive king-sized bed and bounced on the comforter and pillows that felt like they were ripped from cloud nine.

“Rough day?” he asked as he adjusted his bow tie.

“The worst,” I grumbled, my face stuffed into a pillow. I lifted up my head. “I had an outburst today.”

Bash peered over his shoulder with a raised brow. “Mackenzie …” he scolded.

“I tried!” I sighed and leaned on my elbows. “I really, really did. But if they don’t respect me now as a princess, why would they once I’m Queen? They think they can walk all over me, that they can manage me and rule through me, but no way. That’s not how shit’s gonna go down.” I felt my blood pressure rising again.

“I agree.” Bash nodded. “But why don’t you wait until after your coronation before you start laying down the law, okay?”

I flopped my head down on the mattress and sighed again. He was right, as usual. It was all about timing, and right now wasn’t the time to make waves. They could take my crown from me or extend the period before my coronation if they really wanted to make me suffer. I needed to be more careful and not let my temper get the better of me.

Bash leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my forehead. “You’ll find your footing, Mackenzie,” he murmured encouragingly.

“What about you, Prince Consort?” I grinned at his new title. “Are you finding your footing?”

Bash sat on the edge of the bed and unbuttoned his suit jacket so it wouldn’t get wrinkled. I propped up on one elbow and rested my head on my hand, awaiting his response.

“I won’t lie to you, it hasn’t been easy this week,” he admitted thoughtfully. “Because of my upcoming title, I can’t work with the King’s Guard and I can’t join the Council yet. I’ve just been floating around aimlessly, which makes me antsy.” He rubbed his hands together and I felt shitty all over again for abandoning him like I have.

“I’m sorry, Bash,” I muttered, reaching for him. “It’s almost over. After Sunday, things will be different, I promise.” At least I hoped they would be. Bash gave up a lot to follow me to Sheunta Village. He was Alpha of the Brooklyn Pack back in New York City, and now … he was Prince Consort to the future Queen. It wasn’t really an upgrade.

He gave me a boyish grin. “I know, Mackenzie. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”

Bash stood from the bed and buttoned his suit jacket again, adjusting his clothes in the mirror. “I have to get going, and I’m sure you have to start getting ready,” he said pointedly, looking at me through the mirror.

“Yeah, I know, I know.” I jumped up from the bed. “See you later?”

He nodded and strode across the room, closing the door softly.