Page 8 of Undertow
“You don’t even know me,” I snarled. “You know nothing and didn’t even give me a chance. This was aboutpowerand not even for you. You saw the chance to control me in a way you never could my father. And ifyouwere fit for your position instead of power hungry, you would at least have assessed me before trying to lie so badly.”
“That doesn’t even make sense,” a different elder snapped.
I snorted and turned towards the tablet Benson was holding. “I was not onvacationall of these years. I was working hard for the realm, learning and making neededalliances, studying in other countries. I might not have always liked being apart from my parents and home, but I knew the wisdom in their decision.”
“How is that relevant to this moment, Your Highness?” a deep voice said from the tablet.
“Thank you for asking, Alpha.” I raised my phone and read off three names. “Three ruling families of countries that have never attended any event in our realm have confirmed that they are attending my parents’ funeral.” I nodded when everyone around us froze. I glanced at Larsen. “Yes, I’m completely useless.
“One king is attending. Another’s younger brother and second, and one is his eldest daughter and heir sending hisapologiesthat he could not attend himself. Those are the responses I managed with three countries we have had tense relationships with. Because I risked myself by attending educational institutions in their countries or making sure I made connections at my schooling that benefited the nation.”
“Well done, Your Highness,” another voice said but cleared his throat. “For the record, our name is on that list, but we were told of apossiblemating match and not others. Certainly none of this madness of forcing you.”
Two others said the same and were less than thrilled, others beyond pissed that they were slighted by not being considered for this maybe?
“Obviously, forcing the princess to mate is—it cannot even be suggested again,” one of the Alphas said firmly. “And I second the motion to invoke Article III, Section V.”
I had almost forgotten that part, glad when several confirmed it so it was done.
“But there needs to be a conversation after the funeral about the future because the elders won’t be the only ones who think you should mate quickly for the stability of the realm given your age,” that same Alpha said firmly.
And the elders had dangled the carrot in front ofcertainfamilies and now none of them would let it go. It was why Hardin wasn’t there.
Rage flowed through me faster than I wanted to admit.
That was the real plan. He wasn’t rounded up with the lambs he let be caught in this trap or some sort of punishment.
No, he could now be the “reasonable” one to guide me when he would assume I would buck all of this. The Alphas wouldn’t let go of the idea of being mated into the royal family.
Which meant I was royally fucked.
Pun intended.
“Agreed,” I said easily even as my stomach rolled. “I see the point, but I am actually dating the son of an Alpha as all of you know. But we will set a meeting—the fact any of this is being discussed so close to their deaths is…”
“Yes, it is unforgivable,” someone agreed, their voice broken. “Everyone here knows you are a woman of your word, Your Highness. That’s all that matters, and now we can all turn our attention to where it should be.”
Right, right.
Yeah, just bury my parents and then try to manage the fallout of whatever Hardin unleashed upon me.
I was going to burn that man to dust for this.
