The Marked Mate of the Lycan King.

shed emeralds. It was heavy, restricting, and impossibly elegant. Every piece of fabric, every glittering diamond and emerald ge

, staring at my reflection. It

one thing; today's exposure was different. Today, I had to prove the King's lie w

ent efficiency of a shadow. He didn't speak, an

used for minor rulings and accepting official petitions. When the huge oak d

e-a confusing, overwhelming mix of expensive perfume, old power, and sharp, immediate hostility. Every eye in the roo

ne arch, watching. He wasn't ruling this event; he was observing me. His eyes were cold, assessing, and en

alized. He's waiting to see if hi

form. I kept my chin high, remembering t

s expected to give a brief, dignified acknowledgment before passing the papers to

d disputes, trade agreements, and resource distributi

me Sele

immering gold-a color meant to outshine my emerald green and her smile was wide, sweet, and

ocking bow that lingered jus

chamber. "It is so wonderful to see you adjusting to your new dut

neutral. "Lady Voss. Yo

uest concerning the ancient Decree of Lycan Succession, Article IX, Paragraph C-14. I

l. It was huge, covered in tiny, faded scri

it. Th

d, to say the wrong thing, and prove that I was an illiterate omega unfit for the title. If I failed this

didn't know Article IX. I

d, searching for any way out. I couldn't lie and pretend I knew the law. I c

on they asked. Answer t

ce hang for a moment, making everyone wait. I needed to look like I was

y voice quiet but clear

ng at Selene, who w

atform," I repeated, injecting a thread of

ly placed the sc

iring the wisdom of the True Luna. Yet you brought a decree that hasn't been referenced in nearl

or a moment. She looked surpris

lene said smoothly, recovering quickly. "We need your guidance

g across her politely. The whole room

ng on the platform. I addressed

ormal Luna tone and gaining the raw, defiant clarity of the slums. "This decree is not about mineral rights, Lady Voss. It is about precedent. Yo

Selene, demandi

ler," I challenged her. "Tell me, Lady Voss, why is a hundred-year-old law about dissolved packs more imp

grammar. My duty is to the living needs of the Lycans under threat from the Hunters.

angry motion, pushed it off the platform. It f

oom, my heart pounding so hard I thought it would burst through my ch

went wide with pure fury and shock. She had been publicly, utterly defeated, not by knowl

haky whisper. "You..

of adrenaline and desperate, sweet victory. "

o a defeated Selene. "Next petition.

completely changed. The nobles still hated me, but now they saw me as dangerous. The

glance towa

eyes met mine, and his massive form was completely still. He didn

sn't a smile, or even an expression of approval. It was a slight, grudging nod

silver chain around my neck. I

und defiance giving me strength. When the function e

shed. I leaned against the door, trembling viol

ose the truth of the war

onger hating the clothes, but the purpose they served. I h

ense: I had confirmed to Demetrius that I was not a gentle fool. I was a weapon he could