Page 55 of The Forbidden Wolf King
When the alpha gave an order, you didn’t argue. That was the wolven way.
A woman stepped forward then, not going off to pack up her tent with the rest, and I knew I recognized her from somewhere.
Oh yes. Brutus’ wife.
“Zara was going to forfeit. She can’t be queen,” the woman said.
Everyone froze what they were doing and turned to face the woman. I had to bite back a growl and then stepped closer to her.
“I did that to save a pack sister,” I muttered through my teeth at her, and then looked to the crowd, holding up my arms. “Any woman who thinks they are stronger than me, I challenge you right here and now!” I bellowed, my hands balling to fists. I would rip apart any female I had to in order to keep Axil.
A heavy silence descended over the people and I allowed my anger at this woman to rush through me but forced my wolf to stay at bay. I needed to look like I was in control.
To my surprise Eliza stepped into the fight circle and my heart sank into my stomach. There were a few gasps from some of the women watching.
I was more hurt than mad that she would challenge me. Why? “’Liza—” I started, but then she dropped to her knee before me and bowed her head.
Now I understood. She, as the last living champion of the Queen Trials, was sending a message to the other women, and it caused a lump to form in my throat. Amara, from my own pack stepped into the circle next and took the knee as well. Then another, and another, until two dozen women were on their knees before me. Emotion clogged my throat but I swallowed hard and tipped my head up high.
Axil stepped up next to me and then peered at the royal wolven advisors. There were five of them standing there watching the display of submission with female wolves who were anything but submissive.
“What do my advisors say?” Axil asked them and I steeled myself.
They looked at one another, and then one by one nodded.
“Axil Moon remains king and Zara Swiftwater is the people’s chosen queen,” one of the advisors declared.
The women stood then and Eliza rushed to hug me. I wrapped my arms around her and wished that we could celebrate. Relief and excitement filled me up in equal measure but there was also a sense of foreboding.
The war.
Eliza released me and I pivoted to see that the dragon king and queen were already in their dragon forms with basket saddles on their backs, waiting.
Time was of the essence and celebrations would have to wait.
This was it.
The testing of my capability as queen was at hand.
SIXTEEN
There was no time for a wedding. I didn’t need one anyway. Axil was mine and I was his. I’d been declared queen by the council, there was no need for fancy dresses and dancing. I’d never wanted any of that, I just wanted him. We were accepted by our people, as mates and monarchs, and that’s all that mattered to me.
We’d left Axil’s lead Royal Guard in charge of the war effort. The wolven troops were set to ride to our aid immediately but we could not wait to travel with them on foot. The fae king needed us now. Axil had spoken of Lucien and his dear friendship and unshakable alliance with the kings of Avalier that summer at camp when we were fifteen. How he went once a year to a retreat to spend time with them and strengthen their bond. Though it seemed like they’d fallen away from each other for some time, it was like no time was lost between them now.
I watched happily as Raife and Axil caught each other up on all they’d missed as we rode atop the dragon king. Next to us, Kailani and Madelynn flew on Arwen’s back.
“Married. I never thought I’d see the day,” Axil said to Raife over the roaring wind.
Raife smiled. “You don’t let a woman like Kailani get away.” He looked across the clouds at his wife and I couldn’t help but match his smile. I instantly liked Raife: any man who spoke so kindly about his wife was good in my book.
“So, what—” Axil started when a frigid chill slammed into us. Suddenly we were in the center of a snowstorm that had come out of nowhere.
I knew the winter king had a reputation of having an awesome power that he couldn’t quite control, and now I was seeing it first-hand.
By my calculations we were still in Archmere, elvin territory, where it did not snow this time of year if ever. Raife looked concerned, his brows knotting together in the center of his forehead. “The war must have gotten worse since we left only a few short hours ago,” he said.
The dragon king swooped low, below the thick snowy clouds, and a horrifying sight came into view. Thousands of soldiers, for as far as the eye could see, were attempting to infiltrate Archmere.
