Page 57 of Microburst

“Good.”

Princess Makeda was from Virryr where the margays lived. Treena was closer to her, but when I’d made a bunch of deals to show up the Alphas, we’d reached out to Makeda. She’d basically said yes to whatever we wanted, even offering up her vast trust fund and accounts if we helped her get out of the mating her parents were trying to sell her into.

I was willing to help with that no matter what but was worried how quickly she was willing to give that money to us. Like that sounded hinky.

Treena told me that all of it would go to the slob Makeda was mating. Legally in that country, and there was no way around it even if it was all in Virryr, so Makeda would lose it no matter what.

Seriously, the world was way too fucking sexist.

And I decided to be “bold” again later and push back against that.

“How are you after hearing Wilder was leaving?” June asked me in our interview later. “That must have been a difficult conversation since we heard there were sparks between you.”

There was amusement dancing in her eyes because I’d specially asked her to phrase it just like that… And I’d never done that before.

“People exaggerate,” I chuckled. “While Wilder is indeed amusing, what was reported was out of character from what everyotherreport has ever said about me. That alone made everyone with a mind of their own pause. The one the media calls ice-cold and without emotion is suddenly a giggling, smitten fool over one meal?”

I pursed my lips and nodded, the most mockingsure, sureI could give while still looking regal.

“ButI fully understand he’s not up for the job and sees the situation for what it is. I prefer more people are honest with themselves and learn their pride will only be their ruin. I alsohope this shows more people what Ayao was saying and that the bigger of a circus my mating becomes, the more damage it can do in the long run.”

“Hopefully, more say it but less colorfully,” June teased.

“Funny how he got a pass for that, but it’s still being reported that my interview was atantrum,” I purred, but then quickly moved on. “Everyone is allowed to explode or hit their breaking point. I agree with him that people are taking things way too far and it has to stop. It really does.”

“It’s made people change their minds on the temples being involved at least,” June pushed.

“Yes, that was—I have no idea how anyone saw logic there, but the amount of people saying they always thought it was a bad idea is amusing. All of Thovudin didn’t have a lapse in memory.Icertainly didn’t and will remember who loudly proclaimed they all needed to be counseled so I didn’t lead them astray.”

“Yes, since they’re all on video after all,” she added. “Hopefully, some other good can come from this.”

I smiled as she said the last lead-in that I’d asked for. “Actually, yes. Wilder realized he was out of touch with the reality of Thovudin after seeing the blatant sexism I was facing. When he said goodbye and apologized for not being strong enough to be the man I needed—the man worthy of standing next to the ruler of Thovudin, he promised he was going to really educate himself.”

Several people in the room looked like they could have been pushed over by a feather… June included, but she pulled it together and continued the interview. “Did he give specifics?”

“He didn’t name any charities in particular, but he made it clear that he was going to spend the next couple of years dedicating himself to helping the plight of females in the nation. The Alphas were impressed to hear that was his pledge and response to all of this. It shows he’s grown from this experience,and several said that they think they should bring back the aides program.”

I went into detail how younger members of Alpha families used to try to be aides of the royal family and the honor of the education it would give them. The humbling it would provide to see that there was more than their area or even Thovudin being around so many more moving parts than one Alpha handled.

That was why my plate was always overflowing like the Alpha of Starhaven pointed out… Not because of my age or inexperience. Also, it was because I had to handle things that experienced Alphas couldn’t manage like his drought he had dropped the ball on. Repeatedly, so we all thrived by working together, and hopefully he started to remember that.

Because the people of Starhaven needed a leader who would put them first, not their pride or soundbites that made the Queen of Thovudin look bad for helping them.

When we were done, I asked for that part of the interview to be cut and sent to me immediately. June nodded for the camerawoman to do it, clearly curious but leaving it alone.

“Good luck,” was all she said when she handed me the USB drive with it.

“I’m the one in charge. I have so much more than luck,” I threw right back with a smirk.

Then I sent it to all of the Alphas and opened a call on our normal server for them and waited for them to get on. I had them muted and kept working, letting them all type in the chat as they wanted. Once there were ten of them, including Wilder’s uncle, I took us all off mute.

“Have I made my point?” I asked them clearly.

“What? That you’re willing to lie to the media, Your Majesty?” Alpha Kael drawled. He was in charge of Starhaven… And Thorn’s uncle.

“You’re going to throw stones while standing in a breaking glass house and not even hiding how you’re coming after me?” I asked him, everyone else freezing. “Oh please, you’re undermining me so I mate Thorn for an alliance with you because you think you’re sooooo great and would be the best for me.” I snorted. “I’d pick Ayao if that was all I wanted. And Galan.

“All you’re doing is making me rethink what’s best for Starhaven and you look ridiculous. My plate is overflowing while youfumbledyour drought and food shortages that are coming and I fixed it in a few days? The temples are under your purview. Why was there ever a problem with them tostart?Lazy leadership would be my answer and I will say that next time, savvy?”