Erik’s lips curl at one corner. “That’s a lot of effort for someone who is not your queen. And from what I gather, Leanna wants nothing to do with you.”
“Even if she doesn’t—” My wolf howls inside me with a combination of misery and anger. “Even if she doesn’t, she’s still my mate. You can’t have her. If she doesn’t want to go to the North with me, I’ll keep coming here.”
Erik’s smile is knowing. “Why not drag her back there?”
My eyes narrow. “I’m not going to force her to do anything. And I thought you were supposed to give her protection here, even from me. Or was all that just for show?”
He shrugs. “No, it wasn’t. I won’t let you coerce her into anything. But I am also not going to risk my kingdom for her. She’s an asset, and she would make an excellent queen. I’ll fight you to keep
