CHAPTER 18
DRAKEN’S POV
My private war chamber smelled of iron and blood. Maps lay scattered across the table, their edges pinned down by iron daggers I’d used in battles long forgotten. I stood at the center, fingers braced against the stone, while Thorne delivered the latest poison in careful sentences.
“Silas has spent the afternoon whispering in the ears of the lesser Alphas,” Thorne said. “Rumors about the bond have spread like wildfire. some claim the girl weakened you. Others whisper she’s the reason the North grows bold.”
I didn’t answer immediately. Kings don’t need to. But inside my head, Fenris slammed against the cage of my ribs, his claws scraping the bones in my chest. MINE. PROTECT.
The wolf was a storm triggered by the mere mention of her name.
Quiet, I commanded him
