"You can be a master, navigate politics, defuse tempers, and outwit liars, but one smiles from Beta, and he forgets what kingdom you are in."
It was not often that I willingly participated in one of Alaric's "brilliant tactical diversions." Mostly because "brilliant" was his word and "reckless with bonus collateral damage" was mine.
But here we were, pulling up outside BlackThorne Security like we were about to sell them an insurance policy rather than… whatever Alaric's real plan was. He had not told me the specifics, and that was always a bad sign.
"You're sure this is a good idea, your Majesty?" I asked, watching him through narrow eyes as he stepped out of the car like he was about to walk along a runway instead of strolling into the nerve center of one of the most dangerous private security outfits in the realm.
"No," he chirped. "That's why it'll work."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Right. Logic brought to you by the man who believes sleeping past sunrise is a crime against nature."
"Please, you practically applauded when I slept in yesterday."
"I applauded because it meant I had thirty extra minutes of peace. There is a difference."
We crossed the street, and I clocked the shadow in my periphery — the same black-coated "tourists" who had been tailing us since we left the villa. Northern Shifter Kingdom operatives. Commander Morvik's people, if I had to guess. Which meant we were walking straight into BlackThorne territory with an audience. The office front was understated — sleek glass, matte black doors, minimal signage. The kind of place that says, 'If you know, you know.'
The moment we stepped inside, the air shifted. This was not a lobby meant for idle visitors.
"Marcus," Alaric murmured beside me. "Smile like we're here for tea, not to cause trouble."
"I can't do both," I whispered back.
The first person we saw was Beta Juno Reyes, tall, broad-shouldered, dark hair neatly kept, storm-grey eyes that could silence an entire tavern mid-brawl. He had that quiet, controlled presence that instantly commanded attention. And, annoyingly, he was wearing black leather in a way that made my brain short-circuit for approximately three seconds.
Juno's gaze flicked between Alaric and me, his expression the kind of wary patience reserved for dangerous animals. "You're the Alpha King." Then, to me: "And you're his… handler?"
"More like damage control," I said.
One corner of his mouth twitched. And just like that, I decided I liked him. Which was a problem, because liking people in our line of work usually ended up needing to send condolences to their families.
Greetings, your majesty Alpha King Alaric." Beta Juno bowed with respect.
Alaric gave him his best disarming smile, the one that made political rivals lean forward and agree to terms they would regret later. "Forego the formalities, we were in the area and thought we'd pay a visit."
Juno's eyes narrowed like he was measuring the exact level of nonsense in that sentence. "You do not just 'visit' BlackThorne Security."
"Then today's your lucky day," Alaric said, breezing past him like he had been invited.
I gave Juno a sympathetic look as I followed. "He's unstoppable when he's like this, you might as well pretend you invited him and save yourself the headache."
Inside was all clean lines and dark tones, military efficiency laced with quiet intimidation. It took about eight seconds for the rest of the team to appear.
Juno introduced the first woman who appeared as Nyra Voss, who was a first-half-shifter, half-witch, and radiating a "don't test me" aura that could stop a charging bull. She gave Alaric a slow once-over. "You're taller than I expected, Your Majesty."
Alaric grinned. "You are scarier than I expected. I like you."
"Don't," she replied flatly, but a small smile played on her face.
The next was Dr. Kael Morrin arrived next quiet, almost too quiet, the kind of man who looked like he was calculating angles, exits, and mortality rates within seconds of seeing you and finally then Riven Ashlock, the Panther shifter, tall, solid, with a stare that made me wonder if he was mentally measuring Alaric for a coffin or a suit. They all bowed in respect to Alaric, and he only smiled at them.
"This is quite the welcoming committee," I said, breaking the silence.
Nyra crossed her arms. "We were told the Alpha King does not make social calls. So why are you here?"
Alaric leaned against a desk, every inch casual authority. "We're here to make friends."
I coughed. Loudly. "Translation: he's testing your reaction time while seeing if the Northern Shifter Kingdom's little entourage takes the bait."
That got a flicker of something in Kael's eyes. Juno's head tilted slightly toward the front windows, and he had seen the tail, too.
"You brought company, your majesty, "Riven said, low.
"Not by choice," I responded on behalf of King Alaric.
"Wonderful," Nyra muttered.
Juno's gaze landed back on me. "You expecting trouble?"
"With him?" I jerked my thumb toward Alaric. "Always."
This time, Juno smirked. Unfortunately for me, that smirk did things to my brain I really did not have time for in the middle of a potential ambush. Alaric pushed off the desk, which satisfied glint in his eyes that always spelled trouble. "You all run a tight operation here, I like that."
"And we like answers, your Majesty," Juno said. "Preferably before someone gets shot."
Alaric glanced at me. "Marcus?"
I sighed. "We think that the Royal Commander Morvik sent a little welcoming party to track us. Alaric's 'plan' and I use that term loosely, is to see how quickly they react when we move somewhere unexpected."
Nyra folded her arms. "So, you're using our office as bait."
"Yes," Alaric replied without shame.
Kael adjusted his glasses. "If they're Morvik's, they won't move in public; they will wait for somewhere they control."
"That's why we're here," Alaric said smoothly. "Public enough to keep them cautious. Controlled enough for us to watch them."
Juno's arms were still crossed, but there was amusement under the wariness now. "And your role in this?"
I gave a faint smile. "Keeping him alive and keeping him from declaring war before lunch."
That earned me another smirk. Which yes. Not helping my focus. Through the tinted glass, I caught the faint outline of two figures still loitering across the street.
"They're not leaving," I murmured.
Riven's voice was low but carried weight. "Then neither should you, not as yet"
Alaric nodded like this was all going exactly according to his grand plan, which was not. "Good. Let us give them something to think about."
I could already feel the headache forming. Because I knew exactly what "something" meant when it came to Alaric: chaos, layered with charm, sprinkled with political fallout.
Juno stepped closer, close enough that I caught the faint scent of leather and steel. "Is he always like this?"
"Worse," I said. "This is one of his calm days."
He huffed a quiet laugh. "Saints help you."
I wanted to say something clever back, but Alaric chose that moment to declare, "Well, since we're here, I think we should see what BlackThorne Security can do."
Our conversation was interrupted when Elias BlackThorne walked in, eyes blazing, and his eyes remained glued on Alaric, and he yelled, "What the fuck are you doing in my office? "