Michael placed the dagger on the table.
"There is only one dagger like this. It belongs to the Underworld. Without permission, you can't even touch it. This is the Soul Keeper. Once stabbed, the soul is enslaved to its wielder."
"I see…"
"What we can do now is wait for the survivor to wake up and confirm my investigation. In the meantime, you can interrogate the assassins in the dungeon."
——
"I'm going to the dragons' territory."
"What do you mean you're going to the dragons' territory?!"
"You might not know this, but lycans and dragons aren't friends."
"But that doesn't mean they can't be, does it? This is the perfect chance to gain the dragons as allies. We need to be faster than the devil. I'll leave tomorrow morning."
"YOU ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" the king roared in his alpha tone.
"Everyone, get out," Celea said calmly to the people in the council. They hesitated at first but obeyed after receiving murderous stares from her. Dealing with the alpha was already enough; they didn't need an enraged Celea too.
Click.
Everyone left the room.
"Would you mind explaining yourself?" Celea asked calmly.
"EXPLAINING MYSELF? ME? I SHOULD BE THE ONE EXPLAINING HIMSELF!" Claus yelled, striding toward her. Soon, they were inches apart.
"Are you saying I should explain myself? I'm pretty sure that's what I've been doing for the past two hours—if you were listening."
The king smirked, placed his hands on her hips, lifted her up, and set her on the council table. He positioned himself between her legs, one hand on the small of her back, the other braced against the table.
"Do you think I don't know why you're so desperately trying to get there?" he murmured in a low, unsettling voice.
"Please enlighten me. Why am I so desperate to go there?"
Claus leaned closer. When she thought he would kiss her lips, he instead lowered his face to her neck, inhaled her scent, kissed it, then slowly rose back up to meet her gaze.
"Celea… you will not run away from me."
"What are you talking about?"
"You can't go to the dragons. I won't allow it."
"But, King, I never asked for your approval."
Claus scowled, then grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the meeting room onto the balcony. He raised the hand holding hers and declared loudly,
"THIS IS CELEA, MY MATE, AND YOUR LUNA AND QUEEN FROM TODAY ONWARD!"
The subordinates were stunned at first, then recovered and began cheering for their king and new queen, kneeling before them.
Celea was furious. She stormed forward, his hand still gripping hers, then shoved open the door dragged him inside, and yanked her hand free.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! What was that about?!"
The king grinned, then slammed her against the door, caging her between his body and the wood.
"What's wrong, love? Aren't we mates?" he said mockingly. "It's only natural everyone knows, don't you think? Or is there a reason to hide it?"
"What are you trying to pull? You know exactly what kind of 'mates' we are!" Celea snapped.
"Didn't you want to go to the dragons' territory?" he said coolly. "Then this is your chance. I'll let you go—but only with my mark on you, and me by your side."
"I don't want your mark!"
"Well, too bad. I want to mark you, so there's nothing you can do about it, is there?"
He kissed her forehead, stepped back, and turned away.
"You should rest. Tomorrow will be exhausting."
he left the room.
"That motherfucker…"
"Good morning, Luna."
"I'm not your Luna. I'm your commander. Now stop talking nonsense and get to work."
Sigh. That son of a bitch… it's all because of him. What the hell is his problem? He had no issue hating me fifteen years ago. Why would he change his mind all of a sudden?
"Good morning, love." Claus appeared behind her.
"Get lost, King. I'm busy."
Celea brushed past him and headed toward the knights, Claus following closely.
"Why do you have to be so cold? I missed my mate. Didn't you miss me at all?"
"Not at all."
The knights paused their training to stare.
"Who told you to stop? Keep training. Michael, take command."
After lecturing the knights she turned to face king.
"You. Come with me."
Claus smiled like a fool.
They entered her office.
"What's your problem? What are you trying to do?"
"What do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb, King."
"Claus."
"What?"
"Call me Claus."
"Why the hell would I suddenly call your name?"
"Because I want to hear you say it."
"And I couldn't care less about what you want."
"Heartless woman."
"Annoying narcissist ."
Stare.
"I don't have time for this."
"Time for what?"
"For you. I don't have time for you."
Sigh.
"I'm leaving tomorrow morning."
Claus stiffened.
"What? Where?"
"I already told you yesterday."
"The dragons? But I didn't give you permission. The only way you'll enter their palace is with my mark on you."
"Just like you didn't give me permission, I didn't ask for your approval."
Claus stepped closer, his dark red eyes glowing again.
"King, if I'm forced to choose between you and the dragons in this war, I'll choose the dragons. Now you decide—do you want lycans and dragons as allies, or do you want me as your enemy?"
He clenched his teeth. He was furious but forced himself to calm down.
"I'm coming with you."
"Be here tomorrow at six. If you're not, I'm leaving without you."
Celea brushed past him and exited the office.
Click.
Claus remained staring at the door she had just walked through.
——
"While I'm away, Michael will take charge. You will listen to him the way you would've listened to me. Have I made myself clear?"