Chapter 5

The council chamber was already full when I entered, and that alone told me this wasn't going to be a simple introduction.

 My father sat at the head of the long table, senior councilors arranged on either side of him. Luca was there. So was Garret. He stood when I walked in, and our eyes met for a brief second — there was still something strange about seeing him here. Yesterday he'd been a stranger in a crowded ballroom. Today he was sitting in my father's council chamber because he was my mate. I gave him a small smile before taking my seat beside Luca.

 My father waited until I'd settled. "Garret Hale."

 Garret stood again. "My King."

 "You've been introduced to me privately. Today I want the council to formally acknowledge you as Evelyn's mate."

 Garret bowed his head. "It's an honor."

 One of the councilors studied him. "You're from the Eastern Pack?"

 "Yes, Councilor."

 "And your rank?"

 "Delta."

 A few murmurs ran around the table. My father went on. "Garret has served his pack primarily in diplomatic matters — negotiations, territorial disputes, treaties, relations with neighboring packs."

 I glanced at Garret. He looked uncomfortable with all the attention, but he answered every question politely, without arrogance, without trying to make himself sound bigger than he was.

 My father finally nodded. "That's enough for now."

 Garret sat down. I thought the meeting would move on from there. Instead my father turned to me. "Evelyn, is there something you wish to add?"

 There was. I set my hands on the table. "Yes."

 Luca looked at me immediately. I could almost hear his warning without him saying a word. I ignored it.

 "I want the succession changed."

 Silence. My father stared at me. "What?"

 "I want Luca named heir."

 Luca's chair shifted slightly. "Evelyn."

 "I promised you," I said, without looking away from my father.

 He leaned back. "No."

 "I haven't even finished."

 "You don't need to." His voice was calm, but I knew him well enough to hear the anger underneath it. "I've made my decision."

 "And I'm asking you to change it."

 "Why?"

 "Because Luca deserves it."

 A councilor cleared his throat. "Princess, with respect, that isn't enough."

 "Why not?"

 "Because succession isn't decided by personal preference."

 "Neither is mine."

 Another councilor spoke up. "Your Highness, Luca is not of royal blood."

 I turned toward him. "And?"

 He looked almost startled by the question. "And that matters."

 "Why?"

 "Because the throne belongs to the royal bloodline."

 I leaned back in my chair. "So if someone has royal blood, they automatically make a good king?"

 "No one said that."

 "You didn't have to."

 My father cut in. "Evelyn."

 "You asked me why," I said.

 "I asked why you believe Luca should inherit."

 "Because he's capable."

 "That's your opinion."

 "And I've known him my whole life."

 "So have I."

 "Then you know what he can do."

 My father's jaw tightened. "Being a good brother doesn't make someone a king."

 "No." I gestured toward Luca. "Being trained to rule does. He's studied politics since he was a child. He's been taught diplomacy. He's worked with this council. He's spent years learning the responsibilities of this kingdom."

 "And you haven't?"

 "I have."

 "Then why should you step aside?"

 "Because I don't want the throne."

 The answer came out fast enough that even Garret looked over at me.

 My father stared. "You don't get to simply decide that."

 "Why not?"

 "Because you're the heir."

 "And what if I don't want to be?"

 "The kingdom doesn't care what you want."

 My temper rose before I could stop it. "Then maybe that's exactly what's wrong."

 The room went quiet. My father slowly rose to his feet. "Be careful."

 "I am being careful."

 "You're challenging the foundation of our succession."

 "I'm questioning it."

 "Same thing."

 "No." I looked around the table. "I'm asking all of you to tell me why blood should matter more than ability."

 One councilor answered right away. "Because blood gives legitimacy."

 "Does it?"

 "Yes."

 "What happens when the person with that blood is weak? What happens when they're selfish?"

 Another councilor spoke up. "The council can advise the ruler."

 "And if the ruler doesn't listen?"

 Silence.

 I nodded. "Exactly."

 My father folded his arms. "You're assuming you'd be a bad queen."

 "No. I'm saying Luca has spent his whole life preparing for this."

 "And you haven't?"

 "I prepared because I was told I had to." My voice softened. "He prepared because he wanted it."

 Luca looked at me. I saw the conflict cross his face, saw him shake his head slightly. I turned toward him anyway. "You wanted it."

 He didn't answer. I knew I was right.

 Then another councilor spoke. "There's another matter."

 "Which is?" I asked.

 His expression turned cautious. "The tradition of female succession."

 I frowned. "What about it?"

 "Historically, the Lycan throne has passed through male heirs."

 "So?"

 "So no female Lycan has ever ruled as sovereign."

 My fingers tightened on the edge of the table. "And you're saying that should stop me?"

 "I'm saying the kingdom may not accept it easily."

 I laughed once — not because it was funny, but because I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "So first it's blood." I looked at him. "Now it's my gender."

 "No one is insulting you."

 "You're telling me I'm unsuitable because I was born a woman."

 "That isn't what I said."

 "Then say what you mean."

 He fell silent. Another councilor stepped in. "Princess, the concern is stability."

 "Then judge me by my ability to provide it."

 "We cannot ignore centuries of tradition."

 "Why not?"

 "Because tradition holds kingdoms together."

 I shook my head. "People hold kingdoms together." I pointed toward the table. "People like Luca."

 The councilor who'd defended royal blood frowned. "You cannot compare an adopted Lycan to the royal heir."

 "Why?"

 "Because he isn't one of us."

 Luca went still beside me, and something inside me snapped. "Don't say that again."

 The councilor looked at me. "Princess—"

 "He is my brother."

 "He may be your brother, but—"

 "He is more my brother than anyone at this table could ever understand." My voice carried through the chamber. "He grew up here. He trained here. He served this kingdom. He's protected this family." I looked straight at my father. "And you know that better than anyone."

 His expression shifted — only slightly, but I caught it.

 "You're letting your emotions control you."

 "Of course I am." I didn't hesitate. "He's my family."

 Then a voice came from farther down the table. "I don't think the Princess is entirely wrong."

 Everyone turned. The councilor was looking at Luca. "Bloodline is important. But ability shouldn't be dismissed."

 Another nodded. "Luca has served the crown faithfully."

 My father looked at them. "You would disregard the law?"

 "No." The councilor shook his head. "I would ask whether the law should be reconsidered."

 The room erupted again — some agreeing, some protesting, others arguing about tradition. Luca stayed silent through all of it, watching the councilors, his expression giving me nothing.

 My father slammed his palm against the table. "Enough!"

 The room fell silent. He looked at me. "My decision stands."

 I stood a little straighter. "Then I'll change it."

 His eyes hardened. "You cannot."

 "I'll try."

 "You will not undermine this crown."

 "I won't. I'll fight for it."

 My father stared at me. For several seconds, neither of us moved. Then his gaze shifted briefly toward Garret.

 Garret hadn't spoken once through any of it. But he was watching me — not the way the councilors watched me, and not the way my father did. Like he was trying to understand the woman he'd chosen, or maybe the woman fate had chosen for him. And for some reason, that unsettled me more than the whole argument had.

 My father finally sat back down. "The meeting is over."

 I didn't move. Neither did Luca. The decision hadn't changed. But neither had mine.

 I would find a way to put Luca on that throne. Even if I had to fight my own father to do it.