36. Chapter 35

Chapter 35

David looked up as we walked into our private rooms then surged to his feet. ‘How did it go?' He stared at me and his jaw dropped slightly. ‘You're covered in blood.'

Archie grinned. ‘The blood of her enemies. It was awesome! She slayed!'

‘Yes, thank you, Archie,' I said primly. ‘Though he has a point. I am covered in the blood of my enemies and I'd like to rectify that. I need a shower.'

Usually when I shifted, the blood was normally as lost as my clothes, but this time I'd been coated in blood in my human form when I'd been lugging dead bodies to my new, not-so-feral, house.

I started towards the bathroom before any of them could see the trembling that was starting in my hands despite my best efforts to stop it. Hysteria was crowding the edge of my mind.

‘She burst into flames!' Archie continued.

I paused mid-step and whirled round. ‘I did what ?'

Liam nodded solemnly. ‘When you shifted, you burst into flames like you were the phoenix or something. It was awesome.'

Terrance's comment about adding a certain je ne sais quoi came flooding back. You set me on fire? I asked my crown, a shade wildly.

Well, it wouldn't harm you, my Queen. I'd never harm you.

How did you do it?

I'm a fire elemental – or I was, a long time ago.

Suddenly, Terrance's history seemed important. And how did you end up in the werewolves' crown?

Ah. Like most sentient objects, I was cursed, he said entirely too cheerfully.

You don't sound too upset about it, I noted.

Why should I be? The one who cursed me is dead while I have lived several centuries, albeit without a physical body. I do miss a cup of tea, he confided.

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

‘Are you okay?' Greg asked softly.

Not even a little bit. I thought about lying to Greg, but he would see it in my eyes. ‘Not really, my love.' I paused. ‘A shower will help. And I'm starving – would you get me some food while I shower?' I pulled the crown from my head. ‘Here, look after Terrance for me.'

Greg's lips twitched. ‘You've already given your crown a name?'

‘No, he already had one. There's a spirit trapped in it, a fire elemental apparently. He seems nice, but don't leave him lying around. I don't want him burning down Fellworth House while we're here. That's the last thing I need.'

Like he did with most things, Greg took the news that my crown was haunted calmly and shoved Terrance into a backpack.

‘I'm not sure he'll like that,' I said dubiously.

‘He'll live,' Greg said facetiously.

A slightly hysterical giggle escaped me. ‘Unlike my foes.' Then I sobered and a sob teetered up my throat. I squashed it down by swallowing rapidly and telling myself that everything was going to be okay, though it would undoubtedly be different. I was truly the Queen now, not just in name; life was going to get rockier still – and I already felt like I was on a rollercoaster.

I asked quietly, ‘Can you find out the names of the alphas that I killed?'

Greg nodded. ‘Of course, Peaches. Go shower. I'll get you food, names and anything else you need.' He paused. ‘ You were amazing today. You did what was needed to get the job done. I know it's hard, but I promise you did the right thing.'

‘Thank you.' Not wanting to smear him with the blood, I kissed him lightly on the lips. Then I went into the bathroom to wash and cry until my soul felt better.

Esme was bemused by how much I cried, but I still felt no better. The longer I was in the Other realm, the darker I feared my soul was getting.

It is not dark, Esme assured me. If it was, you wouldn't be crying. You're doing what you're supposed to be doing – you're taking out the rubbish.

I hoped to hell she was right.

I dressed in jeans and a pink top that said Girls Rule and Boys Drool . Not my most regal outfit but I had a sudden urge to be Lucy. When I came out, the dining-room table was laden with croissants and Danish pastries of various shapes and sizes.

‘I checked them all on Amber's bedside table,' Greg promised. ‘They're all good to eat.'

‘Fabulous, thank you.' I gestured to the men. ‘Dig in everyone.' They didn't need to be asked twice, and for the next twenty minutes there was no conversation as we ate our fill. Greg poured me another cup of tea then sat next to me, wrapped an arm around me and pulled me into his arms.

It was exceedingly rare for Greg to indulge in public displays of affection. Only as I was shovelling in an apple Danish did I realise his sudden urge to get physical probably wasn't coincidental because it had come when I'd announced I was looking for a mate. He must be feeling insecure – another thing to worry about – but how the heck did I reassure him without pressuring him?

For all we'd exchanged ‘I love yous', I wasn't good at wearing my feelings on my sleeve . Of course I wanted him, but I hadn't wanted him like this – forced by Esme's machinations to keep me safe. And for what? So far I hadn't needed my cadre of faux suitors; I had been the one that kicked ass this time. The only thing they'd protected me from was a lot of astonishing male egos. It took a certain kind of person to be an alpha werewolf, but I wished to hell that at least some of them were nice. Gods, there had to be some nice ones, right?

I took a sip of tea. ‘There must be some good alphas here. Lord Samuel was a good alpha.'

Archie nodded. ‘He was. He had friends amongst other alphas, like Denby from the Derbyshire Pack. '

‘Denby from Derby?' I snorted.

‘Kearns is from Derbyshire,' Greg said thoughtfully. ‘He's the one beating the Queen drum the loudest.'

‘True. Who else was your dad friends with?' I asked nosily.

‘Tarkers from Oxfordshire – Franklin Tarquin,' Archie expanded. ‘And then there's Wakado.'

‘Wakado?' I repeated faintly.

‘Hugo Wakefield.'

‘From which pack?'

‘Norfolk.'

‘Wonderful.' I sipped my tea. ‘Maybe you should extend an invitation to them to attend the Home Counties pack next month.'

‘Next month ?' Archie objected.

‘I've had my fill of alphas for a few days, plus I have things to do – Jess's hen do, and then her wedding. I have a busy social calendar. Give me a breather before I have to cope with more testosterone-fuelled alphas.'

‘What happened to the seat of power?' Liam asked.

‘She's relocated to the mansion,' I confirmed.

‘She?' David sounded surprised.

‘Her name is Nina. She's very nice.'

David's eyebrows shot up. ‘What about all the wolves she killed? '

Nina had asked me to protect her reputation so I kept her secret and gave him an enigmatic smile. ‘We all have our off days.' I looked at the men around me. ‘Go. Go and invite those alphas that Lord Samuel was friendly with. Split them between you. Off you pop.'

They didn't protest about my transparent effort to be alone with Greg. When they'd gone, I turned to him and let my heartache show. ‘Tell me,' I said softly. ‘Tell me the names of the men I killed.'

Greg didn't object to my phrasing. ‘Daniel Hughes of the East Riding pack, Mick Harrington of the Dorset pack, and Gerrard Tadbury of the Essex pack.'

‘And the one who lived?' James had taught me a valuable lesson about leaving enemies alive; I'd keep a close eye on the cowering alpha.

‘Perry Abberdon of County Durham pack.'

I pursed my lips. ‘Can you bring him to me?' I wanted to assess him for myself, to look into his eyes and see if there was vitriol.

He hesitated. ‘I'd rather not leave you alone whilst I fetch him.'

I flashed him a bitter smile. ‘Has this morning not taught you that I am capable of defending myself?'

‘That was never in question, Peaches. I know you can defend yourself but you shouldn't have to. That is my role. I have sworn to serve and protect you – it should be me covered in the blood of our enemies, not you. I was born to kill and made into a killer by the dragons I served – but now I serve only you.' He paused. ‘You asked me once if Emory gave me an order and you gave me a conflicting one, whose order would I follow? Yours, Lucy. I would follow yours.'

He bowed low, his hand to his heart. ‘My Queen,' he said passionately then left the room before I could respond.

My heart was hammering. Me: he'd chosen me.

It was everything.