“Because you think I leaked the story,” I say. “Or because it makes for a better narrative if you say so.”
She steeples her hands. “We’ve been accommodating, Miss Sumner. You’ve had your little romance, your press moments. We respected your privacy even when the four of you continued to maintain this forbidden pack structure.”
“Mother—” Kellen starts, but the queen raises her hand.
Because in this moment, she’s not Kellen’s mother. She is the queen. There is, and has always, been a difference, and I’d have done better to learn this much earlier.
“These conversations are over,” she declares. “Not only have you hidden this key piece of information, Piper, which can only be seen as a way to manipulate the Palace, thefour of youhave hidden what is clearly a forming pack. Both are unacceptable.”
Kellen is silent, but the air around him is charged. “Piper didn’t leak anything. And even if she did, it’sherinformation to share. She’s not manipulating anyone.”
The queen stares down her nose at all of us. “The way this plays out in the press is far more than this family can handle at this point. Perhaps it was our misstep thinking a PR relationship could be mutually beneficial. At this point, it’s been anything but. This family cannot take on the reputation weight of you bonding with a pack of commoners.”
The way she says it indicates she’d like that to be the end of the conversation. It probablyshouldbe the end of the conversation.
But Kellen doesn’t back down. “I’m not breaking this pack up for centuries of tradition that were built to keep the wrong people in power. This pack was built on love and trust. I’m not willing to betray that for your orders.”
My heart sings with Kellen’s declaration, but the queen stares daggers at her son before turning that gaze onto me.
“This ends today.” She leans forward. “Piper will make a statement that apologizes for her ‘deception,’ and then, because dating a commoner omega is a step far too outside the realm of permissible, you will publicly end your relationship with my son.”
I’m not sure why, but my first response is to laugh. “No.”
This earns me both ElliotandNolan clearing their throats.
No, I won’t stop. And I haven’t forgotten who I’m talking to either.
She blinks. “Excuse me?”
“No,” I repeat, louder. “I’m not going to go on live TV and apologize for being myself. And I’m sure as hell not breaking up with Kellen because you want to manage yourratings. This entire situation wasyour idea. And Raelynn’s. So, no. It’s not our fault we discovered we’re perfect matches and bonded. We’d not even have been in the same room together if you and Raelynn hadn’t decided a PR relationship was the solution to a little tabloid buzz.”
The king stands. “In this, you don’t have a choice.”
My jaw locks hard as I stand to match him. My alphas follow, but I speak before Nolan has a chance to intervene. “Yes, I do. You can’t force me to get on live TV or speak what you want me to.”
The queen meets my gaze. “No, but we can put out our own stories with a press machine far greater than what you and Raelynn can produce.”
So that’s the goal. I suppose I was naïve to think this might have ended any other way, and Raelynn must have been, too. PR relationships never work.
Especially when they’re tied to crowns.
My heart stutters, but I don’t let it show. “Then do it.”
“Piper,” Kellen warns softly.
I shrug at him. “I’m not their puppet.” Then I turn my glare back on the king and queen. “If this is how you want the last few months to be remembered, publish whatever you want. You say you didn’t leak my designation, but I can’t think of a single other individual who might benefit from it like you are. So if you want to break your own son’s heart, you go for it. My reputation will survive. It’s seen worse.”
Kellen’s eyes are two lit fires. Behind him, Nolan and Elliot look no less happy about the situation. But this isnotthe end. This concession on my part is simply a way to get out of this room without being held or forced to give more ground.
Our pack is safe. But I don’t want Kellen to lose his relationship with his parents overmyresponses.
Kellen must understand because the anger in him slows to a simmer. “If you think that I will seek out any other omega, or replace Elliot and Nolan with other alphas, you’re delusional.”
The queen’s lips form a thin line. “We’ll see.”
“We will.”
I give the king and queen a rather flippant curtsey. “Thank you for your time today. May I be dismissed?”
