Page 5 of Crowned By The Blood Alphas

Garrick pretends like he didn’t hear me.

“Garrick,” I say a little louder. “Why do the wolf shifters have two kings?”

I huff out an angry breath when he doesn’t answer. Again.

“I’m going to be living there by the end of the day,” I snap as we ride in the carriage, heading toward our eastern border. We’re accompanied by three wagons, several soldiers, and Lark. I refused to leave without my horse. “So, you might as well tell me. I’d like to go in as prepared as I can be.”

“Fine,” he whispers. I knew I’d crack him eventually. “It’s not all wolf shifters that have two kings. In fact, the Blood Alphas of Varkhar are the only ones that I know of.”

“But why two?”

“Varkhar has no wall to protect them, as you know,” he says. “They are exposed to the Hollowborn. Their wolf warriors patrol their borders every night, of course, but it’s still a very dangerous place to be.”

He realizes what he says and turns to me at once. “I didn’t mean…”

“It’s fine, Garrick,” I say, forcing out a smile. “Please, go on.”

“They have two kings in case one falls,” he says. “Wolf shifters aren’t like humans. A lack of leadership can be a very dangerous thing for a pack. And with a duty as deadly as the Blood Alphas have, they take no chances.”

“But don’t they argue? What if they fight?”

He shakes his head. “The chosen pair are bonded like brothers. It’s a very unique relationship. They act as one. They share dominance and have no jealousy or sole ambition. Their souls are tied to one another just like a shifter’s soul is tied to his mate.”

I look off into the distance at the approaching wall. I always thought the idea of shifters and their mates was so romantic. Being that devoted to each other… I shiver at the thought.

“But what about their mates?” I ask him. “What if the two queens argue or start to dislike each other?”

Garrick’s face goes red. He doesn’t want to say it.

“Garrick,” I say. “I’m about to live there. Please tell me.”

“Yes, Princess.” He takes a deep breath. “That is not an issue because there is only one queen.”

“One queen for both of them?”

He nods.

“But how do they decide who gets the queen and who doesn’t?”

His cheeks get even redder. “They… share the queen.”

“Share the queen?” I shout loud enough for the driver to turn around. “What?”

“I know it’s not what we’re used to,” he quickly says, “but the Blood Alphas think of themselves as one soul. You are right that two queens would likely create hierarchy and division. So, they share one queen instead.”

Now my cheeks are getting red as I imagine the implications of that.

“They are a backward, barbarous species,” Garrick says with a hint of disgust. Again, he realizes what he just said and tries to take it back. “But I’m sure you’ll get on fine.”

“Yeah,” I say, my heart pounding.

“If I can give a word of advice, Princess,” he whispers. “Stay away from them all. Stay out of sight. Like a quiet little mouse. Stay in your room and don’t leave unless you have to.”

“Okay, Garrick,” I whisper back. “I will.”

I’ll be invisible. I’ll make them forget I’m even there. I’ll do that until… forever.

That word echoes in my head.