Page 190 of Collared by the Vampire Prince

Victoria turns away and walks towards the piano. She presses one of the highest keys repeatedly, the shrill note scraping at my nerves. I need her to agree.

“And what do you gain from joining the Poplarins?” she asks.

“Protection. Influence.”

Information the Resistance may be able to use.

“Yes, obviously,” Victoria says impatiently. “But why should I help you gain those things?”

“Because once I belong to a pack, I stop being Nathaniel’s problem.” I pause. “And I stop being yours.”

The piano key falls silent. “Do you truly believe he will leave you alone?”

“If I belong to them, he will have no reason to interfere,” I say, growing more convinced with every word. “Whatever interest he has taken in me ends there. He’ll forget I even exist.” The prospect tastes bitter, although I cannot explain why. This is what I want. Nathaniel’s attention has brought me nothing but pain, humiliation and confusion. The less he feels responsible for me, the better.

Victoria studies me for a long moment. Finally, she sighs. “And what, precisely, would you like me to say?”

Victoria descends into the wolf pit at lunch, and all conversation fades around her. Even the Poplarins fall silent when she enters their circle, her black heels striking the stone and silver jewellery glittering against her throat.

I follow several paces behind.

Chelsea rises, visibly wary. Mark remains seated, although his gaze moves immediately to me.

“Lady Volare,” Chelsea says. “Can we help you?”

“Please. Victoria is fine.” She is clearly pleased by the title.

“I understand you refused my wolf this morning.”

Every nearby head turns towards my collar.

Chelsea recovers quickly. “We were unaware she belonged to you.”

“Most people are.” Victoria sounds faintly amused. “Nathaniel fastened the restraint at my request. I thought it might be entertaining to keep her for a while.”

My nails bite into my healing palms. I asked Victoria to say this. I cannot object merely because she performs the part so convincingly.

Mark leans forward, resting his forearms upon his knees. “And now?”

“Now I have lost interest.” She looks at me with casual disdain. “If you want her, you may have her.”

Chelsea’s gaze moves between us. “The prince has no claim upon her?”

“None that concerns you.”

“And the collar?”

Victoria releases an indifferent sigh, as though the conversation has exhausted her patience.

“Little more than a fashion accessory.”

Amusement flickers across Mark’s face, and he rises. “Then we would be honoured to accept her.”

Chelsea’s jaw tightens. “Mark—”

“You wanted wolves of value,” he says mildly. “Kira has demonstrated courage, strength and enough audacity to embarrass the prince before the entire Academy. I would say she has considerable value.”

His eyes settle upon mine. “And she comes to us untouched.” The heat in his stare makes my stomach tighten.