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“Don’t call me that,” I said. “You haven’t earned it. And yes, Kyle is inner circle.”
Spencer scoffed.
“I’ll be her second,” Malcom said. “We don’t need him.”
I didn’t want Spencer as my second, but I never expected Malcom to step up like that. I wasn’t even sure Ace would care if I had a second. He was so bloodthirsty for my demise, he’d likely jump at the chance to finish me without the archaic protocol in place.
“Shit, I’d do it too,” Sheila said. “Any of us would, isn’t that right, Alec?”
Alec was silent and I knew the reason why he wasn’t chiming in. With his mark, he couldn’t be a second.
“I know any of you would,” I said. “But I doubt Ace is even going to care.”
“Well, y’all are being squishy again, aren’t you?” Star said.
I hadn’t noticed the witch’s entrance. “That’s what we do, I guess.”
“Worst shifters ever,” she said.
“Tell me about it,” Spencer said.
“For real, though,” Malcom said. “Tell us you plan on keeping us alive. That you’re not going to sacrifice us for your throne.”
“Having you two is beneficial for my rule, why would I want you dead?” Spencer asked. “My brother never had children. His line will end with him. It’s got the alphas all riled up. When he dies, it will mean war. Many would rather see an heir to prevent chaos. I think it’s the only reason his council was able to talk him into keeping me alive rather than executing me. Technically, they could bring me in to prevent a war.”
“I’m breaking the claim when this over,” I announced.
“You won’t have to,” Spencer said.
“I barely even want to be an alpha. You think I want to be queen?” I shook my head.
“Good thing he’s the first born,” Spencer said, pointing to Malcom.
All the color drained from Malcom’s face. I had a feeling he wasn’t thrilled with the idea of being in line for the throne, either.
“How about that?” Sheila said. “All these years we’ve been friends with a prince.”
“I’ve gotta get my throne first,” Spencer said.
“If this is going to be the headquarters for the rebellion, my prices are going up,” Star said.
“I’ll need a resident witch,” Spencer offered.
“Is that an official job offer?”
“You’ll have protection, power, money…” Spencer let the words hang in the air.
Star pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. She looked like she was weighing his words carefully. After a long pause, she nodded slowly. “Alright. Fuck it. I’m in. It’s probably time to stop hiding from my past.”
“Are we all really moving forward with this?” I asked. “After everything?”
“I have no reason to want you dead,” Spencer said. “I just need a little help to pull this off.”
“If it comes between us or you, we’re selling you out,” Malcom said.
“I’m fine with that,” he said. “You don’t know me yet. When you learn a little more about what my brother’s been up to all these years, you’ll be changing your tune. You know what he did to your mother.”
“I know it took you years to stop it and you somehow want a fucking medal for helping her when it was already too late,” I said. “What if you hadn’t fallen for her? Then what? You let her rot there forever? You’re not any better than any of the assholes I grew up with in Wolf Creek.”
