Heather’s POV
"Our own agreement? Does this have something to do with our unfinished business in the past?"
My wolf leaned toward his voice.
"I want Austin and his mistress punished, and for murdering my father and unborn pups."
If Daniel was a rock, I had just cracked it, and then I felt his aura rise.
"What the hell did you say?" he asked. “Your sister and mate killed Uncle Henry?”
"You heard me," I answered. My throat still burned. "Olivia, the woman my father adopted, killed him. And my mate helped her."
Silence dropped between us.
When Daniel spoke again, the lazy tone was gone.
"Do you want it now? Because I can order the world for their execution in a nanosecond.”
Not the word. The world.
And I knew he was not exaggerating.
He could send hunters, executioners, enforcers, all in one breath.
One order from him and Austin and Olivia would be dragged out by their hair and thrown at my feet.
For a heartbeat, I saw Austin on his knees. Olivia sobbing, their wrists in silver cuffs.
It would be so easy.
"I know you can, but I need to gather evidence first."
"Why the hell waste time?" he snapped, even though there was a hint of a chuckle under it. "I can put their asses in a cell or order death before our conversation ends!"
Of course he was angry. Daniel had been close to my father. He used to sit across from him at long treaty tables, listening like the respectful prince he once was.
My father had always been proud of him and often said Daniel would be a better king than the old one.
Daniel and I used to run side by side through the neutral forest, two young wolves racing the wind. He was big even then. Black fur with silver at the tips, eyes glowing gold.
But he was next in line for the throne, while I was the daughter of a regional Alpha.
I told myself he deserved a powerful Luna, not me. Not someone who would drag him away from his duty.
So I pushed the feeling down. He did too.
Now, years later, here we were. My mate a murderer. His lazy prince days long gone.
"I know you can move mountains," I said, dragging myself back to the present. "But if your people realize you are using your power without justice, you will lose their respect. And power without respect is nothing but noise. Real alphas are followed because their wolves choose to kneel, not because they are forced to."
He laughed.
"You know, I actually missed your wisdom. You really have a point there. But still, I cannot help but think you are also concerned about me."
My cheeks warmed.
"I am more concerned about our kingdom," I answered. I lifted my chin even though he could not see that either. "I am asking for a personal alliance with you, so of course I want your reign to be stable."
"If that is your excuse," he said.
I could hear the smirk in his voice.
"Still, the truth you just gave me makes me want to behead your bastard mate on the spot. Truth is, he's already dead in my mind now.”
"I only want justice.”
"Very well," he said slowly. The king's voice came back, steady and iron strong. "Then what part of this plan are you planning to use my role for, Luna?"
The way he said Luna made my wolf stand taller.
It sounded different from how Austin said it.
"In two weeks, Austin will celebrate his years of leading Wild Brookes as Alpha."
I could almost see Daniel leaning back in his chair, one arm over the side, eyes narrowed.
"And?"
"I will gather evidences, and expose their crimes. On that same day, I am asking your warriors to arrest Austin and Olivia."
“That's it?” Daniel snorted. "Sounds boring."
I shut my eyes and shook my head.
"I don’t want you to just crush them from above," I started.
"I know," he cut in, softer this time. "I know what you want. And I agree. But since this is a treaty, I will lay out my terms as well."
"Say it," I answered. "Anything.”
"When your bastard mate has been removed from your pack, you will be the mother of my future heir.”
