Reborn Luna (Hope and Keith) novel Chapter 59

33 The bastard

33. The bastard son-1

Keith

I’ve never worn anything this stiff in my life.

The fabric clings to my shoulders like a second skin, and every seam is a reminder that I don’t belong here. I tug at the high collar, but Clinton slaps my hand away with practiced ease.

“Stop fidgeting,” he says, smiling without looking at me. “This is the price we pay for being an Alpha.” “You think the monkey suit is just another way to hold dominion over us? Like the King sits there and thinks of the most ostentatious rules to prove he can make us do whatever he wants.”

I know I shouldn’t speak this way, but I trust Clinton, and after what shared with him on the car ride over here, a little criticism of the dress code is the least of my problems.

“That’s what I always thought. There really isn’t another reason for it. But since we were granted an early audience, it’s better to go follow his rules and get on his good side.”

The King graced us with a preliminary audience before the festivities of the weekend. I can only assume my invite was due to my unexpected presence. Typically, I avoid the capital, but I wouldn’t allow Hope to be without me at an event like this.

“I can’t wait until we can get off it,” I mutter.

My wolf and Lycan agree.

He chuckles, but his eyes flick toward the heavy double doors at the end of the hall. The enforcers on either side straighten when they see us approach, hands tight to their sides. From the way they glance at me, I can tell they know who I am.

A servant steps forward, bows. “Welcome, Alpha Clinton and Alpha Keith. His majesty will see you now.” He pulls the doors open, keeping his eyes down as we pass.

Disgust rises inside me. I’ve never approved of the way the king treats his staff like some midcentury lord. We walk into the wide circular space of the throne room. Sunlight pours through the high stained-glass windows. Red banners embroidered with silver wolves hang behind the thrones. I note the three people in the seats before us.

I wonder where the crown prince is?

King Edric sits forward, a heavy man with clever eyes and a smile that stretches too wide to be real. It’s clear he’s spent too much time on politics and not enough leading his people and getting his hands dirty with the grunt work of running a pack.

Beside him, Queen Mirelle is all steel and polish, watching us like we’re pieces on a board. But it’s the third figure, lounging to the queen’s left, who steals the air from the room.

Princess Lilith. Sharp cheekhones, ruby hair, and a smile designed to bring males to their knees.

We stop ten feet from the dais. Clinton bends at the waist first in a show of respect and deference to their

station

I follow a beat later, stiff but obedient.

My instincts chafe at the gesture-Alphas kneel for no one–but I force them down.

Weak, my Lycan growls beneath my skin.

I can feel it then, the moment my wolf and Lycan merge. I block the swell of dominance threatening to

rise.

My hands shake with the effort, and I clasp them behind my back to hide them.

“Alpha Clinton, it’s been too long. And Keith, “he drops my title, an act which would be familiar to anyone else, but I see it for what it is, a reminder of my place. “We’ve missed you and your father. How was your

ascension?”

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