Queen of the Lycan - Karina Espinosa (bill gates book recommendations .TXT) 📗

a run. The run hastened the healing process for my assorted injuries and I felt better physically, but my energy levels were low. I still wasn’t at one hundred percent and I had no idea why.

After my run, I took a shower and changed into clothes that were more appropriate for a newly minted Queen … in other words, not jeans and a t-shirt. But you wouldn’t catch me wearing dresses all the time, either. I rummaged in a closet the size of a small apartment and found a pair of gray chino slacks, a black blouse I tucked in the front, and a pair of oxford flats and called it a day. The overall look was professional while still feeling like me. I grabbed a charcoal blazer and headed to the council room where I knew the Council – now called the Queen’s Council – was waiting for me.

Ranulf was standing outside my door waiting to escort me, along with a full accompaniment of guards. We strode out of the royal quarters and walked toward the council room.

“How are ye feeling, Yer Majesty?” Ranulf asked, walking beside me.

I sighed. “Like I’ve been run over.”

“Did ye nae go for a run?”

I nodded. “I did, but I don’t know, something feels off.”

Ranulf eyed me with concern. “I will have the doctor come see ye in yer chambers.”

“No, it’s okay, don’t worry. I’ll be fine—”

“Ye will see the doctor, Yer Majesty,” he commanded in a tone that said he meant business.

I snapped my neck in his direction and chuckled, but wisely refrained from arguing with the brusque guard. It didn’t matter if I was Queen or not; Ranulf would still tell me what to do.

“Only because you asked so nicely,” I replied sweetly, causing him to roll his eyes, making me laugh even harder.

When we arrived at the council room, the guards standing outside the doors opened each side and we strolled inside. The Council stood at our arrival and remained standing until I took my seat at the head of the table where Alexander once sat. Once I was situated, I waved for them to take a seat.

I leaned forward, took a much-needed, deep breath, and peered intently at every member. “This meeting is now brought to order. What’s on the table for today?”

Jacob grunted, “I think we all want to discuss what happened yesterday at yer coronation reception.”

“What about it?” I replied breezily, motioning for him to expand upon his comment.

“The Lycan obviously has a grudge against ye,” Jacob stated. “It is nae against our people, so why should our people suffer because of ye?”

I watched as the others bobbed their heads along with him in obvious agreement and frowned. Do they honestly think Fenrir is only after me? How delusional are they?

“Really? So what is it that you’re suggesting, Jacob?” I propped my chin on my fist and leaned in, eager to hear what was about to spew from his mouth.

“It’s too dangerous to have ye as our Queen,” he insisted. “Ye should make the sacrifice for the Lycan and give up the crown. It’s what a good Queen would do, ye ken,” he added, getting the approval of the Council.

“Hells bells! Are ye serious?” Ranulf shouted and slammed his fists on the table, making it rattle.

“Ye know Jacob is right!” Callum agreed. “More of our people will die before they get her,” he snarled, pointing in my direction.

“Remember who yer talking to!” Ranulf demanded. “Do nae speak so informally!”

Callum’s face turned beet red before he added, “Yer Majesty.”

The Council members took turns arguing against Ranulf, bickering back and forth as I sat back, crossing my legs and watching them with the same intensity as I would animals at the zoo. They were so quick to throw me under the bus. Not that I was surprised in the slightest, but it was interesting to watch how their minds worked. They got what they wanted: a seemingly airtight reason for getting rid of me, all cloaked in a self-righteous for our people bouquet. I just thought they’d be a little slyer about it, and not the day after my coronation. I supposed opportunity waited for no man.

“Are you all done?” I yelled to get their attention, slamming my palm on the table, making them quiet in an instant. “Good. Now, how delusional are you that you honestly believe it’s me he wants? Didn’t you hear him? What he wants is my position, not me specifically. So no matter who sits on the throne, he’s going to go after them. It won’t end with me.”

“Yes, well, we will deal with that—” Callum started to say.

“Ahhh, the truth comes out. So it’s me you want to get rid of, is what you’re saying.” I raised a challenging brow.

Everyone froze, their mouths gaping in shock after being caught red-handed in their plot to overthrow me.

“That’s not what we want,” Finlay sputtered, his eyes wide in guilty horror.

“Right … Well, none of you are gonna have to worry about it for long,” I teased. I sat straighter in my chair, the picture of poise, and clasped my hands in front of me.

“And why is that?” Jacob snapped with an arrogance that made me want to strangle him.

I maintained a carefully neutral expression, not giving away a glimmer of what I was about to say, then smiled sweetly. “Because … you’re all being relieved of your duties. Enjoy unemployment.”

There was a pregnant pause before the room exploded in an uproar. Chairs were shoved back from the table and Council members bolted up from their seats, slamming their fists and yelling with red faces. I let them get it all out of their systems, just like one would do with a cranky toddler. When I caught the flicker of glowing eyes and claws, I flashed my silver eyes, subduing them all with the increased power of my Alpha status as I sat calmly in my chair.

“Ye cannae do this!” Callum yelled. “We are the King’s Council!