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

fear,” I growled. “Fuck this demon. We’ll find a way to send it back to hell.”

Ranulf snorted. “I’m glad yer so confident, Yer Majesty.”

“Well, somebody has to be! We’re not a bunch of pussies—”

“Hey! I never said we were, ye ken,” he grunted.

“I’m just saying. We’ve survived some tough shit. We can get through this, too.”

I started to stand and make myself another cup of coffee when the office door bursts open and Bash stormed in with Junior trailing behind him.

“We have a problem,” Bash said, out of breath. “The Summits—they’re in the throne room and they demand to see you. Now.”

My eyes widened slightly, and I stood from my chair slowly. “Why?”

“They learned about Abaddon. I’m guessing one of the guards is in their pocket,” Bash answered, his face stern.

This was the excuse they needed to dethrone me. If they knew why Abaddon was here, that he was after me, they wouldn’t hesitate to get rid of me.

“Damnit!” Ranulf punched the wall. “We need the Council. You don have all ten!”

I took a couple of deep breaths and fought to control my racing heart. “Where’s Rowan? Is she in the castle?” Ranulf nodded. “Good. Gather the nine we do have and get them in the throne room. I’ll figure something out.” I nibbled on my bottom lip as I tried to think about what I could possibly say to appease the Summits.

“No, gather the ten,” Junior chimed in. We all turned to look at him. “I’ve decided, Your Majesty. I’ll join your Council.” He graced me with a full bow and then peered over at Bash. The two of them had been hanging out a lot recently. I guessed that whatever Bash told him must have worked.

“Thank you, Junior.” I sighed and turned to Ranulf. “Get everyone to the throne room. I’ll be there shortly.”

Everyone departed, leaving me alone in my office as I gathered my wits. I’d been very careful with the guards I’d chosen for myself, so I was convinced that whomever the Summits were using as an informant wasn’t someone from my inner circle. Either way, all guards were on high alert searching for the demon and working with the Valkyries. I couldn’t assume the Summits knew everything, so I needed to wait and let them tell me what they knew first. If I didn’t, I would only dig a deeper hole for myself. Either way, I wasn’t going down without a fight.

I walked stiffly to the coffee maker and poured myself a cup, chugging it in four big gulps. Once I felt more like myself, I stepped out of my office and came face-to-face with William and Liam.

“Are ye okay, Yer Majesty?” William asked.

“We heard what’s happening,” Liam offered.

I nodded. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

William straightened and lifted his chin. “We won’t let anything happen to ye, Yer Majesty.”

“Aye,” Liam agreed.

“Thank you.” I smiled at them both and followed them to the throne room.

I heard the shouts coming from the throne room from the top of the grand staircase, and the thunderous roars of some shifting into their wolves became louder as we approached. Whatever was going on in that room was swiftly getting out of hand.

We jogged down the stairs and I took note of the guards who were positioned in the corridor, confirming they were mine.

“Follow me.” I motioned for them to come with us into the throne room. “William, call for more guards to be posted.” He relayed the order through his radio and we continued down the corridor.

The two guards posted at the doors opened each side, revealing a room that had erupted in full chaos. The European and American Summits were up in arms against Ranulf and the Queen’s Council, which was a tiny contingent compared to them.

Besides Ranulf, Alexander, and Bash, the rest of the Council hadn’t even been briefed on what was going on yet. Most of my ten were looking wide eyed and confused. I had to give it to Junior, though. He was made for this position. Even though he had no idea what was going on, he was fighting back with all he had.

None of them noticed when I arrived, so I took a deep breath and then let out a massive roar that shook the foundations of the castle. In seconds, everyone quieted and I could finally hear myself think.

“What the hell is going on here?” I demanded as I made my way through the crowd and toward the throne. The crowd parted, making a path for me to walk between, my guards following closely behind me. The Council filed in after them and stood at the front, flanking the throne.

Standing front and center was Grayson, Alpha of the Canadian Pack. Behind him stood Lucas, Alpha of the Italian Pack, who didn’t look nearly as meek as he’d appeared in the past.

The moment I sat on my throne, Grayson huffed, “We know about the demon! When were you planning on telling us? We have a right to know! This affects the whole Lycan community!”

I tilted my head. “Does it?”

“Does what?” he scoffed.

“Does it affect the whole Lycan community?” I repeated. “Because as of right now, it only affects Sheunta Village—particularly the Highlanders, which the Summits don’t care much about, so what exactly do I have to report to you?” I raised a condescending brow.

Grayson growled and Bash took a threatening step towards him. “Watch yourself,” he warned.

Charles pushed through the crowd and pointed to my new Council. “What is this?” he demanded.

I smirked. “This,” I motioned to the group beside me, “is the Queen’s Council. For now, it is the minimum ten designated seats, but as time goes by, I’m sure I’ll find others to fill the remaining slots.”

Lucas scoffed, “You have two lunas.” He pointed at Maria and Rowan. “You can’t do that.”

I laughed. “Says who? The Queen’s Council makes the laws, and we say lunas can join the Council. So there’s no problem.”

Grayson ran a hand through his hair. “This is