Chapter 5: The Offer

"Say it," Madoc said.

I set the empty bowl in the dirt between us.

"On Oath Night, the king stands at the Stone with his Luna and swears the crown oath in front of every pack."

"Yes."

"I want to be standing there when he does."

"As what?"

"As the woman who was marked and thrown out, wearing your claim on top of his."

Hild, who had been pretending to mend a strap three feet away, dropped the strap.

Madoc did not move at all.

"You want me to bite you in front of the realm," he said.

"Over his mark. Where he can see it."

"For revenge."

"For his face," I said. "I want to watch him realize the whole realm just saw a lycan Alpha take what he threw away."

"I could kill him tonight."

"Dead men don't bow."

The corner of his mouth moved.

It was the first time I had seen it do that, and it changed his whole face for a moment.

"You think I want the crown," he said.

"Do you?"

"No."

"Then what do you want?"

He looked into the fire for longer than I expected.

"To see him get what he's earned," he said. "That's all."

I waited.

He added nothing.

"There are rules," he said at last. "If I do this, there are rules."

"Tell me."

"The claim happens at the Stone on Oath Night, in front of everyone. Until then I don't mark you, and I don't touch you except to stop the fever."

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