Chapter 10: The Council of Wolves

Miriam's POV

"You howled at him," Torren said at breakfast.

"I did not."

"The whole village heard it. The baker's wife called the guard house."

"It wasn't me," I said into my porridge. "It was her."

"She's you. That's how it works."

I put my spoon down.

My wolf lay quiet under my ribs now, warm and calm, and she did not seem sorry.

"I don't want him," I said.

"She does."

"She can want what she likes. She got one night of freedom and she's already making decisions."

Torren grinned at his plate.

It was the first time I had seen him look easy.

The king came to the door of my room before I could say anything else, in a plain black coat, and the grin went off Torren's face.

"The Council meets at noon," the king said.

"What Council?"

"Nine lords of the realm. They sit three times a year. Today I have asked them to confirm you as my heir."

I looked at him.

"I'm a pack girl with twin babies," I said. "I haven't even been here a week."

"You are my daughter," he said. "You'll be there as my daughter, or I won't go."

He said it so simply that I couldn't argue.

The hall was a round room with a ring of stone chairs, and nine old men and women sat in them, each in a different color.

I stood at the center in a plain grey dress with my daughter in my arms.

Alaric Ashfall sat on the dais with his hands on his knees, a king in a plain black coat.

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