Chapter 183
“Just don’t cross the line. Don’t go beyond that friendship thing that you’ve been doing.” Sideburns lowered his voice. “You all know what she is to me. And that will never leave this tent.”
“So you don’t plan to acknowledge her?” Shade asked quietly.
“You know I can’t,” Sideburns said. “I’ll soon be engaged to Princess Viviane after our father and her father reach an agreement in favor of the throne. Viviane is the heir to the Great European Shifters Kingdom. She’s the key to our expansion—”
“Are you listening to yourself, Jared?” Shade cut in. “What happened to you? I know you’ve always been a hardass, as you’ve been destined to be the heir since before you were born. But you weren’t always this bad. It’s like your ambition is making you lose your head.” He paused. “Do you know how hard it is to find a fated mate? You’ve got that one gift every shifter is willing to fight to the death over, and you’re going to throw it away?”
“You think this is fucking easy for me?” Sideburns snarled. I could picture his veins throbbing angrily in his temples. “I don’t expect you to understand this sacrifice! I’ve always been the one who shoulders every duty and burden, and all you’ve ever done is fool around and chase women. I’ve even been helping you get rid of the title of ‘Prince Playboy.’”
“Really?” Shade sounded hurt and angry too. “That’s how you think of me?”
“Alpha Heir didn’t exactly mean that,” Going-gray said, trying to be the buffer between the brothers. “And Prince Shade has been working hard on
every assignment these past few months to meet the challenge.”
“Fine, he’s trying,” Sideburns said curtly.
“I’m only going to say this one more time,” Shade said. “You decide to
sacrifice your happiness for power, your loss. But if you don’t want her, release her.”
“So she can choose you?” Sideburns snarled. The unexpected, fierce possessiveness in his voice made me jump on the fur bed. “Never! Do not touch her. She’s my prize! I’ll kill anyone who tries to lay claim to her.” He paused, surprised by his own vehemence. He lowered his voice a notch and sounded more controlled now. “It’s not that I don’t want to claim my fated mate. My wolf has set his eyes on her. She’s his mate too. I know better than to alienate my beast too much. I just have to balance it all for everyone’s benefit. I can’t have her the way I want or in a conventional way, as I’m in the center of politics. On one side of the scale is a powerful princess who will inherit the entire European shifter territory. On the opposite side is a lost wolf girl who has no ties and no social standing. I don’t know why, but Fate chose her for me and put her in my path, so I won’t waste the opportunity. She might still have something to offer as she can bear my children on the side.”
“You’ll make her your mistress and a broodmare?” Shade asked incredulously.
“I wouldn’t say broodmare,” Sideburns grated. “After I wed Princess Viviane, she won’t be able to dictate what I can or can’t do, since I will become her alpha. It’s the best course for everyone. Pip won’t have a thing to worry about. She’ll have shelter and food. I’ll take care of her. But first, she must attend Shifters Academy and learn all the rules, etiquette, and some fighting skills. She needs to have a good education and be primed if she wants a future with me.”
Silence stretched long until Shade kicked something. A chair made a scratching sound across the ground.
“You’re one selfish bastard, Jared,” Shade said furiously. “I’m sorry that I ever looked up to you as a kid.”
“Careful, Shade,” Sideburns said. “Even though you’re a prince, I can still banish you if you step out of line. I might not be fair to that girl, but it’s the way it is. We’re living in a dangerous time, and my situation is more difficult than you can ever imagine. I’m letting you in on the plan, and I expect you to follow it accordingly.”