Chapter 214

Theodore’s POV

Well, that had gotten out of hand quickly.

Way to keep control of the debate, Violet said into my mind. I had honestly been so focused on not publicly showing affection to my wife during this tense, professional gathering that I had completely forgotten we had the option to connect privately in our minds.

That reminder as well as her words, her voice, calmed me.

I nodded to the steward as she politely but firmly collected the microphone from Alpha Montague.

I knew theoretically that my half-brother had loyal supporters, but it’s strange to see it for myself. I cannot relate to these werewolves. I cannot understand what they must be thinking at all.

I waited calmly, patiently for an Alpha in the audience to rise. I was under no illusion that the debating was already concluded.

Well, we’ll need to find a way to relate to them or our country will never be unified under one ruler.

I bit back a smile at her response. The fact that you think like that is exactly why you should be queen. Certainly more than my sister-in-law.

The steward walked down one aisle and up another toward one of the Alphas who had backed us up at the wedding.

Speaking of your sister-in-law, how much do you want to bet that she’s being convinced to take the crown so that someone can manipulate her into running the country as they see fit?

I guess I wasn’t the only one who had been surprised by Marissa’s statement. That makes more sense than her actually wanting to be queen.

The steward finally arrived at the Alpha, whose name I couldn’t remember but Violet probably knew, and passed him the microphone.

“Alpha Donovan,” he said, “would you please explain the suspicious timing of the changed succession law that directly benefits you occurring so close to when you chose to confront King Owen, especially since said confrontation resulted in his death, and considering the fact that you waited months to do so after he attempted to separate you from your mate?”

It was an effort to keep my face blank, though I appreciated the relative neutral language and tone with which the question was being asked. I also felt like it helped Violet’s credibility that someone who so publicly backed her up at the wedding was willing to question her here.

I stepped back from the podium at which I stood, turning to look at my wife as she raised the microphone in her hand to her lips. “Thank you for your questions, Alpha Marquez.”

Yep, she knew his name.

“First, I would like to challenge the notion that the new succession law benefits me. The statement assumes that I want the crown.”

It amazed me how tall she seemed, so powerful and wise, even while she stayed seated. I wondered if it was my imagination that her broken forehead band seemed to glow a little brighter as she spoke.

“You may remember in my opening statement that I wished for a benevolent leader for our country – but I never wished for that leader to be me. The truth is I would happily cede the role to someone else so that I could focus on Darkmoon and raising a family with my husband. But if I have to choose between spending time with my family and ensuring that my children grow up in a country full of peace and prosperity, where they can feel safe and nurtured, where goodness is the norm and taking care of each other is the expectation, then I will sacrifice time with my family to provide them with the kind of country they deserve to grow up in.

“And,” she dared a glance at me, “my husband feels the same. But for someone who has had the crown looming over his head his entire life, the sacrifice would have been much greater, and it would hurt me more to watch Theo take on the burden than to take it on myself.”

I lowered my head but immediately lifted my chin. I would not be embarrassed for not wanting the crown. I would not be ashamed for allowing my wife to take on this burden.

Even if she was helping me out, I truly believed she would make a better ruler than me anyway.

Another Alpha rose, and a steward closer to this one approached her with a microphone. “If the crown is such a burden to you, shouldn’t it go to someone more willing to take on such important responsibilities?”

“One can be more than willing to take on a burden, and I assure you I am,” Violet responded confidently. “My question for you, Alpha Cordellio, is would you prefer a ruler who views the crown as an opportunity or a responsibility? Would you rather be led by someone eager to have power over you or someone willing to sacrifice for you?”

Alpha Cordellio nodded thoughtfully and returned the mic to the steward.

Then Dorian stood up. “Queen Nightshade,” he spoke into the mic he was quickly handed, “you mentioned continuing your husband’s legacy. Would you elaborate on what specifically that legacy is that you would like to continue?”

Marissa raised her microphone, clearing her throat into it for everyone to hear. “Well,” she hesitated. Then her eyes darted into the audience, and I followed her gaze.

To Alpha Brash.

The Alpha who had threatened Ben at Dahlia and Kincaid’s wedding. The Alpha who was clearly a supporter of Owen.

Found her puppet master, I told my mate, though I made an effort not to look at her as I did, to avoid bringing too much attention to the fact that we were on to their game.

Yes, she responded, and it looks like most of the Alphas noticed that, too.

“You know,” Marissa tried, returning her gaze to Dorian, “the same things he’s always done.”

I waited – we all did. But she didn’t add anything else.

So Dorian followed up. “Recently, the things he’s done includes breaking his own laws and then pulling strings to avoid being held accountable for them as well as changing laws to his benefit or the detriment of those who personally offended him, usually by challenging him respectfully and by the book. Are these the legacies you intend to continue?”

A burst of copper filled my mouth from how hard I was biting back a smile. Dorian Vainthott was a fierce ally indeed.

“Well…” Marissa hedged, her gaze returning to Alpha Brash. He didn’t notice though, his head drooping in disappointment.

“Alpha Nightshade, if I may?” An Alpha rose to my left, and I immediately recognized her as the wife of the werewolf who had raped the Blackwell girl – the woman who had offered to take the girl in, who the girl had clearly been afraid of. She had taken over rule of their territory when her husband had been imprisoned for rape.

Violet’s fury seeped through our magical bond.

This wasn’t the correct procedure: the candidate should be answering the questions herself, not another Alpha. But I had the distinct sense that if I didn’t formally allow her to speak, she would make a scene. And I wanted to reward the fact that she at least had the decency to ask for my permission first.

Better to keep partial control of the debate than lose it completely.

I nodded to the nearest steward to bring her a microphone.

“Alpha Vainthott,” she said once she had the mic, “first may I compliment you on such an excellent question, as our dear king surely engaged in some questionable actions in his final days.”

This was a staunch supporter of Owen. I didn’t trust where this was going for a second.

“But before that, he was a fine leader who kept us safe from outsiders, from rogues, and from anarchy as well as from famine and sickness.” She nodded to Marissa. “Surely those are the parts of his legacy you were referring to.”

“Yes,” she replied too quickly. “Yes, of course.”

“A legacy,” the Alpha continued, “he was able to build as the child of a monarch, for it is only when surrounded by royal politics that one can truly learn and understand the intricate nuances of what is required in such a pivotal role for our country. That is the type of environment our queen has been in, absorbing all that crucial experience that mere Alphas such as ourselves and Alpha Donovan could never understand.”

Well, shit.