Adan first set foot back on the soil of the sovereign Lycan nation almost a week ago, and the first thing he’d wanted to do was talk to his oldest friend.

But getting an audience with the Secretary of State, and doing so without leaving any evidence, hadn’t been easy.

He wound up just breaking into the building the good old-fashioned way. Through a smashed window while an insignificant, paid conspirator created a noisy diversion nearby.

At the reception desk he simply claimed to have an appointment. When questioned, he played it like he was fine to leave, only he’d tell Kerr later that he’d been denied entry.

It may have been years since he’d lived in the palace or performed any princely duties. But Adan still had a royal swagger that commanded attention and obedience.

A side door opened into the office and Kerr walked in.

Adan broke out into a big, handsome grin.

The two embraced. Then the Secretary led his guest out to a private balcony, taking two glasses and a bottle of whiskey with him.

Kerr lit a blue flame in a little fire pit and invited Adan to sit with him beside it.

“Finally,” he said after they’d clinked their glasses together and pounded down their first round. “Finally he has returned to set things right.”

Adan smiled. He knew Kerr would have his back.

“Nolan is a disgrace,” Kerr said. His voice was deep and gravelly. “He says he has no interest in war.”

Adan refilled his glass and sipped it. Kerr’s words were music to his ears.

“War is how the strong claim their place in the world,” the Secretary continued. “Humans have been getting the better of us for centuries now. It’s despicable.”

“I spent ten years in the human world,” Adan said, his light voice drawling. “I really thought, at one time, that they were our equals. They proved me wrong.”

Adan pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket and started tapping it against his palm.

“Humans are vile creatures,” he continued. “Content to work for masters, counting down the days of their small, meaningless lives. I lived amongst them long enough to understand.”

Kerr was at the edge of his seat.

“We’re not meant to mix with them,” Adan continued.

He pulled a cigarette out of the pack and put it in his mouth. Took his time striking a match and drawing in a long, slow drag. Sat and looked out into the darkness, then blew out a big cloud of smoke.

Kerr remembered his friend’s flair for drama. He liked to draw out a good story, tell it slowly and keep you waiting.

“Didn’t you go out there with a human woman?” Kerr asked.

Adan smiled.

“I did,” he said. He took another drag of his cigarette. “I even thought I loved the bitch.”

Kerr’s mouth twitched up at the corner. This story might be getting better.

“But,” Adan continued, “she fucked some other guy. A human guy. So I killed them both.”

He grinned.

“And I thanked them afterward,” he finished. “For giving me the push I needed to get my wolf ass back here and reclaim my rightful place in the only world that matters.”

Kerr’s eyes were hard and serious.

He lifted his glass to Adan.

Adan smiled and lifted his own.

“The old king is dead,” Kerr said in a hoarse whisper. “Long live the king.”

They tapped their glasses together and drank them dry. And then drank the rest of the bottle.

Adan planted one more seed in his friend’s mind before he left.

If he were going to be king, he’d be looking for a Luna, he said.

And he might be interested in taking Kerr’s daughter off his hands.

NOLAN

The wedding was as grand as expected. Lavish décor and about a hundred thousand flowers turned the largest ballroom in the palace into a setting fit for a royal wedding.

Every detail was exquisite. There were not too many guests… maybe one hundred and something.

Of course, though, a select few media outlets were permitted to report on the event, though the cameras and crews were kept out of reach of the royal family.

Nolan was peeking out a window at the guests assembled in the courtyard, when he saw her. Gina.

She was seated in the very back row.

How had she gotten a seat? How had she even gotten into the palace?

She was not invited.

And she had the nerve to wear white dress.

To his wedding. Where he was marrying another woman.

People were noticing Gina… because she was beautiful. Nolan only hoped that she would not be recognized as a former companion of his.

He and Yena did not need another scandal. Not today.

Nolan completed his preparations for the ceremony. His wait staff and wedding party kept him quite busy. Everyone seemed to have something to say to him, something to ask.

The orchestra was cueing up to begin playing soon.

Nolan stole a little moment to be alone. He slipped into a restroom and lingered at the sink, looking himself in the mirror and trying to clear his mind.

Then came a soft knock on the door.

He could tell it was Gina.

He opened the door and let her in.

“I’m sorry, Nolan,” she said, “but I had to see you. I had to tell you… I made a terrible mistake letting you go. It broke my heart when I saw the news about your wedding.”

She reached out and grabbed his hand.

Her fingers felt cold and bony.

Nolan shook her off and took a step away.

“I’ve always loved you, Nolan,” she whispered. Her eyes were wet with tears.

He let her speak, betraying no emotion of his own.

“Please,” Gina pleaded, “can we get back together? I know it’ll be my last chance, but…”

Her voice trailed off. She didn’t have to finish asking her question, because she knew the answer when she looked into the prince’s eyes.

The tears gave way and Gina fell into sobs.

She left. The prince went outside and took his position in the processional.

He felt glad to have seen Gina. Now he knew for sure.

When she touched him, he felt nothing at all.

She had abandoned him back when he did love her. He was still mad about that.

And looking at her in that white dress… Nolan pitied her. She was desperate.

Yes, she was beautiful. Especially in a photograph.

But she looked fragile and tired to him now. Like he might break her if he did touch her.

It was Yena he wanted now. He imagined his hand on her thick hips. He could squeeze her soft curves hard… and she would like it.

The ceremony was quick. He met Yena at the altar and they recited brief vows.

The officiant pronounced them married and instructed them to kiss.

The prince liked to keep control over his public image. He planned and executed only small public displays of affection with Yena when the cameras were watching.

He had planned for this moment. He planned to break off the kiss quickly.

So that he would not lose control.

Yena was wearing high heels that brought her face closer to his.

He leaned in and pressed his lips lightly to hers.

The both of them drew in little gasps of air in unison, and then… began devouring each other madly.

The crowd roared.

The cameras rolled.

Everyone went wild.