EMBER’S POV

“Your Majesty.” Harrison rises as we approach, inclining his head in a bow that manages to be respectful without being servile. “Thank you for accepting my invitation. I trust the drive was pleasant?”

“Crawford.” Knox’s voice is flat. “Let’s skip the pleasantries.”

“Straight to business, then. I appreciate directness.” Harrison’s gaze slides to me, and something moves behind those cold eyes. “Miss Aragon. Or should I say… the future Lycan Queen?”

He says it with an unsettling grin, the kind of smile that makes my skin crawl because there’s nothing warm behind it, nothing human.

“That’s not—” I start, flustered. “We haven’t— I mean, Knox and I aren’t—”...