The Lycan King's Defiant Surrogate

Caleb suddenly goes very still."My parents?"

"They await in the Hall," Tristan says. "They are expecting you."

"Caleb?" I ask. I'm still pinned beneath him on the bed, my body still hot even as my confusion has thrown a wrench in my

lust.

Caleb looks down at me, with something like an apology in his eyes. "Later," he says, and pushes away from me. My confusion only increases. It's so strong that it overpowers any hurt I might feel.

I'm speechless as he stands and crosses the room towards Tristan They exchange nods, and I expect them to leave me here. Yet, just before they get to the door, Caleb looks back at me. "Harper," he says. "With us. Now."

Immediately, I hope to my feet and scurry along behind them.

Out in the hallway, both guards stand at attention. Caleb totally ignores them both, pushing forward as if paying neither of them any mind. Behind his back, they both glance at me.

I have only a limited understanding of the relationship between Caleb and his parents. To my knowledge, Caleb's father used to be the most powerful Alpha werewolf in the land. Somehow, several years ago, those power dynamics shifted, allowing Caleb to step forward as top Alpha, taking the crown away from his father.

The werewolf way would have demanded that Caleb face his father in combat to determine who is stronger. Yet rumors whispered that Caleb's father had simply stepped down, desiring the quiet life.

I never knew which was true, and when I'd heard the rumors, I didn't particularly care either way. Back then, the mysteries of the capital seemed like nothing I needed to seriously concern myself with. Our pack was strong, and though the king offered support when we needed it, that was the only relationship we'd desired in the past.

Now, I suppose, with the Bear Clan invading, times have changed.

Hopefully, the return of Caleb's parents do not stir the rumors again. The last thing Caleb needs right now is even more dissention in the ranks.

When we reach the doors to the Hall, Caleb turns to look at both Tristan and I.

"My parents only resurface when they want something," Caleb says. "Stay near me and keep your expressions schooled. They retain enough power to be troublesome."

Tristan nods. Already, he looks bored.

I try to mimic that expression, but I have no idea how successful I am. Both Caleb and Tristan give me pitying sort of looks.

"Stay near me, Harper. But... behind me, if you can," Caleb says.

My expression must not be so neutral, then.

Turning from us Caleb pushes through the doors first, with Tristan following, and me in the rear.

I don't see Caleb's parents right away, until we stop nearer the throne and I peek around Caleb's shoulder.

Caleb's mom is a beautiful Luna, with long dark hair and bright eyes. Yet there is no affection in her gaze as she looks at her son. There's no dislike either, though. It's almost as if she's entirely neutral about him, which seems strange, given she gave birth to him. 1/3

ved,

Leaning a little more, Itately sight of Caleb's father. He is the spitting image of his son, albeit several years older, with graying hair and a neatly trimmed beard. Even his style of dress is similar to Caleb's, though he wears a deep blue tunic, compared to Caleb's more muted black and gray tones.

The eyes are the same too, or at least Caleb's father's eyes look much as Caleb's did when I first met him unyielding. Icy and ruthless.

Caleb learned much from his father, it seems.

"Son," his father says.

"Hector," Caleb says.

His father - Hector - frowns even harder. "You address me by my name now?"

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"Did you expect me to continue to address you as Alpha, like I did in my youth?" Caleb asks. "I am King now."

"You could call me 'father," Hector says.

"That was another title you sacrificed long ago," Caleb says.

While they continue to argue, Caleb's mother glances at me. "And who is this, Caleb? She is dressed like one of your harem girls, but surely you would not bring someone so unrefined to a meeting with us." "Harper is my favored," Caleb says. He inches slightly to the left, in an attempt to block me from his mother's view

don't need to see her to recognize the contempt in her voice.

"Favored or now, she is a harem girl, Caleb. What we have to discuss is official business."

"I am the King here," Caleb says in reply, his voice low and cold. "Her presence is not negotiable."

"Move on, Kira," Hector says. "It's no concern of ours how our son wets his dick. We have much more pressing matters."

My face burns hot at the crude language and the crass implications.

"Speak your peace, then," Caleb says.

"The recent coup attempt has been a disgrace," Hector says. "The Kingdom is in a state of disarray."

"I was betrayed by the Gamma George," Caleb starts to say.

Hector scoffs, cutting him off. "I couldn't care less about how or why it happened, what matters is that it did, and now you face the consequences."

"The packs lose their faith in you," Caleb's mother - Kira - says. "It's possible that soon, many might stand up against you." "They can try and they will fail, just as George did."

"It's my understanding that George nearly killed you," Hector says. "Or did I hear that wrong?"

"Where did you hear that at all?" Tristan asks.

"Silence, Beta," Hector snaps. "You are to serve and to listen, not to speak."

Caleb starts to growl. "You have now disrespected my favored and my Beta. Any further attempts will not be tolerated."

There's the Alpha I raised," Kira says. "I told you, he still has spirit."

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Then he can prove it. Hector replies. He steps closer to Caleb Caleb, what is needed of you now is an alliance?

"We have already formed a Council with the Alphas of the pack Caleb says

"I am not speaking of the Alpha," Hector says. "I am telling you, is past time for you to find a wife. You believe that I am disrespecting you? You should hear the chatter that happens outside of the palace walls"

"The people lose their respect for an unmarried King who cannot hold onto his power," Kira says.

"A marriage would strengthen alliances with the packs and the people. If you marry a strong, noble werewolf, she will bring fresh excitement to your rule," Hector continues. "The people are downtrodden with the invasion and coup. Give them something good to look forward too. They need a wedding"

What an absurd notion. With everything going on, who has time for romance? Certainly not Caleb, who needs to focus on bringing everyone together to defend the kingdom from our northern attackers.

Surely, he will see this as ridiculous as I do, and refuse his parents suggestion.

Except... seconds tick by, and Caleb's dismissal does not come.

I look at Tristan, but Tristan stares straight ahead, his bored expression firmly in place.

I wish I could pretend to be uninterested in Caleb's response.

As I've always known, Caleb would eventually move on with someone else. I am the favored of the harem, but that does not make me a permanent fixture in Caleb's life. When he marries, I imagine he will cast me off to the side.

I thought I would have more time before that happens, but as Caleb's hesitation continues, I already know the answer he is going to give before I even hear it.

And my heart already starts to break.

"Very well," Caleb says. "I will begin my search for a wife."

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