The Wolf King (The Wolf Kings #1) (MLM)

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

                "Are you threatening the king?" Everett hissed.

"Hey," Wyatt crossed his arms behind his back, "I'm just stating the facts. King Jack met a witch. When King Tiberius finds out he's been hiding it, all hell's breaking loose." He shrugged. "You know how he gets, especially when it comes to his mate's safety."

"What do you mean, my safety?"

Everett sighed, his expression grim. "He means that this is what witches do. They play with your mind and trick you into thinking they're innocent victims."

Jack considered this. He didn't say what he was thinking, that Violet hadn't seemed to be trying to play the role of any victim.

"I'm sorry, Jack. Innocent people get dragged into our world because we need them. It's not fair."

Wyatt tilted his head at Jack, his grin widening. "Dear me, he seems to be lost for the witch already. Bad, bad king."

I'm not lost for anyone! Jack almost snapped, but Tiberius's face came unbidden to his mind.

He rested his palms on the table, a migraine throbbing at his temples. "I'm just trying to figure out how these pieces fit together."

"What pieces?" Everett said warily.

Jack pursed his lips, then looked to Wyatt. "I think you were onto something, Wyatt."

Wyatt looked startled. "I was? I mean, I was! Of course I was. What was I onto?"

"If Tiberius finds out I hid this from him, he'll lose his shit."

"Jack," Everett warned.

"So there's really only one thing to do."

"Jack."

"I know I can trust Everett to keep this quiet for a few more hours," Jack said. "Can I trust you to do the same?"

"Oh!" Wyatt bounced right up to Jack. "Yes yes yes! I can be trusted! You can trust me!" He giggled and clapped his hands. "This is so much fun, it's like our own secret club!"

"Sure," Jack said, "whatever."

"Jack," Everett demanded, "what are you going to do?"

But Jack couldn't tell Everett what he was going to do because right then, the same flustered servant from this morning walked in with her head bowed and her smile shy.

"My King," she said with a little curtsey and a fist over her heart. "King Tiberius requests your presence in the dining room for breakfast."

Jack straightened, tapping the heap of books on witchcraft he'd gathered, trying not to look as jittery as he felt. The servant scurried out again without looking at him, and Everett spoke as soon as she was gone.

"Jack," he moved to block his path, "please, tell me what you're planning. It might not work like you think it will."

"You better stay here, Everett," Jack said, "I don't want him to know you knew. You, too, Wyatt."

Wyatt faltered, like he hadn't thought Jack would care one way or another what happened to him. Nonetheless, his smile returned and he nodded. "Yes, sire."

"I'm not staying here!" Everett protested.

"You will, because I said so."