Chapter 97

Nathan POV

Over the next few weeks I had plenty of reasons to visit Claire at the Royal court.

Or rather, I made sure I found plenty of reasons.

As a candidate for the Alpha Presidency, it made sense for me to attend the weekly public sessions at the Royal court.

This was when people from all over the realm had a chance to bring their concerns or complaints to the court’s attention.

And as a presidential candidate, I needed to have my finger on the pulse of the nation.

What happened in the Stone Creek pack was just as important as what went on in the Silverfang, Bloodclaw or Moon River packs.

If, by attending court, I found plenty of chances to speak with Claire, to sit next to her, to bring her lunch or to bring her a cup of coffee, well…

That was just a bonus, right?

In reality, while I was paying attention to what I saw and heard from the members of the other packs in the realm, it was Claire that really drew my interest and attention the most.

I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened between us on the Day of Surrender, as it was starting to be called.

The way we’d fit together so naturally.

The way she’d all but melted into my arms.

I wanted that again.

I wanted her.

And while I knew I hadn’t reacted well to Claire ending the kiss, I was determined to make amends with her.

I needed to let her know that I was truly sorry for the way things had become between us.

And those kinds of amends could only be made in person.

However, I thought I was at least being subtle.

But not subtle enough, apparently, I thought as I walked out of the main doors of the Royal court and faced a wall of reporters.

There were always reporters camped outside the building on court days, eager to catch a glimpse of who was coming and going, and gather all the juicy details they could of the proceedings going on inside.

And though they often had a few questions for me, it usually wasn’t any more attention than any other Alpha received as they walked down the steps to their waiting transport.

Not today, though.

As soon as I stepped outside, reporters jumped to their feet and gathered closer, crowding up against the barricades put in place to keep them a certain distance away.

“Alpha Nathan! You’ve attended every single Royal court session for the past three weeks. Can you tell us why?”

I paused on the top step. “Because as an Alpha Presidential candidate, it is my duty to stay informed as to what’s going on in other packs, and here in the Royal court.”

“And it has nothing to do with the presence of Princess Claire?”

I raised an eyebrow. “It is the Royal court, sir. It would be odd if the Princess wasn’t in attendance.”

Another reporter jumped in. “You seem to spend a lot of time attending to the Princess, Alpha. Can you tell us why?”

I frowned. “I’ve been paying her no more attention than anyone else has.”

Lies, whispered my wolf, chuckling to itself.

Groans and eyerolls from the reporters let me know they didn’t believe me any more than my wolf did.

“Come on, Alpha, be honest. Everyone knows you’ve been sitting next to our Princess, talking to her, bringing her food and gifts every chance you get.”

So, I hadn’t been as discrete as I thought I had.

“Alpha Nathan, be honest! What’s your relationship with Princess Claire? Or maybe, what do you want the relationship to be?”

A chorus of “Yeah!” and “Tell us!” rang out around me.

And for a moment, I considered letting it all out.

After all, my intentions seemed obvious to everyone here. So why hide it?

Why not acknowledge that I fully intended to court Claire, if she gave me half a chance?

But before I can even open my mouth to announce to the world my intentions to court their Royal princess, another question stops me dead in my tracks.

“And tell us how you feel about your competition!” a reporter shouted from the back.

I stopped, turning toward him slowly.

“What competition?” I demanded.

What were they talking about??

The reporters and camera people, catching my annoyed frown, gathered closer. They were clearly excited by my reaction, and looking to get all the juicy details they possibly could.

“Alpha Gavin of the Ice River pack, of course,” said a reporter up front.

Her lapel badge showed that she was from The Star, and so I immediately suspected her of lying.

Reporters for The Star were no longer people I trusted to deliver fair and balanced news. Not after the ambush I’d dealt with during my live interview with one of them.

But just as I was about to dismiss the whole idea of “competition” for Claire’s attention as just another one of their lies, other reporters, from other newspapers and TV stations, started nodding their heads and calling out more information.

“Alpha Gavin has been seen visiting our Princess both here at court and at the palace itself.”

“He’s been invited to dine at the palace on several occasions. By all reports Princess Claire enjoys his company very much.”

“Rumor has it he’s formed quite an attachment to Princess Claire. His visits could be seen as formal courting visits.”

“Are you two in competition for our Princess’ affection, as well as for the Alpha Presidency??”

I grit my teeth as I put up with their rain of questions and comments, though it was difficult not to simply shove my way through the crowd.

The glow of vicious curiosity in their eyes was beginning to make me angry.

No, that wasn’t true. They were just doing their jobs.

What was really making me angry was the idea of some upstart young Alpha spending time with Claire.

And beneath that anger was something else, something I couldn’t quite identify yet.

Waiting for a break in their wall of questions, I answered coldly.

“Every candidate for the Alpha President has met with the Princess, and will continue to do so. It’s simply part of the campaign process.

“You all know that. Why are you falling for these silly rumors?”

And it was true, presidential candidates were expected to meet with and get the approval of the ruling Royal.

Though the people would ultimately elect their president, a Royal endorsement of one or two candidates was traditional.

“Obviously before Princess Claire can endorse anyone, she has to meet with all of us to discuss our plans and platforms. It’s tradition.”

Some reporters seemed to believe me and began to drift away. But others remained pressed up against the barricades.

Including The Star reporter.

“So…you’re not worried about the time Alpha Gavin has been spending with our Princess?” she asked.

“Not at all,” I answered coolly.

I could tell by the look on her face she didn’t believe me.

But I held her gaze until she looked away.

I walked down the steps and to my waiting transport without another word, hiding the tension I felt growing inside of me.

I hadn’t lied about being worried about the competition.

I wasn’t worried.

But I had suddenly realized what that other emotion I felt was:

It was jealousy.

Could Claire really be encouraging Alpha Gavin’s advances??