Reborn of the Luna novel Chapter 25

“I am so sorry, Alpha,” Becca stuttered, and for the first time, I wondered if she might actually be scared. The aura around the Lycan King was so intense, I could feel it from where I stood.

“I’m afraid a simple sorry won’t cut it, little girl. You’re old enough to know the rules. Or have you decided that now you’re the Alpha’s mate, you’re above everyone else?” Jacob chuckled darkly. “I hate to break it to you, but even Alphas aren’t above our laws. Right now, you’re still a nobody. I don’t see a mark on your neck, do I?”

No one dared to speak, and Becca’s head hung lower and lower.

“Even if you did have a mark,” the Lycan King continued as he stepped closer, “I could still demand your life as a tribute for your insolence. Trust me, your Alpha would kill you himself just to appease me. If he’s not a complete idiot, of course, which I’m starting to doubt—”

“What’s going on here?” Maximus demanded, appearing with Will and his best warriors, all sweaty from training. He looked worried as he saw the scene unfolding, and I decided to step back and watch what would happen.

“What happened, Alpha,” Jacob paused, clearly not bothering to remember Maximus’s name.

“Grimm,” Maximus offered, trying to suppress a growl, but failing miserably.

“Alpha Grimm,” Jacob practically spat the words, and I couldn’t help but enjoy it more than I should have. “Your mate here disrespected me and your Luna. She’s too brazen and doesn’t know what should and shouldn’t be said.”

“My apologies, King Stormhold,” Maximus forced the words out of his throat. He was a strong Alpha, and submission didn’t come easily to him. “It’s my fault. I need to teach her better. She didn’t have the opportunity to learn in her previous pack—”

“I don’t want excuses,” the Lycan King growled, not holding back. “There are things even mice in the house know. If she’s not ready to meet people, maybe you should keep her out of sight for now. You don’t want the whole pack to pay for her foolish words, do you?”

“Of course not.” Maximus’s face paled. No one wanted to mess with the lycans. This was a losing battle before it even started, and everyone knew it. There were fewer lycans than werewolves, but they were bigger, stronger, and far more powerful. There was a reason everyone obeyed them. Werewolves had tried to overthrow the lycans’ dominance in the past, but every attempt ended badly. Since the last failed attempt, no one had tried again. Lycans, however cruel when crossed, were seen as reasonable rulers. They created laws that took care of everyone under their wing, more or less. But there was one thing they didn’t tolerate: disrespect.

“I am so sorry!” Becca cried, rushing into Maximus’s arms, her eyes filling with tears again. She was shaking uncontrollably as Maximus wrapped his arms protectively around her.

“I will go with you,” Maximus suddenly offered as Becca still clung to him.

“I think you have your hands full, Grimm,” Jacob chuckled, not bothering to add the title Alpha, implying he didn’t see Maximus as his equal.

For the first time, Maximus looked at his mate with annoyance as I moved closer to the King. However, he couldn’t do anything in front of so many people.

“Then at least my Beta—” He tried to suggest Will accompany us.

“There’s no need,” I interrupted, smiling innocently. “This is an informal visit, Max. I’m not in any danger from King Jacob. Go handle your important matters and let Will do his job, while I do mine.”