“I’m fond of her.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Now that you have your full identity, I command you to release her.”
“Why should I? I don’t have a mate.”
“You are to mate Princess Kiara.”
“Why the rush to mate her, or anyone else for that matter?”
“You’re in line to the throne, damn it!”
Third or fourth in line if I’m not mistaken. “You talk as if Maxwell will not snap out of his depression.”
He slowly shook his head and then sighed. “My son has remained a wolf for the last three months.”
“What?” If he continued, he’d never acclimate to his human side. “You too felt depressed and guilt-ridden after you initiated the change, resulting in the death of three siblings.”
“You might not know that one of the pack members, a distant cousin, was a female Max loved. His fated mate. She died almost immediately.”
It had been the prince’s duty to bite not only his siblings, but the wolves from the beta packs. To shoulder responsibility for a mate’s death was the worst blow an alpha could experience. “Is there no treatment?”
“Max refuses to take anything or listen to anyone. He says he doesn’t deserve to be king and will not be forced.”
“And what of Margo?”
“Margo is young and inexperienced. She will need you to rule by proxy as Prince Regent, until she is ready to rule.” Tears welled in his eyes. “Brother, you are the only one that can follow me and keep the royal reign under the Wildwood name.”
Rare as it was for an alpha not to rule, Margo would not be the first beta to take the throne. Most treated the princess as an alpha anyway. “You will live for at least sixty years or more. Margo will be ready. By then, you might have another litter or even a grandchild who can rule.” Shit. He regretted mentioning another litter, a sore subject.
The king sighed, his voice laced with utter sadness. “Tell me you are not choosing a lowly human over your brother? Your duty.”
What the king needed was his mate. “And what of the queen?”
“She wishes to stay on Wildwood Island.”
“She can’t blame Max.”
“Myra has forgiven him as our law dictates. However, she is sterile.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I am telling you this because I can’t rule a kingdom without her.”
“Have you told her?”
“Yes.” He took in a breath and slowly exhaled. “She wants me to take a second mate.”
“Myra can’t. She loves you too much to share you.”
“I told her I’d never take another. At least she’s agreed to see a fertility specialist.”
“Our research lab.”
“No. The lab in Norway. I’ll take my private jet and accompany her.” He narrowed his eyes. “No one and I mean no one speaks of this private matter.”
“Does Rylee know?”
“No. As far as she knows, Myra remains on our island. Margo, working with her tutors, will answer any calls and keep the façade up about her mother being in wolf form.”