Unlikely Queen (Crystal Castle 1)

“I didn’t take your alpha,” I say.

She growls, showing me her teeth.

“You and that thing you call a sister did. Do not lie to us, witch.”

I stand, Patrick mirroring my movement next to me.

“You even took our beta. Do you have no respect at all?”

“If you believe I have the power to take something from you, was it even yours to begin with?” I ask, because as far as I’m concerned, I took no one. And I’m not going to let everyone think they can walk over me.

She growls and jumps toward me. I move forward and let her hand touch my skin. I can feel the burn from where her nails dig in, but I don’t back away. I stay there until she screams seconds later.

“You belong in the depths of hell. You will be no better than that evil thing we call a queen.” She backs up, cradling her hand, as my sister steps closer and inspects my arm.

“I’m okay,” I tell her, but she isn’t listening.

She turns and faces the angry wolf. “Think about doing that again and I will end your life, right here where you stand. Do. You. Understand. Me?”

I go to reach for my sister but think better of it and pull my hand back. The last thing I want to do is hurt her.

“You… you are the first I will kill.” The wolf jumps for my sister, and in mid-air, she is caught by the throat in her wolf form by John. I watch in shock as John squeezes the wolf’s throat, making her yelp, before lowering her to the ground but keeping his hands around her neck. As the alpha, even in his human form, he is stronger than most.

“If any of you…” John looks around to every wolf who is present, then continues with everyone’s attention, “…think you can get away with harming my mate, you are truly misguided. I will end your life the minute you think about it. This will be my first and only warning.” He turns back to the wolf he still holds in his grasp, his muscles bulging as he squeezes a little tighter. “You can leave, and take whoever holds your beliefs with you. You ever think of returning or harming either of these women, I will end you faster than you can say sorry.” He drops her and she falls to the ground, shifting back to her human form.

John steps back until he is standing next to Tatiana again, and she leans into him and looks at me behind his back, smiling.

Oh, she likes him, all right. A lot.

“You’re choosing a witch over your pack?” another wolf barks out.

“I’m choosing my mate. And you would be wise to stop whatever you are about to say about her. My temper is currently running exceedingly high.”

The woman stands, and her hands go to her neck as she looks at John, then she turns, walking away from the pack the same way she came.

“Anyone going with her? Because if you choose to stay, you will respect my mate and her sister.” A few people whisper, but no one else moves. “Good. Now, let’s work out a plan of attack.”

We all go silent as John sits back down as if nothing happened. He grabs a stick and starts drawing the castle in the dirt at his feet. “Here.” He points to the back of the castle. “This spot is only guarded by one vampire. The angels don’t guard outside the castle… they are all inside. They will be an issue, as we aren’t sure yet how to defeat them,” John says.

Then he points to the front of the castle. “Six vampires were guarding yesterday, more than the usual two we were told she usually has on her. She is expecting you.” John looks at me. “I think it’s time you explore your powers a little more. We need every chance we can get to be able to enter. Because that’s where it will be tricky.” He takes a deep breath. “It could very much be a suicide mission.”

“So why even do it? Surely one girl’s life is no more important than hundreds of ours?” one of the wolves yells.

The problem is—they are right.

But I didn’t ask them to come.

Tatiana and I would do it ourselves if we had to. Tanya will be relying on us to protect her, and as a family, we will do exactly that.

“It’s not just about one girl. Yes, she is a bonus, but it’s more than that. Queen Veronica has ruled long enough, and it’s time for her reign to come to an end.” A few people cheer in response to John’s words while others stay silent.

He turns to face me. “We know you can turn a vampire to ash. What else can you do?” I look to my sister, who bites her lip. “Tatiana?” he asks her. “You can trust me. You know you can.”