65: Nik's POV

I had to physically strain to keep my fangs from sinking into her flesh as she uttered the words, “*Mark me*.”

Somehow, in a true testament of my own strength, I’d managed to tell her ‘no’, and then I left. I know I shouldn’t have left her sitting there, vulnerable, writhing... *wanting*. I knew she wouldn’t understand. Ada was going to be upset with me. It was one of the only thoughts going through my mind as I disappeared from her midst, retreating to my own quarters.

I’d gone directly to her upon arriving. I ignored the direction to see my father and give him a direct report after acting as an emissary in the Midnight Pack, and I’d shut the bonds in my mind that tied me to my brothers. Ada made me think irrationally. Honestly, I’d surprised myself by letting logic run the decision about marking her.

Half-tempted to go back and explain, I instead paced the length of my room. Because what exactly would I say? ‘Sorry, Ada. I can’t do that without my brother’s *permission*?’ As the Midnight Prince, I didn’t ask for permission. I took what I wanted and went from there. But this? Marking her felt like a boundary I couldn’t cross. Yes, I loved her. She said she loved me. I’ve never been as happy as I was in that moment.

And that was dangerous.

There wasn’t a piece of paper large enough to include the entire list of reasons that was dangerous. To start with was the very person I was getting dressed to meet: my father. If Ada was marked, especially by me, without his permission... He would kill her out of spite. The other largely glaring issue were my brothers. How can I explain the marking without revealing everything else that was shared? Given Darius’s propensity for jealousy with Ada, I knew how that would end. His head would be on the floor, his heart in my hand.

As I pulled on my black peacoat, straightening my mussed-up hair, I reached out down the link between just Ada and me. *Our conversations today need to be shared with no one. Not even Gwynn.*

I swear I heard a whimper followed by, *Yessir*.

My eyes squeezed shut. The sadness and rage coming from her were palpable. But dealing with it would have to wait. Currently, I have to face my father. I made my way down the winding halls of Oberon Castle, pulling the shadows I passed toward me.

They whispered in my ear, informing me of all that transpired while I was gone. I listened as I walked, unsurprised by most of the information. My father and Elizabeth meeting in private was nothing new, nor was their mildly incestuous relationship. The shadows told me more details of Ada’s training with Finn, making certain struggles known to me that she had chosen not to vocalize. They informed me of the reports my brothers had sent to my father.

What was surprising was when they told me of a certain correspondence between Elizabeth and Georgina, Ada’s stepsister. The one who was known to be the conspirator behind her father’s rebellion. There were minimal details of the letters given to me; I could infer enough. My father would never believe it, so it was pointless to tell him. I would certainly tell Phoenix, as Ada would need to be watched more carefully. And Darius? he was a wildcard as to whether or not he would listen. For as much as he claimed to be forced into the union with Elizabeth, he seemed to enjoy it just the same.

As I entered the throne room, I nearly rolled my eyes. Elizabeth was draped over the arm of the throne, running her fingers over my father’s cheek and beard. She truly had no shame. I cleared my throat, “Father.”

“Nikolai,” he drew out my name, distaste practically spewing from his tongue, “Report.”

“All is quiet in the Midnight Pack. My shadows caught no secret meetings, no odd reports.” I stood straight, an expression of indifference on my face, “Alpha Bryant kept me close to him the entire time. He cancelled all meetings on my behalf. I believe it had more to do with secrecy than respect,” I let the shadows sink back into my skin slowly. “Either way, nothing really to report at all.”

“You expect me to believe that you spent weeks in that packhouse and there was no mention of rebellion, of Fane Rosu?” my father bellowed, causing Elizabeth to flinch.

I shrugged, smirking, “Believe what you want. That is my report, and I stand behind it.”

He narrowed his eyes, but didn’t climb to his feet. If it had been Phoenix or Darius, he probably would have gone chest to chest with them. But not me. He’d seen how fast I was and wouldn’t risk it. Instead, the great Alpha King Everett Ashford waved his hand to dismiss me.

That was just fine. He certainly didn’t have to tell me twice. I had more important things to see to anyway.