Surrogate for the Alpha Prince in a Coma novel Chapter 161

Chapter 161

Lillian’s POV

I followed the servant toward where the Council of Elders held there meetings. I hadn’t been to this part of the palace before, as it was mostly restricted, even from me. Only the King and the Elders could pass here, as well as their direct servants, unless given explicit permission by one or the other.

As soon as I stepped into the corridor that lead to their meeting room, I could feel the weight of this place. The hallways were taller, with columns every few feet. Stern faced oil portraits lined the walls, dotted between the columns. They were hung taller than eye-level so that they seemed to peer down at me.

The servant continued forward at a brisk pace. I tried to push down the rising looming feeling that rose up inside of me the further I went down such an imposing hallway.

At the end of it was a set of dark wooden double doors with golden trim. Each were as tall as the hallway, equally as imposing.

The servant knocked on the doors, and two servants opened the doors from the inside, pulling them both wide open.

Beyond was the meeting room, a large oval room with desks positioned atop of small stages. Each Elder of the Council had their own desk, their own stage, and seemed to go around the entirety of the circle.

The servant gestured that I should move forward, into the middle of the circular ring, the carpeted center of the rooms.

Swallowing hard, I wasn’t going to let fear consume me, and I started forward.

The servant stayed behind. “May I present, the Luna Princess Lillian.”

No one clapped. No one made a sound. Instead they all turned in their chairs to watch me approach, looking at me with unreadable expressions and piercing eyes.

When I came to the center of the room, I stopped, unsure where to face, I looked at the Elder facing opposite the walkway, the one with the highest stage, the widest desk.

Not knowing what else to do, I bowed a little in respect.

“Luna Princess,” said the Head Elder. “Tell us. Do you truly care about this Kingdom?”

“I do,” I said at once.

“And do you care about Prince Grayson?” said one of the other Elders.

+15 Bonus

“I do,” I said.

“How much?” asked the same Elder.

I didn’t know how to answer that. Love felt like too much, so I settled on, “A great deal.”

“If that’s true,” said another, on the other side of the room. I swung my head around to see him. “Then why are you standing in the way of his greatness. Of this country’s greatness?”

“I… don’t know what you mean.’

“We have asked Grayson to put his nation first time and again, but he continues to refuse us,” said another.

“You need to act for the greater good and take the initiative yourself.”

Without context, I was even more confused. “What are you talking about? Please. I don’t know what this is in reference to.”

“Your mating bond,” said one.

“Your marriage,” said another, across the room.

My neck was starting to feel like it was on a swivel, with how much I had to spin around to see everyone as they talked.

At least, their intent was slowly becoming clearer.

“What I heard wasn’t just a rumor,” I said. “You want Grayson to marry Odette.”

“An alliance between our Kingdom and the Lycan Kingdom would bring great prosperity to all involved. It would create a partnership that will last generations and ensure the survival of both Kingdoms.”

“We would be bond, helping each other in economy and war.

r

“You cannot be selfish in this,” said the Head Elder. “You must leave Grayson. Step to the side and allow this alliance to progress as it should.”

Standing here in this ill-lit room, being stared at, demands coming in from all angles, I was intimidated. But what they were asking me, when Grayson had apparently already denied them, was impossible.

“If Grayson wants to split up, then we can do so,” I said, my voice strong with my conviction, even in the face of fear. “But I will only step aside if he asks me directly.”

Their faces skewed, becoming angry. One of them jumped to their feet, slamming their hand hard down on their desk. “You would allow yourself to be labeled a criminal of the kingdom? Because that is exactly what you would be if you jeopardize this alliance between the two

+15 Bonus

kingdoms?”

Another spoke before I could eveti finish processing what the first had said, “Would you be willing to start a war to hold onto Grayson? Would you allow your own selfish desires to send your brethren to their deaths?”

A denial was on my tongue. Was that really what was happening here? Was that what would happen if Grayson and I were stay together, defying the alliance and the wishes of the Elder Council?

I had no idea. I didn’t want anyone to die, but…

A loud bang behind me drew my attention, and I turned just in time to see Grayson storming through the door. He had pushed it so hard that it had swung outward hard, crashing against the wall.

“Prince Grayson,” the Head Elder said calmly, not as surprised as the others, who gasped as Grayson came closer. He stalked toward me, glancing at me, before stepping in front of me to block me from the gaze of at least most of the Elders.

“You brought my wife in here in secret in an effort to turn her against me,” he said.

“Nonsense,” the Head Elder said. “We were merely informing her of the way of things. Something we have now learned that you have failed to do. If you would have told your wife how dire things are, you would have given her the chance to choose for herself.”

“Things are not so dire,” he said, glancing back at me. Seeing me, perhaps because of my paleness, set something on fire within him, and he turned to the Elders again with fresh rage. “You forget yourselves time and time again. You are little more than advisors, yet you try to defy my will.”

“Prince Grayson

“The rumors of any past engagement I might have had with Odette are entirely false. Lillian is my fated mate. Any political marriage you attempt to impose on us would be an insult to all three parties involved,” Grayson growled. “I will hear nothing more on this matter, and if you dare approach Lillian again, you will face the full extent of my wrath.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify