Kael's POV
"She is mine."
My words reverberated through the hall, vibrating with power and possessiveness that surprised even me. The scent of fear permeated the air, thick and satisfying. Good. They should fear me.
Alpha Maxen stepped forward, his face contorted with disbelief. Despite my earlier display, the fool still thought he had ground to stand on.
"Your Majesty," he said, voice struggling for control, "with all due respect, you cannot claim a human. She has no place in our world."
I regarded him coldly. Did he truly believe he could tell me what I could or couldn't do? I, who had united the warring packs under one rule? I, who had conquered the most savage of alphas and brought them to heel?
"Are you questioning my authority, Alpha?" I kept my voice soft, which only heightened the tension in the room.
Maxen's face paled. "No, Your Majesty, I merely—"
