The White Wolf by Chloé Agar
“ You could be the new archwolf , Maximus ,” the king said quietly across the table , so that no one else heard . “ The wolves need a leader like you .”
The man opposite him raised his pale blue eyes and lowered his dark brow . He laid his goblet aside .
“ And have all of the land of Arteman crowing conspiracy ? You and I share blood and the former archwolf is barely cold .” The king scoffed . “ All of Arteman knows that the rogue killed him . In the cities , anyway .” He looked at the other guests before turning back to Maximus . “ I can not speak for the green-folk in the forests , but their views are inconsequential to we of the cities and noble blood .”
Maximus rolled his eyes and glanced along the table to where the dignitaries became wolves and witches . Some of them felt his eye and looked up . His apprentices kept their heads down .
“ Even if the people accept that the rogue killed the archwolf , they will not accept the king ’ s blood taking his place . They will not ,” he tilted his head towards the wolves and witches . “ They already resent that I dine with you instead of in my rightful place among them .”
“ This is your rightful place ,” the king snapped , gesturing with a bone . “ They should be grateful that one of their kind is close to me .” As Maximus rolled his eyes again , the king ripped a chunk of meat from the bone and chewed slowly .
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