The Untamed: Game of Hearts
Chapter 278: Her Own Qualifications

Chapter 278: Her Own Qualifications

In the Convel Society’s meeting room, Nathan was busy trying his best to appease the Elders. Well, not that he really wanted them to be happy, seeing as his decision had already been made, but having them on board would make the transition all the more easier as opposed to having them stonewalling him at every turn.

That, and he really didn’t want to deal with the inevitable headache of having to actually placate them. And he hadn’t even told them the reason they were gathered in the first place.

"Why all the secrecy?" one of the Elders questioned. "The topic is as obvious as the sun is high up in the sky."

"If this is about that spawn of Marcus being your Queen, then you should know that none of us will accept it," another one of the Elders pointedly added. "Not only would it not be proper, but it’s far from appropriate for you to take on someone like her to help you lead the Society."

Nathan fought the urge to sigh. He expected this to happen, really, but to think that they’d start fighting him before he even got his word out was far from what he hoped would happen.

"Esteemed Elders, I’ve gathered you all here today for an announcement," Nathan began, ignoring the rising tension brewing in the room as he let his voice silence the crowd. "Now that the enemy has been vanquished, I’ve decided to take on a mate of my own choosing."

"Absolutely not!" another one of the Elders protested. "That woman shouldn’t be-"

"As I’ve decided, I shall take on Raine, the Princess of the Moon Clan, as my Queen," the King continued, talking over the protesting Elder as he declared. "She is my mate, and our union will formally mark the end of our hostilities with the Moon Clan."

His last words lingered for a few moments, the gravity of his statement seeping through the air as he eyed the crowd. Eventually, however, the whole room exploded with protests and complaints.

"How many times do we have to say that we cannot allow this?!"

"This is unacceptable!"

"She’s our enemy! It’s already blasphemous that we’re letting her and her ilk stay here!"

The cacophony of grievances made the room vibrate with chaotic energy. Nathan soaked it all in, keeping his temper in check as he absently checked on Raine through their link.

Feeling her answer back with her own form of reassurance, the King let out a small breath as he prepared himself for what was assuredly a long day of justifying his own decisions. Then again, what was new when in regards to addressing the Elders?

"Quiet!"

With a below of his voice, a tense silence settled in the room. The noisy Elders slowly took a seat, leaving Nathan to be the sole standing person in the meeting room.

"I will not take no for an answer for this," he firmly stated. "Raine will be my Queen, and that’s final."

"But she hasn’t even proven herself!" one of the annoying Elders called out. "She’s far from adequate! Not even as a Queen, let alone as a Luna!"

"Just because she isn’t a werewolf doesn’t mean that she wouldn’t be suited for the task," Nathan cooly replied. "As the Princess of the Moon Clan, her role makes her suited for leadership."

"But not the Convel Society!" another one piped up. "Even with her unique circumstances, her own experiences will make her a weak-"

"Do not ever insinuate that Raine is weak," Nathan growled, his eyes slanting as he eyed the idiot that said it. "If there is anybody here that’s truly weak, it’s you-"

"Welcome one and all!"

The room turned to the door as one, their eyes wide in shock and anger at the audacity of this newcomer to crash their meeting. Nathan’s mouth was agape as Raine casually strutted forward, her smile showing her nonchalance as she fanned herself with her hand.

"Well now, it’s getting pretty hot in here," she scoffed. "And I can only assume that you all know why I’m here."

"This isn’t your place, Princess," one of the Elders growled.

"Oh? But aren’t I Queen now?"

The room exploded into bouts of anger and protests. Raine’s words riled up even the most moderate of Elders, all launching their complaints at Nathan as their King simply stood by.

"Is this truly someone that we can follow as Queen?!"

"The audacity of this... this..."

"This cannot be allowed to-"

"Quiet!"

Once more, Nathan’s voice echoed throughout the room, cowing everybody into submission as he hesitantly let Raine walk ahead. He had a slight idea as to what she wanted, but he could only watch as it all unfolded.

"Well, if that wasn’t a glowing recommendation, then I don’t know what is," Raine chuckled. "Still, I’m more than willing to prove myself if that’s what you guys want."

"Raine..."

"I know that there are laws in place, Nathan," Raine continued, trying her best to reassure her mate as she spoke. "I’ll be happy to follow them to the letter. Whether it be some kind of trial by combat, or maybe a test of some sort, I can easily pass them."

Nathan almost wanted to tell her that she shouldn’t even bother taking them, but the determination in Raine’s eyes almost made him back down. He could tell that she wanted this, and that she wanted her potential position to be proven not by virtue of being his mate, but by her own qualifications alone.

"Now, seeing as I’m available, let’s hear what you all want me to do," Raine challenged aloud, a dangerous smirk adorning her face. "I’m taking on all bets, and I’m sure that I can prove to you all that I’m strong enough to hold my own as Nathan’s Queen."

The king couldn’t help but blink at his mate’s words. For a split second, he saw her as if she was standing under a spotlight; a beacon of sorts where she was its shining light. Right then and there, he knew that even if she somehow failed, there was no way that Raine wouldn’t give up without a fight.