VALERIA

“I choose my maid. I brought her, and I’ll take care of her. July, come stand by my side.”

Dave started, and I had to stifle a laugh at Juliette’s sudden turtle act, when she was usually worse than a chatty parrot.

“I choose Celine.” I didn’t hesitate to pick her. She knew my secrets, and I had no idea if this game would end with one of my… episodes.

A low growl suddenly rumbled, making everyone tense—but I didn’t even bother looking at the culprit.

Since he did whatever he pleased, I could do the same.

“I’ll take Erik,” Dave continued picking lycans like they were vegetables.

“Beof…” The towering brute moved to my side, and the tension in the air could have been cut with a knife.

Only Aldric and Guardian Quinn remained.

“Well, I choose—”

“Let Valeria choose,” His Majesty cut Dave off completely, his voice heavy with rage, his oppressive aura barely contained.

“Tell us, Valeria, who will you choose?”

He asked, and I lifted my blue eyes to meet his stormy, frozen gray stare, dr