Chapter 32: To Claim You Again

(CORRINE)

“What if I guarantee his safety?” he finally says. “What if I guarantee that Locke, or his mate, or even the noble families working for the North, will never be able to touch you or your child? What if I give him imperial protection?”

My heart thunders in my chest. Imperial protection? Why would he go that far? “How can you even do that? Even if you say he’s under your protection, it doesn’t mean those who want us gone will stop. There are assassins and—”

“I can adopt him.”

His simple words have me clutching the edge of the kitchen counter. “What?”

He shrugs as if he hasn’t dropped a huge bombshell on me. “It’s something I’ve been considering for a while now. I don’t have a mate, and I need to secure an heir. If I don’t have a child, I will have to nominate somebody as my successor. It has been years since Griffin disappeared. If he doesn’t return, then I need an heir, Corrine. Why not a child who is already of royal blood?”

Griffin Wild.

Erik’s older brother, the true king of the Human Kingdom. He went missing a year before my first visit to the human world as Ravenna. It’s been close to fifteen years now. I know Erik has never stopped looking for him. But what he’s suggesting has me reeling.

“You want to adopt Finn?!” I gape at him, still not able to fully comprehend the idea.

“Where’s the harm in it?” he asks, his eyes glinting. “He’s already somewhat attached to me.”

“Because you gave him your personal number—” I begin.

“And he’s a smart kid, he’s got potential, and he doesn’t have a father figure. Let’s face it, Corrine.” Erik gets to his feet and approaches me. “Locke is never going to claim the child, and you know it. If Finn’s true parentage is revealed, he will be in danger. If I claim him as my own love child—”

I visibly shudder at the idea, and he looks amused.

“Now you’re just hurting my feelings,” he says.

I run my hands over my face. “This is definitely not a conversation to be had at midnight. You’ve clearly thought about this in detail.”

He moves his shoulders in a nonchalant shrug, his eyes still sharp. “I’m not completely unaware of the events on the other side of the Veil. I know Locke took the real Princess Ravenna as his mate. The very first time you came here, I knew you weren’t Ravenna. I know the real princess. Before he disappeared, Griffin had been considering sending a proposal of marriage to her to unite the two kingdoms. So, when I met you back then, I knew you were not her. But you were an ideal candidate for queen. You had received all the training, you had the necessary education, and—”

“And I’m somebody else’s mate,” I point out, quietly now. “Erik, are you proposing to me? Because let me tell you, I will not live in her shadow anymore. In the eight years I’ve lived here, you haven’t once asked me what happened. You asked me my real name. That’s it. It makes sense now that you were never curious. You already knew.”

My fingers tighten on the edge of the marble counter as I look at him and try to stay composed. “Since you know what happened to me, you should know how I would feel about what you are suggesting. I consider you somewhat of a friend, so don’t try to use me like I’ve been used before. I’m grateful to you, Erik, but I will not let you or anybody else put me in that same position again. I am Corrine. I’m not Ravenna. I will not pretend to be Ravenna again.”

Erik gives me a small smile when I run out of steam. “Are you done?”

I narrow my eyes at him.

“I don’t need another Princess Ravenna.” He puts his hands on my shoulders. “I don’t want you to be her substitute or a copy. I need an heir, and your son needs someone to protect him. It would be very strange if I were to bring an unknown child into the palace and declare him the heir. If I reveal his true heritage, I’m sure the elders will accept him since he is of royal blood, but it will start a war between the North and the Human Wolf Kingdom. But if it’s revealed that he is the result of an affair, not only will it be easier to protect him, but you will also not have to worry about his true identity ever being revealed.”

I consider his words. He’s making sense. If I pass Finn off as Erik’s child, I can guarantee my son’s safety. “What about me then? If you do this, where do I go? I won’t leave Finn in the palace alone. I—”

Erik tightens his grip on my shoulders, his eyes intense. “That’s your choice to make. You can either be known as my former lover, or we can officially become mates, which would be convenient for me since I’d be able to shut the elders up about my single status. Plus, Locke would never be able to touch you.”

His words send me reeling.

“Your mate?” My body feels cold, my wolf rejecting the notion completely. “Erik, after what I’ve been through, I don’t think I can—”

“It will just be in name,” he coaxes. “You won’t have to work, and—”

“I built this life, Erik.” I shake off his hands, my heart quivering. “I worked hard to get where I am. I won’t be locked in some palace again. I can’t be.”

“That’s fine.” Erik pacifies me. “We don’t have to do that. Honestly, an heir is enough. But I will have to claim you as a former lover.”

If I agree to say I’m his former lover, my son will be protected, and I will never again have to worry about Locke or Bella or even Ravenna harming him.

“You don’t have to make a decision today,” Erik says gently. “Come to the palace in a week. Bring Finn. I’ll explain everything more clearly. But if you accept, then you have to join the investigative team as its leader.”

I place a cup of coffee in front of him, trying to organize my thoughts. On the one hand, it is my son’s guaranteed safety. But on the other hand, I will have to get involved in the wolf shifter society. Something I’ve been very reluctant to do.

My heart tightens in my chest, anxiety bubbling up within me. “If—If I say yes, you’ll have to swear to keep Finn safe if anything happens to me. No matter what.”

Erik’s eyes turn warm. “Of course. But nothing is going to happen to you.”

“And what if I ask you to keep my identity a secret?”

He stares at me and then bursts into laughter. “I never took you to be a negotiator.”

I’m silent.

When his laughter fades, he gives me a considering look. “Do you want your identity to be kept secret?”

I nod.

“Then it can be done.”

My shoulders relax. “Okay. Okay, I’ll think about it.”

He picks up the coffee and sips it before scowling. “This is disgusting.”

“It’s black coffee.”

“Why is it bitter?”

“Because it’s coffee, Erik!” I make a face.

He clicks his tongue. “I don’t like it. I liked the other one.”

“That was hot chocolate! You asked for coffee!” I protest, following him out of the kitchen.

“I’ve never had coffee before. Everybody keeps raving about it, so I thought I should give it a try. Nasty shit.” He walks over to the door. “I’ll see you in a week. Nice doing business with you, as always.”

His grin has me blinking. Wait, what?

As he leaves through the front door, I stare at it, dazed.

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