Chapter 103. Guilt

Valen’s POV

Neither my parents nor the Elder Council mentioned hosting a claiming ceremony. Mercedes was probably trying to swindle her way to get me to be mellow with her.

“Don't beat yourself up because you didn't find Vaheed. He'll fight to stay alive until his big brother rescues him.” She soothed and crossed her legs. Then she took up the bottle of whiskey and poured more into my glass. “I'm sure he'll be back for our coronation.”

Now that caused me to shoot her a ruthless gaze. Her face contorted into an ugly frown, and she kept the bottle in her hand.

The very bottle that I really ought to slam down her throat.

“After that tiresome mission, why don’t you let me help you relax those big, strong muscles tonight?” Dallying, she brought the bottle to her mouth, stuck out her tongue, and swirled it around the opening. “Tell me what you want, and I’ll do it.”

Right now, I was just as nauseated as my wolf who was still playing dea