The Alpha Kings And Their Stripper Mate

Chapter 187: Chapter 186: Preparation to meet Seraphine

Eve woke to gray morning light filtering through the curtains and the immediate, crushing memory of what had happened yesterday.

Her mother was gone.

For a moment, she lay still, letting the weight of that truth settle over her again....the way it would settle over her every morning for a long time, she suspected. The fresh grief of remembering, of the moment between sleep and waking when you’ve forgotten, and then the reality crashes back.

She felt her mates around her....Silas still at her back, his steady presence grounding even in sleep. Damian had shifted position during the night, now sitting in the chair near the window, clearly having woken early to keep watch. Damon was sprawled on her other side, one arm flung across her waist in unconscious possession even while sleeping.

Through the bond, she felt their awareness spike as she woke...all three of them immediately attuned to her consciousness, ready to provide whatever she needed.

"Morning," Damian said quietly from the chair. "How did you sleep?"

"I slept," Eve said, which wasn’t quite an answer but was all she could manage.

She sat up carefully, trying not to wake Damon, and looked at the clock. 6:47 AM. The meeting with Seraphine was scheduled for two in the afternoon at the Meridian Estate.

Seven hours to prepare.

Seven hours to transform from grieving daughter into competent heir worthy of Traditional faction support.

"I should...." Eve started, then stopped, unsure what she should do. Everything felt overwhelming. Getting out of bed felt overwhelming.

Silas sat up behind her, his arms coming around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder. "One thing at a time," he said quietly. "Shower first. Then breakfast. Then we prepare."

"I don’t know if I can do this today," Eve admitted, her voice small. "Face Seraphine. Be political and strategic and impressive when I feel like...." She stopped.

"I know," Silas said. "But your mother would want you to. She’d want you to honor her by continuing. By not letting grief stop you from claiming what’s yours."

Eve closed her eyes. He was right. Margaret had spent her final words encouraging Eve forward, reminding her of her strength, blessing her path. Canceling the meeting, hiding from the Court, letting grief paralyze her....that wouldn’t honor Margaret’s memory.

Moving forward would.

"Okay," Eve said, taking a breath. "Okay. Shower. Breakfast. Preparation."

"That’s my girl," Silas said, pressing a kiss to her temple.

The shower helped. The hot water, the familiar routine, the simple act of washing away yesterday and preparing for today....it gave Eve something to focus on besides the hollow ache in her chest.

She dressed carefully in clothes that Damian had laid out...somehow knowing exactly what would be appropriate for meeting a faction leader on neutral ground. Dark pants, a deep burgundy blouse that brought out the amber in her eyes, a jacket that was elegant without being formal. And the neckline....deliberately cut to show the top of the glowing mark over her heart.

Let Seraphine see proof of the completed bond. Let her see that Eve had resources and connections that went beyond political maneuvering.

Breakfast was waiting in the private dining room...just Eve, her mates, and Raphael. The brothers had clearly coordinated to keep the morning quiet, intimate, free from the usual bustle of estate life. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Eve ate mechanically, fueling her body even though nothing tasted like anything.

"Tell me about Seraphine," she said to Raphael, focusing on preparation rather than grief. "Not the tactical information you’ve already given me. Tell me about her as a person. What drives her. What she cares about beyond political power."

Raphael set down his coffee cup and considered the question carefully. "Seraphine is five hundred and forty-three years old. She’s survived multiple coups, regime changes, and factional wars by being strategically brilliant and adaptable. But underneath the political calculation..." He paused. "....she genuinely believes in the monarchical structure. Not because she’s power-hungry or traditional for tradition’s sake, but because she’s seen what happens when the Court fractures into competing interests without central authority."

"She thinks strong monarchy prevents chaos," Eve said.

"Exactly. She was alive during the last period of factional rule, about eight hundred years ago, before your great-great-grandmother unified the Court under Seraphim leadership. She remembers the violence, the instability, the way supernatural communities suffered when there was no clear central authority." Raphael’s expression was thoughtful. "So when she supports your claim, it’s not just political positioning. She genuinely believes legitimate Seraphim rule is better for everyone."

"Which means she’ll expect me to rule well," Eve said. "Not just claim the throne but actually lead effectively."

"Yes. And she’ll be assessing that today. Whether you have the capability, the intelligence, the strategic thinking to actually govern rather than just inherit."

Eve absorbed this. "What does she care about personally? Beyond politics?"

Raphael smiled slightly. "Art. Music. She’s a patron of supernatural artists across multiple disciplines. She believes culture and beauty matter as much as power and strategy. If you can engage with her on that level, show that you value more than just political victory....it will resonate."

"Noted," Eve said.

Damian spoke up from his position at the head of the table. "We’ll have security detail accompanying us. Visible but not aggressive. Marcus is coordinating with Meridian Estate security to ensure the perimeter is secure."

"All three of you are coming?" Eve asked. freewēbnoveℓ.com

"All three of us," Damian confirmed, in a tone that suggested this was non-negotiable. "After yesterday’s construct from Malachai, you don’t travel to diplomatic meetings without protection. Seraphine will understand. She’d consider it foolish if you didn’t bring security."

"And I’ll be there as well," Raphael added. "As family and as advisor. Seraphine will expect it....she knows I’m alive now, thanks to Isadora’s report. My presence supports your legitimacy."

Eve nodded, feeling the pieces fall into place. This was happening. Today. In a few hours, she would sit across from one of the most powerful beings in the Seraphim Court and convince her that a twenty-three-year-old with four months of training was worthy of a throne.

No pressure.

"I should check on Maya," Eve said. "Before we leave. Make sure she’s okay after last night’s revelations."

"Elena’s with her," Damon said. "I asked her to keep Maya company this morning, answer any questions, help her process. They’re in the library."

"Thank you," Eve said, grateful for the thoughtfulness.

After breakfast, Eve found Maya and Elena exactly where Damon had said....curled into adjacent chairs in the library, deep in conversation that stopped abruptly when Eve entered.

"Hey," Maya said, standing immediately. "How are you doing?"

"I’m....managing," Eve said honestly. "Today’s complicated. I have the meeting with Seraphine this afternoon."

"The Traditional faction leader," Maya said, proving she’d been paying attention to last night’s explanations. "The one who might support you claiming your throne."

"That one," Eve confirmed.