Gavriel leveled a stare that immediately shut Uriel up.

“Babysitting?” the Alpha King repeated, voice low. “You call guiding the Queen Mother’s temporary successor babysitting?”

Uriel straightened so fast his spine cracked. “I… didn’t mean it like that.”

“Then choose better words,” Gavriel said coolly. “Beatrice is inexperienced, but she’s capable. What she lacks is stability, something you can provide. And Simon will handle the logistics. All you must do is keep ...