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Twenty-One
The dining room was huge, larger than my cabin had been, and all of the kings, queens, princes, Princess Jolie, and Leona, as well as a few males I didn’t know, sat around it. Triston, Branson, and Riddick sat at the far end, chatting casually with everyone.
I froze in the doorway, not used to being in a room with so many people at once, but especially not so many alphas. There was so much power in that one room. So many who could kill me with a flick of their hand.
Caleb set his hand on my lower back and bent down to whisper in my ear, “No one here will harm you. All of these people are my family, but I will stay at your side, okay?”
“It’s just a lot of people, a lot of alphas,” I whispered.
“I know, but they’re all kind. I promise.” Stepping past me, he grabbed my hand and tugged me forward to an open chair beside Riddick, pulled the chair out for me, and pushed it in as I sat. Caleb sat beside me and all eyes focused on the two of us.
“H-Hi,” I said and raised my hand, my cheeks on fire.
“She reminds me of you,” King Daniel whispered to Princess Jolie.
“Let’s eat,” Nico said with a smile. “Ember needs a lot of food to help her fight the sedatives’ aftereffects.”
“We were very upset to hear what happened to you,” Princess Jolie said. “It was good to know that Caleb was able to find you quickly.”
“I was happy about that as well,” I said with a smile.
“Well, it’s a bit delayed, but welcome to our home. We understand that your home was destroyed by some rogue mages, and as such, we offer you a room in our house while an apartment is prepared for you and your men,” Prince Deryn said with a smile.
I opened my mouth to argue they weren’t my men, but Caleb reached over and clenched my hand, interrupting me. So, instead, I said, “I appreciate your hospitality.”
“Since our son is … our son,” Rhys, Prince of Dragons said, “we have prepared you a room that is next to his and the others are on the same floor as well.”
“That’s incredibly considerate of you,” Triston said and bowed his head. “Thank you.”
King Daniel leaned forward and inhaled. “Which of you are werewolves? The hybrid smell makes it hard to separate.”
“Why does that matter?” Caleb demanded, his hands clenching mine tightly and making me wince. He noticed and released my hand, but did not stop staring at his grandfather.
King Daniel smiled. “I’d just like to know who I can offer protection to, pup.”
“Caleb mentioned a farm at the werewolf den that you might be willing to keep my animals at?” I said to distract them.
He looked at me and I felt such a sudden sense of safety that I would have collapsed had I not been in a chair. Was this the power of a true alpha? “He has discussed it with me and I will ensure your pig and raven want for nothing.”
“Thank you,” I said and bowed my head.
Caleb tsked, tilted my chin up with his finger, and said, “You do not bow.”
The tension in the room skyrocketed as everyone froze and turned stares on Caleb.
“Caleb,” Princess Jolie snapped, stood, and walked out of the room. Her mates were right behind her, as were the kings and queens, leaving Leona and our group.
“Well, this has been averyinteresting night,” Riddick said with a chuckle.
“Terrifying is what you mean,” I said and exhaled harshly, rubbing at my arms to try to stop the goosebumps that had raised along them.
“Don’t worry, it’s not your fault,” Riddick assured me and took a big bite of the food on his plate. “His family is just very protective and observant, especially when it comes to their son.”
“I don’t know what that means,” I muttered and started eating as well. The sooner I ate, the sooner I could return to my room.
“Ember, tomorrow can I visit you to test out your siren abilities?” Leona asked. “It worries me to think about sirens, hybrids or not, moving about, untrained, and possibly hurting their loved ones unintentionally.”
The way she forcefully smiled made me think she was talking about a personal experience.
