Both boys were as smartly dressed as their father; one in a black suit, the other in navy. They almost mirrored each other in their posture. It was rather strange to see them so in sync, from their behaviour to their passive faces. I couldn’t tell which one was older; both had strong auras, not giving away who was the firstborn.
Darien and Serena took a seat, and I did the same, settling into my place beside Alejandro. Home. No matter how angry I was at him, his closeness and warmth were my havens.
“That’s true,” Alejandro remarked. “Luna Catherine, you’re from the States, correct?”
“Yes,” she replied as she sat by her mate’s side, her legs tucked to the side, back straight, chin out. Their reputation didn’t fail them, known for being a wealthy, strong, rather posh pack who kept to themselves.
“Ever heard of the Fuego de Ceniza Pack from Puerto Rico?” Catherine’s brow furrowed ever so slightly as she thought over what the King had asked.
“Help yourselves to something,” I offered the boys.
“No, thank you, My Queen,” Royce replied whilst Aleric took a glass of iced juice.
“I have, yes. I am not a hundred percent sure, however, there was a woman who I went to luna training with. It’s something we have over in the States for alpha’s daughters or if you know you are mated to an alpha,” she explained. “This woman, Esmerelda, she may have ended up mated to someone from that pack. I vaguely remember it, but we are not in touch or anything.”
“Esmerelda… any surname?”
“Martinez. Esmerelda Martinez.” She nodded with confidence. “Yes, that was her name.” Alejandro glanced at Darien, and I knew someone was going to be looking into it already.
“I’m assuming this pack is heavily involved with the recent threat,” Kenneth remarked as Catherine helped herself to a drink.
“Yeah, it is, and I intend to fucking find them soon,” Alejandro replied coldly.
“Will you go to the States?” Kenneth’s voice was calm, yet he was watching Alejandro sharply, and the glimmer of curiosity in his eyes didn’t go unnoticed.
“If need be. Do you know anything about that pack?” Alejandro’s eyes were fixed on him even when hishand snaked around my waist, caressing my side.
“No, I do not. However, I have heard from my patrol of some strange wolves on my northern borders. When you were in search of the alpha princess, we were on holiday abroad. However, I have some images which I will forward to you via email.”
Then he fucking didn’t need to come here,Alejandro growled through the link.
He looks like he wants something,Darien replied.
“So, you came all this way to hit send whilst you were here. What is it? Was Ken-fucking-ham Palace out of fucking Wi-Fi?” My eyes flew open at Alejandro’s comment, and even Catherina looked shocked as Darien hid his smirk. Alejandro sat forward. I could sense the irritation rolling off of him. “If you had any proof, your men should have given it to me when I asked for fucking information,” he said coldly.
“I am still the Alpha of my pack, Alpha King Alejandro, and they answer to me. I didn’t need to mention these images, but I did.”
“A tad fucking late.”
I glanced at the two boys; this was not the place for children, no matter what age they were. Both were watching Alejandro, and I could tell they were paying attention.
“Luna Catherine, would it be alright if you, me, and Serena went for a walk with the boys in the garden? I think the men can do the talking.” Usually, I wouldn’t say it was a man’s place, but I’d rather protect the children from the conversation turning ugly.
“I think it’s a lovely idea,” she replied, glancing between Alejandro and Kenneth. Neither spoke and so she stood up, motioning to the boys to follow.
“We wouldn’t mind staying, Mother,” Aleric commented, curiosity in his eyes as he watched Alejandro.
“The Luna Queen has offered to show us the gardens,” Catherine replied. Her voice was calm, but her command was clear, and so the five of us left the room.
“I don’t trust you, and I never will…”
That was the last thing I heard Alejandro say. I knew he had no reason not to trust him, but Dad’s opinion of Kenneth had left a lasting impression on Alejandro.
“This way.” I gestured as I walked down the hall. Reaching the back entrance, I stared at the keypad, trying to remember the key code…
“Luna Kiara?” Serena called. She only addressed me as Luna in front of guests. I frowned, stepping back.
I can’t remember the code,I admitted through the link.
