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Sol brought them back to the topic at hand. “Bringing Locke’s spies into our territory and holding them is against the Code. We may already have breached that with Charon, but their pack members voluntarily entered our borders. It’s different to infiltrate rogue territory and pull them out. If we’re caught, the consequences on a continental stage are dire.”
“Continental stage?” Reuben scoffed. “What good is it anymore to play by the rules? War is imminent within the continent. I imagine we should be bracing for more direct blows from Charon or the Imperials soon.” Kai noticed Isla swallow out of the corner of his eye. “Especially if they captured our own men.” Reuben suddenly turned to Kai. “I imagine that’s why Alpha Verena has asked for an immediate audience with you, Alpha. Tomorrow, at the latest.”
“Sodemanding,” Afalin drawled with a condescending undercurrent to his tone. “Who does she think she is?”
“An alpha,” Kai bit out. “Just as much as I am.”
Though, he himself had paused at thedemandof the order from one of his father’s longest friends. Kai wasn’t a dog to be called on, to be given deadlines. He wondered how much his father had told Verena about him, his errant son who had little respect for Kyran’s rules and wishes. He wondered how much he seemed like a kid to her.
“Well, today is nearly over, and Beta Sampson will be arriving from Iapetus tomorrow afternoon. We can’t put them in the same room,” Afalin argued before lowering his voice, seeming to know the name he brought up next was sensitive. “Remember what Ezekiel had said about their recent confrontation at the Feast? Verena left Callisto. She didn’t even stay to watch the hunters be sent off.”
“Why would she?” Sol countered. “She hasn’t had an approved trainee in years. I’m surprised she even attended at all.”
Kai hadn’t noticed any confrontation, but then again, he’d been a bit preoccupied that night.
Afalin’s agitation became more than apparent in the knocking of his fist on the council’s bench. “So, what do we tell her? We can’t afford to lose allies, particularly ones that could easily block our access to the Southern Waters.”
Kai already had his solution. Finally finished with allowing them to have their debates, he spoke. “I will remain here to handle Beta Sampson. Luna Isla will go to Mimas along with Ameera and speak with Alpha Verena.”
The room went silent, looks of disbelief flashing across many faces before they righted themselves. Though most directed their eyes to Isla, who he felt tense through their bond hazed by the bane, Kai kept his pointed stare fixed on each of them as his gaze moved around the room. A cold and brutal calm washed over him. “Comments?”
No one offered any, but the unspoken words choked the room. Kai turned slightly to his mate, watching her fists clench and unclench over the skirt of her dress.
“Come on.” He pulled at the pieces of the bond, hoping the words came through, if not audibly, then through a coaxing phantom touch. “You’ve never been one to back down from a fight, beautiful.”
As if she heard it, felt it—or maybe it had just been her own courage—Isla sat up straighter. “All of you have permission to speak freely.” She ensured to meet each council member’s eyes, too, an ember flickering in hers that warmed him.
More quiet settled, and some exchanged wary stares. Who would say something? Wouldanyone?Sol also appeared proud and keen to see if anyone would assert themselves. Even Reuben, who’d witnessed Isla in her training with the Guard, who knew what it took to be a fighter, seemed…entertained.
It was Afalin who ended up opening his mouth. “I…”
He trailed off when Kai leaned back in his seat, hands folding over his stomach as he eyed him closely. He was a predator, a protector, stalking around Isla’s feet. He could’ve sworn he felt his mate pull at him, telling him to stop being an overbearing bastard. It almost made him smile. He took that feeling, that tether, and tried his best to embrace it before it faded.
“I mean no disrespect to you, Luna,” Afalin continued. “But your coronation was only two days ago. You’re new to the position. New to Deimos. And Ameera,” he gestured warily to the general at Kai’s other side, “she’snotthe beta as it stands. I don’t know if answering an alpha’s invitation without Alpha Kai is the best course of action. And your—” He snapped his mouth shut, and Kai had a feeling he knew where he was heading next. The elephant in the room: Isla’s lineage. Verena’s dislike for the Imperial Alpha and his pack wasn’t a well-kept secret.
Kai glanced at Isla, who did not look at him in question or for comfort. That warrior’s stare was fixated on her opponent. He shouldn’t have felt so much joy from it.
Ameera gave a slight nod of understanding, though she bristled at the “beta” comment; even if Afalin was right, shewasn’tthe beta until she made her decision.
Suddenly, Isla sat even taller, tilting her head slightly, her hair shifting over a shoulder, the gold rippling in the pillars of sunlight spilling through the windows. “I may be new to this,Delta.” Her voice was smooth, low, and lethal—and Goddess, did it turn him on. “I may not have grown up as a part of ‘court’, but I’ve observed it my entire life. If where I come from has taught me anything, if becoming a warrior has taught me anything, it’s brutal discipline, etiquette, and how to navigate overwhelming personalities—and Marin has also trained me into the ground. Believe me, when I set foot on her territory, I will know Mimas and Verena, her consort, heir, staff, people, and their strengths and weaknesses upside down and backwards.” She let those words linger for a few heartbeats as she settled back, a demure yet confident smile on her face. “Any other questions?”
None.
Wisely, no one spoke—and Kai needed a cold bucket of water. Her words seemed to have worked for some, with cautious looks and tense shoulders easing away. But not everyone, not Afalin.
“Council adjourned, then.” Kai leaned forward, resting his elbows on the bench. “As a reminder, though it should go without question, whatever was said in this room remains in confidence. Any breach will result in a penalty of the highest accord. Clear?”
A resounding,yes, Alpha,echoed through the chamber.
“Dismissed.”
Each member of the council rose and bowed their heads to him and then to Isla. That warrior’s mask remained on her face as each exited the room, though gradually, it began to crack, piece by piece, and each fallen fragment tore a part of him with it.
First, the slump of her shoulders, then a downturn of her lips, a small, tired breath slipping the rosy softness. Then that fire sputtered to cinders, still hot but fading.
Shit.
When Sol, the final remaining delta, had left, Ameera rose to her feet, earning both of their attention. “I’ll let you know after this trip what my decision is.”
