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That, Isla could sense.
Alpha Verena didn’t even need the adornment atop her beautiful twist of curls for Isla to know who she was. Her aura was undeniable. Unquestionable.
Isla knocked back her shoulders, Marin’s words echoing in her mind.Approach all you do as a warrior—assess, strategize, execute—but hold yourself like a queen.
Assessment?
Alpha Verena was the only current reigning female alpha on the continent, and one of the only five in history since the law had been passed allowing daughters to inherit the titles of the alphas who preceded them. She was the eldest of seven children, five of them male. She’d nearly been killed twice by her own radical groups who’d wanted one of her brothers to take the throne instead. So, she was strong-willed.
At her side stood her consort, Theon, formerly her guard who protected her from said radicals, and was himself, formerly fromDeimos. Verena had not been his fated. In fact, his fated had rejected him entirely, opting to marry a wealthy merchant in Rhea, choosing a life of luxury over what a soulmate bond offered. Alpha Rainer, Kai’s grandfather, as Kyran had not come into power yet, had allowed Theon to defect from Deimos to escape the heartbreak, as Mimas and Deimos had good relations. Somewhere along the way, the rejected male had captured the then alpha heir’s heart.
Isla had been racking her brain for the eldest of their four children’s names when her eyes snagged on two faces amidst Verena’s party. Unlike most of the others, they didn’t seem to be guards. One she recognized immediately, and the other, who seemed keenly interested in Isla given his smirk and stare, she hadn’t known at all.
Just behind Isla as they descended to the dock, Ameera snorted. “Well, this will be interesting.”
Isla’s eyes slid back to what exactly would beinteresting, taking in the familiar woman with ink-dark hair and blue eyes that shone like sapphires. Amalie.
Kai’s Goddess-damn ex.
Isla vaguely remembered her being related to the Alpha of Mimas, but no one had mentioned that she’d be here…
She shook her head, clearing away any fog of confusion. Why did she care if Kai’s ex was here?
The man beside Amalie elbowed her the moment Isla’s attention had shifted her way, a devious smirk playing on his mouth before Amalie laid her own jab in his ribs.
“Luna Isla.” Verena’s voice was like velvet, smooth and assured, when their two groups came to a head, each taking their turns bowing to the other. Isla felt the commanding and wise tone like a shot down her spine.
Strategize. Execute. Strategize. Execute.
“Alpha Verena.” Isla expertly matched her poise. Though Verena was an intimidating presence, Isla wouldn't let herself become small.
“Welcome to my home.” The alpha gestured to the beauty around them, and as if in answer, a gull cawed as it speared for the ocean in the distance. “I appreciate your answering my invitation.”
The political refinement of this woman was so diplomatic, even the cadence with which she spoke. Somehow soothing, but Isla had been gripped by every word.
Isla smiled gently. “Of course. I appreciate you extending it.”
Verena’s brows raised slightly, just able to look down at Isla, her height similar to Ameera’s. It seemed she’d been calculating her own assessments. “I also want to congratulate you on your mating. Such a shame Alpha Kai couldn’t join us.”
“A shame, yes.” Isla noted the way Amalie had shuffled at her distance. “But Kai sends his best wishes.”
“Busy times; I understand,” Verena answered, though somehow, it felt more like a question than a statement.
Goddess, what a monotonous dance this was. No wonder Adrien and Kai had hated attending court growing up.
Verena went on to introduce Isla to her mate and sons—she didn’t have any daughters—making the astute observation that Isla and her children were around the same age.
Suddenly, Verena stepped back, gesturing behind her. “And these are my niece and nephew, Amalie and Jax.” She beckoned them both forward, and they obeyed.
So, this was Jax.
Isla made quick work of another assessment.
Of all the family members Verena had between her siblings and their children,these twohad been the ones she’d chosen to greet them. And given the cross look on Amalie’s face, she hadn’t wanted anything to do with this. So, if she’d shown up because her auntmade her, there was a point here. Some sort of test, maybe, in Verena’s eyes.
Making a point of Isla’s young age in relation to her non-ruling children, bringing around her mate’s former lover? Perhaps it was her own grading of Isla’s poise and self-control.
Her eyes flicked to Jax, his devilish grin prevailing. So, what was his purpose, then?
