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Seemingly through with Isla’s introductions, Verena drew her attention to the warrior general at her side. “It’s wonderful to see you again, Ameera.” Her voice lowered, the slight dipping of her head making the pearls of her crown glimmer as with the dusting of silver highlights along her olive cheeks. “I’m sorry to hear about your father—and Kyran, Jaden. And General Eli and that missing warrior as well.” Now, she looked between the both of them. “I’m not sure how close all of you within the program are.”
She’d certainly done her own research.
Ameera had schooled her features, bowing her head. “Thank you, Alpha.”
Isla offered her own gratitude, fighting the narrow of her eyes. She could only weather so much of this obvious pressure before her instinct had her wanting to snap back.
“We,” Verena gestured to her close family, the sleeve of her pale green robe billowing, “must be going, but I’ll see you both in the morning for breakfast, and the others will see you at the party tomorrow evening.”
Isla tried not to appear too surprised. “A party?”
“In honor of your visit,Luna of Deimos,” Verena crooned. “I’m assuming we’re your first trip off your own soil.”
Isla forced a sweet smile. A party meant mingling with people she hadn’t been given an itinerary for. When Marin found out, she’d have a heart attack. “You would be correct in that.”
Verena barely seemed phased by the information. She’d already been certain.
“In our absence,” she said. “Jax will escort you through the hall.” Her nephew stepped forward confidently, and Isla calculated every one of his swaggering movements. “He will answer any questions you may have about the pack. If anything dire comes up, though, please reach out for me.”
Though her cheeks hurt, Isla wouldn’t let her smile falter. “Very well.”
She nearly groaned in relief when she could finally relax. At least, relax her face.
She, along with Ameera, Jax, and Amalie, lingered in the opening of the courtyard as the rest of the groups disbanded. The guard and staff Isla had brought with her from Deimos hauled off their things in small horse-drawn carriages, which were remarkably charming, she had to admit. She hadn’t seen much of the transportation with other vehicles becoming more widespread as she grew up.
When the gardens had been filled with only them and the surrounding wildlife, Jax suddenly bowed deeply to her, his reddish hair burnished orange in the fading sunlight. “Luna.” When he rose, he leaned towards Amalie, speaking out of the side of his mouth. “You left out that she was gorgeous when you described her, Cousin.”
Isla was suddenly particularly curious to hear howexactlyKai’s ex had painted her to who she assumed was her family, her aunt included.
She chanced a look at the alpha’s niece, finding her eyes drifting from the ring on Isla’s finger to the mark on her neck. Her nostrils flared before her gaze collided with Isla’s. Her eyes flashed with surprise, and Isla didn’t back down. She wondered if she remembered her from the banquet.
“Kai is,” Jax lifted a hand, correcting himself as he gained Isla’s attention again. “Apologies,the Alpha of Deimosis a very lucky man.”
Isla didn’t bother putting any type of regality behind her expression. “You’re too kind.”
Jax seemed to enjoy the drop in her facade. “I’m afraid to ask if he mentioned me at all.”
“Only a thing or two,” she said. “Nothing too bad, don’t worry.”
“How boring you must think me, then,” Jax drawled before exhaling. “Kai became the most of us—the sons that didn’t matter. No birthrights, so we got to have all the fun since no one gave a shit about us.” He gestured widely as he looked between her and Ameera. “But now look at him, two beautiful, powerful warriors at his right and left hand. He’s doing something right. Fate is most certainly on his side.”
Isla would counter Fate most certainly hated them.
Jax glanced behind her to Ameera, who he’d somehow known had been Kai’s choice for beta. News really spread. “Hello again, Meemee.”
Ameera folded her arms, smiling despite the narrow of her eyes. “I never gave you permission to call me that.”
Jax returned the grin. “Has someone finally captured that stone heart of yours?”
Isla tried not to look too intrigued.
Ameera smiled venomously sweet and flipped him off, before saying, “As much as I enjoy standing here for your pageantry, we’re tired, and would like to go to our rooms.”
“Of course.” Jax bowed again dutifully, and then turned fully to Isla. “Though, I was hoping that tonight I could show the luna thetrue beautyof what our pack has to offer. It’s not the mystic, mysterious beauty of Mavec or the lavish, glittering, gold of the Imperial City, but we have our own wonder.”
“Oh, Goddess,” Ameera grumbled as if she knew exactly what he was talking about—and also knew that the way he’d said it made Isla’s ears perk.
She smirked and matched the smoothness of his voice. “I’m listening.”
