Chapter 27
27
Zirene
T he dinner was bustling. Every important businessperson, local politician, and clan matriarch was present, all vying for his Beacon’s attention. The grand dining hall was a sea of opulence, filled with the hum of conversations, the clinking of crystal glasses, and the tantalizing aroma of exotic dishes.
His Beacon moved gracefully through the crowd, her presence commanding attention without effort. Her elegant sheer silver hooded robe with royal purple accents shimmered under the chandelier’s light, a perfect blend of Aldawi tradition and her unique style.
She was dazzling, magnetic—everyone in the room was enchanted by her. His chest swelled with pride witnessing how far his Nova had come. But there was also a pang of something else he couldn’t quite name…
Zirene observed it all from his throne, nursing his drink. Alone on a cushioned chair large enough for both him and Selena, which felt even larger now that she was away speaking with their people. The grandeur of the room only added to his feeling of isolation.
It was odd, and Zirene didn’t know what to think about it. Was this an omen of how his life would be?
He swirled his drink, the jade liquid catching the light, and took a measured sip.
His tail twitched in irritation, but he forced himself to remain calm. This was part of their new reality, part of leading their people. He had to trust Selena, trust that she could handle herself, even if every instinct screamed to pull her away and keep her close.
Because he knew if he did so, it would paint him in a bad light.
Their people were so desperate for a Beacon—a matriarch leader—to represent them, that they disregarded her species, not caring that she was a demihuman. He hoped they saw her for her, as the Aldawi Beacon who’d provided them with a new generation of leaders to mold…
While he’d promised his Nova that he wouldn’t push their cubs into leadership roles, he knew it would be hard to escape their people’s expectations.
Zirene and Selena could protect the cubs on Destima, but once they matured into adults, he had no control over them.
They all wanted to become the next generation of the Fab Five. He wasn’t opposed to the idea—even though he didn’t fully agree with the bracelets Kaede had given them—for it would make them lethal, something they needed in order to survive and lead.
And yet, perhaps his own lethalness was the reason he was sitting alone in a room filled with his people.
Generations had passed since a Sovereign had stepped foot on Liskta, the unofficial capital of the female Aldawi, where the majority of the business dealings within their empire took place.
The last time he had been here, he was just a prince—second to the throne—who needed a favor. He’d needed Masmi to hide Kaede and his sisters, to care for and educate them, or his sire might have ordered them killed in fear of what they would become.
It had been a gamble, and his trust in the Stars had led him here—to where he was sitting.
But now that he was here, it felt like he didn’t belong. How could a leader of an empire feel so unwelcomed in his territory? It was as if there was a screen placed between them and him now that he was the new Sovereign.
And yet, he refused to demand attention, demand they respect him and pay their dues, like his late sire would have. He knew words were sweet and pleasing, but they meant nothing without real change. Only actions truly mattered—that was something he’d learned from Selena.
He would have to prove to these females that he wasn’t going to attempt to rule over them with claws and fangs—nor would he continue to keep their empire divided.
He sighed and took another sip, scanning the crowd. His clan and guests seemed to be enjoying themselves, but Kaede was missing. He knew the royal guard was most likely lurking in the shadows—doing what he did best.
He wasn’t worried. B and Q were playing assassins with the cubs to keep them out of trouble. He trusted them. They were practically aunt and uncle to their cubs. B was part of the family network through Kaede, so it was hard to imagine that she would betray their clan.
But it was also something he couldn’t rule out—no one outside their clan was safe when it came to the Stars’ warning.
Not Royak, Masmi, or any of the Fab Five.
Not even the other friends and family they’d gathered.
Someone was going to betray them—and he wondered if they were standing within this room at that moment.
Royak stepped beside him. Zirene could sense him before he made his presence known, for his shadow was nearly as powerful as his. His aura was one he could pick out of the sea of darkness as soon as he expanded his awareness.
The only one who could rival their aura’s strength was their sister, who didn’t have nearly enough strength to overpower either of them—not that she ever had a reason to.
“You’re brooding,” Royak said, his voice low and amused.
Zirene glanced at him, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Am I that obvious?”
“To me, yes.” Royak took a sip of his drink, his lavender eyes scanning the crowd. “This is strange for all of us, but you’ve done well to bring her here.”
“Have I?” Zirene’s gaze followed Selena, watching her effortlessly charm the room. “I feel like an outsider in my own empire.”
Royak placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Change is never easy, Brother. But look at her. She’s thriving. They love her already.”
Zirene nodded, his eyes softening as he watched Selena laugh with a group of matriarchs. “She has a way of doing that.”
“Jealousy doesn’t suit you, Brother,” Royak said, his tone teasing but his eyes serious. “But I would rather have you sitting on the throne than anyone else, including myself.”
Zirene’s eyes narrowed slightly as he gave a noncommittal grunt. “I’m not jealous. Just…protective.”
Royak raised an eyebrow, taking another sip from his own glass. “It’s natural. She’s our Beacon, but she’s also your mate. Seeing others fawn over her isn’t easy, but did you really expect them to welcome you with open paws?”
“It’s not just that,” Zirene admitted, his voice low. “It’s the constant eyes on her, the expectations. She’s handling it well, but I can see the strain. I don’t want her to crumble under the pressure, not when this is her chance to thrive…to see what it’s like to be mated to the Sovereign.”
“She is strong,” Royak said softly, lifting his glass in Selena’s direction. “Stronger than most give her credit for. And she has you, and the rest of your clan. She’ll be all right.”
Zirene sighed. “I hope so.”
Royak’s expression grew serious as he glanced around the bustling room, ensuring their conversation remained private. “I spoke with Mwe earlier,” he began, his tone lowering. “He mentioned the Quaww.”
A low growl rumbled in Zirene’s chest, drawing the attention of a few nearby guests. He quickly gestured to reassure them everything was fine, forcing a smile before leaning in closer to his brother. “I’ve already warned Mwe about my stance,” he said, his voice a fierce whisper. “Once we’ve gathered the refugees from the asteroid base, my focus will be on our empire. I don’t care what happens with the rest of the CEG. They’ve already made clear how they feel about us. I’ll make sure the Quaww thinks three times before even considering approaching our borders.”
Royak turned his back to the crowd, leaning in even closer to Zirene. “Are you going to declare war?” he whispered, his voice tinged with concern.
Zirene shook his head, his jaw clenched. “Not if I can prevent it,” he replied truthfully. “But I won’t hesitate to protect what’s ours. The Quaww need to understand that we won’t be pushed around. Not anymore. I gave them too much freedom when I first took over, because my focus was on searching for Selena and hunting those who were responsible for her kidnapping. But my patience has run dry. Like a mother protecting her litter, if they threaten what’s mine, I’ll teach them a lesson that they won’t forget.”
Masmi stepped up to the center of the grand hall, her presence demanding attention. The bustling conversations hushed, submitting to her commanding presence.
Zirene raised an eyebrow at the scene, leaning forward with his forearms pressed on his knees. His sister hadn’t used her shadow aura to make the room submit, which surprised him. The crowd had simply given her their attention.
Was this what it looked like to rule with respect rather than fear?
“Matriarchs, honored guests, and esteemed clan leaders,” Masmi began, her tone both regal and warm. “It is my great pleasure to announce that this year’s Harvest Festival will be in honor of our newly beloved Beacon, Selena.”
The crowd erupted in applause, their enthusiasm palpable. Selena’s spots flushed from a nervous yellow into an excited green.
With narrowed eyes, he watched as his sister grasped his Beacon’s shoulder, waiting for the audience to quiet down before continuing her announcement.
Masmi had always been the rebellious sibling, the one on whom their father vented his rage until, in a fit of fury over their mother’s romance with her royal guard, he cast them out of the royal villa. Zirene just prayed she wasn’t going to include his Nova too much in her plans, plunging her headfirst into Aldawi politics with no chance to come up for air.
As he scanned the room, he was glad to find genuine excitement in the faces of the Aldawi citizens—their ears perked forward and tails swaying lazily. Despite initial reservations, it seemed they were ready to embrace change, with Selena at the head of it.
“The next two days will be dedicated to marketing and trading, allowing our citizens to showcase their goods and strengthen our economy,” Masmi continued, her voice carrying across the grand hall. “Days four and five will host the Mating Games, where eligible males will compete for our attention…or bring honor to their mates.”
Whispers of anticipation buzzed through the crowd, their shadows flaring, pressing against his unknowingly.
“On the evening of Day Five, there will be a celebration with food and dance,” Masmi continued, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “We females will hunt for any males who caught our eye during the Mating Games…and see if they pass the sniff test.”
Laughter and purrs rippled through the crowd.
Selena’s gaze found his, her eyes widened slightly, as if she hadn’t realized what exactly she’d signed up for. Masmi cast a sly glance in her direction, catching her discomfort.
“Day Six will mark the Mating Ceremony, with our Beacon serving as the ceremonial guest of honor,” she announced, her voice taking on a reverent tone, full of pride.
The crowd’s cheers reached a crescendo, their exhilaration nearly overwhelming. As one, the crowd’s shadows swelled, dark flames dancing together.
Zirene’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t anticipated this. The Mating Ceremony was a deeply significant event—the highlight of the Harvest Festival—and placing the focus on Selena added immense pressure. She wasn’t just any matriarch being honored, but the new Beacon—the first to grace this planet for a long time.
Most Aldawi had never even seen one. The males in his line had always ruled alone, with only Seedbearers to continue their legacy.
Did she know what her role in the ceremony entailed? He knew she wasn’t reserved when it came to nudity—unlike most of her species—but to engage in such an intimate act in public?
He would be required to take part in the performance too, as Sovereign and sire of the next generation of Aldawi leaders.
He frowned, tail flicking to mirror his annoyance at his sister for putting not just his Nova but the whole clan in this situation. By the way her eyebrows bounced, her tail swaying playfully, Zirene knew his sister was amused by his reaction to the unexpected news.
“And finally,” Masmi concluded, “on Day Seven, we will hold the Closing Ceremony, where we welcome our new Sovereign and Beacon as our leaders, hoping for a thriving reign.”
The applause was thunderous, a wave of sound that washed over the room. Zirene’s pride swelled as he observed the reverence and adoration directed toward Selena.
He held his tongue, not wanting to ruin this moment for her.
He trusted Masmi—enough that she was the first name he’d thought of when they’d needed someone to watch over their cubs and take good care of them. If she believed this was the way to start earning the trust of the very people his late sire and the generations before him had shunned, so be it. He would play his part, by letting them shower his Beacon with attention.
His Nova deserved the honor, for she’d made him a better male. She’d been through enough hardships and pain. He would take a more supportive background role during the Harvest Festival if it meant giving her a glimpse of what she was worth—of what she could become.
Amid the celebration, he caught Royak’s concerned expression. His older brother leaned closer, his voice barely audible over the noise. “Does Selena know what the ceremony entails?”
Zirene sighed, his eyes never leaving Selena’s form. “I’m not sure,” he admitted. “She understands the significance, but she’s still new to our culture.”
Royak nodded. “The Mating Games…while they are fun to watch, they can be brutal. Neither of us has ever taken part. Are you prepared for any potential challengers?”
Zirene’s jaw tightened. “I am. And so are my clanbrothers. Selena’s safety is our highest priority. Anyone who dares to challenge us will face our full might.”
Royak’s lips curved into a small, approving smile. “Good. Because I have a feeling this year’s festival will be unlike any we’ve seen before.”