Chapter 37 #2
“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 in the cadence of her voice. It was 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 making 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 shuffled at the mention of Kai. “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 pointed observation that Isla was around the same age as her children.
Then Verena stepped back, gesturing behind her. “And this is my niece and nephew, Amalie and Jax.” She beckoned them both forward, and they obeyed.
So, this was the infamous Jax.
Of all the family members Verena had between her siblings and their children, these two had been the ones she’d chosen to greet them.
And given the look on Amalie’s face, she hadn’t wanted anything to do with it.
So, if she’d shown up because her aunt made her, there was a point here. Some test, maybe, in Verena’s eyes.
Making a point of Isla’s young age and bringing forward her mate’s former lover? Perhaps she wished to assess Isla’s poise and self-control.
Her eyes flicked to Jax, his devilish grin prevailing. So, what was his purpose, then?
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 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 his missing warrior as well.
” Now, she looked between 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 narrowing 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 away from your own soil?”
Isla forced a sweet smile. A party meant mingling with people she hadn’t been briefed on. When Marin found out, she’d have a heart attack. “You would be correct.”
Verena barely seemed phased by the confirmation; she’d already been certain.
“In our absence, Jax will escort you through the hall.” Her nephew stepped forward confidently, and Isla calculated every swaggering movement of his. “He will answer any questions you may have about the pack. If anything dire comes up, though, please reach out to me.”
Though her cheeks already 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, she had to admit, were remarkably charming.
She hadn’t seen many of those as motor vehicles became more widespread.
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 how exactly Kai’s ex had painted her to the family, her aunt included.
She chanced a look at the alpha’s niece and caught 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 Deimos is 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 little,” 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 all—the sons that didn’t matter.
With no birthrights, 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, with 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 that Fate most certainly hated them.
Jax glanced behind her to Ameera, whom he’d somehow known had been Kai’s choice for beta. News really did spread. “Hello again, Meemee.”
Ameera folded her arms, smiling despite the narrowing 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, then turned fully to Isla. “Though I was hoping that I could show the luna the true beauty of what our pack has to offer later tonight. It’s not the mystic, mysterious beauty of Mavec or the lavish, glittering gold of the Imperial City, but we have our own wonders.”
“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 up.
Isla smirked and matched the smoothness of his voice. “I’m listening.”