Chapter 13
Visiting royalty.
Henley
The next few days are insane as other supernaturals slowly arrive.
The dragon prince and his fae-elf wife are among the first to come—Crown Prince Stellan and Princess Wisteria. They also bring their twin babies and another dragon shifter, the younger brother to Prince Stellan—Prince Evander, I think?
Later the same day, Alpha Devin and his dark fae wife, Queen Tori, arrive. I don’t know what to make of it, but Parker is absolutely starstruck by the arrival of his alpha.
We give them time to get settled, but we have a meeting early that evening.
“Thank you for coming to our island so swiftly,” Uncle Ferno tells our visitors when we meet them in the conference room. “We don’t usually share the location of our island—it’s been a highly guarded secret for many centuries, but we did this out of necessity.”
“You’re doing it because they can see her aura.” Prince Stellan nods at me. “It’s so bright, I could see it long before we ever stepped foot on this island. It’s much brighter than it was a few months ago when I last saw you.”
Uncle Ferno nods grimly. “Yes. She is the rightful heir—I am just her regent until she comes of age. She will get brighter as she gets older.”
“Are you sure I shouldn’t leave?” I look around the room, waiting for them to agree that it’s dangerous for me to be here.
“No,” Uncle Ferno says firmly. “You are not leaving.”
“You shouldn’t leave,” Alpha Devin says, his eyes fixed upon me. “You’re safer with your pack.”
Parker squeezes my hand, which is his way of agreeing with his alpha.
“Her parents made the mistake of leaving, and it nearly cost us everything.” Uncle Ferno wipes a hand down his face as if he can wipe away the bad memories.
“I have called in wolves from many different packs,” Alpha Devin says. “The island is about to be very protected.”
“But any hope of anonymity will be gone,” Queen Tori warns.
“You are planning to come forward and reveal yourselves, right?” Princess Wisteria asks. Her red hair hangs in long waves over the back of her chair, and she wears a black crown.
I look at my uncle, who is looking at me. He is frowning, but he nods.
“Yes, we will be coming forward, but we have to do it the right way. I don’t want any of my people harmed.” I give each person in the room a stern look. I don’t care if they’re an alpha, a queen, or any other sort of royalty—I won’t stand for my people being hurt.
“You should first reveal yourselves to the Alpha Council.” Alpha Devin slips an arm behind Queen Tori. “Once you have the full backing of the council, this group would be crazy to come after you. They wouldn’t stand a chance.”
Parker has told me a little about the Alpha Council.
I know that it’s a council of alphas, as the name implies.
It used to only be shifters, but more supernaturals have joined over the years.
There are wolf shifters and dragon shifters, but also dark fae, elves, and vampires.
I know there are other shifters, too, but I don’t know all the species.
I still haven’t learned a lot about this world that I’m now part of.
“How do we get the council to back us?” Uncle Ferno asks.
“My dad has already called for a meeting,” Prince Stellan says. “In three days, you will be flying to the Shifter Academy island to speak before the council.”
I swallow hard at that. I really hope I’m not the one doing the ‘speaking.’
“We can’t leave our people,” Uncle Ferno objects. “Not now that we’ve been exposed. These attackers won’t back down.”
“They won’t be left alone,” Queen Tori says softly. “We’ve already called in a wolf pack that lives not too far from here to help protect the island.”
“I’ve also brought a few of my best trained soldiers,” Prince Stellan says.
“Besides, we only ask that the girl come.” Alpha Devin looks at Uncle Ferno with golden eyes. “You may be her regent, but we can all feel where the true power lies.”
My eyes bulge.
Did he really just say that?
Uncle Ferno narrows his eyes at Alpha Benson. “And you think I’ll trust you to protect my niece?”
I put my hand on Parker’s arm, hoping he’ll do something.
Parker leans forward. “Henley is my mate. I will protect her. So will my betas. And I’m sure you’ll be sending guards with her.”
“I will also protect her.” Princess Wisteria leans forward.
“What can a fae do?” Uncle Ferno asks.
“I’m half elf.” She sits up straighter, her eyes changing from purple to red.
Well, Uncle Ferno definitely isn’t making any friends.
“I would be happy to have you with us,” I tell Princess Wisteria. “Thank you for your kind offer.”
Alpha Devin looks at me. “I will also be there. I know that you’re a phoenix, but you’re mated to a wolf shifter. It makes you part of the pack. I protect my pack.”
I glance at Uncle Ferno and force a smile. “See, there is no reason to worry. I’m not like my mom, running off with only another phoenix to protect me. I’ve got a pack. And dragon shifters. And an elf. Besides, I’ll only be gone for a day or two.”
Uncle Ferno looks off to my left. I glance to see what he’s looking at when I see one of my guards step forward. He bows to my uncle.
“I will protect her with my life,” he says.
I turn back to Uncle Ferno. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
“No,” he answers with a sigh. “But I suppose I don’t have a choice.”
“I didn’t mean if you’re okay with me going to meet with the Alpha Council. I’m asking if you’re okay with phoenixes coming out of hiding. Once we do this, we can’t go back.” I study his face carefully for any sign of doubt or fear.
He sighs. “We have to, Henley. Prince Stellan was correct in saying that your aura is bright. I’m surprised nobody else has come after you. I’m doing this to protect you—not just because you’re my niece, but because without you, the phoenixes have no hope of a future.”
I swallow hard.
While I want the phoenixes to come forward, I don’t want them to do it because of me. It feels wrong.
I get now why my parents left.
But I can’t do that. I can’t leave the phoenixes to slowly go extinct. And someday, when I do have a child with Parker, I want to be alive to raise them. I don’t want them to suffer the way I did when I was younger.
“I will go to meet the Alpha Council,” I say, turning to face Alpha Devin.
“I know that wolf shifters are more than capable of protecting the phoenixes, just as Parker and his pack have protected me.” I turn to look at Prince Stellan.
“And I know dragon shifters are fierce. This group would be crazy to try and come against you guys. Thank you for lending your soldiers to help protect my people.”
My people.
I nearly choke on the words.
Yes, they’re my people. But by saying that, I’m acknowledging that I’m their princess… their future queen.
Parker squeezes my hand again, reminding me that he’s still at my side.
“My cousin, Prince Venali, is sending a group of elf warriors to the island,” Princess Wisteria tells me. “They will be here by the end of the day tomorrow.”
Prince Stellan snorts. “They’re not warriors—they’re assassins.”
My eyes widen.
Assassins?
Princess Wisteria shoots her husband a look before turning to me. “They will help protect your people. Trust me when I say, no supernatural stands a chance against them.”
Maybe so, if they truly are assassins.
“Once you’re trained, you won’t need assistance,” Alpha Devin says. “Your power is overwhelming—it’s even stronger than King Basilicus.”
Prince Stellan slowly nods, and he studies me. “It is. How old are you?”
“Eighteen,” I answer.
Princess Wisteria gapes at me. “You’re allowed to get married at eighteen? That’s so young.”
“Do all wolf shifters find their mates young?” Prince Stellan looks between Alpha Devin and Queen Tori to Parker and me.
“A wolf shifter is usually older,” Parker answers. “Early to mid twenties is typical.”
“Fate has a way of making sure you meet your mate at the perfect moment.” Alpha Devin looks at his mate and smiles softly.
I look away, wanting to give them privacy.
“When do we leave?” Parker asks.
“The day after tomorrow.” Prince Stellan stands from his seat. “My wife and I would like to get back to the twins. We left them with my teenage brother.”
Princess Wisteria stands, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Evander is fine.”
“You say that because you didn’t grow up with him,” he complains as he leads Princess Wisteria out of the room.
I hear their voices slowly fade as they head down the corridor.
“He’s really good with Sky,” she says.
“But not with Kell,” he responds.
They get too far away for me to hear the rest of their conversation.
“Is this what we have to look forward to?” Alpha Devin asks his mate.
Queen Tori grins. “Your brothers are older and have children of their own—they’re plenty capable of babysitting for us.”
“That’s what I’m talking about,” he says. “My nephews are going to terrorize them.”
Uncle Ferno sighs. “Henley will be ready when you leave, but she will be taking guards of her own.”
Alpha Devin’s eyes flash gold like Parker’s do when he loses his temper.
Queen Tori simply smiles and nods her head. “Of course, she is welcome to bring as many guards as you would like.”
“But only her mate and one of his betas are welcome inside the Alpha Council meeting,” Alpha Devin says, his voice so low that it’s almost a growl.
Uncle Ferno opens his mouth like to object.
I cut him off. “That is very generous, Alpha Devin. Thank you.” I stand from my seat. “Uncle Ferno, I’m going to pack for my trip.”
“We will be talking before you leave,” he warns.
“I so look forward to it,” I say, hoping my voice conveys just how sarcastic I’m being.
Parker
While Henley is taking a shower and packing, I meet up with Will and Blaine.
With Henley’s guards standing outside her door, I know she’s safe.
Not only that, but there is an entire pack of wolf shifters on the island.
Nobody will be getting through them. And even if they did, my alpha is here, along with a dragon prince.
She’s the safest she’s ever been. Nobody is stupid enough to try and attack right now.
“What’s going on?” Will crosses his arms over his chest.
“Why are there so many wolf shifters?” Blaine asks.
“Alpha Devin called in a pack to help protect the phoenixes. Prince Stellan also has dragon shifters on their way. And I’m pretty sure a group of elf assassins are coming too.” And I never thought those words would leave my mouth.
Elf. Assassins.
Will shivers. “Let’s not get on their bad side.”
“We won’t be here,” I say.
He stands up straighter. “Where are we going?”
“Shifter Academy,” I answer. “We’re going to meet with the Alpha Council.”
“But—” Blaine begins to object.
I hold up a hand. “You’re not coming. You are staying here with your mate.”
Blaine’s shoulders sag in relief. “Thank you, Parker.”
I nod at him before turning to Will. “We leave the day after tomorrow.”
“I’ll be ready,” Will says.
I feel Henley’s panic through the mat bond—not true terror. I take a peek and chuckle when I realize she’s freaking out over a small spider in the bathroom.
“I’ve got to go,” I say. “My mate needs me to kill a spider for her.”
Will snorts in amusement.
I turn to Blaine. “While you’re here, you’ll be expected to fight to protect the phoenixes.”
Blaine nods. “I will protect my mate and her people. The phoenixes may as well be a pack with how close they are.”
“Good,” I say, then turn and head back to my room.
With all this support, there is no way this group can stand against the phoenixes.
Then again, they don’t need to kill all the phoenixes. Just Henley. The thought has me walking faster to our room.
I will protect her with my dying breath.