Chapter 14
The Alpha Council
Henley
Shifter Academy isn’t what I expected. I knew the school was on an island, but I didn’t expect there to be a large castle on an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Parker once told me that he was invited to go to school here but turned it down because he didn’t want to leave his pack. I can’t believe he passed on the opportunity to come here—I wish I could’ve come.
Since it’s summer, the island is empty except for the Alpha Council members. The airport on the island is already full of jets when we arrive. When we get off the plane, we’re loaded onto golf carts and led toward the castle.
Since they meet here frequently to vote, Shifter Academy is considered neutral territory. We are led inside to a private meeting room. I’m disappointed that we don’t have time to tour the castle before the meeting. I’ve never been in a castle before.
“Are only shifters allowed to come to Shifter Academy?” I whisper the question to Parker.
Alpha Devin, with his shifter hearing, is the one to answer. “No. Shifter Academy allows many supernaturals to attend. This is where I met my mate.” He grins at the redheaded dark fae beside him. “Come autumn, an invitation will be extended to the phoenixes.”
My heart warms, knowing we won’t be excluded. They intend to include us despite our bloody ancient history.
A lot of supernaturals have bloody histories, including wolf shifters, Parker says, through our bond.
I didn’t know that. Though I don’t know much about wolf shifter history. The only thing I know about the history of phoenixes is what I learned when we visited King Basilicus. If I am to rule, I suppose that is something I should change.
I believe your uncle plans to start your education soon, Parker says.
I glance at him, fully aware that he’s trying to distract me from the fact that I’m about to be in a room full of alphas. I gulp as I glance toward Prince Stellan, who is walking a few feet ahead. Alphas, princes, and kings—how in the world do I belong here?
Parker squeezes my hand, reminding me that I’m not alone. I’m never alone.
We enter through a side entrance. I’m a little disappointed that we don’t get to enter through the front doors, but I also know that I’ll use any excuse to stall.
We can explore after the meeting, Parker promises.
The hallway that we enter is long, but we enter the first door. The only things I have a chance to see are the marble flooring, the chandelier lighting, and a stone statue of a wolf before we enter the meeting room.
The room is long and rectangular. It has the same white marble floor as the hallway we were in. There is also a chandelier hanging down that is centered over the large table. The chairs surrounding the table are ordinary—wood chairs with leather cushions. But I don’t sit—neither does Parker.
We’re not members of the Alpha Council—we’re simply guests.
I can feel the power in the air—it crackles against my skin like static electricity. I spot King Basilicus, who is probably the most powerful in the room, but the others aren’t weak in the slightest.
Queen Tori and Alphs Devin take a seat, but Prince Stellan and Princess Wisteria stay standing.
It takes me a moment to remember they’re not members of the council yet either.
Prince Stellan’s father is the one who represents the dragons.
As for the elves, there is an older gentleman, whom I can only assume is their king, at the table.
As I study the council members, I realize that every single one of them is looking at me. I scoot a smidge closer to Parker, using his bulk to partially hide from their gazes.
Parker slips an arm around me, forcing me to stand at his side.
“Who is the girl?” one of the council members asks.
“Forget the who—what is she?” another member asks.
Prince Stellan clears his throat. “If you’ll excuse me, I know I’m not a member of the council yet, but may I speak?”
King Basilicus waves him on.
“This is Princess Henley Thorne.” Prince Stellan waves a hand in my direction.
“Princess.” The elf leader—king?—eyes me. “What species are you, girl?”
Parker nudges me forward. Show them.
I know he’s asking me to show them my wings. The room is big enough, though only barely. I close my eyes, not wanting to see anybody’s reaction, and then I will for my wings to appear. A gap echoes through the room, and at once, everybody begins talking.
I wait for my wings to disappear, and then I teleport closer to Parker’s side. The smell of smoke fills the room.
One of the council members flinches at the sight of the fire.
“Again, I ask, what is she?” The elf king demands, his voice louder than the rest.
Everybody on the council turns to look at me. King Basilicus raises one eyebrow at me to let me know it’s my turn to speak.
I clear my throat and stand tall. “I am a phoenix.”
“Impossible,” one of the alpha’s—lion shifter?—objects. “Phoenixes are a myth—a human myth at that. They don’t exist.”
“According to humans, we don’t exist either,” King Basilicus points out. “And the girl is correct. She is a phoenix.”
“A princess.” The elf king looks at me through calculating eyes. “So there are more of you?”
I nod slowly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Yes.”
“How did we not know?” Another alpha—raven shifter?—asks. “It seems impossible that they should stay hidden.”
The elf king turns to face the alpha. “My own people were hidden until very recently, you remember? So it is possible that a large group of supernaturals can hide.”
“Yeah, but we knew what elves were. If what she says is true, phoenixes have been hiding for so long that they were lost in our own history,” the raven shifter defends. He glances at me with his dark, almost black, eyes. “How did you stay hidden?”
“I was born separated from my people and only recently found them,” I admit. “I have no idea how they’ve stayed hidden.”
“You can’t stay hidden,” King Basilicus declares, his eyes narrowing in on me. “Your aura is twice as bright as it was the last time I saw you. You’re powerful.”
“Which is why I’m here.” I meet the eye of every council member.
“There is a group of supernaturals who have spent many centuries hunting phoenixes. My parents were killed by them, and they recently attacked our home. They know where we are now, and we need help bringing down this group before they bring an end to the phoenixes.”
“You are aware you won’t be able to stay in hiding, correct?” Alpha Devin asks.
I nod at him. “Of course. I don’t want to be hidden anyway.
I want my people to be able to interact with other supernaturals.
” I glance toward King Basilicus. “I still remember visiting your island and flying with dragon shifters. It was the first time I ever got to fly with anybody else. I don’t think us staying hidden is helping anyway. ”
“You knew?” The vampire king turns his eyes on King Basilicus. “Why didn’t you tell the rest of us?”
“It wasn’t my secret to tell.” King Basilicus gives a dismissive answer, then turns to face me.
“Are you sure about this? Because right now, you still have the choice to stay hidden. Dragon shifters will help protect you. But once you come forward, you will never be able to go back. The Alpha Council will keep this quiet if that is what you wish.”
I take a deep breath and nod. “I am certain of my choice. It’s only a matter of time anyway.”
“My people will stand with you as well,” the vampire king says. “Above all, vampires honor power. And you are a very powerful woman.”
I’m not sure how I feel about being called ‘powerful.’
Parker grabs my hand. “I thank you for your support. The more supernaturals who are willing to protect my mate, the better.”
“Not just us in Florida,” I say. “Uncle Ferno—King Ferno—was telling me that there are other compounds in the world with phoenixes. I brought locations and addresses. I just want my people to be protected until we can take care of this group that is after us.”
“We will be happy to assist,” King Basilicus says. He turns to the rest of the council. “We haven’t voted yet, but I assume we’re all in agreement.”
“Yes.” The answer echoes through every single member.
I let out a breath of relief. We’re really going to be okay. I didn’t ruin things. Parker squeezes my hand in a show of support.
I hope I made the right decision.