Chapter 20 Silenced Wolf
Reiya could see Grandpa Sage, Reese, Xander, and Lee all standing around talking. The talking quickly hushed as they drew closer, and she could see that Lee was clearly agitated.
Xander looked back at Reiya and smiled. “You should have seen her, Gramps. I thought Clovis was going to pee his pants when Reiya confronted him.”
“Good girl, Reiya. You have to be assertive here.” Grandpa Sage nodded with an approving smile.
Reiya looked between the men, to Lee, and back to Xander.
She felt confused and almost played with.
The more she thought about it, the more irritated she felt.
She didn’t mind playful flirting, but she almost felt a bit emotionally violated.
She wasn’t a toy, or part of a game. Xander's lips were almost on her marking spot, searing with his hot breath.
A low growl ripped through her mind, then silence.
That was when the throbbing started. Deep, pounding pains beat in her head, as if her wolf was clawing her way out.
She reached up, grabbed her head, and flung herself backward into the wall to steady herself.
“Reiya!” Lita yelled as Brody embraced her to try to alleviate the pain, but he couldn’t. It was like there was an inner wall there, preventing him from helping her.
“I can’t reach it. Something is blocking me.” Brody looked at his mother with concern.
WAIT, calm yourself. Not yet, a woman’s firm voice commanded in her head.
In that instant, everything was silent. The pain stopped.
Reiya let out a shuddering breath. She opened her eyes and looked out over the concerned sets of eyes.
This was getting annoying. What the hell?
What the hell was that? Whose voice commanded HER wolf to stop from coming forward?
Why was she always the one feeling like she was on display at the freak show?
All eyes were on her, no one understanding or knowing what she was going through.
“I’m alright. It’s passed.” Reiya smiled. She wanted them to quit looking at her with concern. She wasn’t a little girl who wanted their sympathy.
Reiya, sweetie … don’t shut down on me.
Reiya’s eyes shot over to meet with the glowing emerald ones beside her. If anyone could understand what it was like, it was her mother. Her mother spent her whole life feeling like she was a freak.
My wolf was trying to come forward, but … there was a woman’s voice that stopped it. She commanded MY wolf to stop. I think she’s been blocking my wolf this whole time. Who would block my wolf, and why?
Lita looked perplexed. She could only think of one who could control their wolves. But why? Why stop Reiya’s wolf from coming forward? She would need to talk with her father Nathon and Asher about this.
Reiya, I can only think of one who could have that ability.
Only the Moon Goddess herself can command our wolves.
After all, she’s the one who blesses us with them.
I don’t know why she would do this, though.
I will speak with your father and grandfather and see what they think.
Maybe they’ll have an idea, or maybe they’ve heard of something like this before. I’m sure there’s a reason.
Let’s just pile on the things that make Reiya weird. She looked at her mother in exasperation.
Lita smiled and leaned forward, pressing her forehead against her daughter’s. In my experience, the weirder things are usually means the stronger you are. Take it from someone who was always as weird as they come.
Reiya let out an airy chuckle and nodded. “I hope so,” she said quietly.
“I need to get back. Come, walk me out.” Lita reached her arm around her daughter as they walked side by side. Brody walked up behind them and draped his large arms around them both, while Xander and Lee followed behind them.
“I still have my hippogryph here from earlier. I’ll go grab him so that I can follow you back.” Brody smiled and jogged off to retrieve his flying ride.
“I’ll send word to you if I find anything out.” Lita hugged her daughter tightly. “I love you, Reiya. Don’t stop being who you are.” She turned so her daughter wouldn’t see her tears forming and went to her gryphon.
“I’ll make sure your mother returns safely, too,” Lee said softly, standing beside Reiya.
She regarded him quietly and could see that he seemed a bit tense.
She took a small step toward him and rested her head on his chest. He immediately wrapped his arms around her.
She took in a relaxing breath. She was trying to make him feel better, but she was the one being calmed by him.
She reached a small hand up and rested it on his chest.
“Thank you, Lee.” She felt his lips land on the top of her head.
“I won’t be long. Try to stay out of trouble.” Lee smiled down at her and winked.
She felt his warmth drift away as she watched him walk toward her mother and Brody and transformed into his magnificent light blue dragon.
His blue scales almost shimmered as they reflected the light.
She rarely saw him in his dragon form. He was beautiful.
She wanted to reach up and touch him, but just as she had the thought, he took off into the sky.
She watched her mother and Brody follow, and she stood there, staring quietly as she watched them leave. She felt Xander's presence behind her.
“We have a big dinner tonight. Let’s get ready for it.” Xander smiled and rested his hand on her back.
She nodded and let him lead her back. This dinner would be important for her as well.
She was on a mission. She was going to win the dragons over to her side.
Now, more than ever, she realized how much the fairies needed their help.
She had seen what it could be like without them, so she had to do what she could.
She had to win them to their side to secure a future for her family and her people.
She spun in the mirror and looked at her gown.
It was an all-silver sequin gown that ran to the floor.
The back was completely open, and there was a slit on one side that went high up her thigh.
She looked stunning in it. She had her long hair pulled half back, and it flowed in silky strands over her back.
Her makeup was perfect, and she was ready to charm.
She gave herself one last look and then headed to the door.
Chelsie had been gone a long time, but maybe she got caught up with something back in the Black Ice Pack. She was hoping she would be there to help her get ready, but she did a pretty good job without her.
She opened the door to her room and saw Xander waiting for her in the hall, his eyes openly taking in her beauty as if it were a feast for his senses.
His gaze lingered on every curve and line of her body, as if he couldn’t get enough of the sight.
“Maybe we should have chosen a different dress,” Xander said, a mild red hue creeping onto his cheeks.
“Why Xander, is that a blush I detect?” Reiya teased as he wrapped her arm around his.
Xander grinned. “Hard not to blush at the sight of you. I’m going to have to work hard to keep the beasts in check tonight.”
“I seem to have some weird pheromones that you dragons are attracted to,” Reiya said with a mischievous grin.
“No pheromones about it. Anyone not blind would be attracted to you.” Xander winked at her and tightened his hold on her.
“Says the perpetual flirt.” Reiya didn’t pay any attention to his compliments. After all, he was always flirting.
Xander grinned and led her out of the castle toward the party. Tiny lights glowed around the tents and along the pathway. “This month, we have several big dinners and events. Especially when another royal comes, like Mason.”
“What about Ruby? Isn’t she considered a royal too?” Reiya asked, thinking about the girl.
“Let me rephrase myself. Any royal who is crowned or will be crowned.” Xander looked ahead, where the sound of chattering could be heard from the various tents. “Hope you’re ready. You’re about to become pretty popular. Here we go, Princess.”
Xander pushed through. They stepped into the tent and the voices all hushed. All eyes were on them. Well, all eyes were on the girl who was accompanying the King of the West. Deep breaths, Reiya. You’ve just entered the dragon’s lair. Her hand tightened on him subconsciously.
Xander smiled as he felt her grip and gently rubbed the back of her hand.
Reiya looked out over the crowd. Hundreds of circular tables were spread throughout the large area, all covered in silky white cloth with floating candles in the center.
In the front was a large dance area, and off to the side, a band was softly playing.
She noticed something interesting toward the back of the tent, though.
One man sat alone. It was a party, and yet no one sat near him.
In fact, there were several empty tables that surrounded him.
Odd, she thought. Xander began to tug her forward, leading her to a group of tables with gold tablecloths that were off to the side.
“This is our table.” He pulled out a chair for her and helped her into her seat. She sat down as he took his seat beside her.
“Judging by first glances, it doesn’t look like I made any immediate friends.” Reiya chuckled nervously as she glanced around.
Xander smiled and watched her intently. She glanced up and noticed him looking at her. She watched his eyes glance around the room for a moment and then settle back onto her. “I’m going to need to make it well known that you are off limits.”
“I do need to talk to others in order to make friends.” Reiya gave him a crooked smile.
“Talking is one thing. The animals in here look ready to gobble you up. Not that I can blame them. The thought may have crossed my mind once or twice.” Xander flashed her his full, white, toothy smile.
“Does your flirting ever get you anywhere?” Reiya shook her head, smiling at him.
“I guess we’ll find out tonight.” He winked at her, and she rolled her eyes.
Reiya could still feel all the eyes on her. This would be a horrible time to trip or spit a drink out through my nose, Reiya thought with wry amusement. Okay, Reiya. You can do this. Operation Make the Dragons My Pets is a go. Phase one.