*Isla*
I lean forward, stretching out my front legs. Shifting feels euphoric, and Maddox is totally right about the fact that I need to do it more. Plus, I have two hours to myself. Well, myself, and Elijah.
He stalks behind me, a massive black wolf with gleaming hazel eyes. His coat is thick but marred by scars, giving me a glimpse of his sordid past. For the past hour, he’s been following behind me but keeping distance between us, letting me take the lead. We’ve been weaving through the forest for some time now, but I come to stop at the towering oak tree overlooking the bluff that gives us a sweeping view of the lands below, small villages and towns glimmering in the early morning sunlight.
I sit back on my haunches, staring absently over the bluff. The flowers we planted over the freshly turned soil atop Mystica’s grave tremble in the cool morning breeze. Poppy and I had chosen perennials, so they’d grow back every year. I’d planted roses behind her headstone that would one day be full of deep red blooms, her favorite. One day, a long time from now, this place will be nothing but a bed of flowers, the headstone hidden behind the roping wisteria vines that clung heavy to the tree directly behind it.
Mystica will love it, and so will I.
“I’m sorry about your healer,” Elijah says into my mind. His voice is rich and silky, like a fine wine. Despite his somewhat spooky ghost-like demeanor, I’ve come to find Elijah’s company rather healing, to be honest.
“She was more than a healer,” I reply, my human soul smiling as my wolf continues to look out over the landscape. “She was a witch. And my friend.”
“Do you know many other witches?”
“Fortunately, no,” I laugh into his mind, and through the link I can almost feel his knowing smile. “Do you? I’ve never been to Moorn, but based on what Maddox told me about the quest I imagine you see all kings of… other beings. At least from across the river.”
“I would say most women are witches,” he says with a hint of amusement, “and that’s not meant to be an insult. Women are closer to the Goddess is what I mean.”
“How so?”
“Do you know a man who is even close to being in tune with his spirituality?” he laughs, turning in a tight circle before lying down nearby. “Let alone one who prays to the Goddess in the old ways, offering her gifts, using her given powers for good, and not conquest?”
If I was standing on two feet and had the ability to give him a sarcastic look, I would.
“Maddox prays. So does Ben.”
“But women have the children, bring forth life. Guide their mates with love instead of duty. Those of the true gifts and power of the Goddess. In Moorn, women used to rule. There used to be many packs on either side of the river, all of them living in harmony, worshiping her, living in tandem with the creatures from a long forgotten time. My grandmother was one of the last Lunas of that territory. There were no Alphas, not until her mate’s greed for power and wealth spurred a movement that saw the end of the Lunas and their churches. It was before my time.”
I listen intently as Elijah speaks in a soft whisper into my mind, his words laced with anger, I realize.
“Why did you try to kill your brother? Was it really over a book?” I blurt out.
“No,” he replies without hesitation but says nothing further for a long moment. “My brother is a fine Alpha. He keeps his pack safe.”
“But…”
“We need to go back to the castle now, Luna. You have your maid interviews today.”
I frown internally. Over the past three days worth of running through the woods with Elijah, this is the most I’ve gotten out of him so far. I tell myself it’s really none of my business, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to know the truth.
Especially since Maddox is keen to form a strong ally in Alpha Hunter’s pack.
* * *
Cindy is very small, which I hadn’t expected. Her picture in her profile had been dripping with blistering confidence, which I assumed, knowing her horrid sister, was a family trait. But the girl sitting in front of me is meek, quiet, her deep red hair tucked behind her ears as she stares at me, almost absently.
She’s nervous, and so am I. I wonder if she can tell.
My interview with Barbara had been first, and it was an immediate no. She was definitely set in her ways, like Trinity warned, and took it upon herself to not only critique the way the castle was being run by Hestia, who I’ve come to like very much, and even going as far to criticize the way I fix my hair and dress. I don’t wear the heavy, fine fabrics and jewelry I’ve seen other Lunas wearing. I prefer shorts or skirts, a blouse, and sandals… maybe even jeans if the weather was a bit chilly.
I reach up to touch the messy, uneven bun on the top of my head as Cindy averts her gaze to the window. I wonder if she thinks I’m just as much of a mess as Barbara did.
“Do you, uh, know how to use a curling iron?” I ask, feeling like an idiot.
“Yes,” she replies, giving me a soft, shy smile. “Hot rollers, too. And a blow dryer.”
“Good,” I say, swallowing. Why do I want nothing more than to ask why her sister is such a bitch? Or why she even applied?
As if reading my mind, Cindy murmurs, “I know I’m young, but I have two older sisters who have been bullying me and bossing me around my entire life. They always had me fix their hair and mend their clothing… clean up after them, all of that–”
“I’m sorry,” I reply, my mouth pressing into a tight, sympathetic smile. “I know how it feels to be lesser.”
“My aunt said applying for this position would be good for my… status. For finding an… advantageous match.”
“Ah,” I say, clicking my tongue. There it is. “Is that what you want?”
To my great surprise, she laughs, shaking her head. “No way. I just want to be out of my parents’ house. They won’t let me go to college and miss what my mother says are my prime years to find a rich, high ranking husband of their choosing, regardless of who my true mate might be.” She leans forward as if about to tell me something in confidence. “I know you must think I applied because my sister Beatrice hates you. I applied because I hate her, and she’ll hit the roof if I get this job.”
I can’t stop the laugh that bursts free from my throat. Cindy beams, pleased by my reaction. She goes on to list her attributes and experience, which I find rather lengthy for a girl of only nineteen. She was homeschooled by a private tutor and practically trained for a position such as this.
“All right,” I say after a moment, smiling up at a maid who had just come in with a tray full of fresh coffee and lunch. “When can you start?”
“My suitcase is in my care,” she replies, cheeks pinking with glee. “I can start right now.”
“What would you have done had I not just hired you?” I laugh, pouring coffee into her cup.
She shrugs, looking over at the white, ceiling height bookshelves that line the far side of my office.
“I didn’t think that far, honestly. There’s a lot of this world to see, you know.”
“This is a good place to start,” I admit, picking up my dainty coffee mug. “This position may require some travel, especially in the next few months. Have you ever heard of a place called Maatua?”
* * *
*Maddox*
“She’s very young, but I think she’ll be perfect for the position,” Isla says as she smears some kind of cream on her face, her hair pulled back in a long braid that sweeps over her hips as she readies for bed. I tap my toothbrush on the side of the sink and watch her through the reflection in the mirror.
I wonder if she knows how beautiful she is. She has to know. Just look at her. She’s going to be even more beautiful when her eyes flash with fury and her brows knit after I tell her what I’ve been putting off for the last two days.
In my defense, I’ve been busy with matters of the kingdom for the past week. While a semblance of peace has descended on our lands with the return of the Diamond of Faith, I still have Alphas acting out. Some of it is the expected chaos that comes with ruling over dozens of Alpha men. But some of it stems from the incredible breach of trust, of treason, from the Alphas who tried and failed to overthrow me at the beginning of the summer.
I’d already told Isla that it was highly likely I’d have to travel to deal with the consequences of those traitorous Alphas’ actions. I have to replace them, forcing their hands to pass their titles down to their sons, if they’re loyal and obedient to me, or to others of my choosing.
There could be violence, and there’s no way in hell I’ll allow her and Isaac to come with me, even if it means I don’t see them for a month or more.
I have to make the kingdom safe for my family. I have to show these Alpha who their king is–and why.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she growls once I tell her, storming out of the bathroom. She yanks the down covers off the bed and slides in, fuming. “How long will you be gone?”
“About a month,” I tell her, wincing as her eyes narrow. “Maybe less, if it goes my way.”
Unlikely, but I can dream.
“You’ll miss Ben’s send off to Wellington,” she pouts. I can tell she’s hurt, and that cracks my heart, but what choice do I have?
“I’ll stop and see him on my way back,” I offer, which seems to soften some of her anger. I slide into bed beside her, clutching her against my chest despite her anger at me. “I love you, Isla. Allow me to make our kingdom safe for you.”
“Oh, please,” she gripes, but I kiss the back of her neck, breathing in her scent. She softens around me, leaning into my touch. “I’ll miss you,” she whispers after a moment.
“Show me how much.”