I struggled to maintain my self control the entire time I watched Casmira tend to her Councilmen, my arms crossed with my hands digging into my biceps. Lucien provoked her to no end until Adrian put an end to it, Emrys soothed by her explanation of how she treats everyone with kindness. Other than her display when she first came into the room, I hadn't been given any reason to think of her otherwise. Already, I somehow trusted her and knew she had an exceptionally beautiful soul.
Her Councilman's announcement elicited nothing but silence. She seemed nervous, retreating between her Councilmen who had moved to stand protectively on either side of her. Akeila had stepped away from Adrian, moving to stand with Casmira as well.
"The Goddess? Why would the Goddess do that?" Lucien snorted, shaking his head with a smile before training his eyes on the Councilmen as he bared his teeth. "No, it is far more likely that one of you notified them."
"It's true, I suppose. I did not experience it, but I was in the temple praying for guidance when you came in. Our family has held our position for many generations, our records are endless on the subject. We have been blessed by the Goddess, and I am one of her special chosen." She slid a hand over her chest, her faded crescent mark turned a dull silver, full bodied. Her collarbones lit up with silver stars that seemed to twinkle in the light of the room, the stars spreading across her chest. Intricate Celtic knots peeked out of her dress along her sternum.
"I am marked as one of her chosen, as you can all see. She has always guided me, and it was assumed at birth that I would lead her temple here, that leadership would be given to an eventual sibling…" She trailed and I saw pain flash across her eyes, making Emrys growl, a foreign emotion brewing within my chest. All I wanted was to erase whatever pain she was remembering.
"I think it's high time for some formal introduction. I am Antonio, I am in charge of the farming districts and director of trade. That is Marcus, my brother of chosen blood, who is in charge of the hunters' districts, oversees the military training, and personal advisor to the Luna. We are members of the Silver Light pack, whose leader is Casmira, the Chosen Luna." Akeila cleared her throat, causing Antonio to chuckle, "This here is Akeila, my little sister," he looked at Adrian, narrowing his eyes for a split second before falling back into his diplomatic demeanor, "our best tracker. If she's to be believed, she's also our best spy."
Akeila hit her brother's shoulder half-heartedly, growling while he chuckled. The family resemblance was glaringly obvious, the slender and lithe frames, pronounced cupids bow, perfectly arched brows, even how they stood.
"I'm Mikael, third Lunar Prince, mated to Casmira." I grumbled, "In charge of a 'rag tag' band of warriors and trackers, as my brothers so kindly put it. This is my Beta, Ezra." I jerked my thumb over my shoulder. Casmira's eyes met mine, making my heart thump in my chest when I saw appreciation was written all over her face, her shoulders visibly relaxing. Others told their names, positions and responsibilities while I had a conversation with Emrys.
She appreciates that you were the first to talk, he rumbled in my head.
Why would she appreciate me talking?
Because you followed her lead, foolish boy, he growled, you made an effort for her.
An effort, eh? I would continue to make an effort for the rest of my life if it meant I could see her eyes light up like that. I stared at her, admiring the marks along her skin, hungry to know how they wove around her body.
"Now that everyone's been introduced," Marcus' voice broke me out of my appreciation of my mate, "we need you on board Mikael. The packs will only hold back if they know she is safe, and the only way to have them believe it without a doubt is to present her. What will not work is an entire battalion of foreign warriors behind her." I grumbled and her eyes snapped to mine, a silent plea lingering in them. An effort, I remembered.
"Fine, but we will take my warriors at the very least." She blinked slowly at me, lowering her head almost imperceptibly in thanks.
"I will need to bring Marcus and Antonio with me as reassurance as well. They need to see some of my people with me. We have," she turned to survey the map behind her before turning back, "8 packs that need to be reassured. They will also need to be housed for a day or two before we can send them back to their homes, as they will need to rest."
"Very bold words, expecting us to host your allies after vague assurances that they will not attack our men." When had Lucien's voice become so grating? His hands were folded in front of his mouth, hiding a smirk as usual. He was enjoying this.
"We will do it. If Casmira says they will need to rest, they will rest. If she says they will cease their attacks, then they will cease. This is not up for discussion, Lucien." I leveled him with a stare, immediate satisfaction running up my spine when he threw up his hands. I held my hand out towards Casmira, who glided over and took it with an immeasurable grace, which I was learning was her typical state of being. We turned to leave, flanked by Marcus, Antonio and Ezra, followed closely by Adrian and Akeila, when Lucien spoke up.
"Just don't get our men killed because of your blind trust in someone who just threatened to kill an entire force of men and their general." I gripped her hand, leading her out of the room before she led the group of us down the corridor and into another meeting room with an identical map on the wall.
"Although I know you only followed because of the mate bond, I appreciate you coming with us Adrian." She offered a soft smile and held out a hand, "I am glad my Akeila has finally found her mate. I have many embarrassing stories to tell you." She waggled her eyebrows which elicited a groan from Akeila. She turned to Marcus and Antonio who stood before the map, her face becoming serious.
"Who was alerted? And what forces are we promised in case of war?"
"All of our allies, my lady. Tundra wolves promised their best warriors no matter the shifter, forest wolves promised magi, trackers and healers, coastal wolves promised more trackers and warriors, approximately 2 of their battalions. The southern wolves promised their warriors and hybrids, as well as their human military items. The Eastern packs have promised warriors, archers, and more human military items." She nodded, taking scrolls off the shelf and reviewing them.
"So, we're expecting approximately 9,000 shifters. Does that number sound right to you?" She looked up at Marcus who simply nodded in response.
9,000? She wasn't joking when she said they would outnumber us easily.