Chapter 83
As we pulled up to the palace, it was hard not to understand why they insisted that people look their titles. This place was larger than even Stuart and I could have imagined. It could easily swallow our pack house whole four or five times over. Marble pillars lined the outermost doors, each standing at least twenty-five feet tall. The doors themselves looked to be carved from a single tree, adorned with intricate carvings that spoke to the Royal Lycans living within its walls. Stained glass windows depicted different phases of the moon, casting colorful reflections on the polished floors.
Kai-Lea was in awe, as she had been trying to find inspiration for what would one day be the home for her lycan mates and her other soul mates, Stuart, and myself as we took on our titles and became the ruling generation.
“Your Majesties, if you’ll follow me, the Alpha King and Luna Queen are waiting for you,” the warrior from before said. We stayed on either side of Kai-Lea as she walked confidently in her heels. Not that she was going to fall; she always claimed she would one day. We chuckled at her caution.
“Entering are Luna Queen Kai-Lea Black and her mates, Alpha Kings Stuart and Kallen Enwell,” the warrior announced as we stepped through the doors.
“Welcome, so nice to see you again, Asena and Kaida,” the Alpha King greeted, standing beside his Luna Queen.
Kai-Lea’s heart skipped at the recognition. “You know my wolf and lycan,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes, as they are old friends. And we are aware you were looking to start an alliance with us, it is not needed as their alliance with us still stands. We have set a feast to celebrate your arrival as our honored guests. We did not expect such old friends to bring the gem,” he explained, a warm smile spreading across his face.
The Luna Queen, now going by Katara, nodded with a glimmer of fondness in her eyes. “And I am now known as Shawn, though I’ve held many names over the millennia. And my beautiful mate here, now goes by Katara. Xochiquetzal was too hard for our twin sons to say when they were born.”
Kai-Lea’s gaze dropped to the necklace around her neck, the gem glinting in the light. “This is yours from my parents,” she said, reaching to take it off.
“No, darling,” Katara responded gently. “It is not ours. It is yours. We were merely charged with keeping it safe until your wolf and lycan were given another human to embody. Granted we are not as shocked as we thought we would be, with them sharing one human.”
Kai-Lea felt a rush of emotions at her words. The history wrapped in that gem suddenly felt alive and significant. “I didn’t know...” this news seemed to calm Asena and apparently Kaida her lycan down. Although Kaida seemed miffed.
“We are here to celebrate, not to dwell on the past,” Shawn interjected, his voice carrying authority and warmth. “Tonight, we feast and honor the bond that has brought us all together once more.”
“Before we do, you should know that you stole my moment, dear friends. I was not planning on telling her my name until we found our mates.” Kaida said pushing forward on Kai-Lea, who seemed fine with it.
“Our apologies. And maybe being here with friends will help increase your chances of finding your mates.” Luna Queen Katara told her.
After that the atmosphere shifted, excitement replacing any lingering tension. Kai-Lea exchanged glances with Stuart and Kallen, her heart swelling with hope. This was just the beginning of a new part of their lives, and the warmth of old friendships would light the way.