Riley POV
As we exited the pack house, I couldn't help but gaze in awe at the beauty of the grounds, the extraordinary work that the omegas had put into getting everything ready, my bare feet sinking into the luscious earth, feeling the softness of the grass and the richness of the soil beneath it. My eyes twinkled as we moved into the marquee, my arm tucked beneath Bailey's, my breathing shallow but my gaze filled with determination. I sensed everybody's eyes on me as we entered, several mouths parting open in shock, gasps of disbelief, and surprise filling the air. I lifted my chin proudly, defiance etched on my face, as Bailey began to lead me into the crowd, mouths of the crowd hastily closing as we stood there, refusing to shirk or show any signs of weakness.
"King Bailey, I must protest" one man was daring enough to push to the front of the crowd, his salt and pepper hair an indication of his mature age, although his fit and toned body was more of a younger, virile man, his eyes sweeping over me in contempt. "Clearly this woman, if she can be called that" he spat as others in the crowd began to stiffen at the blatant insult made to me "is not an appropriate mate for you. Sirens do not deserve to be mates with shifters," he said arrogantly "they are good for nothing."
I saw Bailey's mouth open but I held up a hand to forestall him. Here was what I had been waiting for. Somebody with the nerve to speak the truth to my face. I looked the man up and down, even as he glowered at me.
"Mr" I paused and looked to my mate who hesitated.
"Johnathon of Blue Sky Pack" he supplied with a low growl, his hands clenching into fists.
"Mr Johnathon" I repeated, while the other man looked at me with disgust "what is it about my kind that you find so repulsive?" I asked outright, as others in the crowd openly gaped "have my kind hunted you down like you are nothing but a pack of animals? Have we killed your kind despite being unprovoked" my voice was growing louder, more angry "have we murdered and raped until you are almost extinct?" I sneered as he gulped "or has that merely been what your kind has done to my people?"
Silence. Everybody looked nervously at each other. They hadn't been expecting a siren to speak out so openly about their actions. Some of them had the decency to look guilty. Others avoided my gaze. Mr Johnathon however, refused to be cowed.
"Your kind is nothing but dangerous," he said repulsed "you should never have been allowed to exist in the first place. Disgusting creatures, designed to entice men to their deaths...."
He didn't get a chance to finish. I opened my mouth and let loose a loud shriek, so ear-piercing that everybody was forced to put their hands to their ears and stare at me dumbfounded while I aimed my voice at one person and one person only. Mr. Johnathon's nose began to bleed while I kept him still, unable to shift as he remained in my spell, my song growing angry and furious, his eyes beginning to bleed as he made a choking sound. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't move. Suddenly his body flopped forward and I let him go, his body desperately convulsing as he sucked in oxygen, the other people glancing up at me fearfully.
"My kind is nothing but compassionate despite what your kind has done to it" I growled at the man who was looking up at me, wiping his nose with the back of his hand and no longer looking like the arrogant bastard he'd been only minutes before "let this be a lesson to you. I could have killed you easily, but I chose not to. I did not come here to be insulted, or to be threatened" I raised my eyes and looked pointedly at the crowd who shifted awkwardly on their feet "I am your Luna Queen, like it or not and as of tonight, things will be changing around here. If you are not with me" I gave a small smile "then you against me and my husband."
"King Bailey, surely she doesn't mean that" one male attempted to speak.
My mate faced the crowd, his expression grim. "My Luna Queen is right. I have agreed to help her in her quest to seek the rights for sirens to live in harmony with the other races. If you don't agree with it, leave now and know that you face an uphill battle and possibly war against your lycan king" he said without remorse "Riley is right, this has gone on too long now and it's not justifiable to kill an innocent species and call it preservation when it's nothing more than murder."
More silence. Several glances at each other. Many of the women were looking thoughtful. I could see several rising on tiptoes to whisper to their partners. Bailey took my hand and squeezed it tight. This wasn't how I had wanted the beginning of the mating ball to go, but I wasn't going to pretend that I wasn't pleased about it either. Presenting a united front would go a long way to convincing the shifters and other lycans that we meant business.
"My Queen" A luna approached, along with her mate, curtseying deeply and looking me directly in the eyes "The Alpha and Luna of the Blackstone Pack is at your service," she told me as I looked at her in surprise "I have always been uncomfortable with the practice of seeking out sirens and willingly killing them simply for the threat they may pose. I agree with your sentiments and wish to provide assistance where it may be needed."
She held her hand out to me. I took it, shaking her hand and smiling, before turning to the Alpha and doing the same. It seemed to have a domino effect, with other Alpha and Lunas coming out from the crowd to express their own support and loyalty to their new Luna Queen, with only a few leaving the ball in disgust. Soon, everybody was mingling and talking with each other quite happily, leaving me to glance at Bailey who had relaxed.
"I guess you know how to make an entrance," he said with a sigh as I grinned at him.
"Way to go, sis, that was awesome" crowed Damien, slapping me on the shoulder while the crowd eyed him warily, some of the women with interest.
"Damien, are you here to find your mate?" I teased, turning around with my arm around my mate's waist.
"No way" he was quick to protest "Who needs a mate when there are so many choices beneath this marquee" he added as I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Do not even think it. These females are here to find a mate not have a one-night stand" I warned him in a low tone of voice as he tried to look at me innocently.
"Can I help it if they are attracted to me?" he said ruefully "It's the siren hair, it attracts them for some reason."
"Well, don't" I instructed with a low growl "The last thing we need is an offended woman that you don't offer for."
He groans in disappointment but quickly shuts his mouth when he sees the expression on Bailey's face. "Okay, okay" he laughed, holding his hand up in surrender "I'll be good, but only for you" he teased.
"Any sign of?" Bailey asked and I glanced at him confused while Damien shook his head.
"None sir. Callum and Cody have confirmed. Thomas is situated over there" he pointed "and there is nothing to report. Everything is going as smoothly as you anticipated."
"Who are you expecting?" I asked mystified as he gave me a grin and Damien wandered off "Somebody to ruin the evening?"
He tightened his lips and I suddenly knew the answer. "You think Jaxon is going to be stupid enough to come here tonight" I laughed, shaking my head in amusement "I don't think he would be that stupid, and even if he was" I looked my mate in the eyes, noting how stiff he was and how worried his expression was "haven't we already determined that I am able to look after myself?"
"I'm sure that the other sirens who have gone missing thought the same thing," Bailey said stiffly, wiping the smile off my face "I just want to keep you safe. Why don't we go and dance?" he suggested smoothly and I nodded, allowing him to lead me to the dance floor, his hand gripping mine as we began to sway to the music, his arm around me as I looked up at him, lost in the moment, while the other Alpha's and Luna's began to join us.
He touched my cheek, his eyes darkening momentarily. I sucked in a breath. He looked so solemn, so serious. I could feel butterflies in my stomach. "Life had no meaning for me until I met you," he told me softly as I laid my head on his chest, listening to the sound of his heartbeat and comforted by the sheer strength I could feel as he held me "I never thought I was going to find somebody as amazing as you for my Luna Queen" he whispered, bringing tears to my eyes.
"I never thought I would find somebody as handsome and kind as you for a mate after Jaxon" I whispered lovingly, looking up into his eyes "I thought that I had lost my chance and then you came along."
He smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, "The moon goddess doesn't make mistakes" he said, glancing around the marquee and noting how everybody was mixing with each other, some of the females dancing alongside shifter males and unmated Lycans "and she chose the perfect Luna Queen that we needed. You are a testament to your people" he added.
Suddenly I gazed over his shoulder and then stilled, unable to believe my eyes. For a moment I wavered, feeling as though I had imagined it, for when I looked again, she wasn't there. I blinked, feeling ridiculous, but certain that I had seen her.
"What's wrong?" asked Bailey as I glanced at him.
"Nothing" I lied, looking back in the direction she had last been.
Why would Marigold be here, hiding amongst the guests, and wearing a wig to disguise herself? Had she come for help? Suddenly I knew I needed to find her and demand answers, but first, I needed to find a way to get her alone.