Nearly a year later, we were making progress.
In our research we discovered a lot about Ember. She had made major strides in controlling her powers. Being a Phoenix Dragon, she had the ability to manipulate all 4 of the elements; water, air, and earth. All dragons have the ability to manipulate fire.
I am so proud of her hard work. Her birthday is next week and she will officially be 18. She will be taking the Warrior’s test the day after. Ember had worked so hard to get where she is. To be honest, she has gone farther than I thought she could. Vatra has been a great support to her.
My relationship with Vatra was not without its trials, but we were getting there. I took things slow and we got to know each other. We moved in together not long after we were mated. I’m so used to being independent, so it was difficult for me to get used to having her around.
Ember moved to her own apartment because of the pure fact that she was sick of us. We tried so hard to keep quiet, but her hearing was a little too strong. So, she came and asked him to move to her own apartment. Due to her hard work and showing she is very mature, we allowed it.
In my own private research, I was able to find my lineage. Surprising though, there was no record of my birth. Which explains why I haven’t been hunted. My family were the rulers of the Dragons for the last 12 generations. I still haven’t said anything to Vatra. Before I open that can, I want to have most of the answers.
In my research I found out what started Dragon hunting. 3 Generations ago my cousin took the throne due to my Great Grandfather’s death at the hands of a human. He had no children. Therefore, when my grandfather came of age, he took the throne.
The humans claimed my Great Grandfather had gone to their village to kill the occupants and take the natural resources. That was untrue. He had gone there to discuss a peace treaty for trade. To me it sounded like he was betrayed by someone and they put a hit out on him. The events didn’t make sense otherwise.
I am trying to figure out how to explain to Vatra my past. She is undoubtedly going to be mad I didn’t tell her sooner, but now that I have more information, it may prove useful.
As for my usual I was tucked away in the pack’s library doing some research when Ember came walking in. When I say you could see smoke coming from her ears, I mean it literally. She was fuming pissed. I had a feeling I knew about that.
She sat next to me and let out a hot breath. Nearly set the books on the table on fire.
I got up and was moving the books away from her fury.
“What’s wrong with Ember?”
“That stupid b***h, Annessa. I am so sick of her bull s**t!” She was nearly yelling.
“Okay, calm down and let's talk about it.”
We moved over to the window seat.
“She is telling everyone that I am sleeping with Axon, because I am a w***e and want to be Luna. That’s so not true. I couldn’t kiss Axon if you threatened to take my head. He is just a friend. She is the one that is a money-grubbing whore.”
“She is just jealous of you first of all. Second off, she doesn’t understand that people of the opposite s*x can be friends.”
“I know. I just really want to beat her ass, but then I am going to have a problem with Alpha Damascus.”
“That is very true. Let’s just focus on your warrior training. Your test is soon.”
“But she is so infuriating.”
“Ember, don’t give her the satisfaction of bothering you. There are plenty of people who are going to get under your skin. Your greatest defense is going to be being able to ignore it.”
“Is that very little bother you?”
“Yes, this is my secret.”
“Fine, but I can’t promise that at some point I won't be kicking her ass.”
“Just go on about your business. Don’t start anything, but don’t back down if she decides your worth a go at.”
That seemed to brighten her mood. Ember got up and left.
I looked at the time and it was time for me to go track down Vatra. It was time for lunch and then the meeting to start preparing for Axon to finish his training.
Luna Asta wants to hold a celebration for Axon’s birthday. She is inviting every pack. I hear there may even be royalty in attendance. I know Luna Asta’s intention behind the celebration is to help Axon find his mate. Wolves have to have their mate. Unlike Dragon’s, they cannot survive without their other half.
This means lots of preparation. We have a week to get everything ready. Beta Eros and I will be working with the warriors from other packs to secure the celebration. I am not sad I don’t get to join the party. We all saw what happened the last time. Which I am still not living down. I doubt they will ever forget.
I regularly get lost in Vatra, but now it's in mediation. Not whole days. I have to laugh at myself. I sure did fall right into her grasp.
Lunch was quick and we made it up to the meeting.
Nearly a dozen hours later, we finally got everything worked through. At that point, it was late in the evening. We had to have dinner in the office while we worked out the kinks.
The following days were hectic and busy, but we were able to ensure all of our attendees were kept safe. To add to the pressure, we were going to have the royals in attendance as well. It was a great honor to have them coming, but it means a lot more work had to be done.
It was great that they were attending as well, because this way we could have their warriors on guard as well. Axon’s birthday celebration turned out to be huge.
The whole pack was busy with work and getting ready. Every nook and cranny of the entire pack was being deep cleaned along with the finest foods being shipped in.
Vatra was busy working with the guards to ensure the elite teams were prepared for anything and everything.
There was an increased presence at the gates and around the pack. The news would have reached even the farthest of ears. The security risks have begun now. Any form of danger could try to be snuck in.
Things flew by and we made it to the day of Axon’s party.
The royals will be showing up soon. They are taking over the entire 3rd floor. The gates will notify me, Alpha Damascus, Axon, Vatra, Beta Eros, and Luna Asta of their arrival. This way, they can be properly greeted.
I was finishing the perimeter check when it came in over the radio that the royals were approaching. Normally, wolves use their mind link, but I am no wolf and therefore do not have this ability. They were kind enough to humor me and we had 1 radio in each area so I could be contacted when needed.
By the time I arrived back at the front of the pack house, everyone was outside and ready. We each took our own strategic positions to ensure all parties remained safe.
5 black SUVs with dark tinted windows drove up. If I assumed correctly, the 2nd to last SUV was going to be housing the royals.
A large man stepped out. He was very obviously not a werewolf. He had to be a Lycan. Followed by him was a large man but he was just a hair smaller. They then assisted a very beautiful woman out of the SUV. Each one took a hand.
I could see from their faces they were madly in love with the woman. Curiosity was killing me. In our conversations we were not told who was in attendance. That was highly classified information that ONLY Alpha Damascus knew.
As the men escorted the woman over, Alpha Damascus came forward to greet them. They stopped in front of him and he fully bowed. The men each acknowledged his gesture with a small headbow. The woman curtsied.
“We appreciate your invitation, Alpha Damascus. It was very kind of you.” The larger man said.
“The honor is entirely ours, your majesty. I would like to introduce you to my associates.” Alpha Damascus turned to allow a better view of us.
“This, as you know, is my beautiful mate, Luna Asta.” He then signaled to me. “This is Dante. He lives here with his daughter Ember. They are a fine pair of dragons who joined our pack. Dante’s mate is this lovely lady over here, Vatra.”
Beta Eros stepped forward and bowed. “It is lovely to see you again my Kings and Queen.”
The Queen bowed and replied, “Thank you for your hospitality. It is always a pleasure for us to visit. Please do not take offense, but I am quite curious that your pack has, I would assume, 3 dragons. Is that accurate?”
“Yes, that is accurate, your majesty. Here we believe everyone should be given the opportunity to be part of something when they have nothing. Dante has been invaluable to our security teams. His daughter Ember is of a rare breed and has joined our warriors. Vatra is also a major player in our team.”
“Rare breed, you say? My interest has peaked. As I am a rarity as well. I would very much like to meet Ember.”
“Your majesty, she would be quite ecstatic to meet you. I will call for her right away. If you would like, she can meet you in the garden as I have heard that is your favorite place to be.”
She gave me a big smile. “My, you have done your research. I am impressed. Yes, we shall meet in the garden.”
We all parted ways and I went to go find Ember.
When I gave her the news the Queen wanted to meet her specifically, she completely lost it. She was anxious about what the Queen would think and how she would feel about her. I talked her into going.
While she was with Queen Rayne, I had some duties to attend to.
I ran into one of the kings on my way over to the security tower. They had one on each side of the pack. It was a vantage point we used to solidify our security teams. Anything that gets remotely close we should be able to see. If they got too close to the pack, there were silent alarms and cameras coating the entire area.
The Lycan King asked me to accompany me as he was working to improve their defenses as well. Had it been anyone else, I would have declined, but a major portion of the extra security was for their benefit. Several hours of security discussions ensued between myself and the Lycan King. During our conversation, the Werewolf King joined us. He, too, was intrigued. By the time we were wrapping up, they were both excited about bringing these ideas to their own home. Queen Rayne is a very precious woman and being and her protection was of the utmost importance.
I received a call from Alpha Damascus that it was time for the ceremony. From there, I notified all security teams and alerted the border patrol.
“My, this is quite the party,” said a she wolf to me. I wasn’t paying close attention to her as I was watching all entrances and ensuring our teams were in place. However, someone else noticed and she was not happy about it.
Vatra came over and grabbed hold of my arm. She smiled coldly at the woman and excused us.
“What the f**k Dante?! Just standing there letting her talk you up. You didn’t even tell her you had a mate!” She whispered yelling.
“I wasn’t paying attention honestly. She was of no importance to me.” I shrugged and started walking away when Vatra came running back up behind me. “Vatra, you are my mate. I will not be with anyone else. I can promise you that. However, we have a job to do and worrying about our bond over her isn’t helping us complete our mission.”
She sighed heavily and agreed begrudgingly. Without further argument, she left to go to her post.
The ceremony or birthday party, whatever you want to call it, began. There were the usual boring speeches and what not. Afterwards, there was loud music and dancing. Luckily, we had prepared for this, otherwise hearing the earpiece would have been impossible.
Later in the evening, I could hear a commotion outside and went running.
In the hall away from the party there was a fight. And I wish I could say I was surprised as to who I saw involved. It was Ember. She was whooping at the girl that was constantly spreading lies about her. The girl was in way over her head and this is where she was taught a lesson.
Axon came running out of the party and came to stand by me. When he saw that Ember was winning, he laughed.
“That girl has had it coming to her since junior high. She’s mad because I know she only wants the Luna title. She has no interest in being what I want in a Luna. Besides, when I find my mate, there will be nothing that will keep me from her.”
I laughed. “We should probably stop this before Ember puts her in the hospital.” Not a second later, I saw Ember's eyes start glowing and her aura was intensifying. Now was the sign I had to step in. She was going to lose control.
I go and pull a screaming Ember off of the girl.
“You’re a f*****g monster Ember! I don’t know what Axon sees in you, but you need to be thrown out of the pack!” She had tears running down her face. She had shiners on both sides of her face, her lips were busted and bleeding, and she had a bunch of claw marks on her face and down her neck. They weren’t severe, more like surface wounds.
“I would recommend you stop talking s**t before I let her finish the job.” I told her. Ember was starting to calm down, but it wouldn’t take much to get her riled up again.
“Axon, did you see what that monster did to me!” She goes wailing towards Axon. I could tell by his face this wasn’t going to end well for her.
“You’re an i***t. You played with fire and got burned. Get away from me.” He waived his hand in a dismissive manner. This set off her water works all over again. However, rather than running to him she went running out of the house to what I would assume was her parents.
“Hey Ember, are you okay?” Axon asked.
She nodded and finished cleaning up the blood from her knuckles. “Dumb b***h has had it coming. I am done being stepped on by low lives like her.”
Our security team broke up the crowd that had gathered. I dismissed Ember to go to her room. Surprisingly enough, she didn’t fight me.
“You sure have your hands full with that one.” The Werewolf King, King Jace, commented as he came walking up to me.
“She is very passionate about not being walked on. I taught her a little too well.” I shrugged.
From there, we noticed it was extremely quiet. With over a thousand people in attendance, you could hear a pin drop.
Someone came over the radio and said Axon had found his mate. An eruption of applause followed suit.
I was relieved to find he had found his mate and it was not Ember. To be honest, I suspected Ember might be his mate. They were together the mass majority of the time.
Well, one less stressor. Kind of, now I have to wonder who Ember’s mate is.