Chapter 3 The Calm Before The Hunt

Lyric POV

James is the first to break the silence.

"Can we all agree that we don't like that guy?" he asks, his eyes still fixed on the door Jude disappeared through.

"He's an ass, and we'll let the packs decide," I say.

"You know his entire kingdom will choose him," Nova says.

"I know," I reply. No matter how much of a manipulator he was, he was still their king. Loyalty wasn't always earned. Sometimes it was simply inherited.

One of the pups suddenly kicks hard against my side.

I hiss in pain.

Both Kairo and Cole are beside me instantly.

"Are you okay?" Kairo asks.

"Do you need to sit?" Cole adds.

I roll my eyes.

"No. One of the demons you call pups kicked the shit out of me. They have no respect for me."

As if they understand exactly what I'm saying, another tiny foot digs into my ribs.

"They're innocent," Cole says, fighting back a smile.

"They're tiny terrorists," I mutter, rubbing my side.

James laughs.

Even Oliver smiles.

The heaviness Jude left behind eases, if only for a moment.

I look over at Oliver and Julian.

"I hope you'll both join us tonight for my sister Rhea's birthday party. She's turning sixteen."

"It would be our pleasure," Julian says with a smile. "Besides, my daughters have been eager to meet you."

"I can't wait to meet them... and your mate. My mate told me she's a hybrid too."

He nods.

"Of course, Your Majesty."

I wrinkle my nose.

"Please, just call me Lyric."

The title still catches me off guard sometimes. Queen. Your Majesty. Those words never feel like they're talking about me, even after all this time.

"I hope we can all be friends."

If this council was going to survive, we needed more than signed agreements. We needed to trust one another.

"We'll see you tonight," they say before leaving the conference room.

The room grows quiet again.

My stomach growls loud enough for everyone to hear.

Both of my mates look at me.

"Well, look who's finally hungry," Cole teases, taking my hand.

Kairo falls into step beside us, his hand settling against the small of my back.

Normally he'd have some smart comment ready, but he stays quiet. His jaw is still tight, and every now and then I catch his eyes drifting toward the conference room we'd just left. Jude's words were gone from the air, but not from Kairo's mind.

"So, what's your take on Jude?" Cole asks as we make our way toward the dining room.

"He feels like Dark Valley... but different. I can't explain it."

"I felt it too," Tabby says from behind us.

Cole looks between us.

"What does that mean?"

I shake my head.

"I'm not sure. But whatever is surrounding him... it doesn't belong. We need to keep a close eye on him."

"I need to go to the Western Kingdom in a few, love," Kairo says.

"Should I come?"

He immediately shakes his head.

"No. You're needed here. I'll see you at dinner." A small smile finally appears. "Besides, I was informed I'm not allowed to miss Rhea's birthday party."

I laugh.

"No, you most definitely are not."

"Oh, and I'm taking Hannah. She's been asking about her friend."

"Are you sure? Last week you said she broke three vases in the throne room."

He chuckles.

"She did... but I promised."

I giggle.

"Okay, my King."

As we step into the dining room, Hannah spots us first.

"Are we leaving now, Papa?" she asks excitedly.

"Is Javier going to be there?" Ezra asks.

"Yep. Want to come?"

Ezra nods so hard I'm surprised his head stays attached.

"Okay, come on."

Kairo holds out his hand, and Ezra eagerly takes it.

"And Hannah," I call after her.

She turns.

"Don't touch anything in Mommy's office, please."

She flashes me her sweetest smile.

"Okay, Mama."

I look at Cole, and one glance is all it takes before we both start laughing. Neither of us believes that promise for a second.

Kairo leans down and kisses me softly before turning to Cole and pressing another gentle kiss to his lips.

He starts toward the door, but Cole catches his arm.

"Unblock us," he says quietly.

Kairo's eyes snap to his.

I knew he'd blocked us back in the conference room. I block my emotions from them sometimes too, usually when I need a minute to sort through them myself. I hadn't said anything because I figured he'd tell us when he was ready. Apparently, Cole had other plans.

"I'm sorry," Kairo says.

Cole shakes his head.

"Don't apologize. Just don't do it."

He steps closer.

"You have us for a reason. You are not alone anymore, Kairo."

The words settle over the room. They aren't loud or dramatic, but I watch something in Kairo's expression soften. For so long, he'd carried every scar, every memory, and every ounce of guilt by himself. He didn't have to anymore, even if he was still learning how to believe that.

Cole cups his face before kissing him again.

The moment Kairo lets the block fall, I gasp.

The grief slams into me so hard my chest tightens.

Tears spill down my cheeks before I can stop them.

Without thinking, I close the distance between us and step into his arms.

He wraps them around me immediately.

"He doesn't get to have those feelings, Kairo," I whisper. "None of that was your fault, and you are not weak."

I pull back just enough to look into his eyes.

"You were betrayed by the one person who was supposed to stand beside you. The other half of your soul."

His jaw clenches.

"Fuck Jude," I mutter. "Don't let him get into your head. Your response was completely normal..."

I tilt my head.

"Although Hades may have been just a little dramatic."

He growls.

Before I can react, his hand lands on my butt with a sharp smack.

I yelp.

"There are children around, sir!" I say, glaring at him.

A slow grin spreads across his face.

"How do you think those pups got in there?"

Heat rushes to my cheeks.

I slap his chest.

"I'm happy I made you feel better. Now get out."

I can't stop laughing.

Cole reaches over and takes my hand.

"Go," he tells Kairo. "So I can feed our mate."

He gives Kairo a playful shove toward the door where Ezra and Hannah are already waiting impatiently.

Winter is sitting at the dining table when we walk over.

"Hey, bitch," she says, raising an eyebrow. "I'm shocked you're actually in here."

I suck my teeth.

"They heard my stomach growl and practically dragged me in here."

"Dragging is a bit of a stretch," Cole says.

"It absolutely is not."

Winter laughs.

"Where's Tabby?" she asks.

I shrug.

"She was behind us... then she disappeared."

Knowing Tabby, she'd probably already found someone interesting to talk to.

I grab a croissant and some fruit from the serving trays.

The buttery smell finally settles my stomach enough that I think I might actually be able to eat.

I barely get the croissant to my lips before Hunter rushes into the dining room.

His expression wipes the amusement from everyone's faces.

"Alpha. Luna."

He doesn't even try to catch his breath.

"There were hunters spotted in the woods... thirty miles outside the border."

The room falls completely silent.

The croissant slips from my fingers and lands back on my plate untouched.

Hunters.

Here.