Chapter 9

• Iris came out rushing from the bathroom. “Jayden, you have to see this!” She waved her arms so Jaden would follow her.
• Entering the washroom, Jayden whistled, “damn! I have to tell Father he needs to splurge a bit and get a double shower with a double sink bathroom. He glanced around. The fashion in the washroom was more modern than the rest of the place. Even with the shower taking up the majority of the room in the washroom, there was still plenty of room to move around.
• “And look at this?” Iris gushed.
• The cabinet contained an assortment of mixed personal hygiene products and a note that said, ‘I'm not sure what you prefer, so I went with the latest trend. Prince Mael.’ Jayden was about to say something when his phone went off. A smile lit his face. “Sorry, Iris!” he said, pointing to his phone and then the door. “I need to take this!”
• “By all means … I am going to have a shower!” She had her hand on the doorknob. “Let me know when my things get here. I want to make sure I am ready for dinner!”
• The phone had stopped ringing, “of course!” Jayden closed the door. Listening to Iris hum, he dialled the number that had just called him. “Brian!?” He heard the water being turned on. “She is in the shower!”
• ***
• Iris wore black tights paired with a light tan long-sleeve shirt that hugged her curves. As she blow dried her hair, she let the strands hang loose, with her dark chocolate brown hair flowing down to the middle of her back. Around her neck, she wore a pendant that her father had managed to salvage from the house fire. On one side of the pendant was a faded picture of her mother, and on the other side was an image of her grandmother. This pendant had once belonged to her mother. At least, that is what he told her.
• Placing her hairbrush on the counter of the sink. Iris examined her body. Studying her face, she wondered if she should apply makeup. Smirking, she cleaned up her belongings. She decided that the only way she could win the Alpha King over was by being natural. Which meant … no makeup. It wasn’t like she was going hunting and needed camouflage to hide.
• During the trip here in the jet, Jayden preached about being natural. Being herself! So that is what she was going to do. She would either win him over, or he would count down the seconds until she got back into the jet. Which would also mean she wouldn't get the cabin and car. She frowned at that thought. Knowing she wanted both items.
• Taking a deep breath, she held the air in her lungs. Slowly, she allowed the air out. Smiling at herself one last time, she turned to leave the washroom. Frowning, Jayden glanced at Iris as she exited the washroom. “Maid was here five minutes ago. She will be here soon. Are you ready?”
• “I would say let's try to find it ourselves, but I am sure I would get us lost!” Iris tried to lighten up the mood, noticing that something was bothering Jayden. “Did something happen with the phone call?” She recalled that Jayden was happy before the phone call, so she assumed it had something to do with that.
• Huffing, “once you are Luna, I can speak with you about pack business … but … until then, I have to keep this to myself.” Jayden was quick to respond.
• Iris thought about things as she turned her attention to the door. A light tap had disrupted their conversation. “Probable the maid that Prince Mael spoke of. I will get the door while you finish with your tie.” Iris opened the door.
• “Miss!” The maid had curtsied, “Are you ready?”
• “I just need to get my shoes, and then I will be ready … we will be ready!” Iris corrected herself, remembering that not only she was going to dinner.
• ***
• When Alpha King James entered the dining room, curiosity had been eating at him since Prince Mael had said that Iris and Jayden had arrived at the palace. He wanted to know the type of person he had promised to protect. When he entered the diner, he was disappointed to find out that she was not waiting there as the others had been.
• Sitting in his chair. “She did say she was coming correct?” Alpha King James asked his son.
• Placing down his glass of wine, “She knows that dinner will be ready at 7:30, and I understand their things were just dropped off a little while ago. Let’s give them some time to settle in!” Prince Mael could tell his father was on edge. “I promise you'll come to really like her!”
• “Who are we talking about?” Maximum asked as he sat down in the usual spot he always sat in when joining dinner at the palace. He glanced from one cousin to the next.
• “Iris O’Brian!” Alpha King James said as he picked up his glass of wine.
• Prince Mael placed the rim to his lips, “dad knows!”
• Motioning with his hand, a kitchen maid came over with the bottle of wine. Tapping his finger on the bottom of the glass, the maid filled it to the top. " Will there be anything else, sir?”
• “That will be all Jenne!” Maximum said as he picked up his glass. Bringing the rim to his lips. His eyes were on his cousin. Waiting for him to scold him. Telling him that he had to sever all ties with Iris.
• “Is she not supposed to get married?” Alpha King James glared at his son and then at Maximum.
• “It is important to recognize that 'suppose to' and 'is' represent two distinct concepts.” Prince Mael smiled as he took a mouthful of his wine.
• “Enough!” Alpha King James said lowly, “Jezebel is coming!”
• Out of respect, the men stood to their feet. Jezebel strolled over to Maximum. Hugging him, “Hey there! It’s so great to see you! It feels like ages since we last caught up. How have you been this past week?” she let go as she turned her attention to Prince Mael.
• “Nothing new really to speak of!” Maximum glanced over at Prince Mael as he wrapped his arms around Jezebel.
• “And you! I hear Iris O’Brian is quite the sight!” Jezebel said as she let go of Prince Mael. She smiled up at him as she moved her feet to the Alpha King.
• “I haven’t notice!” Prince Mael kept his sight on his father. Waiting to see what he would do.
• “Your Majesty!” The maid walked through the door. “Miss Iris O’Brian and Mr. Jayden O’Connor.” she introduced. Stepping to the side, Iris and Jayden walked into the area.
• To the Alpha King, Jayden was easy to tell who his father was. He had the O’Connor look. Even if he had his mother's nose and eyes. The structure was that of his father, Robert O’Connor. For Iris, that was different. She did not have any characteristics of her father. William O’Donnoly was young when he first met him. He could remember him as if it were yesterday. ‘She must take after her mother's side of the bloodline.’ He thought to himself.
• Iris and Jayden smiled as they strolled together, hand in hand. Bowing, “your Majesty!” they said at the same time.
• Alpha King James was shocked. 'A Bloodmoon bowing! What is going on?’ He motioned with his hand, "Please sit!" and invited them to join.
• Jezebel looked at Iris with concern, watching her sit beside the crown prince, with Jayden sitting beside her. Iris motioned her head toward her. A smile lit her face, “a seer … just like my grandmother!” Iris’s words reached her ears as if they were a melody that she had longed to hear. “I am sorry if I have offended you. I did not mean to stare.” Jezebel lowered her gaze.
• Realizing her error, “It is I who should apologize. I am not used to seeing any sorceresses outside of the close knit community. Grandmother informed me that the Capital doesn't hold as many grudges toward our kind. Unlike as other territories. I’ve always thought that many sorceresses prefer the comfort of their homes!” she explained to Jezebel.
• Jezebel let out a nervous laugh, “is the community still the same or has it changed?”
• Snickering, “if you mean is the community like here? Dear gods, no! Grandma has not stopped families from advancing like some packs. Though I do have to say alot of the houses still remain like cabins and not apartments.”
• Placing a loving hand on Alpha King James's arm, “It feels like ages since I’ve been there! I’ve definitely picked up some modern influences along the way, but I like to believe I still have a strong connection to my roots.” The Alpha King raised a brow at his lover. Without saying a word, he asked his question. Pointing at Iris, “It takesa skilled sorceresss to recognize another magical practitioner's talents right away!” Jezebel turned her head to look at Iris. “You are far to young to be the grand archmage! That tells me you are from a distinguished origin!”
• “Your knowledge has not failed you. Granddaughter of the grand archmage.” Iris looked over at Jayden. “I was scheduled to be the next in line … however …”
• “I am telling you we can blend both lines together!” Jayden grasped hold of Iris’s hand, giving it a light squeeze.
• Iris breathed in through her nose. With so many words to say, she kept her mouth closed. With her other hand, she decided to pat his hand, letting him know that she was not opposed to the idea, though she did not believe others would receive it the same way they both did.
• “In a world filled with advancement, many minds resort to old ways, not willing to advance with the times.” The Alpha King's gentle voice intervened. Understanding the struggles a practitioner has in the world. Many hide their identity from others so they can live a modest, quiet life.
• Everyone’s eyes had turned as the kitchen staff rolled in with the food. Ready to serve the hungry people. The alpha king was being served first and heading down the ranks. Mimicking the others, “Thank you, Jenne!” Iris said in a soft voice.
• As the Alpha King observed Jayden and Iris, he could not help but notice how tense Jayden was versus how relaxed Iris seemed. Taking his attention to his son. He tried to hide it, but a father could always tell when things were off. And he knew by the stiffness in his son's shoulders his son was about to snap. ‘At least Maximum is holding things together a lot better!’ He placed the spoon in his mouth, ‘Whatelse could possibly go wrong?’ he shook his head as he continued to eat.