Beautiful Ocean Moon

Duke Christian

As we walked out the doors to the garden I released Kai’s arm to greet father with a hug not noticing who was with him at first. “Hello, father.” I say hugging him around the waist and he leaned down to kiss my head. “Welcome home Mira.” I looked to see Dixon and Bentley and their mates. I hugged each of them as well before I finally realized there was another guest next to father. “Mira, this is Duke Christian Steel, you met his mate earlier I believe.” Father introduce the man next to him. “Yes, a pleasure Duke Christian.” I said giving a small bow to him. Duke Christian like his mate had an ebony skin tone though he was much taller then his mate that I would bet he stood at least a foot and half taller than her. He also had braids though his hair was golden brown and his eyes were a topaz yellow. “You are as lovely as your father has described you Mira.” Duke Christian said to me. “Thank you, your grace.” “I see you have met the young pup my love.” We all turned to see Duchess Sienna and my mother walking up alongside my Aunt Lynn, Uncle Marcus and my two cousins Colt and Cora. “Indeed my love.” Duke Christian said as his mate stopped beside him. My Aunt and Uncle both gave their greetings before going to mingle with everyone else my cousins follow suit though they went a different direction. I also noticed that the children of Bentley and Dixon gave their quick greetings before following Colt and Cora. I wanted to join them but I had not yet been dismissed. “Christian and Sienna allow me to also introduce my eldest son Kai and his intended Kehlani who is one of my best warriors.” Kai and Kehlani returned the greeting but like me they were ready to join our friends. “Kain, you and Cassandra have a beautiful family.” Duchess Sienna said her tone so light and friendly but for some reason I got the feeling there was and undertone or a hidden meaning behind her words. Turned out my feeling was right and I wish I had had the good sense to not have waited for my dismissal because the next words spoken.

“As you know Kain there have been talks of something coming. The Kings have issued decrees for a summit to help with peace talks as all the rumors are causing some unrest.” My father nodded but did not speak. “Our King also intends to introduced the daughters of certain ages to his heir.” Duke Christian pointedly looked at me when he said that before looking back at my father. “I am aware Christian but that has nothing to do with us. Just because his grandfather made mine an Archduke following the first war doesn’t mean we will always bend. The agreement was for his family to rule and mine to be their sword and that was because the old dog didn’t want the responsibility of ruling neither did my father or me.” My father spoke in a bored voice but that didn’t mean he was bored. In fact I was pretty sure he was a little annoyed. “Kain as your friend don’t take this wrong.” I blinked because Duke Christian lost all formality in his voice. “But you know damn well that your daughter is the best candidate especially taking into account who some of the candidates are. And before you say that not all of them are bad you are correct but those candidates don’t have the security your daughter does. No one would direct move against her directly and I know you well enough that your daughter could handle anything being thrown at her from indirect attacks.”

Duke Christian took a deep breath after he said all that and then I saw his shoulders sag just a little. “Kain, I have already spoken to Duke Snow and we both plan to endorse Mira as the future Crown Princess.” I froze at Duke Christian’s words trying to believe I had misheard. “Christian.” My father's voice was no longer bored but flat and it was clear there was an underlying warning. “Kain let him finish.” My mother said taking my father’s arm though her words didn’t match her tone. “I know you don’t like it but right now no choice so please consider it. I would put my one daughter up if she was old enough but she is not and Duke Snow's daughter is already mated. The other two Dukes in our kingdom will no doubt put their daughters up along with the countless others of noble birth.” “And the other kingdoms will no doubt send candidates as well.” The Duchess added. “That has nothing to do with us. Regardless of what is going on I do not plan to get involved nor do I intend to have my pack involved either. If the king needs us to investigate, act as his sword, or hold a trial for future warriors then so be it.” My father said and at this point, I noticed that most of the pack was watching and decided it was time for the conversation to end. “Father please let us continue this conversation tomorrow we are here to celebrate Rowan and the Spring Equinox.” My interruption was appreciated as I saw Bentley, Dixon, their mates, and my mother all visibly relax. “Yes, Mira, you are right let us table this conversation for now my apologies.” Duke Christian said. “Christian we will talk tomorrow.” My father said and his tone surprised me.

I gave a small bow to my parents and then turned to walk to where Kai and Kehlani were. Kai hadn’t waited to be dismissed like I had, he had also made a point to grab our brother Rowan. “Well, that was interesting.” Kehlani said and I got the feeling that she was egging Kai on because he did not seem to be happy, in fact his next words proved that thought. “No that was not interesting that was…..” “Kai leave it alone dad will handle it. Kehlani did Rowan hear anything?” I stopped Kai’s rant and then asked Kehlani about Rowan. “No, Jewel grabbed his hand and they took off with the other younger pups to go play.” I nodded thankful because I knew if Rowan had heard anything he would have been upset thinking I was leaving him after just getting home. “Mira as you told them it’s a night of celebration so let’s go have fun and worry about that conversation tomorrow.” I felt a hand on my shoulder as the words were being spoken and turned to see Rayna with Lily behind her. Rayna removed her hand from my shoulder and took my hand to pull me to where our fellow pack members where dancing around each other. I smiled at them both deciding to forget everything I had just heard at least for tonight. ‘After all it is a party and father can handle everything else. There is no need for me to worry about any of that.’ I thought to myself as I followed Rayna and Lily into the middle of those dancing. I let myself go just enjoying the peaceful happy atmosphere. What I couldn’t know was how wrong I was in that moment, because far from us and our celebration was a bloody mystery taking shape. Nor could I know just how much it would affect my life the lives of everyone I loved and the cost I would face.