CHAPTER 19 - PHOENIX - SIRI'S POV
1250 Words
Brayton took me through the bustling markets. All the stalls decorated differently, and creating a vibrant tapestry of colors down the street, giving a happy festive vibe. Vendors hawked their goods with loud infectious enthusiasm. A cheerful woman, selling beautiful fabrics, winked at me.
''Would you like anything for our new Luna, Alpha?'' She called out, but Bray smiled and shook his head.
''Not right now, Gabby,'' He told her.
''You know her name?'' I asked through the link. Loving I could share this connection with him.
''I know all their names,'' He told me, ''As will you if you are going to rule by my side. I'll have a tutor help you though, so don't worry.''
''Alright,'' I said happily, and hugged his arm. ''You know what's weird?''
''What?''
''That this doesn't feel weird,'' I said and hugged his arm tighter to explain what I meant, ''You've always just been my best friend and yet, I can't image being without you now.''
He smiled and kissed my head, ''You never will be.''
We stopped at a stall filled with colorfully painted pottery, and Bray chatted with the stall vendor, showing genuine interest. This was different from the times I'd seen the twins interact with their pack members. How did I miss how cruel and horrible they were?
We continued to walk around, talking to the pack, and showing off my ring to a few of the women, before going into one of the taverns for lunch, which was a simple, but very hearty meal, that was clearly prepared with love. It was clear everyone loved my mate.
When he was talking to a few of the men at the bar, while he was getting some drinks, a few women came over to talk to me.
''You're very lucky,'' One of the women said with a little hint of jealously, ''Every single girl in the pack was hoping the Alpha would take one of us as his chosen.''
I laughed a little awkwardly, ''Sorry to ruin everyone's plans,''
''He's a good man,'' One of the older marked women told me, ''And he deserves a good mate, I hope you won't end up like Sarah.''
I nodded, ''I'd never hurt him,'' I assured her, though part of me was annoyed at her for thinking she could defend my mate like this.
''Good,'' The younger girl smiled, ''We all care about him. Alpha Brayton saved us all. His father was so cruel, and we were all so happy when he took the crown. We don't want anyone to hurt him again.''
''Well, I won't hurt him,'' I said firmly, ''However, our relationship is between two people, him and me. None of you are included in that. I appreciate that you care about him, and want the best for him, but I have already had to deal with outsiders ruining my relationships before, and I will not tolerate it again. So watch who you're talking to, and how you're talking to her. He isn't yours to worry about, and I am not yours to caution or scold.''
The women looked a little uncomfortable now, and they quickly bowed their heads, ''I'm sorry Luna, we just worry about him.''
''I appreciate the concern,'' Brayton said, as he returned to our table with two drinks.
The women quickly got up, bowed and left.
''Well said,'' He whispered into my ear as he sat down, ''What happens between us, is between us, the pack should stay out of it.''
I smiled and nodded, before lifting my drink, as I saw a couple kissing, and leaving the tavern for a back room. I looked at my mate who smiled and shrugged.
''Pack members in my old pack were a little more.... subtle,'' I told Brayton and took a sip of my drink.
''We don't hold that cr*p here,'' He shrugged and leaned back, ''We're not Fae, or Trolls, or witches, we're animals, and I'd prefer everyone to follow their instincts.''
''Oh,'' I blushed, ''You never once mentioned this in any of your letters.''
''I didn't mention a lot of things in my letters.''
''Like how you felt about me,''
He smiled the most gorgeous smile, ''A man has to have some secrets,'' He shrugged, ''Besides, it wouldn't have meant anything, not with you swooning over those two fools.''
''You never liked them.''
''Not even slightly,'' He answered, ''I hated leaving you with them. I begged my father to let you live with us, but of course, he only ever cared about himself, and said no. He said you weren't his problem.''
''I didn't know you asked him to let me move in with you.''
''As I said, I didn't mention a lot of things.'' He answered, as I took another sip of my drink, ''In fact, I think he was actually disappointed I was rescued, he didn't want another child to look after.''
''Do you know what happened to the people who took us? The King and Queen would never go into details, they'd just tell me they'd been dealt with.''
Brayton took a deep breath, ''My father finally gave into pressure from his council and King Dakari, and finally sent out his army to wipe them out.''
''I see,'' I nodded, ''Did they ever find out why we were taken? I under stand taking you and the twins, as you were royalty, but the rest of us were just normal Lycans, and witches.''
''They were Phoenix,'' He told me, ''But they'd been banished and their immortality was taken. They'd used a spell to help them transfer their souls into the bodies of others.''
My eyes widened in shock, ''They were going to steal our bodies?''
''Yes,'' He said, and took a large mouthful of his drink.
''That's awful. They must have killed hundreds of children over the years.''
''We stopped them in the end.''
''Do you remember the moment we met?''
He smiled, ''I do.'' He answered, and took my hand, ''You were so little, but so brave.''
''I didn't feel brave,'' I looked down, ''But you were. We were all afraid and crying, but you kept comforting and protecting everyone. Even the twins were only worried about themselves. I should have known just from that, how good of a man you were. You've always cared about others. I was so blind not to see how amazing you are.''
He smiled again, ''You got there in the end,'' He joked, ''But I can keep reminding you. Hell, I'll get it tattooed on my chest for you to read.''
I giggled, ''You do that.'' I kicked him under the table.
''Did you just attack the King?'' He touched his chest as if affronted, ''I should have you thrown into the dungeons but.''
I tenses as I remembered my time in the dungeons at me old pack, and Brayton realized his mistake. He placed his drink down and pulled me into his arms.
''I'm sorry. I was a complete fool. I didn't mean to make you think about that. I'd never locked you up. No matter what you do.''
I clung to him, and I breathed in his scent to calm down, and once I was breathing normally again. I leaned back and kissed him.
''No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have freaked out like that.''
He kissed me again, ''I will make them pay for what they did to you.''
I nodded and looked down, so Bray kissed my cheek.
''Finish your drink, and we'll continue our tour.''
- Writer
