The Dragon's Queen

Chapter 13: A Stranger in the Pack House

Karisma’s POV

I sit down in one of Miss. Riley’s chairs. She had a nice little table in the living space of her room. From the china set on it, she enjoyed having tea in here. The three different kinds of teapots and spice blends in her kitchenette told me that she liked all types of tea blends.

One of the pack doctors came in and cleaned out my wound. She gave me a shot to help with any silver in my bloodstream.

‘That Riley girl seems pretty chill. She didn’t even lock you in.’ Winter says.

I internally snort at her. ‘Well, I don’t have anything to worry about. I merely defended myself. Besides being a hybrid or adopted should not mean anything here.’

It was true. Ever since Luna Queen Melody mated with her three kings. More and more hybrids have been happening. Though the child still usually takes after only one parent and not a bit of both.

I jump when I hear the door open, and a little boy pokes his head inside.

“Ri-Ri.” he said, in a sleepy tone. He freezes as he sees me in the room. I sat still and smiled at him.

“I’m sorry, little one. Riley had to step out for a bit.” I said in a soft tone. He seemed to be around 5 or 6.

He looked at me with caution in his eyes. I could tell that he was a shy little one, but I could also see the pain that was in his eyes. It was the same kind of pain that I saw in my own eyes after that night.

“Would you like to hear a song?” I asked him. He tilted his head in confusion. I just smiled as I pulled out my cell phone and pulled up a piano app I play with once in a while.

*****

Luca’s POV

I am wandering the hallways looking for Jake. He is a young wolf that Tobias and Zezar adopted. He is very shy and quiet. Given that he lost his parents to rouges, it is understandable, but he has never just taken off before. Zezar said that he put him down for a small nap 30 minutes ago, but when Tobias went to check on him… he was nowhere to be found in their part of the pack house.

Zezar is worried sick. Jake is only 4 and doesn’t like many people. Other than his fathers, he really has only taken a liking to Riley.

Riley is like the older sister who makes him feel safe when his dads are busy. If Riley were home, it would not be so worrisome… because Jake loves her and she has no problems finding him when he does feel like hiding. Sometimes we tease that he loves her more than his dads. Just to get under Tobias’ skin once in a while.

I am checking Riley and Kai’s wing when I hear something coming from Riley’s room.

‘I thought Riley went to Edolas with Kai and Gabriel.’ I said to my wolf, Remus.

He grunted. ‘She did.’

I sniffed the air. I caught Jake’s scent, but there was someone else's as well. I tensed as it was not a scent I was familiar with, and having someone I didn’t know so far within my home was unnerving.

I perked up my ears as I walked closer to Riley’s room. I heard soft piano music and a sweet voice that made my muscles relax even though my mind was still alert.

I can only imagine

What it will be like

When I walk by Your side

I can only imagine

What my eyes would see

When Your face is before me

I can only imagine

Yeah

I opened the door to Riley’s room and peeked inside, and got the shock of my life. Jake was sitting on a young woman’s lap as she played the piano on a phone or tablet and was singing in the most angelic voice I have ever heard.

I thought Melody’s voice was pretty when she would sing for us once in a while, but this girl… she had a gift for singing.

Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for You Jesus

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence

Or to my knees, will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

It was when she finished the second verse that I knew she was singing her own cover to ‘I Can Only Imagine’ by MercyMe. It was a song full of heart and soul. Most people can’t sing soulful songs with so much emotion, but this young woman was nailing it perfectly.

It didn’t surprise me anymore that Jake was sitting with her and listening to her voice. He can feel a connection to this girl, and she to him.

The music and the girl stopped at the same time as I realized that while watching them, I had bumped the door with my leg. Jake’s eye pops up to mine at the same time that the girl’s does.

“Oh, Alpha King Lucas.” The girl says. She gently lifts Jake and places him on his own feet before standing up and baring her neck to me. “I apologize for this, but Miss. Riely ordered me not to leave this room until she returned with news about my case.”

I don’t know why, but for some reason I didn’t like how she is baring her neck to me like other wolves do. Remus feels the same, and that is stranger because it shows that other wolves yield to us. Something inside us made us want to protect this girl.

“Raise your head.” I told her. She did, and I was looking into the most beautiful eyes. It was almost like watching the northern lights dancing in her gaze. “What case is Riley working on for you?”

Riley got home quickly and left soon after, but I would have thought she would have said something to someone about there being a non-pack member in her room under house arrest.

The girl sat back down after Jake tugged on her sleeve. I mind linked Tobias and Zezar, where Jake was as the child climbed back into the girl’s lap and cuddled close.

“I got into an altercation with the beta and gamma’s son of another pack while in neutral territory.” She said as she stroked Jake's hair.

I looked the girl up and down. She didn’t seem like a fighter, but she didn’t seem to have any injuries other than a bandage on her leg. Remus growled at the thought of her hurt.

“What pack are you from, and which pack did you have the altercation with?” I asked.

“I am the adoptive daughter of Alpha Philip of the Starlight Pack, and the altercation was with the members of the Moonlight Rose Pack.” She said, looking a little bit confused. I gave her a small smile.

“Riley didn’t get a chance to inform us that you were even here, so I am just getting information.” I said, trying to put her at ease.

Though it seemed to have the opposite effect. I saw her shoulders tense. Even though she is not in the wrong here. Riley should have at least informed someone that she was here.

Before I could say anything, the doors burst open and Tobias and Zezar came rushing inside.

“Jake! Oh, we were looking everywhere for you, buddy.” Zezar said as he stepped around me. Tobias stopped next to me and looked at the girl with caution.

“I had another nightmare. I came to see Ri-Ri, but she was busy. Kari sang for me and comforted me.” Jake said in a small voice. Clinging to the girl before Zezar picked him up off her lap.

“Kari?” I asked, looking towards the girl.

“My name is actually Karisma, but good friends call me Kari.” She said, giving the little boy a smile and a wink. Jake giggled and returned her smile as he lay his head on his father’s shoulder.

“Jake, how about you go get something to eat with your dad. Uncle Luca and I need to talk with Kari.” Tobias said, his tone telling me that he is in protective father mode. Jake popped his head up and looked over at us.

“Not until you promise to be nice, Papa. Kari is good. She has pain too… pain like mine.” He said, looking like he was about to cry on her behalf.

Karisma stepped forward and placed her hand on Jake's little head.

Making both Zezar and Tobias stiffen. They were very protective of all of their children, but everyone spoiled little Jake. Even his older sisters, Charlie and Daisy. They were the first orphans that Zezar and Tobais adopted when they found them in a human orphanage. They were found by authorities living in an alley around 4 years old. Their parents were found in an abandoned warehouse from a drug overdose. When they came to live with us, it was during their first tantrum that we found out they were witches. It took a bit for them to come around to their new surroundings and trust Zezar enough to get some training done, but now they are 18 and love their dads and little brother to bits.

“It is okay, Jake. My pain isn’t as bad anymore. My Papa made sure that I was loved and protected, just like I can see how both of your papas love you. That is what helps with the pain.” She said. Her voice never went higher than if she were talking to an infant. Jake nodded and leaned into Zezar’s shoulder.

Zezar looked over at her and nodded to her with a small smile on his lips. Tobias looked more confused than before, but his shoulders relaxed.

Remus was growling lowly at the thought of Karisma having to suffer any kind of pain… plus I felt a twinge of jealousy when she referred to another as ‘papa’. It was getting weird. I had my children and loved them very dear. Why was I getting jealous of this girl, whom I literally just met today, her adoptive father, Papa?

After Zezar left with Jake. Tobias and I sat down at the table that Riley uses for having afternoon tea while doing paperwork. Sometimes she even has the girls in here for little tea parties with special teas and cakes she would make from scratch.

“Alright, now tell us all about yourself, Karisma.” I said.