Destiny Series: Unlawful Mates

Wrong Invitation

The great halls of the Howls Empire's palace echoed with Flynn's agitated footsteps as he burst into Jaxton's office, his face a mask of barely contained fury. Jaxton looked up from his desk, immediately sensing the tension emanating from his advisor.

“We have a problem,” Flynn announced, his voice tight with stress. "I've been counting invitations all morning and one is missing. It's a disaster waiting to happen."

Jaxton frowned and put aside the document he was examining. "Missing? How is that possible? I thought we had a strict protocol for handling invitations."

Before Flynn could respond, Valtor entered the room, his expression a mix of guilt and defiance. The young prince heard the conversation and knew he could no longer keep his secret.

“It was me,” Valtor admitted, his voice firm despite the nervousness in his eyes. "I took one of the invitations. I gave it to Kaida, along with her friend and sister."

The silence that followed was deafening. Flynn's face turned an alarming shade of red, while Jaxton's expression wavered between shock, disappointment, and a hint of something else: Was it understanding?

Flynn was the first to break the silence and his words were warm. "Do you have any idea what you've done? This isn't just a feast for eating and drinking! It's a sacred ceremony of mate choice by the Moon Goddess herself!"

Valtor flinched at the intensity of Flynn's anger but held his ground. "I know it's important, but I couldn't bear the thought of never seeing Kaida again. I had to invite her, her sister and her friend"

“There are specific protocols regarding who can be invited and who cannot. Kaida was enough, but you invited a crowd”, Flynn continued as he paced the room. "We had a carefully curated list of names, and now we only have one invitation left. Do you know who hasn't received theirs yet? Diana Gain. What should we tell her?"

The mention of Diana's name made Jaxton and Valtor tense. Diana was known throughout the empire for her beauty, her arrogance, and her relentless pursuit of Jaxton. The implications of her invitation could be far-reaching and potentially disastrous for the delicate political balance within the Howling Empire, due to the strategic roles of her parents in the leadership of the pack.

Jaxton, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of conflicting emotions. "Valtor, while I understand your feelings for Kaida, this decision should not have been made without proper guidance. The consequences could be serious."

Valtor lowered his head, finally understanding the weight of his actions. "I'm sorry. I didn't think about it. I just... needed to see her again."

Jaxton's expression softened slightly as he remembered his encounter with Kaida in the palace hallway. There was something about this girl that struck him too. However, he could not let his personal feelings cloud his judgment as a leader.

“We have to handle this situation carefully,” Jaxton said, his mind already working on possible solutions. “Flynn, I will speak to Diana personally about the invitation.”

Flynn's eyes widened with worry. "Your Highness, with all due respect, this could be dangerous. Diana has been looking for any opportunity to get close to you. She could use this as a way to manipulate the situation in her favor."

Jaxton nodded, recognizing the risk. "I am aware of the danger, but we have no choice. We cannot let it be known that an invitation came from the Howling Empire and that it was intended for a No Pack wolf. The political consequences would be catastrophic."

Valtor, who had been listening attentively, stepped forward. "Let me talk to Diana. It's my mistake, and it's up to me to fix it."

Jaxton shook his head firmly. "No, Valtor, while I appreciate your willingness to take responsibility, it requires a delicate touch. Diana is...complicated. I have experience with her and her family. I will handle it."

Flynn, still visibly agitated, ran a hand through his hair. "It's a disaster. A complete and utter disaster. Do you realize the amount of work that goes into planning this event? The magical protection, the moon-blessed invitations, the careful screening of potential partners...all of them mean that we could be in danger because of this impulsive decision".

Valtor opened his mouth to apologize again, but Jaxton raised his hand to silence him. "What's done is done. Now we need to focus on damage control. Flynn, I need you to double-check all the magical wards around the campfire site. Make sure there are no loopholes that could be exploited because of these…irregularities.”

Flynn nodded briefly, his mind already busy with the tasks ahead of him. I'll get to work right away. But what about the No Pack girls? Kaida and the others? What do we do about them?"

Jaxton paused, considering the implications. "We have to make them like our women and….."

Flynn's impatience sets in. Trying to control his voice, he pointed at Jaxton and Valtor. "You are both making this situation worse, how can you think of such, Jax? That would be catastrophic. Do we think their dresses alone will cover up their identity? What about their sc youent? Their accent. These are some of the qualities that separate us from them. Tell me, how do you intend to make up for that even if I agree with you, huh?"

Valtor, in utter confusion, stares at Flynn with blank eyes, without knowledge of what to do with the situation he has created.

"Flynn, you are right, and all of these can be achieved, Valtor, I need your mind to be stable, we will make this mess beautiful. The question is, can you trust me? Asked Jaxton.

Valtor and Flynn responded with a nod, Jaxton added another word "Flynn, you will have to meet with Kaida and……"

Flynn abruptly responded "Why? Valtor should do that. They know him better, his friends with them. I won't go"

"Flynn, you should listen more, Valtor has paraded the no pack enough. First, he almost got killed and secondly, the mother of the girl he likes almost roasted him. Valtor needs to stay clear of the No Pack, you will have to go, meet with Kaida and her girls, arrange with them, and help them on their arrival in the bonfire party". Jaxton sounded stern

Unhappy, Flynn answered reluctantly "Yes, my Lord".

Jaxton furthered his explanation, "On the day of the bonfire party, we will treat them like any other guest. No one can know that they were not supposed to be there. Valtor, you will be responsible for them. Make sure she understands the seriousness of the situation and the need for discretion".

Valtor nodded impatiently, relief washing over him. "I understand. I'll make sure she knows how important it is to keep this secret."

“Make sure you do,” Jaxton said, his voice stern but not cruel. "This event is more than just a celebration, Valtor. It is a sacred tradition that helps maintain the balance and strength of our pack. The Moon Goddess' blessing on mate choice is not something to be taken lightly."

Flynn, who had made a mental note of all the additional security measures needed, spoke again. "What if the Moon Goddess chose Kaida as someone's mate? She's a wolf from the no pack; the implications could be huge."

A heavy silence fell over the room as everyone considered the possibility. The idea of a No Pack wolf chosen as a companion to a wolf from the Howling Empire was unprecedented and had the potential to upend centuries of tradition and hierarchy.

Jaxton took a deep breath, feeling the weight of leadership crushing him. "We will cross this bridge if it happens. For now, let's focus on what we can control. Flynn, let's increase security, but let's do it discreetly. We don't want to arouse suspicion, so prepare Kaida as best as you can. And I will take care of Diana.”

As Flynn and Valtor nodded and turned to leave, Jaxton cried out one last time. "And my brothers?” They both turned to him. "No matter what happens, we face it as a family. United."

The two young wolves nodded solemnly before leaving the office, leaving Jaxton alone with his thoughts. He walked to the window and looked out at the vast empire below.

The next bonfire has always been a source of excitement and anticipation for the pack, a night of magic and potential. Now, with this unexpected twist, it had become something more: proof of their leadership, their adaptability, and, perhaps, the very foundations of their society.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the palace grounds, Jaxton prepared for the challenges ahead. Whatever the Moon Goddess had in store for them, he would face it head-on, for the sake of his family and his pack.

The bonfire was approaching and with it, a night that would change everything.