Page 9 of Fated Moons
“And the rest of the family?” Paul asked.
“My younger siblings and their families will sanction the film, but they won’t be part of any public announcement. Only myself, my wife, and Amanda’s sisters will make any formal statement.” Prince Albert spoke with the kind of authority people didn’t question. His tone made even a grown man sit a little taller. “I want to cut off all rumors before they even begin,” Prince Albert said. “I support my daughter and that means I don’t have a problem with her participating in a movie with Jackson Ledger.” He held up his hand. “That doesn’t mean I forgive his father because I don’t. I just never blamed a ten-year-old boy for his dad’s actions. That’s not fair. And I will go on record and say those things.”
“I truly appreciate that, sir. I really do. But I have been living with this my entire life. The press isn’t going to let it go just because you command it. They didn’t when I won my Oscar. They have always looked at me a certain way and I doubt that’s going to change, so I don’t see how you saying anything will cut off any rumors the world wants to start,” Jackson said, shifting in his seat, painfully aware of the beautiful young woman with her hot thighs that produced a trickle of fairy dust. It was the strangest thing. It seeped out over the sofa and landed on his leg, prickling his skin in this exotic dance. He kept glancing around the room, but again, no one else seemed to see it or care. “It just occurred to me that by making such an announcement, it could make it look like a publicity stunt to begin with. As if we’re trying to ward off the rumor mill and that could backfire on us.”
Prince Albert arched a brow. “You make a valid point, son. Amanda, what are your thoughts?”
“Same as this morning, Daddy. If we make a big stink, so will the press.” Amanda glanced in his direction, those damn thick lashes floating over her eyes, mesmerizing him. At least they weren’t shooting fairy dust. Did she know she was part fairy and was she trying to keep it from the world? “My two cents are we focus on the film and our excitement over it. If you stand by my side, they will know you support me. They will make their speculations, and some family members will comment, others won’t, but as long as Jackson and I stay focused on the film, I believe the press will move on after a few days.”
Jesus Christ, she was as well-spoken as her father, and the sound of her voice rolled over his ears like a warm ocean breeze.
“So, your suggestion is that we don’t go to the press first?” Paul asked.
“No. I’m saying we don’t make it about the royal family endorsing the film or say anything about what happened in the past. If the media brings it up, we say that’s in the past and has nothing to do with us anyway. We make a public announcement now with my father present. We could even focus more on the fact that Jackson and Lemin are working together for the first time since Jackson’s Oscar win.”
“I’m sure that will be brought up no matter what,” Jackson said, tossing his arm over the back of the sofa. God, he wanted to touch her. “But I like your idea. Let the studio make the announcement with us present.”
“I like that idea,” Paul said.
“Jackson,” Prince Albert said. “I have to ask. How did your family take the news?”
“Since I just learned who my co-star was this morning, they don’t know yet. However, my mother will love the idea, but mysiblings might not be as supportive. When my old pack hears of it, well, it won’t be good.”
“So, the rumors are true. You’ve cut your alliance and have formed a new one with the Crescent Moon Pack.” Prince Albert tilted his head. “May I ask when, why, and how did that come about?”
“Titus and his sons offered five years ago when I moved back.” Jackson decided it was in his best interest not to inform the prince, or anyone else for that matter, that it was Titus’ idea that he return to New York. “They were concerned about my well-being as a wolf as well as my siblings and my mother.”
“That makes sense.” The prince nodded. “Why would your old pack care about you working with my daughter?”
“Because they will believe that it would bring disgrace and shame to them once again by me taking this role opposite Amanda. It won’t matter that I align with Chaz, the Crescent Moon, and the wolfairies. My old pack, while they have not denounced the wolfairies as some have, fear the changes that have come about. They don’t respect the king of the wolfairies and certainly won’t appreciate the attention this role will bring to them.” Jackson let out a long breath.
“Have they gone rogue?” Prince Albert asked. “Because I have not heard that and I do attend the Twilight Crossing Council meetings.”
“They have not. The pack leader does not believe in going against the council. He wants their protection.” Jackson didn’t like discussing wolf business with witches and wizards. In the past, they were sworn enemies. Some covens still refused to accept the alliance, especially when it came to fairies and the connections they had to both wolves and witches. Jackson and his family did their best to stay out of the politics. Their father’s actions made it impossible for them to have any role in wolf business, even with the support of the Crescent Moon Pack andJackson’s role as an alpha. “But that doesn’t mean they agree with the direction or the policies of the council,” Jackson said.
“May I ask where you stand?” Prince Albert held Jackson’s gaze.
It was a fair question and one that Jackson was willing to answer honestly. “I wouldn’t have turned on my birth pack if I didn’t agree with the policies of Crescent Moon. It wasn’t just about finding refuge for me and my family. If that had been the case, I would have made the decision the moment I moved back. But I didn’t until the wolfairies were conceived and the leader of my birth pack chose to be neutral. By doing so, he made it clear that he does not and will not commit to the protection of our future or the future of a new race.”
“The wolfairies aren’t really a new race, according to their king. Trask’s wife is part wolfairy and she was around long before Chaz’s children were conceived,” Prince Albert said. “Regardless, you do not dishonor my house by working with my daughter. But the allegiance to the wolfairies is something my sister will also take issue with. For whatever reason, they frighten her, though there is no reason to be.”
“They are lovely creatures.” Jackson nodded. “I have met the next generation, and they are truly a sight to behold. I look forward to watching what is to come.”
“I’ve heard stories.” Prince Albert nodded.
“May I ask you a personal question?” Jackson rubbed the back of his neck.
“Of course,” Prince Albert said. “But I might choose not to answer.”
“As the head of the Royal Witch Coven and as a wizard, you support the wolfairies. There are many witches and covens out there who don’t. Who still want to cause them harm or who want to eradicate them from this realm, even though they were predicted, and the legends and myths talk about how theybring unity to the paranormal world. I’ve heard you speak on the matter, and yet people like Princess Alley, and even others in the royal family, take a very different stand. When you field questions about them and their opinions, you stay neutral. Why is that? You’re in a position of power. You can help change people’s perception.”
“It’s a delicate dance, son.” Prince Albert’s right brow arched. His mouth curved into a half smile. “You must remember two things. For centuries, we royals have had our dark shadow to deal with. There are many who believe that we come from black magic, and many in our bloodline have practiced black magic. It’s a stigma we have been battling for centuries. Those who have practiced black magic feared fairies more than those who haven’t.” He held up his hand. “I’m not suggesting that my family participates in this type of witchcraft because we don’t. It is forbidden and anyone who does would face severe punishment. But it brings me to my second point. Even witches and wizards who follow all our laws feared fairies years ago. Our magic is quite different. One is full of spells and a craft that has to be learned and practiced versus one that comes in the form of organic fairy dust. Witches who honed their skills believed all fairies were involved in some sort of black magic. Personally, I welcome the wolfairies and the royal fairies. I find them to be fascinating creatures. However, I can’t erase centuries of fear and misunderstandings with the wave of my hand. I choose my words carefully. Strategically. In hopes of moving my people into the future. It started with my acceptance of the species. And now being seen with Trask and his family. I will continue down this path until all witch covens accept this new reality. But again, you can’t expect people to change overnight.”
Jackson nodded. What the prince said made perfect sense. Change always happened at a snail’s pace and there wouldprobably always be a faction out there who went against the grain. “Thank you for that explanation.”
“You seem to be passionate about this topic,” Prince Albert said.
“Becoming part of Crescent Moon and taking on an alpha role has brought me closer to the wolfairies. I’m bound by the laws of my new pack to protect them. I’ve also become friendly with Trask.” Jackson saw no point in lying to the man.
