Page 109 of A Warrior's Fate

“Zahra…”

“Beta.”

“Ezekiel!”

Ezekiel turned as he was called by yet another person Isla didn’t know to meet someone else Isla didn’t know. He muttered something to Zahra—something like don’t move—before stalking off. Isla pursed her lips at being left in the dirt and watched as the former queen shook her head and rolled her eyes. The typical actions shouldn’t have stunned or amused her as much as they did.

As if she could sense Isla staring, the luna turned and met her gaze.

Isla blinked at her in awe, but Zahra looked at her flatly.

“Another one,” she said.

“I’m sorry?”

Zahra sighed. “If one more person looks at me like I’m about to keel over and die, Goddess, help them.” Isla felt heat flood her cheeks, and before she could nod in the respect she’d forgotten, the luna scanned her peculiarly. “Have we met?”

“No,” Isla answered quicker than she meant to.

The luna did another sweep. “Are you sure?”

“No.” Isla felt her nerves ratchet up. This wasn’t only a luna, it was her mate’s mother. A woman who’d lost nearly everything. What if she said something wrong and stupid? “I mean, yes, no, we haven’t met, Your Majesty. I’m not from this pack…I’m of Io.”

Isla winced, unsure how her pack’s name would be taken.

“I no longer warrant that address,” the former luna said, and Isla noted the uptick of her brows. “You’re far from home.”

No detectable animosity, at least.

“I’m a warrior. Here to help with the rogues along with my team.” Isla brought back her smile. “Isla.”

Zahra mirrored it, in a way much more refined, Isla was sure. “Well, thank you for your service to my pack and your service to my son.”

At the last words, Isla choked.

The former luna paused but didn’t comment on it. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, that appetizer platter is calling my name.” Before she departed, she added, “Run while you can.”

Isla followed the former luna’s eyes to the still-occupied Ezekiel.

She weighed her options—and then she did just that.

Isla found Eli eventually—or he found her—and he immediately began grumbling about how Sol had no idea what he had been going on about.

The banquet technically would not be in full swing until three things occurred: all guests had arrived, the guest of honor finally made his entrance, and then finally, Kai, the alpha, entered the room and declared it should begin. Right now, it was aimless chitter-chatter, eating and drinking, and already, Isla was ready to stab herself in the eye with her tiny toothpick.

Kai’s plan had been working. She drew attention—both good and bad. Sneers and smiles. Genuine questions and snide, underhanded remarks. Lecherous leers from unmated suitors. An offer to get out of here with one particularly inebriated man that was lucky Kai hadn’t appeared yet.

But that wasn’t the worst.

She had never heard so many people brag about themselves—and Sebastian was her brother. Callan was her ex. At least they didn’t try to mask it in some false sense of humility. They knew they were pricks and embraced it.

And not only that but if she had to hear one more rosy whisper of when will Alpha Kai be arriving from the mouth of one more female, if she had to listen to the ambitions of getting a dance or being invited to the alpha’s chambers one more time, she would turn feral.

Isla hadn’t encountered this before.

She knew Kai was an alpha. That a person of his standing had that draw. She’d experienced it all the time, but it was easier to just call it the bond. But she’d never seen it, heard it, felt it in a room. All the people that wanted him. To be with him or to be him.

On the second open of the wide double doors set at the front of the room, Isla went rigid. The guests of the party clapped and cheered as Delta Atesh entered.

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