His Miracle Mate: Rise of the Moon Children

Chapter 39

After Whitewell's vague and ominous warning, lunch proceeded peacefully. But once done, Ezra appeared by my side just as we stood from our seats.

He looked at Whitewell. It wasn't even a glare, just a blank look. But that was more scary. Whitewell apparently had a good head on his shoulders, because he gave me and Ezra a nod and disappeared.

I tugged on Ezra's hand, more amused than anything. "Alright, your jealous highness, enough."

"What did he want?"

"He was warning me."

He narrowed his eyes. "Warning you or threatening you?"

I thought about my conversation with Whitewell. Unless I was a really imperceptive idiot, then Whitewell's words and tones didn't ring like a threat.

"No, it wasn't a threat. A warning," I said as we filed out of the banquet hall with the rest of the guests.

According to the council leaflet, the first meeting was in two hours. So we still had some time to kill.

But the first thing I needed to do was to check on my father. He, along with Mom and Wren, had already retreated to the suite. I wonder if my father was still feeling the effects of that blood powder.

"Ezra?"

Ezra and I stopped. A girl around Ezra's age walked hesitantly towards us.

"Aria?" Ezra asked.

The girl smiled, her steps growing more assured when Ezra recognized her.

Silky black hair down to her shoulders, bright hazel eyes and light brown skin with a hint of freckles across her nose and cheeks. She was tall, as were most werewolves, and had the muscled build of a warrior.

"Hey, you. It's been a while," she said, giving Ezra a hug.

I wasn't surprised by the hug, but I was surprised by Ezra's expression. The stoic face he wore in public eased, and he gave her a soft smile while patting her back.

I tried my best to ignore the twinge of unease in my stomach. I couldn't believe I was jealous over a hug and a smile. She stepped back, but the knot in my stomach didn't ease. Ugh.

"Yeah, the last time I've seen you was..." Ezra trailed off.

"When Zariah and I dared you and Zander into sneaking into your grandmother's study," she finished with an airy chuckle. "How's Clementine? Still stuck up?"

"Yep." Ezra squeezed my shoulder and looked at me. "This is Aria, she was a member of the Royal pack before..."

Before his siblings passed. My heart ached. I gave Aria a smile, but she was too busy staring at my mate.

"Aria, this is my mate, Orla."

"Oh, right." She smiled at me. "Sorry for staring. He just... he looks so much like Zander. If you've seen them together, you would understand."

I tried not to read too much into her remark. I didn't know Ezra as far back as she had, so what? She probably didn't mean it like that, and I was just too sensitive after Dad's attack.

"What are you doing here?" Ezra asked.

"I'm here with my sister's mate. She's pregnant, so I came in her stead," she said. "Where's Ashley? I don't see her."

"She's in Europe."

"Oh. Too bad. We didn't keep in touch as much as I liked over the years. I really wanted to see her and catch up."