"Okay, tell me one more time why I should bother to go with you, Lira?" Isaldora asked, folding her arms over her chest as she arched a brow, her tone dripping with skepticism.
"Ummm, because I'm your favorite loving sister now." Lira beamed, batting her eyelashes dramatically with an exaggerated innocence that was almost like 'WHAT'.
Isaldora scoffed and just stared, giving her a look that was a perfect blend of utter confusion and profound weirded-out-ness. Favorite? Sister? Since when?
Well, technically, Isaldora was on her way to inspect the site Kaelith had secured for her new business branch. She had already wasted so much time because of the whole rogues kidnapping her scene three days ago. Now she needed to get construction started ASAP. Every delay chipped away at her tightly managed schedule.
But the moment she'd stepped into the hallway, Lira had pounced, latching onto her with a startlingly smooth invite to her on a "girls' day out" shopping trip. Clearly the girl was acting like she was her long lost sister. Clingy as hell you could say.
"Lira, I'm really busy," Isaldora said, her tone coming out harsher than she'd intended, the words cutting through the girl's bubbliness. "Besides, why would you think I'd want a 'girls' day out' with you? And who gave you the idea I'm in the market for a damn sister?" Without waiting for a reply, Isaldora shot off down the hall. She was getting irked by all this nonsense.
A flicker of hurt crossed Lira's eyes, but it was gone in a heartbeat, replaced by a stubborn determination as she quickly scampered after her.
As Isaldora neared the palace entrance, she spotted three figures standing there, deep in conversation. One was Kaelith. Just the sight of him— broad-shouldered and imposing even in a relaxed stance— sent her heart on a wild, traitorous sprint, and her steps faltered. Damn it. Distance. I need to maintain distance until I can get my own head sorted out, she scolded herself.
She shifted her gaze to the man beside him—someone she didn't know but who looked oddly familiar. I've seen him before... where? The third person was none other than King Klaevan. Isaldora rolled her eyes internally at him that her pupils must've kissed her skull.
Just then, an excited, earsplitting "Eeeee!" sounded behind her. Lira shot past like a rocket, all but launching herself at the unfamiliar man's arm, clinging to him. She began to blabber about something to him.
Honestly, what kind of cosmic drugs is that girl on to be that cheerful all the time? Isaldora wondered, rolling her eyes. She studied the man more closely. There was definitely something vaguely familiar about him. As if sensing eyes on him, he turned his head, his gaze locking directly with hers. A genuinely warm, open smile spread across his face.
Isaldora just blinked confused.
"Well, look who it is! The person I've been most eager to meet," The man practically announced, successfully snapping all the attention squarely onto her.
Great, just what I needed. My own personal spotlight and soon more drama.
Before she could react, Kaelith was already walking toward her, closing the distance between them with a smile that was soft with an intimate curve of his lips that she felt straight down to her toes, and it made her heart perform another dizzying somersault.
He looked infuriatingly handsome as always. In one fluid motion, his fingers wrapped around her hand before she could pull away. She tried to jerk free, mentally screaming that she wanted out but he completely ignored the hint.
Then, to her complete horror, Kaelith tugged her firmly by the waist, pulling her flush against him smoothly. He dipped his head and lightly pecked her cheek. She stood there, blinking at him, stunned, as heat crept up her neck.
"It's nice to meet you again." The mystery man said as he stepped forward with of course Lira still happily attached to his arm. From the corner of her eye, Isaldora saw Klaevan melt away down the opposite hall and rolled her eyes. Good riddance.
She refocused on the man, who was watching her with a beaming, expectant expression.
"Now, you do remember me from that rather eventful council meeting a few weeks back, don't you?" he asked, his tone warm and lightly teasing as he stopped infront of her. There was a friendly, knowing glint in his eyes. "I'd be genuinely wounded to know I'm that forgettable."
Isaldora narrowed her eyes slightly, the gears in her mind finally clicking into place. Oh, right. The council. She remembered him now, a calm, observant presence during the whole fiasco with Prince Adrien and his father going all balistic. This man was Alpha Klade.
"Of course not, Alpha Klade. I remember you quite clearly," Isaldora said, schooling her features into a charming, sharp smile. "I'd say it was certainly a memorable first encounter."
He chuckled. "We were thrown into the deep end that day, I'm afraid. I did my best to play peacemaker, though I regret I didn't get the opportunity to speak with you properly then."
Isaldora shrugged giving a smirk. That council meeting and its chaotic, dramatic aftermath were etched into her memory for multiple reasons. Ahemm ahem, I hope you understand what it meant.
Klade's smile widened. He extended his hand in a formal but friendly gesture. "Well, just in case it wasn't clear before all the drama started—I'm Klade, High Alpha of the Southern Territories." He then gave Kaelith a familiar, playful shove on the shoulder. "And I have the distinct honor of being this one's most favorite uncle."
Kaelith rolled his eyes with a long-suffering sigh, but there was a hint of a smile that played on his lips.
"Klade, for the last time, you are my only uncle. The competition isn't that fierce." Alpha Klade chuckled loudly at that and fist bumped him.
Kaelith looked sideways at Isaldora with a small smile. "Unfortunately, this man is my Dad's one and only brother," Kaelith clarified to Isaldora gesturing towards Klade, his tone laced with a fond, long-suffering tease that surprised her with its openness. "And I have to bear living with that truth."
Isaldora was amused. She had never seen Kaelith so at ease with anyone else, well other than her, and the sight sent a curious, disturbing warmth spreading through her chest. Though she was intrigued seeing this connection between the uncle and nephew.
Her gaze flicked back to Alpha Klade, studying him more intently. And now seeing closely she could totally see the family resemblance—it was uncanny. Klade had the same intense eyes, the same strong build as Klaevan. Yet, where the King was all sharp edges and cold calculation, Klade radiated a warmth and approachability of someone who actually knows how to have a good time opposite to his brother.
"You forgot the most interesting part, Kael!" Lira chirped, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Uncle Klade is Dad's twin." She said it with the triumphant air of someone revealing a monumental 'TaDaa' secret.
Woah, hold on. Twins? Isaldora's mind screeched at her. She looked at Klade again. Yes, he did have bit similar features to Klaevan but they were definitely far from identical. She was thinking when she felt Kaelith's warm hand on her shoulder, his thumb brushing a faint circle against the skin of her neck.
"They're not identical twins," he explained, his voice dropping to a soft whisper against her ear, more intimate meant just for her. "As you know, there are two types of twins, love."
The casual endearment—love—hit her with the force of a physical blow. She wasn't used to of hearing that.
A violent, pleasant shudder threatened to trip down her spine, and because of her disrupted state of mind and feelings, she had to consciously lock her knees tighlty to stay upright and not feel whatever that was beginning to pool in her core. Don't you dare fuckin' react. Don't you dare let him see.
Oh, that explains it, she managed to think, grasping for logical straws. Interesting. Wait, hold on, her brain again screeched to a halt, her internal monologue hitting a snag. If he's the king's twin brother... doesn't that inherently make him a prince as well? Also doesn't it also make him an equal heir to the throne? The realization was a stark reminder to her, that her knowledge about this whole werewolf thing and Duskbanes had some major gaps that needed to be filled badly.
"I can see the gears turning," Alpha Klade chuckled kindly, his eyes crinkled at the corners, seeming to read the confusion behind her composed expression. "Let me clear it up for you. Yes, my esteemed big brother was the heir, born and bred for the throne." He nodded in the direction his brother had departed. "And as for me? Well, I was blessed with an Alpha's strength but but conveniently left off the crown. So, I channel all my energy into ruling the Southern Territories. It works out nicely—it keeps me comfortably out of his hair, and him, most thankfully, out of mine."
Isaldora hummed in response.
"I did hear what you've been through days ago." Klade said with genuine concern. "I'm sorry you had to bear that. How are you holding up?"
"No need I'm good now. Thanks for asking." Isaldora said and Kaelith's hold on her tightened firmly.
"Guess what everyone said about you was true." Klade said with a smile, his eyes showing admiration.
"And what is that?" Isaldora asked with an arched brow, amused.
"That you are quite strong, in fact more strong and courageous." He said.
"That's nothing I guess." Isaldora shrugged nonchalantly.
"Oh, I'll definitely tell you how wittily she manipulated the rogues later." Kaelith jumped in enthusiastically, his tone holding pride.
"See, how you have my nephew wrapped around. Just acknowledge your strength even Sereyna said you are strong. She was intrigued by you." Klade encouraged Isaldora and she wanted to scoff at his advise. As if I don't know my strength.
"Sereyna?" Isaldora asked instead.
"She's the high witch priestess. You must've seen her with the council." Kaelith told her looking in her eyes and Isaldora nodded.
Hmmm, guess I'll need to meet with this Sereyna to see what else she thinks.