Lux
Never in my life have I dodged so many Velari and Kaelin candidates before. I regrettably left Aspen to the mob just to get ten minutes away from the multiple scents, auras, or outright enchantments trying to entice me to choose one of them. I was making my way over to Jasper when I was spotted by a seeking group of candidates.
"President Ajei, there you are…"
"Scion Lux, I would make an excellent Kaelin to your future mating circle. I believe if you sparred with me…"
"Oh! The Scion is taller than I expected. Does that mean everything is proportionate?"
I ducked behind a column, then turned invisible as I continued my path to Jasper but in a more roundabout way. Mrs. June and Nimra mean well. I know they do. I don't put myself out there to meet people, so they are trying to help, but I don't want to create a mating circle from people who seem more interested in my status than who I am as a person. I want to spend the rest of my long life with people I can stand to be around for that long. Our people tended to live as long as 500 years. That is a long time to be stuck with people you would rather kill than sit at a dining table with.
I scanned the room, making sure my path won't cross with anyone I don't want it to cross with when I see her. My secondary core in my throat pulsed in recognition of what I instinctively knew but still mentally processing. Heat flooded my chest. My wolf stirred, suddenly attentive.
Zenaida Angelica Salgrave. She was someone who until recently to me, was just the youngest child of Crest House Salgrave and my sister's former best friend. Now…she has bloomed into a young woman who draws my attention effortlessly. From her long, wavy azure hair to her plush lips. I want her hazel eyes to always be on me.
I haven't said anything to anyone about my deep attraction to her. In part because she is currently not single but also because I want to find my Kaelin mates before I begin chasing her. The bones have confirmed that is the best direction to follow to secure my Velari and complete my mating circle.
From my hidden vantage spot, I watched Zenaida—currently wearing the form of an anthropomorphic elephant—laughing with Nyx, Elias, Raine… and someone else. A male with medium brown hair and deceptively tranquil eyes partially hidden by glasses. He is almost hovering in her space, but he toes the boundary respectfully. For half a second, I assumed this male was Byron based on his physical attributes. Then I look again, and I realize no. That male isn't Byron.
One, Byron doesn't wear glasses— prescription or otherwise. Two, this male watches Zen like she's the axis the room turns on. According to the report I received, Byron is an unimpressive boyfriend, and Zenaida might break up with him soon. This is an interesting development.
When my gaze landed on Raine, I noticed how he was subtly watching Zenaida like she was a puzzle he wanted to solve. My wolf bristled, recognizing a predator circling what is mine. The scent of his curiosity was almost... possessive. Me too, Raine. Me too. What games is Fate playing tonight to have me discover two potential Kaelin?
I made my way over to the group. When I reached them, I reappeared on the other side of Elias and across from Zenaida. I joined them just in time to see Zenaida's and Nyx's illusion masks do their hourly shift. Now they are both dressed in eastern-inspired horned suits of armor. Upon spotting me, Zenaida drunkenly grins.
"Lux! May I call you Lux?" Zen asked but continued talking before I could answer. "Perfect timing. This is Säntiägo. He is my other best friend and will be starting his senior year at the Kaethryn Institute—main branch here in the capital come the new year. He is in the diplomat training track." He blushed as she beamed proudly at him.
The name clicked into place.
Ah. Byron's twin brother. I gave him a nod when we made eye contact. It was during our eye contact that I felt his aura yield to mine. He is an Alpha, but he has no problem yielding without protest. He has by no means submitted to me, but he has made it clear that he doesn't wish to fight me unless he has to. A good trait dynamic to have in a diplomat. I give him another nod, then make almost direct eye contact with Raine. With a raised eyebrow, he proves that while he isn't challenging me, he also isn't going to yield without a fight.
It's my birthday, but I don't wish to fight on it, so I let my gaze drift to my approaching twin. He looks more put together than I expected. He must have gotten away before the candidates could latch onto him. His piercing gaze conveyed that retribution was imminent, and I had better brace myself for the repercussions of my actions.
Aspen soon joined us, breathless and angling himself to be partially hidden by Elias. Once secure in his hiding position, he turns his piercing gaze upon me. "You abandoned me."
"You were doing fine," I respond while moving to reposition myself on the other side of Nyx and directly beside Zenaida. I couldn't help brushing my arm against her—leaving a scent mark on her. The sour, sweet fragrance of her lemon and osmanthus scent was like a light vapor surrounding her. I couldn't have stopped myself from marking her if I had tried.
I knew it wasn't the polite thing, but with potential rivals or Kaelin present, I had to stake my claim now to avoid misunderstandings later. Her eyes were glazed, completely blissed out, unaware of what I'd just done. The realization that she was too far gone to even register my claim sent a spike of heat through me—possessive, primal, and entirely mine to feel in that moment.
I ignored those in the group that clocked what I did. I instead kept the other half of my focus on the actual immediate threat, Aspen. "How did you get away? Those doctors from the Tenebryn region had a lot to talk to you about, both professionally and personally. Didn't one of them give you her…?" He moved so fast to cover my mouth that if I hadn't sensed the lack of any essence being used, I would swear he teleported.
With a menacing look and what I swear were flames in his eyes, he spoke so softly that I doubted only another shifter would be able to hear his words. My blood went cold, then hot. My wolf immediately cowered in the corners of my psyche wanting no part of Aspen's anger. "If you don't shut up, I will preserve and dismember you, then keep you on a shelf watching that horrifying kid show that gave you nightmares when we were kids. Push me, brother, and I will paint this room with your blood."
Yea, he is beyond pissed and well on his way to rage. I need to distract him so he forgets to claim this debt from me. I was under no delusion that I wouldn't have to pay the piper eventually, but I didn't want to spend the rest of our birthday dealing with his abrasive aura.
Looking around, I noticed we were close to the secret arcade room Keir suggested be set up for anyone who wanted to get away from the politics in the room and just have fun. So I did teleport out of my brother's grasp to make the suggestion. "Hey, would anybody be interested in checking out the arcade room? Keir was in charge of it, so I'm sure there are some pretty sweet games in there." I backed up until I was right in front of the wall, the cool stone pressing against my spine. I looked around to make sure no one but the group in front of me was paying attention before I took another step back and went through the wall.