A Visit From the King

*Rowan*

Aloha King Jackson’s entourage pulls up outside of my front door unexpectedly. The guards have let me know he’s headed this way ever since he crossed into our territory. He’s taken the long way around, probably because he’s hoping not to draw any attention to himself from Alpha King Solomon and his people who would definitely be curious as to why his ally is showing up at my doorstep.

And to think, if Wilma hadn’t been caught, Solomon would be fully aware of all of this. I’m glad I’ve kept my agreement with Jackson a secret from basically everyone.

Hezzlie has run to her room to change into something more presentable and meets me in the foyer. She looks beautiful in a long red gown that makes her alabaster skin glow even more than usual. She notices me staring at her as she grasps my arm. “What?”

“Nothing,” I say, swallowing hard. “You’re… stunning.”

Her cheeks take on a rosy glow as she smiles at me. “You look pretty good yourself.”

I have also changed into a suit. It’s difficult for me to get some of the other Alpha Kings to take me seriously since I’m so much younger than most of them, but I do everything I can to try to remind them that I am also a grownup.

Whatever the hell that even means.

One of the servants opens the door, and King Jackson stands there flanked by two men large enough to give Dean a run for his money. He looks a bit older than I remember him to be, but then, I can’t remember the last time I was face to face with him. It was probably well before my father passed away.

“Alpha King Jackson,” I say in greeting. “Welcome to Moonstryker Mansion.”

“Thank you,” he says, looking around. It’s as if he’s not sure whether or not it’s safe for him to come in. I’ve purposely asked my warriors and guards to stay out of view, but they are ready should things get out of hand. I can’t imagine why they would. “Forgive me for showing up unannounced, but I received some information from Solomoln recently that made me think it was time for us to come up with a plan. I think he’s on the verge of launching a full scale attack.”

I nod. “Yes, of course. I appreciate you letting me know. Would you like to come up to my office where we can speak in private?”

He takes another cursory look around. “Would you mind if my Beta and head commander come with us?”

“Of course not,” I tell him. “As long as you don’t mind if my mate accompanies us?”

Jackson looks at Hezzlie now. I know he saw her before. She’s impossible to miss. But he’s really noticing her now. A polite smile takes over his face as he offers his hand. “Alpha King Jackson Hudson, at your service, miss.”

“Princess Hezzlie Stone,” she says, shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you, Your Majesty.”

“Please, Jackson is fine.” He has a charming smile, and a flame of jealousy ignites deep inside of me, but I snuff it out. It would be stupid of me to even consider the possibility that Hezzlie could be attracted to this man who is old enough to be her father.

With Hezzlie still on my arm, I turn and lead our guests upstairs. I notice several other of his pack members move into the house and stay in the foyer. I’m not bothered by it. I don’t blame him for being precautious, but we are working together now toward a common goal.

When we reach my office, I show him inside. We don’t sit at my desk, though, because that seems impersonal. Instead, we have a seat in the sitting area with the three of them on a couch and Hezzlie and I in chairs. There are a few other seats, and I contemplate inviting Aiden and Mara in, but I’ll wait on that for a bit. Aiden will play an important role in defeating his father, I have no doubt, but I want to make sure Jackson is comfortable before I make the crowd too large.

We begin with small talk. He congratulates us on our engagement. I ask after his family. He says he’d like to see Abby before he leaves, and I assure him that will be arranged. 

After about fifteen minutes of small talk, we get into the important part. “I hear you have Solomon’s wizard as a prisoner now. Is that right?” Jackson asks me.

I nod. “Apparently, his mate is a maid that has been working for my family for decades. She’d been supplying Alistair, and therefore Solomon, with information. When we caught her, he surrendered himself in an effort to save her life.”

Jackson raises an eyebrow. “And did you spare her life?”
“For now,” I tell him. “Seeing that she is directly involved in the death of both of my parents, it wasn’t easy to let her live.” That’s actually not true. I can’t imagine having to actually kill Wilma, no matter what she’s done, but I can’t let Jackson know that.

“Without his wizard, Solomon won’t stand a chance against us.” He turns his attention to Hezzlie. “You are quite powerful, I hear.”

“I can do some stuff,” she says with a nonchalant shrug. I almost laugh. To put it mildly.

“I think we have a strong advantage against him already,” I concur. “But I believe having you fight alongside us will further ensure that we are successful. Not to mention, I want to give you the opportunity to be on the right side of the fight.”

Jackson nods. “I appreciate that. And once Solomon is defeated, what then? What will become of Darksky territory?”

“Aiden Darksky will rule, with my sister, Mara, as his Luna Queen. They are mates. Aiden can be trusted by both of our kingdoms. In addition, I will compensate you for any warriors you may lose in the process.”

Jackson mulls that over. I don’t think that’s quite what he wanted to hear. I believe he wants territory. Maybe even half of Aiden’s land. I don’t intend to give that to him, though.

He strokes his chin and finally says, “What of the moonstones?”

“They are ready for you–as soon as we have an agreement,” I promise him. “Harvesting them isn’t easy,” I lie. “And I have no idea how many more are in the mine, but I’ve set aside some of the best ones for you. I believe they’ll be quite valuable to you. I do hope you’ll be careful whose hands they fall into, though. Some of the witches are capable of using their power.”

His eyes immediately shift to Hezzlie. “Are you able to unlock the power of the stones, Hezzlie?”

My fiancee nods. “I am.”

Our visitor nods, and it seems he’s made up his mind at hearing that. “May I see them?”

“Of course.” When I heard that Jackson was here, I took the moonstones I’d set aside for him in my desk drawer so that he wouldn’t see me opening the safe. No one needs to know where my secret safe is. I fetch them for him and hand him the bag.

Taking them from me, Jackson looks inside the bag, and his eyes widen. He tries to hide it from me. I know he wasn’t expecting me to be so generous. Still, I won’t be shocked if he doesn’t ask for me.

“This will do, I suppose,” he says, closing the bag. “But I will expect whatever compensation you provide for lost warriors to be in the form of moonstones as well.”

“That can be arranged,” I assure him.

“All right then. Let us get into the nitty gritty of it,” he proposes.

“Let’s. I believe we should move to the war room for that. My Beta will meet us there, as well as Prince Aiden.”

Jackson stands, as do I, and he follows me to the door as I use the mind-link to call for Dean, asking him to gather Aiden in the process. Hezzlie comes along as well. I grab her arm and don’t let go of it. She’s as much a part of this as anyone else, and anyone who thinks otherwise is in for a huge surprise.

King Solomon is in for the biggest surprise of all.