49. Cade
Cade
When Kaya emerged from Helen and Marks's room, my jaw nearly hit the floor. Her dark blue dress hugged her body like a second skin. Her chest tattoo complemented her gown like it was an intricate necklace. Her hair was up off her shoulders, showing her delicate neck. I had never seen her with her hair up. Her makeup drew my attention to her dark brown eyes. I didn't know where to look; everything about her pulled me into her more.
Her eyes traveled over my body, examining how I looked in a suit. We had matched unintentionally. My navy suit complimented her dress. I pulled her close to me, feeling her bare back. Her dress was backless. Good goodness, how was I supposed to keep my hands to myself tonight when she looked like that with so much skin exposed. I peeked at her back to see her Crescent Moon Pack tattoo on her back. It trailed up her spine.
No one would know what it meant, but I did. It was there on her skin. Though she was my Luna of the shadow pack, she would always have ties to the Crescent Moon Pack. I didn't know what that meant. Will she always pick this pack over that one, or would it be the other way around ? There were better times to ponder these things, but I did every so often. I took her arm and led her down the stairs. Helen would meet Mark and Len, Saka and Kimi, and Robert would remain close to Kaya.
I had to admit Robert had turned out to be a great guard for Kaya. As soon as he learned who and what his job would be, he learned sign language. He has been studying and working with Kaya, and from what Mark told me, Len and Saka also started teaching him their native tongue. He was quite the linguist from a conversation I overheard between Saka and him.
Kaya and I entered the room and announced that Jack would introduce Annalise. It was ridiculous all the pomp and circumstance surrounding Annalise. She was, however, eating it up. I knew she would. I cut through the crowd, moving so Kaya and I could reach her. When we did, I finally got to speak. "Jack, Annalise, there is someone I think you may like to meet." I raised my hand and motioned for Charlie, who quickly came over. "This is Charlie; he is the alpha of the Red Moon Pack." Annalise's eyes roamed over him.
Charlie asked her to dance and thank the goddess she accepted. Jack looked at Kaya for a long time. I didn't like that he was looking at her body the way he was. "Jack, Charlie is my first choice for Annelise. He is a strong alpha. His pack is not too big, but he is a great leader." "Yes, of course." He should be more concerned about his daughter finding a mate than checking out mine. "Cade, would you mind if I took Kaya for a dance?"
"I would like my mates' first dance, maybe later tonight." "Of course." I led Kaya away from him. What was his problem? He hated her, and now he seemed to openly look at her like she was food and he was starving. What the actual fuck was he thinking. I led Kaya to an open place on the dance floor and held her close. We started, and she was doing beautifully. "You look beautiful." I mind-linked her. "I don't think I have said it yet, but you are the most beautiful one here." She flushed.
"You look pretty devastating yourself." "I can't believe your hair is up." "Don't get used to it." "I want you to stay close to Robert tonight." "Why is that?" "I don't like the way Jack was looking at you." "What, like he wanted me dead?" "Kaya, that was the opposite of the look he gave you. Just stay close to Robert tonight, okay?" "Alright, I will ensure he is at arm's length unless I am dancing, but I will keep him in eyeshot." "Good." The dance continued, and we did in silence. After the dance was done, I hurried off. I wished to remain close to Kaya through the night, but I needed to present Annalise around, and Kaya was not one to help with that.
She hated her, and Kaya had every reason to hate her. I, in truth, despised the woman, and I felt horrible about having to set a match for her. But I had told Jack I would, and I needed to ensure we kept in good standing with Black Night Pack as they were the largest on the continent. The wolves in our pack were probably the best fighters on the continent besides those in the North. Still, we would be vastly outnumbered if any fighting should break out, and it was something that I could remember.
Many packs hated that we had made a comeback. It had taken three packs to bring us almost to extinction when my parents were the ones who ruled the Shadow pack. I don't know why others hated it when one pack was so strong. Kaya explained that the northern packs never fought. They had a comradery, and I wished the southern packs had the same.
But that was just not how it was, and I had to ensure that my pack survived no matter what. Mating with Kaya gave us an alliance with the North if we ever needed it. Still, they were so far away, and communication was only between Kaya and them or the long call I could make with a satellite phone. With the North and Shadow Pack fighting, I knew we would never lose a war, but they would not get here in time before the North could ever come to our aid if we needed it.
No, we would be overrun if anyone attacked Shadow Pack due to sheer numbers. I did not wish to see another slaughter like the one that happened when I was a child. I looked at Kaya as she went and stood with her friends and Robert. Robert signed to her, and she burst out laughing. She seemed so carefree, whereas I always had things on my mind. I was jealous that she could just enjoy the party, and yet I had to parade around Annalise like she was something anyone would want to be stuck with.
Charlie approached me. "Well, she is beautiful, and she seems nice enough. What do you think? Do you think she will be a good Luna? Does she know how to lead people?" "Well, she has been brought up to be a Luna. Her father always knew she would be one, so she should know how to lead people." It was not a lie. She should know how to do those things. I felt a twist in my gut for Charlie. I did not think he would enjoy being mated to her. "If I take her on, I would also gain her father's pack." "Yes, and the money and the land and everything upon his death."
"I can't make any decisions based on a dance. I would need to spend more time with her, but the offer is enticing. How did you get the job of helping her find a mate." "I was supposed to mate with her. But, as you know, I found Kaya, and she was my goddess-given mate, so I chose her instead." I left out, of course; I planned to break off the engagement before then.
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