PROLOGUE
Three weeks ago
The image of his mate's soulful brown eyes looking up at him in resignation before leaving, ate at him. It was three o'clock in the morning, and he was awake, again. He didn't even need to look at the clock; he'd been waking up at the same time for weeks.
In his dream she always turned from him to pick up a gun and walk away.
Was she in danger and choosing to leave to keep him safe? Did she feel like she had no other options? Growling, he rolled over onto his side and prayed for dreamless sleep.
Chapter One
Ari made his way downstairs, rubbing his face. For the past week he had been training with his commander and the unit leaders of the Gamma and Beta units. Never in his life did he think that their enemies would ever find a way to not only make themselves invisible, but also gain entry to Éire Danu. The protective measures created by the fae queen to reach their city were supposed to be impregnable.
When he reached the dining room, he was surprised to see that both his parents and older brother had made it downstairs before him. Then again, he was probably the only one being plagued by nightmares, which caused his sleep to be brief and restless.
Not to say that being an Elder was without problems of their own, but he was feeling especially prickly this morning due to broken sleep. No doubt Jedrek and Rex Lionhart would handle this sort of thing in stride, yet he found himself getting irritated over the smallest of things. He wished he were more like his mother. Catherine Lionhart only lost her composure when something happened to one of her sons. He was nowhere near her levels of aplomb.
"Good morning, darling," his mother said, tilting her head for him to kiss her cheek. Smiling, he could no more refuse her than he could refuse to breathe.
He dutifully bussed her cheek and inhaled her perfume. She smelled like pride, and the perfume she wore was one she had been using since before he had been born. He would always associate it with his mother, and it never failed to calm him.
"Good morning, Mother. May I say that you are looking exceptionally beautiful this morning."
His mother's eyes twinkled as she lifted a hand up to cup his face. "It's because I have two of my boys home."
Rex chuckled. "You'd be just as beautiful even if I weren't visiting."
"Well said, son," his father replied gruffly, lifting his coffee cup to his lips.
Ari sat down in the empty seat by his mother. "Any updates?"
Rex shook his head. "Meryn said she'd text me with any news regarding the queen. But between the two of us, I think she's at a snapping point."
"Meryn or the queen?"
"Meryn. She, Darian, and Oron have tried broaching the topic of ferals many times and have been completely shut down each time. The people are getting restless, something has to be done."
His mother nodded. "If anyone can ferret out what is wrong with Queen Aleksandra, it's that tiny typhoon."
Ari sat back in his chair. "Can you believe she is second in line for the throne?" he asked no one in particular.
Rex shrugged. "Yes and no."
Their father eyed his eldest son. "What do you mean by that?"
"I know you believe her to be flakey and prone to outbursts, and it's true she does to tend to cause chaos around her naturally, but she also has to be one of the most brilliant minds I have ever witnessed in action, except for Declan of course."
"Of course." His mother confirmed.
Jedrek shook his head. "She has no respect for tradition or decorum."
Ari watched as his brother's eyes narrowed. "Do not judge her so quickly. She just about single-handedly saved Noctem Falls from a magic-borne virus and courageously jumped into a transport tunnel to save Kari from certain death. Her mind simply works better without social constraints, and her bravery helps her to speak up and make changes that benefit everyone."
Ari felt as shocked as his father looked. Rex, in all the years he had known him had never gainsaid their father.
Jedrek recovered quickly. "You have spent more time with her than I have." He rubbed his jaw. "I have to admit, even Magnus had nothing but glowing things to say about her. I will be guided by you in this, Rex."
His mother's smile was partially hidden by her teacup. "Probably a good idea, dear," she murmured.
His father gave his mate a wry look. "That human has wormed her way into your heart as well?"
“Half- human,” Rex corrected.
Jedrek simply nodded his acknowledgment and looked to his mate for an answer.
She set her cup down. "Doing something simply for the sake of tradition without reason or purpose is asinine, doing those things repeatedly and expecting different results is insanity. I find it refreshing that Meryn can see into the heart of matters and ask questions that allow those around her to see beyond our traditions."
Jedrek's mouth dropped. Catherine's words rang with truth and conviction. It was quite stunning to behold. Jedrek's eyes shifted to a tawny color. "Darling, what do you have planned after breakfast?"
Smiling, she looked down at her plate before lifting her heart-shaped face to grin at her mate. "Nothing t
hat cannot be rescheduled."
Rex chuckled. "And people wonder how you two have been blessed with so many children."
Their mother blushed, but laughed at his words. "We're tame compared to Byron and Adelaide McKenzie."
Ari snapped his fingers together. "Speaking of the McKenzies, is it true that Aiden challenged every level of Noctem Falls?"
Rex's grin turned evil. "It most certainly is true. An impudent tunnel escort's words had a devastating effect on Meryn. If Aiden had not challenged the city, I'm pretty sure Magnus would have." He winked at Ari. "Etain told me that Aiden started on Level Five and worked his way down. I swear his recounting of the tale has grown with each telling. If it hasn't been immortalized in our history books yet, it's only a matter of time."
Jedrek chuckled. "That boy most definitely takes after his father. Slow to rile, but once their bear is enraged, watch out."
"Good morning, Ari," a familiar voice called out in greeting.