Queen of Death

Solana

Last time we saw my dads they were nothing but handshakes and backslaps with Ace and the guys. You know, chummy shit. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beneficial for me for my dads to like the guys. But for as hot as they usually run, they’re shooting nothing but ice at the guys as we walk upstairs and into the meeting room.

Their glares and rising heat are the only acknowledgment that they’re aware of the shift between me and the guys, what we are to one another now.

Where my fathers not-so-quietly brood in the corner, Rhys decides it’s a good time to poke the bear – or, more accurately, the wolves.

He slides up next to Ace with what I’m sure he thinks is a clever grin and leans into his space. “Soo, I’m sorry I just gotta know. Did our dads pay extra for a happy ending or is that something you threw in just for fun?”

That was the right wrong-thing to say. To top it off, he thought he spoke softly enough that no one else would hear him but my dads’ Alpha hearing picked it up anyway and now the majority of the men in the room are on fire.

Luckily my family is all used to Rhys’ antics so I don’t think my dads’ ire is directed at him necessarily, at least not entirely. Unfortunately that means those death glares are meant for Death.

Cole holds back a thrashing Hunter, managing to reprimand our brother through his teeth. “Rhys for fuck’s sake, can we go one day without you being yourself?”

The rest of my guys all take their cues from Ace, who is now towering over Rhys looking calm and cool on the outside but billowing heat from the inferno within.

“I’ve refused every dime of your fathers’ money because protecting my Queen isn’t a job, it’s an honor.” Ace growls, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. He grabs Rhys by the collar of his shirt, pulling him closer so Ace can speak into his ear. “But ‘biting the shit out of her,’ as you so eloquently put it, was more than fun.”

Ace lets go of Rhys and Cole lets go of Hunter, who immediately clocks Rhys with an iron fist. “Speak about my mate like that again Rhys and I swear to the Gods it’ll be the last thing you ever say.”

Ace’s wolf calls to Hunter’s to settle down, pushing his pride and admiration for Hunter’s actions through the bond and calling for a ceasefire.

“Got that out of your systems?” My mother says in a tone as soft as thunder. It’s a rhetorical question. She gestures to the table for all of us to have a seat. My parents and siblings, my mates, Hunter’s parents, and Griffin and his parents are all present and accounted for. Even my uncle Incandis and aunt Kat are here.

“I believe we left off with your theory that Elena is connected to Sol’s bounty, so let’s pick up where we left off.” My mom says.

Ace nods to Tate who already has his laptop and tablet set up on the table. He goes through our findings — the money, the change of hands, the people listed by name. Then he lists off all the circumstantial evidence implicating Elena in this plot — the timing of her being appointed and the bounty being posted, my poisoning, the fact that the facility guards were tipped off that we’d be there.

“We need to hit all three. The facility, Lobo, and the Elders. Rip them out by the root.” Tate finishes his presentation.

Moving only her eyes my mom hazards a glance at my fathers, trying to gauge their opinion. “We can start with Lobo and the facility but we don’t touch the Elders until I have the chance to explain to my uncle why his fiancé must die an incredibly painful death.”

“If you do that then he’s going to tip off Elena just like he’s done, intentionally or not, every other time.” I bark with the bite to match. “We need to get to all three as soon as possible so we don’t lose the element of surprise. Otherwise you’re jeopardizing hundreds of lives.”

“Your mother has a point, Solana. Even if we’re on the right side of the battle we can’t swoop in with an army and clean house. Her colony’s intentions could be misconstrued and called into question by other colonies worldwide.”

I don’t miss the way Ace called it her colony and not my colony. I’m too busy fuming about him disagreeing with me to linger on it though.

“So we agree? We go after Lobo and the facility, table the Elders until further notice.” My mom says.

Everyone nods, because no one is going to go against the Queen’s command. No one except another Queen.

— — —

Ace

Xander, Griffin, and I teleport everyone back to the Grove to prepare. We have an hour to gear up and then we’re expected in the war room to go over final logistics.

Solana isn’t happy that we’re not going after the Elders today, but her mother is right. Showing up to council HQ without an airtight plan is reckless. That didn’t stop her from pleading her case to her mother one last time.

While Solana meets with her mother, the guys and I quickly change and gear up thanks to Hunter. I convince the guys to walk downstairs rather than teleport so that I can pass by Magnolia’s office and peek in on Sol.

They’re arguing about something in hushed tones when we pass by. My heart constricts with the need to comfort her, to give her what she wants and needs. But my wolf pulls me back and reminds me that in order to keep her safe she can’t get her way. Not this time.

We’re the first to make it downstairs so I don’t stop the guys when they pile into the lounge and load their favorite video game. We’re no strangers to these kinds of missions. We don’t need the pomp and circumstance of prepping for the big battle. It’s just another day.

After watching Hunter lose gracelessly to Eli several times I pick up on Sol’s scent getting stronger. I follow its trail like a cartoon cat might float towards a pie in the window but I’m woefully ill prepared for the sight before me.

“It’s not funny,” Xander practically shrieks at Sol and her mother.

“Xander it’s ok,” I think it’s Magnolia who runs an inappropriately familiar hand up his chest to soothe him. I say I think it’s Magnolia because she and Solana may as well be twins. They’re both dressed in all black and matching boots, gaiters around their necks that can be pulled up to cover the lower half of their faces. Not to mention their signature white hair and flaming green eyes.

“What’s not funny?” My curiosity gets the better of me.

“Xander thought I was mom,” Solana doesn’t elaborate but the sly tilt of her mouth paints a more vivid picture.

He thought I was mom and hugged me from behind. He commented on my scent being different. That’s when mom walked in. He’s obviously embarrassed. Solana tells me through mindlink and if my wolf wasn’t snarling at him putting his hands on my mate I might find it as funny as she does.

“Perhaps I should let Tate put a collar on you. One with your name on it and everything. Then there will be no doubting who you are.” I eye her suggestively. Her breath hitches when she catches my meaning and her arousal blooms in the air around me.

“Perhaps I should shove your head up your ass, how’s that for a collar?” Her father Ro growls from the kitchen’s threshold.

“Ro!”

“Dad!”

She and her mom hiss at him together. Gods it’s eerie how similar their mannerisms really are. The most distinct difference, besides their scents, is the warmth in Solana’s eyes. The way they soften with relief when she looks my way. Magnolia is a stone cold Queen to everyone other than her mates, and apparently Xander.

I can see the ways in which Solana tries to emulate her mom. The strength, confidence, and conviction with which she makes her decisions. Solana can try all she wants but she’ll never be her mother, nor do I want her to be. Magnolia is more beast than human, there’s an innately feral quality about her. But Solana? She’s sunshine. She’s joy and heartbreak, curiosity and rage. Her body pulses with red-blooded emotion and I love her for it.

Magnolia shoos us into the war room. We map out our routes and plan of attack. We’ve got contingency plans for our contingency plans and this time we make sure everyone comes home together.

“Once we have control of the facility we will be able to flush Alec out. Tate will be able to wreak havoc on Lobo’s accounts and investments remotely from their command room.” I reaffirm.

Magnolia nods and motions for the teleporters to get into position. “Alright then. What are we waiting for? Let’s get this done.”