I observe Queen Josie, appreciating her beauty and formidable presence. She is petite, akin to Melina, measuring five feet in height, with long white hair cascading over her shoulders and striking honey-colored eyes. Her tanned skin is adorned with tattoos on her wrists and palms.
I had heard tales of the Ivory Twins from my mother, yet I never anticipated encountering one of them. Her gaze exudes a gentle kindness as she advances, extending her hand in greeting. Ricky and Melina grasp my arms, both seeking solace in the presence of such a formidable entity. Josie’s smile diminishes slightly upon witnessing their trepidation, prompting her to step back in deference.
“There is no reason to fear me,” she states softly. “I-I will not harm you.”
I attempt to express my gratitude to her for hosting us, but my words falter, resulting in a cough instead.
“Speak, you fool,” Jimmy mutters. “A royal is addressing you.”
What would you like me to articulate? I enquire, my mouth sensation like to being filled with sand.
Jimmy retorts sarcastically, “Tell her a knock-knock joke. What do you mean ‘what do I say’?” He shouts, “Introduce yourself, idiot!”
Josie abruptly erupts in laughing, causing my cheeks to heat at the potential source of her amusement.
“Your wolf is amusing,” her gentle voice murmurs in my mind.
My eyes practically bulge from their sockets as I gaze at the Queen, contemplating whether I had inadvertently lowered my defences and intruded into her thoughts.
Apologies for the interruption. “I am a telepath,” she responds bashfully before I can comprehend the situation. “It seems you possess the same ability…”
“I would not classify us as telepaths,” Jimmy mutters, and I promptly dismiss him to prevent additional embarrassment.
“I apologise if I am encroaching upon your boundaries,” Josie exhales. “You appeared as though you wished to express something but may have been too apprehensive?”
I push my lips together and shake my head at her. “M-my voice…” “It simply fails to function,” I respond, averting my eyes to conceal my embarrassment.
A sudden pressure grips my temples, and silence envelops my mind before Josie emits a harsh scream, retreating to brace herself against her desk. Tears well in her eyes upon our gaze meeting, and her expression conveys that she has witnessed my existence unfold before her.
In a bid to preserve my remaining dignity, I shake my head at her imploringly.
“I implore you to keep this confidential,” I beseech her, wishing to shield Ricky from the knowledge of the despicable individual she associates with. “My friend… she is unaware.” She will not desire me if you disclose that I stutter.
Josie’s gaze shifts to Ricky, who embraces Bray tightly and buries her face in his shoulder. She observes Ricky briefly before averting her eyes.
“You are unaware…” she vocalises, primarily to herself more than to me. “She does not despise you,” she whispers mentally. “She merely fears you… and the potential consequences of your actions.”
Prior to enquiring about her meaning, the doors swing open, and a grey pit bull rushes into the room, enthusiastically kissing Josie’s face with a lengthy pink tongue. A man in an elegant black suit enters, walking by us to approach Josie.
Point of View
“Welcome to River Moon,” Josie states, her golden eyes assessing us. “Are you Ricky?” she enquires, extending her hand towards my mate.
He looms above her diminutive form, cradling her cheeks as he leans down to kiss her.
“You are repulsive,” Andrew retches, his words stunning me since I had entirely overlooked his presence.
The man retorts, “Why don’t you leap off a bridge?” while Andrew chuckles to himself.
“Mark!” Josie admonishes, shoving the man aside. “Refrain from being impolite. We have visitors!”
The man remains steadfast, showering her face with kisses. “Tu es ma priorité (You are my priority),” he whispers, prompting Josie to furrow her brows in contemplation.
“I am…your…priority?” she enquires, arching an eyebrow at him as his grin broadens.
“Excellent! Your proficiency in French is advancing,” he responds with joy.
“Your manners are lacking,” she retorts, averting her gaze to conceal her flushed cheeks while propelling the man towards us.
The man faces us and smiles. “I am Mark Scoza, Alpha of the River Moon Pack and King of the Kingdom of the Ivory Phoenix. You must be Tiana’s acquaintances.”
Noticing Ricky’s silence, I respond with a nod.
“May I pet your dog?” Bray enquires, his gaze fixed on the pit bull frolicking about Josie’s feet.
Mark whistles while kneeling, prompting the dog to approach and sit on its hind legs.
“This is Muppet,” he states while caressing the dog’s fur. “He is an exceptionally good boy. Would you like to offer him a treat?”
Bray enthusiastically nods, attempting to push away from his mother to be released, but Ricky obstinately clings to him as though her life hinges on it.
