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”What I really want to know, Stella, is why not one of our children felt the need to stand up and make a claim for Diveen, they have just as much right as Isola’s children, it was right there, right within their grasp. Not one of them stood. I’m not sure who I blame for their lack of drive, it must be your blood because I am sure it is not mine.”

It was about the fourth time I had had this discussion with Andromeda within as many hours and honestly I feel she might be getting tired of hearing it. That was unfortunate. I wasn’t tired of telling it yet and the point remained the same. The throne of Diveen has always been mine by rights, of that I am sure, my Father had simply been misguided in choosing Isola in the first place and Achilles after him and Hyrule after that. Honestly I might as well have not existed. I think he even liked Eden more then me. Eden. My own half brother though I still refused to allow that information to truly mean anything, a part of me still determined to believe Ava had been lying. She had to be. I couldn’t have a brother more successful then me. Alright, maybe I was overreacting a little but the point remains the same. Not one of my children stood for the throne of Diveen, it had been right their for the taking, Guardian in the least a perfect candidate. He had twice the fighting experience of Sola-whatever her name was and he had just sat back and let her take it. I have raised a family of underlings. The truth is finally clear. Honestly why Andromeda is not nearly so upset about this as I am I don’t know. Old age must be getting to her.

I was hardly young myself I suppose, the occasional bone ached during the winter and my horrifically damaged eye (it had very minor damage in the war I like to exaggerate) is occasionally a little more blurry around the ages then I remember but I still failed to acknowledge that I was aging for the most part. My form was still as entirely powerful as it had always been I am sure, each muscle and limb still toned and hard even if I was no longer required to go running about as Guardian now did in my stead, my own duties within the pack far less these days and I suppose I did complain about it. Not that I actually want more. Honestly I was pleased with the news Achilles had stepped down, Isola’s precious golden child finally having failed at something- the news her second born had simply stepped up however was less exhilarating. Not that anyone seemed to care but me. Oh look- they are already gathering for a party. Wonderful. The blue of my gaze narrowed momentarily upon Guardian and his son Hektor, the boy a whirlwind of energy I was also content to blame Andromeda for. Her blood I am sure, not mine, never mine. Either that or I blame Aviias. She was nice I suppose, actually I rather liked her but someone has to be blamed for societies faults and the fact my grandson has no tail. Probably because Guardian and Aviias were living in sin. I felt a smirk of sorts touch my lips, pleased Andromeda could not hear my internal monologue for once as I moved to lope forwards and towards my son, pausing briefly to brush against Isola. She was my sister after all and I suppose I loved her. I supposed I loved all of them, in the end.

”Guardian.”

He turned to face me then, muzzle extended to my own in the greeting of Angels, content to greet my son a moment before one paw lifted to rather abruptly smack him across the head.

”You didn’t think to stand up as Alpha?! You either Meryl? The both of you are in trouble.”

I hadn't forgotten Meryl either. My eldest son mght be a healer but he still could have made an effort to be King. The both of them evidently seemed determine to disappoint me. Why words were more like a hissed whisper, though im sure they heard me, my scowl deepening as I regarded him, muttering beneath my breath a moment as I waited for Andromeda to take a seat beside me, gaze looking upwards towards Solara now. I knew her of course, I had seen her about the pack since the day she was born and yet truly she had grown far more then I remembered her- the girl holding a distinct resemblance to her sire and grandsire on that side. Did she have any white on her at all? My head move to lean briefly to Andromeda, whispering to her alone now.

”Look at her eyes! She’s got something wrong with them! The Angel With The Funny Eyes, that’s what they’ll call her, I’m not admitting to anyone that’s my Alpha.”

I wasn’t being particularly adult about this situation but I didn’t particularly care. Who ever heard of a Queen with mismatched eyes? Ridiculous. I did manage a nod of my head to her all the same though, at least she had made some effort to look presentable despite her face. She can’t help that I suppose. Either way, in the end, she was at least deserving of a nod. You can’t choose your family- you just have to love them anyway.









AZRAEL

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"14 years ~ Andromeda ~ Sire of Meryl/Starfall/Guardian/Celeste/Iophiel/Mithos/Ambrosia/Elara/Zaphkiel ~ Diveen "