She understood where they are coming from; this sort of active aggression could not go unanswered. She reached for Magnus. She was trying to break away when, all of a sudden, she was knocked to the floor, into the opening in front of the table. She gasped as the wind was knocked from her lungs and a loud roar echoed through the cavern. It was ear shattering. The hair on the back of her neck rose.
Everyone froze, looking at each other in confusion. In the back of the cavern, there was an answering roar. She looked up to see the sea of people part. Declan stalked toward her. For the rest of her life, she would never forget the sight. He seemed to have grown in size, bulked up his muscles, and expanded his shaggy blond hair. It had lengthened and seemed to billow about his head by an unseen wind, like a mane. His eyes were honey colored and his canines were extended. He snarled and growled. Everyone, friend or foe, quietly and carefully began to back away.
Declan reached for her and pulled her up and close to his body. He looked out at the crowd. "That is enough!" he bellowed. "Times are changing; if you don't like it, leave!" The word was roared and echoed through the chamber. "You're putting innocent people in danger, including my mate. If you have a valid complaint, step forward and use the appropriate channels. Your voices will be heard."
Kari laid a comforting hand on his chest as he breathed hard. She looked around at the faces. "Prince Magnus is not trying to take anything away from you. He is trying to give you so much."
"Liar!" a haughty voice cried out.
Kari looked to see Gerald hissing. She looked at the crowd of the Founding Family members behind him. "What has he told you?"
"That Prince Magnus gave away his mate to the wolves to keep them satisfied."
Kari blinked "That is not true. Rachelle is happy. She found her true mate amongst the wolves."
"It is true!" a female voice called.
The people stepped aside to allow Rachelle and Peter to step into the open circle.
"I am happy. I am truly happy. Prince Magnus has not forced me to do anything, in fact, he has supported me every step of the way."
Kari smiled. "The fair is part of a celebration for Rachelle as she is with child. The first for Noctem Falls in centuries."
The Founding Families looked shocked at the news.
"Truly?" one of the females asked, stepping forward. "Even though she is with a wolf shifter."
Kari nodded. "Yes, as am I." Everyone stared at her she placed a hand over her stomach. "I am a vampire." She looked up at Declan who was still scowling at the crowd. "My mate is a shifter. Rachelle is a vampire and her mate is a shifter. Our Prince's own niece is a shifter, and her mate is a vampire, and they are expecting. Your Prince is literally trying to breathe new life into the city. For the first time in ages, we will have children here, our own children."
Prince Magnus stepped off the table and stood behind her. "I could not have said it better myself. In the past week, we have had three pregnancies announced, and if that is not Fate telling us we are doing something right, I do not know what is. You do not have to like me, but you will respect me!"
Magnus never raised his voice, but the power emanating from him nearly drove Kari to her knees. If it weren't for Declan supporting her arm, she might've ended up on the floor like many of the Founding Family members. The energy pulsed and swirled around him like heat waves off of blacktop in summer. When she looked over, Rex and Emeric stood at the edge of the crowd looking pissed off.
Behind Magnus, in the silence, she heard a small voice.
"R.E.S.P.E.C.T find out what it means to me. Sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me."
Kari shook her head and rested her forehead on Declan's chest. Behind Magnus, Meryn was dancing, punching the air as if she was fake boxing and prancing back and forth. When Kari sneaked a glance, she saw that Magnus' lips were twitching violently. Though his eyes still remained a bit angry, he was having a hard time keeping up his scowl.
When she looked up, Declan now looked normal. He was watching Meryn, his eyes wide, and a smile on his face. Throughout the crowd, at first there were titters, then chuckles, and finally, open laughter.
Standing behind Meryn, watching her antics, Aiden shook his head, his cheeks flushed. Kari figured by now he was probably used to his little mate's crazy ways.
Trish, the aggravating woman that threw her past affair with Declan in her face stepped forward out of the throng of Founding Family members. She was fighting a smile as well.
"I do not know about the others, but I would be very interested in meeting some of these wolves. Especially if one of them could be my mate and give me a child." Trish winked up at one of the tall wolves whose eyes grew wide. He instinctively took a step back, unsure what to do. When her fangs extended and peeked out over her lips, he gulped. Finding his courage, he stepped forward and grinned at her.