"Right. I suppose it's kind of like a scar, but it never disappears as the mark left is an acceptance of the claim and marks each partner as off limits to others." 'Doubt it would have stopped Brad… it didn't stop your father either...' Maeve muttered angrily. Ann chose to ignore Maeve’s comment but she knew that Maeve was right. The mark wasn't infallible, it just signified ownership if you really thought about it. "Dad already explained what would happen if you tried to mark someone that wasn't your mate, so I know that it's not possible to do that alone. But, we were thinking, if we infused the mark on each of you with Dad's binding magic and magic to prevent healing… he thinks that it might work." Ann chewed her lip as she thought Lexi's words over. It wasn't a bad idea in theory. They would be bound to each other and wear each other's marks and it would scar as normal. By all outward appearances, it was entirely possible that this might work. "There's just one catch
The best way that she could do that was by dressing not in the reds and golds of the royal family, but instead wearing the traditional colors of royal blue and silver that were prominent in Alpha Nocturne's Pack. After all, she was Alpha Nocturne's Luna now and as far as everyone else was concerned she was his true mate and he, against all odds, her second chance mate. 'Ha! They know! Look how pissed the whores' expressions are!’?Maeve shouted gleefully. She was right. Her stepmother looked as if she wanted to murder her where she stood, Ada's face was set in the familiar fake mask of smiles but her Jaw was clenched tightly and her stare unbroken as Ann approached. Ann's father just looked confused at her choice of outfit as his eyes swept over her in a cursory glance. Ann beamed widely as she ascended the stairs and greeted them all courteously but with no warmth in her words. "Did you forget the dress code for official functions?" Her father asked with a slight frown of
A strong she-wolf held her own and relied on no one but herself to solve her issues, a strong Luna would keep her mate on track for scheduled appointments and required functions. Ada was failing to do either and the wolves in attendance were vicious with their tongues. All of a sudden, Ann spotted Lexi among the crowd of the press being processed for entrance to the function and she grinned widely. She excused herself and with a reluctant nod from her father she left the dais and made her way over to her. Ada watched the back of Ann hurry over to the doorway and sneered. "This is all her fault! I can't believe she got over Brad so damn quickly. I hope she gets what she deserves!" She hissed as her mother narrowed her eyes dangerously at her. "If you hadn't been so damn impatient and just gone along with our original plan, this wouldn't be an issue. I can't believe you were stupid enough to get pregnant to such a weak wolf." Ann’s stepmother, Narcissa hissed angrily at her dau
She grimaced and shrugged, as she focused intently on the digital screen of the camera she had brought along. "They wanted a journalist from the agency to report, so here I am. If they don't like it, they can eat my ass." She snorted as she frowned in concentration. Ann watched her struggle with the camera for a little while as they made their way to a quieter area of the ballroom. She grabbed a drink for them both from one of the passing waiters and they took their places unobtrusively on a little chaise lounge at the side. "Ah, Jesus… finally! God, I hate these things sometimes." Lexi muttered as she turned her attention fully to Ann. "Okay, sorry about that, these damn cameras can be a nightmare sometimes. Now. Maeve. Brad. Spill." Ann chuckled. She wasn't sure it was a good idea to discuss that with her here. If the wrong person heard even the slightest whisper of what had gone on, she was sure that the resulting PR disaster would not be pretty. "I think, I'll probably
Her face took on a grim look of determination as she realized that there was no fixing it tonight. The pictures of the pregnant wolf and the unwilling Alpha would be plastered across tomorrow's headlines whether she liked it or not. The Alpha King gestured for Ann to come forward as Ada took her seat next to Brad and Lexi whistled lowly under her breath. "What a fucking car crash… good luck!" Ann said nothing and walked slowly towards the dais feeling all attention riveted on her as her father spoke to the assembled guests. "Please, excuse my daughter, Princess Ada. This is a stressful time for her. We had hoped to keep the news a secret for a little while longer but as I'm sure you're aware, Ada and Brad are expecting pups." He beamed proudly as the crowd gasped and questions began to be fired in quick succession at the family on stage. "Wait… but I thought that Alpha Brad was mated to Princess Ann?!" "That's right! They were supposed to have been married this week! What
"Please, everyone, if you would like to move through to the banqueting hall, we'll continue there," Narcissa announced to the remaining people in the ballroom. "We have another announcement to make and the traditional gift-giving between the Alpha King and his daughter." Ann rolled her eyes as Lexi linked her arm through hers and forcibly coerced her through the small entryway and into the banquet hall. The Royal family sat at the head table as the banquet was well underway. Before long, Narcissa stood and called everyone's attention. "I'd like to propose a toast before the gift-giving." She said graciously as she raised her glass and the rest of the room hastened to follow. "Here's to the long and happy marriage of Ada and Brad, and the long and healthy lives of their pups. The marriage signifies the strengthening of our kind and brings us together in an alliance not only of diplomacy but also of blood… please, drink to the happy couple." Narcissa beamed as she gulped the
He knew she was going to launch herself at Ann before she did it. He had never moved so fast in his life. The desperation he felt caused his heart to race uncontrollably as his wolf snapped and howled inside his head, frantic for him to intervene before it was too late. He launched himself towards her and as he wrapped his arms around her, the impact of the collision knocked her off course. They skidded across the banquet hall floor and collided with the wall to the side heavily. Ann's body took the brunt of the impact and whatever had happened to force her to transform in that way began to recede. In a matter of seconds, Ann had returned to normal and as she opened her eyes, she was greeted by the frowning face of Alpha Nocturne. "Are you okay?" He asked, his arms still held securely around her. "Yeah, I-I think so. My head hurts like hell though..." She grimaced. Adam helped her to stand and checked her over as Lexi arrived next to them. "Ann, that was cool and al
"I will not. I am her second chance mate, and she is my Luna." "No!" The Alpha King roared, "I forbid it! I will not consent to the match!" Again the room erupted into protests, only this time, far louder. Who was he to deny the fate given by the Moon Goddess? Did he think himself above their goddess? He didn't have the authority to make that decision! "It's too late for that, father," Ann spoke finally, suddenly tired of this back and forth between the two. " I have accepted the match and we are marked and mated. Ironic that I have found more love and solace in the arms of my second chance mate than I ever did in the arms of my family-" "Ann…" The Alpha King's expression was a mixture of pain, grief, and guilt, all rolled into one. As much as it tore her heart apart, the fact that he was so willing to give her mother's heirlooms away to a child he had sired with his mistress, well, it was the last straw. "I won't neglect my duties as a member of the Royal family, but I w