Chapter 16 – Moving Back to Wolf Country “Are you sure everything is packed up?” Atticus asks, his burgundy eyes filled with concern as he looks over every detail of the house we are saying goodbye to. Today is the day we leave to where the new pack will be, Alice and Blake excited to return to the forest and be a part of a proper pack that will treat them with respect. These last two years in the city has been good for all of us, especially when we would leave for summers with Bloodmoon or Silver Crystal Crescent to train. “Yes. Everything we will need is packed with us. Even the new furniture we plan to build once there. Ira even has a witch coming to help set up a secured pack line for us to prevent humans from wandering in if they aren’t mated to a supernatural.” I reassure the worrying vampire, wrapping my arms around him and giving him a long hug. I did not want to leave my uncle behind, I even offered to have him come live in the pack with us but
Chapter 17 – Pack Astraea We reach finally reach what will be my new pack house, a three story Victorian styled building with a large, updated kitchen, offices and a large library on the second floor, and bedrooms for guests on the third. I stare in awe at the magnificent building, the white brick covered in ivy but all the chimneys seem to be clear as smoke puffs from them. This will be my home for another year. Then I will have to pass the title on to someone else once I take back the Royal Pack. “You made it!” A voice calls out as I exit the vehicle and see Geminie rushing towards me, giving me a hug. “Yeah. We had a bit of a situation before reaching the boundary.” I answer, Alice scurrying over to me with a smile on her face. “Hi Gemmy!” “Hi Ally-cat!” I chuckle as Alice launches herself into the future Moon Goddess’ arms. These two grew close as Geminie figured out Alice can see aura during our first
Chapter 18 – A hard Conversation Sun light filtering through my window and onto my eyes has me waking from the sweet dream I was having. I sigh, closing my eyes for a moment to feel the power humming through my veins. It’s been three months since creating Astraea. Three months since we started accepting wolves to join. One day I will have to leave this pack to become Queen, so for now I will take this time in Astraea to practice being a fair and just leader. A groan beside me and a strong arm full of tattoos wrap around me, drawing me closer to a warm body. I smile, turning to face Albot who is fast asleep, his face peaceful as he tries to pull me closer. “Albot, we need to get up.” I whisper out, poking his cheek. He growls gently, pulling me even closer to him as he buries his face into my hair, inhaling my scent. I smile, relishing in his warmth and waiting for the day we can claim each other as mates. It’s something we talked about months after gett
Chapter 19 – A Hidden Spy Staring at the photos on my desk sent to my by Atticus, I sigh. It seems my hunch was right with not trusting her. Suddenly, the door to my office is thrown open and a frazzled looking Matrix walks in, his hair in disarray and his clothing crumpled. I haven’t seen him since last week when Maya and he got into a fight. “Crysta, I need your help.” He starts with, closing the door before pacing the length of the room. Putting the photos into the folder, I wait for Matrix to settle down and explain even though I would like to yell at him without knocking. He knows the rule of not barging into my office. I listen to him muttering to himself, running his fingers through his hair before plopping onto the chair in front of my desk with a pained groan. “It’s Maya. She has been demanding I mark her for over a year but I can’t. Something feels wrong when I am with her.” He complains. Studying his face, I see just how hagga
Chapter 20 – Weeding out a Spy “You excited to return up north?” Marcie asks as I check off what I would need for this trip on my list. I grimace, thinking about how I was treated growing up and look my friend in the eye. “Honestly, no. That place was a nightmare. But if me taking the throne means bettering werewolf kind, then I will do it.” Marcie gives me a small smile before pulling me in for a hug, her comfort being something I need in this moment. We have a week to head up north, a week to see Alexander and Narin. My heart clenches at the mention of my ex-mate, the reminder that the bond has not yet broken when last night Albot had to hold me once more through the pain of Narin fucking some she-wolf. At one point, I thought about getting back at him, at allowing Narin to feel the pain I felt by giving in and allow Albot to swallow me in his touch. But I want my first time to be special. “I wish I can come with you, help take out tha
Chapter 21 - Farewell Astraea Filling my travel mug with coffee, groan at the magic bean juice waking me up. Albot woke those who are traveling north to the Royal Pack up at four in the morning, wanting everyone fully ready to leave by five thirty. We plan to bring thirty wolves out of the two hundred that joined Astraea, these wolves already devoting their loyalty to me as the Princess and not as their Alpha. They know the risk, have been training with Matrix in the ways of the Royal Pack Warriors. “You okay sunshine.” Marcie asks, her tired yet happy eyes running up and down my body. “I. Want. Sleep.” With a grown between each word, I walk into her open arms and allow my friend to hug me. She will be here, taking care of Astraea while we are gone, and having the wolves train in case of any retaliation from Coro. “I know hun. Albot said he will drive your Hummer so you can get your beauty sleep.” She teases with a chuc
Chapter 22 – Royal Pack “So this is the Royal Pack Lands.” Alice asks, her eyes scanning the border as we approach a patrol. Albot had called ahead an hour ago, letting the liaison of the pack know our estimated arrival. Now, we just wait for the guards to do their inspections before gaining the okay to enter their lands “We still have two hours to go before we reach the palace.” I inform her, doing my best to stay quiet and inconspicuous. “Do you think the charm Cassandra gave you will work?” Albot sighs out with worry, his eyes never leaving the Royal Guards as they search through the many vehicles we brought, their watchful eyes making sure there is no threat to Alexander. I stay silent, a guard coming towards my hummer with a worried look on their face. Albot rolls down the window, his features a mask of calm as he greets the wolf in front of him politely. “Alpha Albot, it looks like someone had silver on them, could
Chapter 23 – Royal Ball Once again I find myself standing before the grand door way to the ball room, my pack being one of the earlier guests to arrive. I swallow nervously, the memories of that happened last time I stood here flooding through my mind like a movie set to fast forward. I feel dizzy, worried with a slight unease settling in my stomach. With so many wolves around I realize in this moment that w e have only one option and that is to kill Alexander or die trying. My pack is already mingling with those who came to witness a new pack make an alliance with their King, their curious gazes on Albot and I as I cling to his arm and try my best to steady my frantically beating heart. Thankfully, no one has recognized me but that can change drastically if Narin ever gets close to me. [You okay Crystalline?] Albot asks, his eyes searching mine. [No but I will be.] I admit, snuggling closer to his side and eyeing all the