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
Chapter 24 – Battle for the Throne I watch from the corner of my eye Alexander flirting with a she-wolf, the low cut of her ball gown already proving her intention is to seduce someone here. It wouldn’t surprise me is Alexander sneaks away for a few moments with her after the ceremony has ended but she will not get that chance. With ten minutes till midnight, I plan to take Alexander down without hesitation. Since their arrival my pack has interceded Narin when he has made his rounds around the ball room, always stepping into his path to chat and ask about the possibility of joining the pack and becoming guards. This gave Albot and I a chance to avoid my ex, even giving us a moment to introduce ourselves to Alexander with Albot taking the roll of Alpha of Astraea and me his mate. To think that man I called my father for eighteen years would be tricked by the charm to hide my identity and look at me with lust. A disgusting man like this does not deserve
Chapter 25 – Narin’s truth Sitting on my throne I watch as the maids of the palace run about happily chatting as they do their work. A week has passed since I killed Alexander, a week spent in settling the Royal Pack, weeding out traitors and fully accepting those who bend the knee to me into the pack. Everything seems like a blur, from throwing traitors into the dungeons to interrogating those that attended the ball to hosting a Zoom meeting with all of the Alpha’s around the world explaining the reason why Alexander was killed and my true identity. “Crystalline.” Albot calls out, his smile and soft gaze just for me as he approaches the throne, scooping me into his arms. The maids giggle, used to our display of affection for one another as he has done this many times in this stressful week. The worst part being when a maid walked in on us kissing on the balcony after me having a breakdown from the stress of dealing with traitors. “It’s
Chapter 26 – A declaration of War I glare at the wolf who dares challenge my decision of preparing the safe rooms through out the pack, the Head Warrior slowly shrinking back into his seat as he realizes that calling me a stupid little airhead was a mistake he could not afford. “Marco, it seems your retirement is coming up in a few years. Five if I am not mistaken.” Narin speaks from my left, he too glaring at the wolf that challenged me. “Th-that’s right Beta Narin.” Marco stutters out, a look of relief on his face. “Well, I think it should be earlier with how you have served the pack the last one hundred years as head of the Guards. See Butler Leo now and inform him her Grace has awarder you an early retirement. We can find your replacement later today.” I chuckle, secretly fist bumping my friend under the table as he defends me, watching as two Guards lift Marco from his seat and escort him out. True to his words, Nari
Chapter 27 - Realization Sitting by the river where I first shifted, I think about the note, about the Soulless who’s life was taken because of the cruel message my brother wanted to send to me. No wolf deserves it, deserves to be nothing more than an instrument of war. A war that is coming in just a few short weeks. “Crystalline?” A voice calls out, the owner coming into view from the thick forest behind me. His eyes scan the area until landing on me, the wolf coming to the river bank and taking a seat beside my curled up frame. “I needed a moment alone.” I mumble, resting my head on my knees. Narin sighs, bringing me to his side for a hug as we watch the water tumble over the rocks below. “Albot called Matrix. To think you created a pack and left that hyper wolf in charge to take over this place.” He chuckles out, a bubble of laughter escaping my lips. “I always planned to take the Royal Pack. Astraea w
Chapter 28 - True Mates We watched as Blake and Alice enjoy the warm sunshine, splashing in the river while we relished in the mate bond surrounding us. We have waited weeks for this moment, for Albot and I to become mates. We were in no rush to complete the process just yet as there is so much else on our minds. We have time to claim each other, knowing neither of us would give up on the love that slowly grew over the years from our friendship. “You two seem different.” Alice says as she makes her way towards Albot and eye, her head tilted to the left as she looks at out bodies snuggled together. “Different how?” I ask, smiling at my pup. “Your Auras, they blend together seamlessly now. Are you true mates?” She explains, her question surprising me. I knew the little girl held some sort of power, but to think it had grown so strong that she could distinguish mates together shocks me. “Yes, Crystalline are