The flower arrangements were beautiful and I could smell the food all the way up in our room. Okay, so my nose was a bit more sensitive than normal. I could smell everything I wanted to eat, and when Lesley brought me a plate of food, I was so grateful. I was beginning to feel as if I was eating all the damn time, but at least our baby would be healthy. He was growing at an alarming rate, and so was I.I was due any day now, and people were starting to make bets on when our little bundle of joy would be born. It was a great time in the kingdom. I stood beside Lorenzo at the beautiful flower-covered podium at the end of the aisle. I liked watching the groom when the bride walked down the aisle. Everyone looked at the bride, but I loved seeing the love a groom felt for his bride.Today was even more special since they were actually destined mates. It wasn’t just an arrangement they made for comfort. Leila looked as though she was crying and I felt the tears sting the back of my eyes. Sh

LIAM’S FIRST BIRTHDAY was the best day of my life. Okay, well, one of the best. We had gotten him this far. We survived the first year, and more importantly, he survived the first year with us. If it wasn’t for the entire village of people helping, I would probably have done something to make it all go wrong.Two more ladies-in-waiting had been married by this time and it was incredible to see them with their destined mates. Leila was pregnant, but since they were lower-ranked wolves, her pregnancy would last a little longer than mine did.People came from all over the kingdom to celebrate with us. There were balloons and streamers and flowers everywhere. The food ranged from snacks for the children to all sorts of finger foods for the grown-ups and people were laughing. The entire lawn was covered with people who were all there to celebrate.Liam looked like a carbon copy of his father, but he had my eyes. He was a good little boy and I loved him more than life itself. My boys … But

ON THE NIGHT OF LESLEY’S COMING OUT BALL, the two of us got ready together and when Lesley walked out from behind the dressing divider, I gasped. I had seen her dress at every fitting, but seeing it on her with her hair done and her make-up, she looked stunning.Lorenzo arrived and we went downstairs. When Lesley walked into the ballroom to be presented in front of us, the old queen looked so proud. It was a great moment for all of us. As if a circle had just been completed. I could feel the excitement in the room and all the single male eyes looked at Lesley as if she was the best dessert they could ever have!In the corner of the room, I couldn’t help but notice the guard she had been seeing before all of this, and I swore at myself for not thinking of making sure that he wouldn’t be there. But as I looked at Lesley laughing at something one of the males said to her, I knew it didn’t matter. The champagne was flowing and people were dancing and having fun.At the end of the night, i

WE GOT THROUGH THE MEAL, and I mean literally just survived it with all the children. I breathed a sigh of relief as we stepped out onto the grass and I could feel the cool grass under my bare feet. Everyone was dressed casually so we could shift after Liam shifted.The moon was full and beautiful in the sky as Lorenzo made his speech. The bonfires were lit, and we started a countdown. The moon shone down on my beautiful boy as I sent up one last silent prayer. I know I’ve asked a lot of her during my life, but if she could just help me this once …“Three … Two … ONE!” We all shouted and everyone looked at Liam. When the first bone breaking echoed through the clearing, I realized that everyone had probably been holding their breaths! It was horrifying watching my son go through his first time, but it was an incredible relief as well. His wolf was gorgeous once he completely shifted.His pelt was a purist silk black colour just like his father's and he had a beautiful white spot on the

ON THE NIGHT LIAM TURNED EIGHTEEN, I was standing in our room looking at myself in the mirror. I had the seamstress make me a dress similar to the red one since Lorenzo actually physically tore the old one from my body! Only this dress was a little more appropriate for the queen … For the last night, I would be walking into the ballroom as the queen.Our darling son didn’t just look like his father. He was a true carbon copy. He was kind and loving with a fire in his belly. He wanted to change the world and make things better for our kind and he loved visiting the pixies who simply loved him. Tradition dictated that Lorenzo hand over the title to Liam tonight in a small alpha-type ceremony.The big coronation was going to happen in a couple of weeks. At least the damn protocol allowed for a little time to just celebrate the fact that he was coming of age. I was sending up silent prayers all day that he would find his destined mate tonight. So, it could possibly complicate things, but