Hearing the worry and anxiousness in my son’s voice through the link had me up and out of bed in seconds. It was early, especially by Dylan’s standards, so I knew something was going on.
The rogue problem was something my secret security team was working on. There was something different about this threat and I intended to find out what. It was reassuring to know my son found it equally as worrisome.
The worry he displayed told me there was more.
“I found my mate.”, he told me. I smiled, feeling truly happy for him and, as a ruler, relieved for all of our kind. His future queen would only add to his strength as a king and his will enhance hers as well.
Upon asking who she was, he moved past being ner
AnnalyseThis week was really sucking for me. Big time. My parents were acting really strange and I couldn’t get either one of them to crack. On top of that, they were only allowing me out of the house to go to school and Dad was picking me up and bringing me straight home after. They kept telling me that I hadn’t done anything wrong, but I could tell something was up.Finally, Mom let it spill that the rogues had been in our territory and they were just making sure that I would be safe until the situation was handled.I missed Tranquility. My nightmares had started becoming more frequent and the lake was the one place I could go to quiet the noise in my head, but every time I asked, they said no. It wasn’t the kind of no that I could talk them out of, either. At l
I looked at my dad, both curious and worried at his expression.“What is it?”, I asked. “What’s wrong?”When he looked back up at me, it was like the previous look of shock had never been there.“Annalyse Mitchell?”, he asked again.“Yeah. Why?”, I returned.“We have a lot to talk about, Son.”, he bagan. “But first, we need to have the guest quarters prepared. She’s safest here with you, as your mate and future Queen.” he finished.I looked at him curiously. And with gratitude.“I’m glad you think so, Dad. I was going to ask, but you beat me
King ArvandI kept my composure (well, for the most part) until I heard Dylan head down the stairs down the hall from my quarters. I had to get in touch with Merrick immediately.I headed into my private office off of my living room and closed the door. No one would hear the call because the line in here was secure and the room soundproof once the door was closed. It was imperative that we get Annalyse here as soon as possible to ensure her safety.I took a deep breath, picked up the phone and dialed, hoping he was in his office near the secure line already.He picked up on the first ring. “Mitchell”, his deep voice answered with authority. Ever the Beta.“Merrick.&rdq
I walked out to the palace gardens, thinking over the conversation that I had with my father, feeling more confused than I had when I went to speak with him in the first place.The look on his face when I said Annalyse was my mate was telling. I had great instincts and they were all firing right now.He was shocked, but hid it well. But why? Was he shocked that I had found my Fated One or because it was her, a girl who wasn’t royalty? Or was it something else altogether?I’m not sure, but I’m going to find out.I decided to let Havoc out for a run. I could feel him clawing at me to be in control. I ran to the edge of the forest, shifting as I crossed into the dense trees.‘Something is go
King ArvandI was wearing a hole in front of the fireplace in my suite waiting for Merrick. He should be here any moment.There’s a knock now, but it’s not who I need to see. It’s Tilda with coffee and pastries. I motion for her to come in and get everything set up.I told Merrick to come on to the property the back way through an entrance not used in years and use the tunnel that leads to another inside the palace. He should come out through a small forgotten door down the hall.I didn’t need anyone knowing he was here or that we were meeting.I thanked Tilda as she smiled and left.I was pouring the coffee when I heard the knock I had
AnnalyseI heard the door slam as my father rushed in. I peeked my head out of the entry to the kitchen, mid-bite to say hi.He looked super stressed as he asked where mom was.“She’s up in her closet making sure I have the right jewelry to go with the dress. Why? Is everything ok?”“Yes, Sweets. Everything is alright. I just need to talk to her.”, he said as he passed me to head upstairs.A few minutes later, I could hear their raised voices and then mom crying.I rushed up to their room, worried. They never fought. Like, ever.I knocked on their door and everything got super quiet.
Chase ‘Meet me in my private office, Son.’ The link forged with my father as I was returning from checking on Lyse. ‘Is everything ok?’ I asked ‘Fine.’ he replied. Then the link cut off as I headed through the doors in the garden and up the stairs to see my father. I knocked three times and entered, knowing he was expecting me. “Come in to my office, Dylan.”, he called out. I walked in and closed the door. Asking me to meet in his office meant that whatever was going to be spoken about needed to be kept private. “What’s going on, Dad?” “Well, for starters, Annalyse will be coming tonight, not tomorrow.” “Okay.”, I acknowledged as Havoc pranced around inside my brain, happier than I’ve ever felt him. “I’ve had your mother’s old rooms aired out and prepared for her arrival.”, he stated, startling me. “Mom’s rooms? But Dad, they’ve been closed up since her, since she….” “Died, Son. I know. But she’s your mate and she needs to be close to you. Given that she doesn’t yet know th
I sat, stunned, in my parents’ room. This is so much to process. Mom looked at me with concern. “I know this is a lot, Lyse. Why don’t you start getting the things you want to take with you packed while you process.” “Wait, Mom. Is there more?” “Yes. There’s more. There always is. And we will talk about it. All of it. I’m so sorry that I’ve kept things from you. We thought we were keeping you safe and happy. But for you, there’s more to being Astrydian than just being a strong wolf. You’re the daughter of an Alpha Astrydian.” I balked a little. I was of the alpha line to a pack? No. I AM of an alpha line. “Okay. But why am I so special? My wolf is a tiny little thing, certainly not like that of an Alpha. The pack is apparently no longer together if the Mahogany Mountain pack now holds the territory. Did another Alpha challenge my father? What happened to the rest of the pack? Did they just stay with Mahogany Mountain? We’re in River Moon and have been for as long as I can remember.