CH 6: Never Kneel Front of Her

Queen

Queen led Natasha inside her office cabin.

The space was large and elegant, designed with perfection. But it didn’t feel cold. It felt lived in.

On one side, a glass partition separated the main working area from a softer space. That side had a small rug, scattered toys, tiny chairs, and colorful books.

The children immediately ran toward their favorite corner.

“Aunty, come!” Kiya pulled Natasha’s hand excitedly.

Erica joined her, smiling brightly. Even Nishi looked at her with soft curiosity.

“Kids, Aunt Natasha will stay with you. I have some work.” Queen placed her bag on the desk and said calmly.

“Yes, Mom!” They replied together.

“I’ll take care of them.” Natasha nodded gently.

Time passed slowly.

At first, Natasha sat a little stiff, but soon, the children pulled her into their world.

Kiya showed her toys.

Danny and Lucas started their usual playful arguments.

Erica kept talking non-stop.

And Nishi stayed close to her asking about her baby.

Natasha didn’t stop her.

In fact she didn’t want to be with Nishi. She feels her strong connection toward Nishi.

But even while playing

Natasha’s eyes kept drifting.

Toward the other side of the glass.

Queen was sitting at her desk. She looks so focused, cold and serious at the same time.

Working without distraction.

The same Queen, yet completely different.

Natasha’s gaze shifted slightly.

She noticed something else.

Xaiden wasn’t playing like the others. He sat near Queen, just beside her desk, quiet, and composed. A small iPad rested in his hands.

His eyes moved between the screen to Queen’s work. Like he was observing and learning.

Just like Queen. Even his expressions were the same. He’s exactly like her.

Natasha’s heart tightened.

Then her eyes moved again to Nishi.

Still beside her. Natasha's mind was restless. Questions were rising again and again.

‘Why did Nishi look like me when I was five years old? It is just a coincidence or she….’ She taught herself.

‘Idiot! Don't you feel she is our baby dall.’ Her wolf voice rings in her mind.

‘How can this be possible. I remamber… We never come this close.’ Natasha's heart feels overwhelmingly full.

Suddenly the door opened. Jack walked inside. Natasha’s body stiffened instantly. Her senses sharpened.

Her wolf reacted before her mind.

Jack’s eyes landed on Natasha.

A brief pause. Then he turned to Queen.

“Why is she here?” he asked calmly.

“I was passing by when I saw her in the middle of the road. Her car broke down, so I brought her here.” Queen didn’t hide anything.

Jack nodded slowly. But Natasha felt he didn't trust the reason.

His gaze lingered on Natasha for a second longer than necessary.

As if he knew something.

As if he wanted to say something.

“I'll send a mechanic. Where was she going? I called a cab for her.” Jack pulled out his phone to call.

“Don't worry. I already sent a mechanic. And she was not in a hurry. She told me she will wait.” But Queen interrupted calmly.

“Are you sure?” Jack stopped.

“I’ll handle it.” Queen’s voice was soft but firm.

A small silence followed.

“I want to talk to her, she is my friend from the past.” Queen added.

Jack looked at her. Then nodded.

“Alright. But if you feel your head hurt, you will stop pushing yourself. She is related to your past, keep this in mind.” Jack reminded her.

“Rest assured. I'll not pressure my mind.” Queen nodded.

He left without another word.

Behind them Natasha sat quietly. Still playing with the children.

But she had heard everything.

Every single word. Her wolf hearing didn’t miss anything.

She didn’t react. Didn’t show anything.

****

Time passed.

Queen finally stood up from her chair and walked toward them.

“Come on, kids,” she said gently. “Let’s go eat something.”

Excitement instantly filled the room.

“Yay!” Kiya jumped.

“I’m hungry!” Danny added.

Soon, they all left the office.

They reached a nearby restaurant. Queen guided the kids to a large table.

Jack stayed with them like a bodyguard.

Queen ordered their favorite food without even asking, they were used to this.

The kids immediately started talking, laughing, and arguing again.

Then Queen turned to Natasha.

“Come with me. Jack will handle kids.”

“Sure. Let's go.” Natasha nods.

Queen led her to a quieter, private seating area. Away from the noise and everyone.

Now it was just the two of them.

Queen sat across from her.

For a moment, she simply looked at Natasha.

Not as a stranger. But as someone she should remember.

“So… As you know, because of a car accident I lost my memories. Thats why I didn't act like a friend should. But I still wanted to know about you and our friendship.” Queen started softly.

Natasha froze.

“How were we in college? We were close, right? What kind of friend was I? Am I good to you? Or I bully you?” Queen continued to ask many questions. She is so curious to know about her past.

Natasha couldn’t speak.

Her mind showed her a completely different Queen.

An Alpha-Luna cold, powerful, untouchable. Always serious and working at a pack office.

Queen was never this soft and warm.

And now this Queen sat in front of her. Asking about their friendship. About her past memories, and herself.

Natasha’s lips parted slightly. But no words came out.

Her silence said everything.

“Why are you so quiet? Oh, I forgot… What did you want to eat?” Queen looked at a waiter in the room.

“Oh, I want….” Natasha thinks about what she ordered. But Queen's voice made her stop.

“Cheez pasta with macaroni and a glass of orange juice.” Queen unconsciously completed her words. Then take back.

Natasha's eyes widened in surprise.

“Sorry… It just came to mind. You can order your choice…” Queen panicked.

“You are right. I love Cheez pasta with macaroni. And orange juice is my favorite. You remember correctly.” Natasha feels amazed too.

“Really? It just came to mind.” Queen smiled brightly.

Natasha's eyes are glued to the Queen's smiling face. It was so rare for her to see Queen’s smile. In the past she only saw business smile. Her heart beat once again.

The waiter caught little. Natadha looked at him.

“Bring me what she says. Queen, did you need anything?” Natasha asked to Queen to kill her awkwardness.

“You guess what I like? Like I guess.” Queen said with a playful smile.

Natasha froze for moments. She realized she didn't even know what kind of food Queen liked.

“Maybe, cheese sandwich….” Natasha says the first dish comes to her mind.

“Oh, I don't like cheese… Did I like to eat cheese sandwiches before?” Queen asked in confusion.

“Yes.” Natasha nods to hide her awkwardness.

“Oh, maybe, my taste changed too. Anyway, spicy noodles and sweet ice tea.” Queen gave the waiter her orders.

The waiter walk out of room. Queen turn to Natasha. Natasha looks like she is thinking something.

“Don't think too much. I must have liked some other thing in the past. But my likes change. Everything happens for a reason.” Queen tried to cheer her on.

Natasha feels so guilty for not remembering what Queen likes. She always kept her distance from Queen in the past. Didn't care to know about Queen's likes and dislikes.

She was ignorant back there. Always angry with Queen. Her anger came from the day she found that Queen was her mate.

Natasha loved someone else, but Queen forced her family to push Natasha to be her mate. Natasha kneels in front of her family, but not in front of Queen.

In her heart she always hates the Queen for separating her from the man she loves.

But as she returned from her trip with her lover, Eric told her that Queen rejected them all and left the pack.

Natasha waited five years, not trusting Queen. But six months ago she found out she was pregnant from her boyfriend. So she married him.

But now she faces Queen once again. Not the same cold and heartless woman she hates. This Queen was warm, sweet and gentle.

“Natasha… Are you alright?” Queen snapped her fingers in front of her.

Natadha pulled back to reality.

“Yes. I was just… Can you tell me how the accident happened? If you are comfortable.” Natasha focuses on Queen. She needs to know about Queen.

Queen leaned back to her seat relaxed.

“I didn't clearly remember. But Jack told me that we were heading into the road when a truck hit us from the side, sending us out of the mountain. Gladly Jack saved me and his daughter. But his wife died in the accident. I was in a coma for a month and when I woke up, my mind got erased. The doctor suggested that I not remember my past, because it's risky for my life. So I stopped remembering.” Queen chuckles at the end.

“Oh, and the kids…” Natasha asked.

“When I forget my memories, I lose control. But Jack told me I'm five months pregnant. I got a new purpose like more.” Queen smiles softly as she remembers her six kids.

“And your husband?” Natasha asked carefully.

Queen looked away for a second. Natasha held her breath to hear.

“I… I don't remember anything about children's fathers. But Jack told me they were dead already. I had five mates. But all of them die in the war. That is why we were leaving from our pack when the incident happened.” Queen sighs helplessly.

Hearing Jack's name again Natasha got upset. She understanding that Jack was one making fake stories about Queen's dead mates’

“My mates’ are dead. And all happened in my past. This is one of the reasons I don't want to remember their deaths. I'm fine like this. But kids…” The Queen sighs sadly.

“What happened?” Natasha asked.

“Kids… especially Kiya and Nishi wanted to meet and see their fathers. I didn't tell them that their daddies are not in this world. I'm feeling bad for them. They are growing without their fathers.” Queen sighs helplessly.

Natasha feels hurt hearing that. Her fist tightened under the table. She put her other hand on Queen hand on the table.

Both feel a strong spark again. Queen looked at Natasha.

“Did you feel that?” Queen asked.

“What?” Natasha pretended.

Before Queen said anything, the waiter entered the room. Queen pulled her hand back. The waiter put food on the dishes and left. Both began to eat quietly.

The room turns normal again.

“So what about you? I can see you are pregnant. How fur?” Queen asked, looking at her.

“Huh?” Natasha looked down at her big belly.

“Three more months.” Natasha said.

“And your husband? Is he working in this city too?” Queen asked curiously.

“Yes.” Natasha nods.

“Oh, I forgot to ask what your pack’s name is? Do we both have the same pack?” Queen asked curiously.

“No. Our packs were different. We joined later. My pack’s name…” Before she had her pack named, the door opened and Jack stepped inside.

Natasha got quite.

“Jack, did you eat anything?” Queen asked with a smile.

“After you.” Jack said.

“Come sit here. You always do this. How many times do I have to tell you not to skip the food?” Queen sat next to her as she snapped at him softly.

Natadha hold on spoon tighten in anger. She looks at her plants to calm down her anger.

“No need. Kids are waiting. I'll eat with you. I just wanted to see if you two needed anything.” Jack declined her politely.

“We don't need anything. Go, have lunch with the kids.” Queen said.

“Ok.” Jack nods and turns to leave.

“Miss Natasha's car is ready. She can leave after lunch.” Jack reminded Natasha with meaningful words.

“Oh, that's good news.” Queen said.

Jack looked at Natasha last time before he left. After that both focused on food. But Natasha feels food is not tasty anymore.

****