Chapter 4 - George (Eleven Years Later)

George is once again sitting in the throne room, where anyone, from his pack or across the country could come and petition him. Asking for assistance where crops had failed, or to settle disputes over land or boundaries. He would hear it all, and pass judgment or propose solutions as needed.

Wearing a dark navy three-piece suit with a white button-up shirt and a blood-red tie, his suit does little to hide the broad and muscular body beneath. His ash brown hair is swept to a side parting with the ends just touching the tops of his ears. He has light skin and dark blue, almost navy eyes. His six-four frame lounging comfortably on the throne. He has an aquiline nose and full lips. He looks at his mother on the slightly smaller throne beside him.

She is a shorter woman at five foot nothing, and she had her long bleach-blonde hair in a bun at the nape of her neck. She’s wearing a bright red two-piece suit with velour trim and a white buttoned shirt underneath; the top two buttons are undone and she has a blue floral cravat which covers her neck. Her eyes are the same shade of blue as his, but her nose is smaller, rounder and her lips thinner.

She had put on a small amount of make-up for her appearance at court today. George’s mother, Evangeline, had remained Luna after his father’s death. He inherited the title of Roi Alpha du France, King Alpha of France, from his father upon his death just over six years ago. George had been twenty-four when he was crowned, and his mother had insisted that until he either found a mate or chose one, she would continue in her role of supporting him.

In those early days, she ran the whole show until George learned how to rule on his own two feet. He had received training from an early age on how to be a part of the royal family, and to one day take over from his father upon his eventual death. Unfortunately, his father, Amand had died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack, leaving more questions than answers in his wake.

Wolf-shifters having heart attacks was rare, not unheard of, but unlikely. He had been in good health until a week before his death, this detail was of course hidden from the public at large, not wanting the crown to seem weak. The day after he passed, George was crowned. He had retreated from the public eye for a few weeks following this to reorganise his father’s council and choose his own Beta, Delta and Gamma.

He chose his cousin Nathaniel to be his Beta, as they had been the best of friends since early childhood. Nate had grown up on the palace’s grounds, along with his family. George trusted Nate to be able to tell him when he was making a bad call and to help him run the royal pack and its lands. Nate had tanned skin, he’s six-two, with wide shoulders and his many muscles would bulge under his slightly too small t-shirt.

He let his dark auburn hair grow long, just past his shoulders and often had it tied in a ponytail to keep it out of his face, which with his button nose, thin lips and dark green round eyes stood out among his peers. Nate had found his fated mate at the age of eighteen and had wasted no time in expanding his family with two daughters.

George had given the title of Delta to Sebastien; he was one of the warriors who had trained with him and Nate. Seb was a little shorter than Nate at five foot eleven, his ebony skin and black hair kept short and often slicked back marked him out among many of the others in court. His almond-shaped eyes the colour of turquoise also made him stand out even more.

He also has a long, pale scar down his left cheek that had been left by a silver weapon at a skirmish on the border years ago. His Nubian nose and wide lips, along with the almost constant scowl his face was in made him impressive if not intimidating to behold. He was less obviously muscled than Nate, but he had speed and stamina on his side.

George, Nate and Seb had all been in the same class for warrior training, and Seb had been the strongest fighter of the class. He was loyal to the royal family and George in particular but also willing to fight for what he felt was right, even standing up to George and Nate when he had a different opinion on a situation. George appreciated his straightforward nature.

As Delta his role was to be in charge of all the royal warriors and the training of recruits, he also had a lot of good ideas on how to improve the training facilities available and led the redesign of the barracks shortly after he had been appointed.

The role of Gamma had been given to Ophelia, which had been a little controversial at the time. Ophelia, or Fi to her friends, was not only gay and mated to Samantha, but the youngest to have ever been given a position on a royal council having been only nineteen at the time of her appointment. A Gamma's role is more about morale and wider personnel issues that might arise.

Fi is a tiny woman at four-seven and very curvy. Her Asian heritage shines through in her olive skin tone and hooded monolid coffee bean-coloured eyes, with straight hair that falls to her waist that she would normally dye a shade of purple and often wore braided, she often saw more than she would let on. She was often underestimated because of her height, but she was always more than happy to prove people wrong.

She spoke her mind freely around the other men of George’s council. And while her sass has gotten her in trouble a few times over the years, George likes the way she can always see the good in a bad situation. Often relying on her quick mind when the sticky brown stuff hits the rotating blades of life.

George looks down at the small cluster of people who had come to petition him today. Further packs would email or call to discuss their issues. But the local packs still liked to show up in person when an issue needed to get settled quickly. He has managed to deal with all of the complaints so far today, with simple redistribution of resources or people to the places they were needed. But this last one had him curious.

“Your majesty, I would like to request a private meeting. I’m sorry that I didn’t message ahead about this, but I came as soon as I could.” He looked the girl over; she was a witch but not one he knew. She has pale skin, and her long curly red hair is settling around her hips. Her light brown eyes shone with an inner glow. She was wringing her hands in the front of her black t-shirt with what appeared to be a logo for a band that he didn’t recognise.

Her jeans were a pale blue with holes in the knees and she had dark leather boots that came to mid-calf. She had a patchwork bag slung over her shoulder with lots of colours and patterns in all of the little squares that made up the bag. He was surprised it was still in one piece. He narrows his eyes a little,

“Might I ask your name? And I would be interested in knowing how old you might be if that’s not too personal. And at least why you would like this meeting, even if you would rather not discuss the details out here.” George gives her an encouraging smile, trying to put her at ease. She nods, bowing her head,

“My name is Florence; I am sixteen and a local witch. I live with my two grandmothers who have taught me all I know of magic.” She takes a deep steadying breath then looks between George and his mother before giving a deep sigh, clearly resigning herself to telling him more than she had planned to out here, “I’ve had a vision that concerns your Majesty’s fated mate.” He nods,

He closes court, informing them that they can return tomorrow if necessary. George stands and gestures to her to follow him, his mother accompanies them. He also pack-links to his council to join them in his office as soon as they can. Upon entering the office, he indicates to Florence that she can sit in the chair opposite his desk, while his mother stands behind his left shoulder leaning casually on the bookcase that covers the wall behind it.

“Florence, could you wait a moment for my council to arrive, then you may continue. Anything you would say to me; I would like them to hear also.” She seemed a little on edge but nodded quickly. He took note of the fact that she seemed even more nervous now that she was in his office, wringing the hem of her t-shirt in her hands. Fi enters first with a bright smile on her face.

“Alpha, you called?” he smirks and nods,

“Yes, please have a seat, we are just waiting on Nate and Seb.” Fi looks a little confused but sits on the long sofa that runs under the window to the right of his desk. The window looks out over the training grounds and allows George to keep an eye on the progress of the latest batch of warriors. She keeps her face passive but was scanning the girl while she continues her abuse of the t-shirt she was wearing. A minute later and Nate and Seb walk in, Nate bows his head,

“Sorry, we were out at the barracks setting something up for the latest batch.” He was wearing black tracksuit bottoms and a sleeveless top that was damp with perspiration. Seb was wearing the same outfit, but somehow he seemed less damp. George smirks,

“Not a problem, please take a seat.” They look at Fi curiously, but she just shrugs and looks back at the girl. “Now then, this is Florence.” He indicates her, “She came to court today and asked for a private meeting with me, she says she knows something of my fated mate.” He leans back in his chair and smiles at Florence. “Please, share your story with us, and feel free to take your time. There’s no rush.” He gives her a light smile, she nods,

“I am a witch, the youngest in my coven. I have been having visions of the future, and present, since I was seven.” She looks at her hands and tries to flatten out the fabric that she had been scrunching between her hands. “Yesterday, I had a vision of the present location of your fated mate. I know it was her, even if I don’t know why I know. It’s just how these visions work.” Nate frowns,

“You’re absolutely sure that she is his fated mate?” She nods, looking apologetic and sad,

“I’m sorry, but yes. She’s not in a good place. She’s being hidden in an English pack’s lands, a pack of two rivers. A man is keeping her hidden so he can do horrid things to her.” She takes a deep sigh and looks into George’s eyes. “Even if I’m wrong about her being your mate, this woman is in danger, and pain, so much pain.” Florence starts to cry,

Fi stands, crossing to his desk and grabbing the box of tissues kept there for such instances and places them in Florence’s hands. She sits in the other chair next to her and puts her hand on her arm, rubbing it reassuringly, she looks at Florence,

“Do you feel the pain, when you see these visions?” Florence wipes her eyes with a tissue and shakes her head,

“No, thank the gods, but I can tell. Her face, the screams, the blood.” Her face goes even paler then, she blows her nose before reaching into her bag and bringing out a small plastic container of leaves. When she opens it the smell of mint wafts gently through the room. She takes a couple of leaves and starts to chew on them. “Sorry, it helps with the nausea.” She puts the plastic tub back into her bag. George nods,

“Not a problem.” He takes out his laptop from the drawer at the top of his desk and opens it up. He pulls up the list of all of the packs, organised by country. He goes to England and starts a search. “Two rivers, is that in the pack’s name or their crest?” Each pack in England had a heraldic crest to distinguish itself from others. Florence chews her bottom lip,

“It’s on the crest. I believe they cross, or maybe twist, I’m not certain. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful.” Florence looks dejected and starts to cry again. He nods and smiles at her,

“It’s fine, that should narrow it down at least, give us a moment.” George refines his search to packs with rivers on their crests. There were still twenty packs to sort through. “Nate, any thoughts on how to narrow it down further?” He nods,

“Hmm…” Nate walks over and rests a hand on the desk to look at the list. “There are quite a few here that clearly only show one river on the crest, but that still only brings us down to ten.” He strokes his chin. “If she is your fated mate, the only way to know for sure would be to go there and see her in person. We could visit these ten packs and see what we could find?” Seb nods,

“You’d need to take a small group with you, I’d suggest Nate, Fi and Sammy as the best options. I can hold down the fort here with your mother.” Fi nods and stands to pace,

“You’d also need a good reason to go poking around in not only other packs but foreign packs where you have no jurisdiction. Maybe something like a royal tour of England? I mean, you’d probably have to visit other packs not on the list to make it seem legitimate, but it would be possible. But we’d also need to visit the King of the English wolves before we start to get his blessing.” His mother coughs behind his shoulder, he turns to look at her,

“You’re going to drop everything here, all of your responsibilities, for a wild hunt across the English countryside for a woman who may or may not be your fated mate? No offence to you or your visions my dear.” She looks at Florence, then back to him, “But really George?” He narrows his eyes at her,

“Mother, if she is my fated mate, then she needs my help. And if she is not, who else is going to help her? If Florence is the only one to have seen the vision, then no one else will be going. And there is no way of knowing who else might have seen the vision.” He stands and faces his mother, “I am going to help her either way. I have made my decision. I would appreciate it if you could handle things here in my absence.” His mother looked suitably humbled,

“Of course, My King. My apologies.” He looks to Florence,

“Would you want to come with us, or do you have responsibilities here?” She shakes her head sadly,

“I’m sorry, I would like to go and help her and you but I cannot go. My grandmothers are not well and I am their only family left. I must stay with them.” She looks back at her hands. He nods and pulls out a small card,

“Okay, take this.” He hands her his business card, which has all the information needed to contact him, email, mobile etc. “Obviously, don’t call the office while we’re not here, but if anything new comes to you, or you remember any other details that you think might help us find her, please let me know as soon as you can.” She nods and puts the card into her bag.

Florence leaves her details with them in case they wanted to contact her. George and Nate settle down at the desk, George contacts the King Alpha of England to start the process of arranging visiting the packs. While trying not to ruffle too many feathers at such short notice. He arranges to visit the King and his pack first to discuss a few matters, as well as the true purpose of his visit.

George had informed the English King that they would be there as soon as they could get things set up, he had been surprised but amenable. Nate arranges for the pilot to be ready at the private strip not far from the palace and hires a suitable vehicle for the four of them once they get to England. Fi leaves to arrange cover for her absence, and then went to her rooms to begin the process of packing for herself and Sammy.

Seb agrees to tell Sammy as he was choosing to send her on a mission as a warrior. Once George and Nate were finished organising everything that needed attention before they left, Luna Evangeline was officially given the reigns of the kingdom in his absence. George was in his room and packing his own things. He was unsure how to feel, but also desperate to help this woman, who he’d never met, in a foreign country, who may or may not be his mate.

He takes a shower hot enough to turn his skin pink, just to try and ease the tension he was feeling in his shoulders, little good that did, before changing into clothes that were more relaxed and comfortable to travel in. Three hours later the four of them are at the private air strip, walking up the steps to the jet.