ログインI stood in front of the mirror and took a few slow, deep breaths. My hair and makeup were professionally done and my gown fit like a dream. I was the picture of perfection. So much so that I was having a hard time recognizing myself.We had moved downstairs to a receiving room on the first floor to get ready. That way I didn’t have to all the way through the packhouse. We were minutes away from the ceremony. They would be escorting everyone into the gardens any minute now. And my nerves were fully set in. Big time.I felt my heartrate increase and my forehead get clammy as I thought about all the eyes that were going to be on me. I thought about the magnitude of what I was about to commit to and how I could ever live up to the expectations. My hands started to shake and I even felt like I was losing contact with Nova.“Hey,” Helene said next to me, turning me to face her. She looked me in the eye with the sweet, genuine smile that had gotten me through so many hard times before. She t
Two days went by surprisingly fast. I suppose that does happen when you don’t stop moving. And I don’t think I did. Everything had gone pretty smoothly. Princess Nomi even ended up being more of a help than I had expected. But then, she had practice in giving orders. Still, she wasn’t discourteous or anything. In fact, the pack members seemed to be fascinated to have a member of the royal family so involved with the event.As helpful as she had been, she was also a bit much at times. She had been pushing more and more for me and Helene to open up more in an attempt to “get to know us better.” This just wasn’t the time for all that. Even if it was, I still wasn’t sure how close I intended to get to my newfound aunt. It didn’t help her case when she kept bringing up Hannah. Helene finally shut that topic down thoroughly last night, so it would hopefully be the last time our wayward sibling was brought up.Still, I wasn’t sure I was prepared to handle Princess Nomi today. I wanted to foc
The dinner was interesting, you could say. Much of the conversation felt forced. It got to a point that I almost felt bad for the princess. We just weren’t clicking like I think Nomi was hoping we would. I did, however, start to think she was actually here to help. Her intentions behind the desire I still wasn’t sure about. But if my grandfather thought she was harmless, I figured I could give the woman the benefit of the doubt.It would probably make the next two days go by faster.It was already dark by the time we left the restaurant. I resisted the urge to check the time but mind linked Tanji as soon as I was in range that we would be there in a minute. I knew she would wait for me but I wanted to make sure. Excitement bubbled up in my stomach.Instead of dropping us off at the front of the packhouse, Lucas told the driver to bring the limo around the back so we didn’t have to walk so far. As we got out, I looped my arm through Helene’s and eagerly made my way to the garden. The t
“Can you do me a favor?” Sutton panted as I held her in my lap, holding the shower head over her to keep her warm.“Hmm…”“Promise to do that a few more times in the next few days,” she requested.I laughed. “I’m going to have to insist upon it,” I told her.This was exactly what I needed. What we both needed. And we would need it again before we left for the manor house after the ceremony. It was the only thing that was going to take the edge off.Once we were able to pick ourselves up again, we washed each other up before getting out of the shower. We probably took longer than we should have to get ready but I wasn’t going to let anyone hold that against us. I had blocked out all mind links, as I always did when I was alone with Sutton. So, as I buttoned up my shirt, I went to check my phone left on the dining table.A message from Max telling me the Whiskey Grand was good to go. They even called their top chef in for the evening. Another from Jaden saying Princess Nomi had already
Sutton had taken the news as well as I had hoped, despite her reluctance to put our desires on hold. But we were both too close to keep from knotting her and that was not the time to lose control. We would be there soon enough and until then, I needed to be the voice of reason.I did provide Sutton with a perfume that would help disguise the change in her scent. She was closer to her heat than she had gotten before and others would start to notice if we didn’t take precautions. It wouldn’t do anything to affect her shift in hormones, but it would keep others from noticing. Everyone except for me, of course. That particular form of sweet torture was something I’d have to endure for a few more days.I sent Sutton off to our apartment to shower and clean up. I had a phone call to make.“Alpha Lucas,” King Osric answered. “I was expecting your call.”“Your majesty,” I replied. “The fact that you were expecting my call makes me wonder why I was so blindsided by our early arrival.”“Yes, I
We got Princess Nomi settled in her suite as quickly, yet politely, as we could. Once she was preoccupied and Jaden was left to deal with her guards, Soloman followed Lucas and me to his office. The moment the door was shut, Lucas turned on Soloman.“What the hell is she doing here?” he demanded. “You didn’t think to warn us that she was even considering showing up early?”‘I can assure you, Alpha, that I am just as surprised as you are,” Soloman insisted. “I can’t imagine what she could be up to or what would have prompted this… intrusion. I think we can all agree this has nothing to do with the Luna ceremony.”Lucas scoffed. “She’s here to spy but on what?” he speculated. “And why send her?”“Why not send her?” I commented. “We’re obligated to cater to her. She can follow me around wherever she wants. She can demand access to any location from anyone. And she can be here without raising suspicion. In fact, her showing support is beneficial to the pack. To snub her claims would be d







