CHAPTER TWO - BEST FRIEND, FAMILY AND MATE

The next day, Valentina got up and out of her bed. Her bedroom was small in size but she loved it like that. She liked that she could afford the option of not staying in the pack house because she valued her independence and mostly, she loved being on her own.

Everything in her bedroom was black. She painted her walls black. Even her bed and its beddings were all black. She had a window next to her bed and there was a black chair in the corner by the window. She liked to drink coffee and stare into the forest. It made her calm and at peace.

She walked toward the small black closet and opened the door. She closed the door and decided to grab underwear first so she opened one of the drawers and took out her panties and bra. She needed an outfit for today, so she decided on black leather slacks and a grey shirt. She also took out her black leather jacket and a black scarf from her closet. 

She laid her clothes for the day on her bed and grabbed a black towel from another drawer. She stripped off her pajamas, which was a black baggy top and black shorts. She wrapped the towel over her body and walked out of her room. She walked the short distance down the hall and entered the bathroom.

She got into the shower and washed her hair and body. Very soon, she got out of the shower amd walked up to the sink to brush her teeth. She looked into the mirror and saw her deep blue eyes. She turned away from the mirror and went into the bathroom closet. She grabbed the blow dryer and curling iron before she walked out of the bathroom and walked back into her room. 

It took her about an hour to get ready, mainly because she was listening to music. It was 9 AM and she still hadn't eaten breakfast, but it didn't really matter, because Kendra, her best friend was going to feed her. She stepped into her black boots with its large brass buckles and grabbed her purse, phone and keys.

She exited her little but cozy home and got into her small black sedan. Black was Valentina's favorite color and almost all of her belongings were either black or had touches of black on them. 

She had been driving for about thirty five minutes when she finally got to Kendra's house. She pulled up and parked on the driveway before she grabbed her purse, phone and keys. She got out the car and started walking to the very bright and beautiful home which was fronted by beautiful and vibrant flowers. 

Kendra and Valentina had different styles. Valentina liked dark things, while Kendra liked bright things, and their respective preferences reflected on their personalities.

She used her keys to open the door to the house. As best friends, both of them had keys to each other's houses. It never caused any ride between them but instead, it only made their bond was stronger.

"Babe, I'm here!" She yelled as soon as she stepped into the quiet house.

"I'm in the living room!" Kendra yelled back and Valentina smiled. She really loved her best friend.

As Valentina entered into her best friend's kitchen, Kendra said, "Do you know that there is a pack meeting today?"

Valentina was puzzled about what Kendra said. "What pack meeting? Is there a pack meeting today?" she asked Kendra. 

"Oh, you didn't know? The royal family is coming today," Kendra said.

As soon as Kendra said that, something in Valentina felt different. Her wolf became excited. 

Shay, what's happening? What's wrong? Why are you uneasy about The Royal Family? Valentina asked her wolf.

I don't know why I feel uneasy. Something big is going to happen, Val, Shay said to her in her mind.

Today should be a normal day. She was going to spend time with Kendra, and nothing eventful should happen to her. 

I should be fine, she thought.

Maybe Shay was just antsy and was eager to go for a run. 

Either way, I'd still be fine, she concluded in her mind.

***

Valentina walked up to her car and got into it, then she texted her mom telling her that she would meet her in the front of the pack house. She drove for about twenty minutes until she reached the pack house. People had already started gathering in front of the pack house, and she saw her mom, dad and brother standing right where they said they would be. 

She parked the car and got out, then she walked over to them and hugged her mom first.

"Hey mom, I missed you," she said.

Her mom hugged her back and kissed her forehead, then she hugged her dad and kissed the soft skin on his cheek 

"Val, you should come home more often. Your mom and I always miss you." 

"I miss you too, dad," she said. "And you too, mom.

Then she moved to Jamie and pushed him. "What you been up to, idiot? Didn't you know that I was coming? Why didn't you come and hug me?" she said to Jamie while smiling. 

He smiled at her too before speaking. "I missed you and then I remembered who you are," Jamie said. 

I missed you too, little bro," she replied and hugged him, then he hugged her back.

"The royal Family has been visiting packs to find Prince Alexander's mate, but they haven't been lucky so far. They've already been to twenty packs," her mom said as they started to walk inside the pack house.

Jamie and his sister rolled their eyes at the same time and Valentina smiled. She really missed her family. 

Her mom scowled at the two of them. "Valentina and Jamie, it is an honor to be in the presence of the royal family," her mom said. 

When they got to the meeting hall, everyone was lined up in orderliness, waiting for the Alpha to arrive. Shay, Valentina's wolf was still uneasy. In fact, she had been the most uneasy ever since Valentina stepped out of her car. She still don't know the reason Shay was like that. 

Maybe she felt like danger was about to happen. How could any danger happen, though, when their pack was a strong one? The coming of royal family also meant that they would get help from them if a attack were to happen.

Maybe l just really need to go on a run, Valentina thought.

The Alpha and Luna arrived and everybody became quiet as they waited for the Alpha to address them. 

"Tomorrow, the royal family is coming to visit to find Prince Alexander's mate," the Alpha started and immediately, all the she wolves in the pack screamed and Valentina covered her ears due to the annoying sound. For some reason, she felt jealous. She pushed the feeling away, though, and focused back on Alpha Austin.

The Alpha continued. "I want everyone to be respectful and presentable. You are representing the Red Moon Pack," Alpha Austin said in a serious tone. "I want all the unmated females from the ages from eighteen to twenty five here by tomorrow morning."

He spoke again. "Everyone, the royal family is going to be staying for a week, and you are to treat them with respect," Alpha Austin said. "They will be staying in the upper level of the pack house. That shouldn't be a problem because no one sleeps up there."

"If you do anything to embarrass our pack, you will be punished," Alpha Austin said in a grave and serious tone. 

Valentina had never seen Alpha Austin so serious. That meant the royal family being here was a serious issue. She could tell that Luna Margaret was excited. Of course, she was excited for her daughters. They just turned eighteen and she was eager to see if one of them would be the mate of Prince Alexander. 

This angered her and Valentina didn't understand why. Of course, she would want one of her daughters to be the future queen of all the werewolves.

***

The next morning, Valentina stood in front of the pack house with a group of she wolves. She was the oldest there and she could feel the judgemental eyes of the girls on her because all the girls of her age had already found their mates but she didn't care. There were so many different girls. The girls were so young, beautiful and excited.

Valentina just wanted to go back home. She was so tired of people staring at her like she was the weirdest person they had ever seen just because she was putting on an all black outfit and not bright colors like them.

She had never really learned much about the royal family. She was never going to have anything to do with them so what was the point? 

Valentina wasn't excited like the other girls. Everyone else looked like they had a sugar high. Honestly, it was making her sick how much people were so excited just because the royal family were coming. 

They all stopped their chatter and looked toward the entourage of ten black cars coming towards the pack house. They were all SUV's. 

Very typical, Valentina thought and rolled her eyes as she looked toward the cars. I can tell that this is going to be a long one week.

Soon the cars came to a stop. In the first car there was a pristine man who stepped out and closed the door. He was wearing an all black white suit with black sunglasses. Valentina hated why everything was so cliche. But she tried her best to hide her annoyance so that she wouldn't seem rude.

She reached up and tugged her coat some more. It was really cold today and she was close to shivering. Shay was really annoying her now with the pacing in her head. She couldn't think straight because she felt excited and nervous at the same time.

Right after this, I'm going for a run, she thought.

Three more men got out of the second SUV and walked to the fourth one to open the door, and King Henry and Queen Matilda stepped out. Soon after, Prince Alexander walked out of the fifth SUV. 

Valentina kept her head down, because the cold winter air was starting to suffocate her. There was a distinct scent in the air. It was so strong and intoxicating. It was like it wanted her to die just from scenting it. It scented like almond and maple, and it scented so good. 

Alpha Austin and Luna Margaret moved closer as the royal family came close to the pack house. She lifted her head and saw Alpha Austin and Luna Margaret bowing to the King, Queen and the Prince. 

After that, Prince Alexander started walking down the line of young unmated females. Valentina could feel her heart thumping out of her chest as she felt tingles all around her. She quickly put her head down again. 

The truth was going to come out and she really wasn't ready for it. She knew what was going to happen and she was so terrified. She just wanted to go home. 

Her throat went dry and she could feel him stop in front of her. She could feel the power radiating from him. She could feel the air change. Shay was losing her mind. She was so happy and Valentina was so scared. Once she looked up, she knew everything was going to change, but she wasn't ready. 

Oh my God, why does this have to happen to me? she thought.

She felt his warm fingertips on the bottom of her chin. It sent shivers down her spine. She wanted more, wanted more of his touch. It was like her body needed it. She wanted to throw her arms around him.

"Mate!" Shay said in her head. 

He lifted her chin up slowly, and everything paused. She saw his beautiful green eyes. It was like she was staring into his soul. They were so close that she could hear him breathing. His steady breathing was the best music she had ever heard. Her breathing nearly stopped. It felt like she was floating

His green eyes, green like a bed of grass in the summer were staring into hers he took his hand off her chin and gently took her hand. He pulled it up to his mouth and spoke.

"I believe you're my Luna and Queen," he said in a deep and enchanting voice. Then he kissed her hand with his soft lips. 

Oh Goddess, Valentina thought.