Darius’ p.o.v.
The moment the invitation came in, I knew it would mean trouble between my Mother and my twin Brother.
And yes, I say my Mother for a reason. Daxton might be my twin Brother, but she always treated him less than me and for the first ten years of our lives we even believed that we were separated by a whole year.
It wasn’t until our former Alpha overheard a conversation between me and Daxton, that we were told that we were twins.
It explained quite a lot of things to the both of us and Daxton has pulled away from our Mother ever since, there even was a time he refused to acknowledge that she was his Mother.
We still don’t understand why she favors me over Daxton and we both doubt that we will ever find out.
I listen to the words my Mother speaks, but I don’t respond and I don’t have to. Daxton can take care of himself, but I am starting to get agitated by Mother’s relentless quest to get Daxton to take a chosen Mate and preferably Daniella.
None of us likes Daniella, it goes back to our childhood and she hasn’t given us a reason yet to change our minds.
Daniella is the Granddaughter of a former Elder and she was always after Preston. No matter what anyone told her, she kept going after him and we thought she might trick him into a chosen Mate-bond.
Daxton, Rayden and I would always be with Preston and we have seen Daniella try a few desperate things to get into Preston’s bed, but thank the Goddess that she never succeeded. It would have been this Pack’s down fall and one of us would have been charged with murder.
Mother stares at me when I suggest that I take Daniella as a chosen Mate, I know she doesn’t think Daniella is good enough to be a Beta’s Mate and she will object to my suggestion.
“Darius, that is ridiculous. Daniella is not cut out to be a Beta’s Mate, she would never be able to support you the way you need your Mate to support you.” Mother replies and I see a devilish look in Rayden’s eyes.
“Then she isn’t suited to be Daxton’s Mate either, after all they are twins and that makes Daxton also a Beta.” Rayden states and normally I would say that no one can argue with that, but I know how my Mother feels about Daxton and Beta in the same sentence.
“Darius is Silver Eclipse’s Beta, Daxton holds no title. Daniella can be his chosen Mate, but not that of my little boy.” My Mother growls and I know Rayden is going to spill the beans.
“What do you mean with Daxton holds no title? I thought that twins always shared everything, their Mate and their rank.” Ruth, Rayden’s Mate, asks.
“Nice safe, Rayden.” I hear Preston say over our mind-link.
I would like to hear how my Mother is going to get herself out of this pickle, either she acknowledges that Daxton is also a Beta or she has to tell a lie.
Daniella has had a disgusted look on her face since Ruth mentioned that twins share a Mate, seems like she hadn’t taken that in to consideration.
“You are right, Ruth. A twin usually shares a Mate and a rank, but Daxton made a mess of his life at the age of twenty. It is a shameful period and I don’t like to get reminded of it. I told Preston that Daxton’s status had been damage and that only Darius had a right to the Beta of Silver Eclipse Pack.” My Mother answers Ruth.
Ruth looks at Daxton for a very long time and I know that he is getting uncomfortable by the way she is looking at him.
“I’m sorry for staring, Daxton. I am just trying to see the monster, because only a monster wouldn’t deserve his rank or a true Mate-bond. I will let you know when I have found that monster, even though I have a feeling that I am looking in the wrong direction.” Ruth says.
Daxton is trying to hide his laughter, but I am not even trying. Ruth knows what so say and when to say it, she always manages to lighten up a tense situation.
“Ruth, I don’t like what you are implying…..” My Mother starts to say, but Ruth just raises her hand to shut her up.
“I am not implying anything. It is just a result of the information that you gave me, the only thing I could come up with is that whatever Daxton did must have painted him as a monster and nothing less. I can’t see that monster in him and I doubt his Mate will.” Ruth replies and I see Daxton shaking with laughter.
Our Mother isn’t used to someone interrupting her or to tell her how they feel about her and Ruth doesn’t have a problem doing both.
“Daxton will never find his connection after all these years, it is time he accepts the fact that he will never have a true Mate-bond.” My Mother says and I have to grit my teeth to keep quiet.
“Okay, let’s see if I can get this straight. You believe that Daxton will never find his Mate, but that also means that Darius will never find his Mate. Because Daxton will never find his Mate, you want him to take a chosen Mate and that means that Darius needs to find a chosen Mate too.
They are twins and that means sharing a Mate, maybe Daniella is willing to take two Mates. Oh, hold on. Her face tells me enough, she is disgusted by the idea of having two Mates. Leaves me with one last question, why settle for the twin that has no right to a High-rank according to his Mother?” Ruth states, her eyes locked with those of my Mother.
Damn, that woman is good. She managed to ask a question that has eluted me all these years.
My Mother is looking a little pale and Daniella looks as if she is about to throw up, why does that deduction from Ruth unsettle them so much. Have I been missing something all these years?
Dallas' p.o.v. I look around the room at my family and I realize that if I were to die tonight, I would die a happy woman.Trion, Everett's Lycan, lies curled up in front of the fireplace, and the Grandchildren are climbing over him as if he were a jungle gym. Charna joins him sometimes, but only when we are in the garden and the sun is out.“You okay, Little One?” Darius asks as he sits on the floor in front of me.“I am fine, Old Man. I enjoy these moments with our family and sometimes I wish that we didn't have a Kingdom to think about.” I answer.As I listen to the noises around me and watch the Grandkids running around the living room, my mind starts to wander.In the thirty-something years that Quinlan was King, we visited Shadow Valley Pack at least once a year. The first year was the most memorable one, because Nico was furious with Lucy for not giving him the Beta position.
Dallas’ p.o.v.I lean back in my chair as I see the Alphas and Lunas walk in with their Pack-members for another trial.After witnessing hundreds of these trials, I still enjoy them every time one takes place. Today, we have a trial involving Shadow Valley Pack and I can’t wait to hear the Alpha’s side of the story.Okay, you are probably not interested in hearing about this trial, at least not until you understand how we got to this point.Quinlan and Larissa ruled our Kingdom for over thirty years and waited until my Grandson was five years old before handing over the Throne to Rani.Yes, my Daughter was the first to shift into a Lycan at the age of seventeen. Basil jumped for joy when he turned into a Wolf the day before Rani shifted and he has been focused on the law ever since.Everett’s firstborn was also a girl and the second to shift into a Lycan at the age of seventeen, making Melika our Royal Beta. Landon’s firstborn was also a girl and the third to shift at the age of seven
Dallas’ p.o.v.I smile as Marshall’s little hands slip from the straps of my dress while he drifts off to sleep and I quickly but carefully turn him in my arms.Daxton takes him from my arms as I follow Quinlan to the stage with Everett right behind me.Larissa is already waiting on the stage for us; she had been guided to her seat by Aunt Eliza, as Quinlan didn’t want her to be on her feet longer than necessary.I am listening as Uncle Vaughn denounces the throne and as he does, our Guardians move into position.If anyone wanted to make a move against the Royal family, this would be the perfect time. For a few minutes, our Kingdom is without a ruler and therefore, it is the best opportunity to try and make a move to take over the throne.Our Guardians have been rehearsing this event for months, considering every possible scenario.Once Quinlan is crowned as King, the primary threat will be over. However, each position taken over today will involve some kind of risk, except perhaps mi
Dallas’ p.o.v.I growl a little louder this time. I am done with being a Human pincushion.“Aunt Eliza, is this absolutely necessary?” I ask her as I look in the mirror to see Tyana stifling a smile.“You already know the answer to that question, Dallas. You need to follow protocol and that means wearing a dress.” Aunt Eliza responds.I know that she is right, but wearing a dress all day sucks. I've developed my own style over the past five years, and I only wear a dress when I have no other choice- and even then, it's after a lot of arguing.“Mommy. Mommy. Look.” I hear Rani, my almost five year old Daughter, say as she walks into the room.In the reflection of the mirror, I watch as she walks towards me in her bright pink ball gown. Behind her is Basil, Quinlan's almost five year old Son and he is wearing a little black tuxedo.“Oh, my. I thought that Qui
Quinlan’s p.o.v.Brogan has been bugging me for the past hour, and no matter what I tell him, he won’t let me get back to sleep.I am still half asleep, but I'm aware that Larissa is having restless sleep. I pull her closer to soothe her, hoping that will be enough to settle Brogan down again, but it's only a second before I notice a strange scent.A thought pops up in my head and I immediately understand why Brogan is reluctant to go back to sleep.Larissa is carrying our child, and she will likely wake up to her first bout of morning sickness soon. I get out of bed to open the door to the bathroom, but before I can get back in bed, Larissa shoots up straight.“Come on. Let’s get to the bathroom.” I say as I help her off the bed and I pull her hair back as she bends over toward the toilet. My other hand moves up and down her back, while I keep telling her that things will be fin
Dallas’ p.o.v.It has been almost a year since Everett shifted into a Lycan and we have been taking over more duties from Uncle Vaughn and Aldon, our Royal Gamma.They'd like to spend a bit more time with their Mates and we get a sense of the day-to-day business we'll need to handle in a few years. I don’t like every aspect of my job and I am grateful for the patience my Mates have to explain certain issues to me.“Where are we heading today?” Daxton asks as we get into the SUV and the soft growl I give him is warning enough.Charna and I don’t like our task for the day. If I could avoid the Moron we are visiting today, I would.“Yellow Dawn Pack.” Our driver mumbles. He doesn’t like going there either and I see his Mate placing his hand in his, trying to calm him down.It has been over six months since we visited Yellow Dawn Pack and today we head back to have a