CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

Rory's POV

"How long does heat normally last?" I shouted towards Kim to make sure she heard me. We had started driving in the direction of the howls, and she had her head out the window of the car, trying to pick up their scent.

"Usually a couple of days or until the womb has accepted seed, whichever comes first."

My shoulder fell slightly, and I tried to focus on the strip of illuminated asphalt ahead of me. "So, until she's impregnated by Bastion, her mate."

She turned to me with pity in her eyes. "Not necessarily, Hun. She doesn't technically need to conceive, but it does usually work out that way." Her hand covered mine on the steering wheel, a simple maternal gesture that I would've known if my mom hadn't passed when I was born.

"I can't help her," I said through gritted teeth.

Her eyes softened further. "Son, there's a reason the gods brought you together. No, you can't provide for her every need, but neither can he. His blood can't take away her headaches, and his bite can't overwhelm her senses in the way yours can. It's like comparing apples and oranges. Mates are a wonderful thing, but so are royals. I had one myself, so I know."

I looked into her heartfelt expression, awarding her a tender smile. I could see why Aria was so close to her mom. Deciding to take the risk, I brought about the conversation I had been dreading having with her. "Why did you lie to Aria about my father?"

I could hear her blood rushing at double speed throughout her body. "How—?"

"I was listening to your pulse quicken. I knew you were lying."

She began picking at the bottom of her dress. "I didn't want her to be disappointed in me."

"Because it's my dad?"

She scoffed, tucking a wild strand behind her ear. "No. That's not a big deal, is it?"

I raised a brow. "It's creepy as hell. If you end up married, I'll be fucking my stepsister. Not a fan of that idea."

She laughed. "If she heard you say that, she would die of embarrassment."

I grinned because she was right. Aria was so easily flustered concerning sex.

"But no. I don't want her to know that I'm moving on from her dad. I don't know how to explain to her that her dad could never be replaced, but I know he wouldn't want me to be alone either. I'll spare you the details of my sex life as it relates to your father, but he has made me smile again. I feel happy when I'm with him and... I don't know, I guess I missed the attention. Don't worry, though. We have no intention of ever getting married, so feel free to do whatever you want with my daughter."

Even I cringed at her words. "You're not normal."

She giggled. "So I've been told."

Then, suddenly, she jumped, her nose leading out the window. "Stop the car! They're here!"

Bastion's POV

My dreams were interrupted by a swift and painful kick to my paw.

"Wake up!" Rory's whisper was full of urgency and... annoyance?

I huffed, blowing sand up with my nose. Wait, Rory was here! Suddenly realizing that he must've heard my call, I jumped to my feet, transforming back into my human body.

This was a mistake. I immediately started freezing my ass off. I rubbed my bare shoulders.

"Put your damn clothes on, Bastion. Aria's mother is here, and she doesn't need to see you naked."

"Oh shit, my bad." I grumbled, slipping on the shorts I had borrowed. I smiled shyly at Kim, who gave me an awkward nod in return.

"What are you doing here, man? Did you hear my howl? Is Aria okay? She hasn't responded to my mind links. Is she hurt? How's my dad doing?"

"Slow down, one thing at a time. Yes, I heard your howl. Along with—" He paused to gesture at the hundred sleeping wolves. "All of them. Where the hell did they all come from?"

I scratched some sand from my hair. "Yea, they sort of followed me. Aside from three ex-council, they were all a part of the pack army."

I heard a loud yawn followed by two sets of paws hitting the dirt. Brett sauntered up to us sleepily, nudging my hand with his snout.

"Who the hell is that?" Rory asked, probably confused by the intimate gesture.

Hearing the irritation in his King's voice, and seemingly just realizing he was there, Brett quickly shifted to his human self and knelt on his knee.

"Brett Lawson, King Rory. Court Advisor. A pleasure to meet you."

Rory cocked a brow, eyeing his all too visible seal on his naked body. A shiver racked poor Brett, and I grabbed the blanket he had given me earlier and draped it over his shoulders. He smiled appreciatively at me before lowering his head again.

"The Alpha's son, is that right?" Rory confirmed.

"Yes, King. Um, also Bas, I mean King Bastion's best childhood friend. We grew up together."

It struck me, seeing Rory all kitted up in his peacoat and slacks, that he sure looked more like a King than I did. He even had the perfect posture and freshly shaven face. I rubbed my stubbly chin, wishing I were at least wearing clothes that fit me. Damn, did he have to look and act so perfect all the time?

He gave Brett a hint of a smile. "You must be pretty intelligent to have been gifted the duty of Advisor. I look forward to working with you and your men," He said cordially.

"Okay, now that you've met, tell me that Aria is okay! I've been worried sick about her!"

He scowled. "If you were so worried, what were you doing in the middle of fucking nowhere?"

I growled at his attitude. I wasn't in the mood for the third degree. "Do you recommend we march one hundred warrior wolves into ARIA? I was protecting our new men and women. Once Alpha Lawson knows they betrayed him, he will come for their heads!" I snarled, puffing out my chest.

He seemed unfazed, and I questioned if he even heard me until he let out a deep sigh. "I understand that, but you are needed at ARIA. The Queen is in heat."

What? How is that even possible? She just turned twenty-one. She should have another decade before the heat takes her.

"Hold up. First off, how the hell? And second, why couldn't you help her?"

His knuckles clenched, turning white. "Don't you think I tried? I'm... not sufficient. She needs her mate. And quickly, too. Her temp keeps climbing, and I can't make it stop. She was 104 when I came to find you. She's been asleep basically since you left."

"Fucking hell!" I growled. "Call your dad to join the army. I'll head back if you can stay until he gets here."

He nodded, a look of dutiful determination on his face. This was what we were here for. We worked together to protect our kingdom and our Queen. He took fluid steps to me, dangling his key fob in front of me until I took it.

"Hurt my car, and I will hurt you." He threatened, a serious glint in his eye.

Damn, he could be creepy. But, after seeing the beautiful, awe-inspiring black and blue Bugatti Chiron, I understood his hesitation. This was a near 3 million dollar car! I grinned so wide it nearly hurt. I was pretty sure I would have my first orgasm of the night just by driving this car.

I hopped into the driver's seat, loving the quality leather brushing against my bare skin. I could see the wide expanse of night sky through the glass top, and I thanked the moon above for such an opportunity. Once Kim was buckled, I hit the gas, flying down the interstate to help my Queen make it through her heat.