The War of the Royals - Chapter 3

MADDIE POV

I see Mama frown a bit at my last comment. She doesn’t like that I spend my birthday night with male company, but she doesn’t voice it either. I’m a fully grown adult and make my own choices regarding my body. I see Daddy nod in understanding, but he also sniffs me subtly; his eyes turning silver for a second. Damn, he’s too observant for his own good.

“Hi, Madison. Patty and Stanley said you’d be stopping in for your birthday breakfast. Happy Birthday. What can I get started for you today?” The newest waitress, Aimee asks, effectively distracting Daddy from examining my scent further.

“Hi Aimee,” I answer with a smile. “Thanks for the birthday wishes. I’ll have the Wolverine Special, add in avocado toast and a large bowl of mixed fruits please.”

“Goodness, that’s a lot of food for someone so tiny.” Aimee’s eyes are practically bugging out of her head in shock. I just shrug at her comment. She is human and has absolutely zero idea how much food all of us wolf shifters put away. Daddy will probably order the same, but he’ll do the Wolverine Special times two. And then he’ll finish off anything Mama doesn’t eat from her own meal.

Everyone at the table orders their food. Bacon and cheese omelet with pancakes for Mama. Patty and Stanley get the biscuits with sausage gravy, hashbrowns and scrambled eggs. And I was right, Daddy ordered the Wolverine times two. Aimee just giggles at him with a little eyelash batting. Mama rolls her eyes as Patty clears her throat to get Aimee back on task. Goddess, that happens almost everywhere. Females, human or wolf, tend to try and flirt with Daddy. I also find it gross that she’s trying to flirt knowing that he’s more than old enough to be her father.

He is an incredibly handsome male; I’ll give her that. Unlike when I met him though, he now wears his pitch-black hair in a long side swept part with the sides buzzed short and his beard also trimmed short and neat. But his eyes are the same striking cobalt blue as they’ve always been and his 6’5” frame is still as big and bulky as ever. Very typical of Alpha males. They’re usually the largest of the pack, in both human and wolf forms.

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how Mama keeps control of her temper around all these females trying to flirt with her mate and husband. It’s not like either of them hide their wedding rings or mating marks. It probably helps that Mama is human and she doesn’t have the extreme possessiveness and jealousy that wolves have in regards to their mate. If she did, there would be many-a-female that she would have killed over the years.

We have an amazing breakfast. Chatting and reminiscing about the antics of my siblings and I while we were growing up. How they’re all doing now as Alphas of their own packs. I am keenly aware of how my parents and grandparents don’t bring up that my youngest brother, Samuel, has found his mate recently. I know they are trying to be sensitive to me, since I still haven’t found mine. But it can get frustrating knowing they are walking on eggshells around me, with regards to a mate. So, I decide that I’ll bring it up since they aren’t.

I ask about the Luna ceremony that they are planning for Simone, Sam’s new mate. It’ll be in a month, so that gives me plenty of time to find an amazing dress. The only time I ever wear one is at a formal Luna or Alpha ceremony, and only those for my siblings. Otherwise, I prefer wearing a female tuxedo for dressy Alpha occasions. Mainly because other Alphas are sexist jerks and say incredibly inappropriate things when I’m in a dress. So by wearing a tux, they think I’m gay and don’t try to flirt. That’s fine by me and I totally lean into that vibe. They aren’t my fated mate, so I don’t need any interactions with them that aren’t business related. But for my siblings, I choose to look elegant and be my true self. Just for them. They aren’t business, they are my family.

As breakfast winds down, Patty Melt and Pops get up to go back to work. I get more hugs and kisses from them, and I hold them just a little tighter and longer than normal. Fuck, I miss seeing them every day. But we all have to grow up and time doesn’t stop for anyone, it seems. They walk back to the kitchen, and I sit down again to devour my brownie dessert that Aimee just brought over to me, when Daddy speaks up.

“Maddie, how are you doing? Really? When was the last time you shifted?”

I look down for a while, chewing on my lip. I won’t lie to them. I’ve never lied in my life. I’ve omitted or stayed silent, but I’ve never outright lied, and I don’t plan on starting now. Especially to my parents. I look up and I begin blinking back the tears that are trying to fill my eyes. Ugh, fucking feelings.

“Not great. I have control, for now, but it’s been months since I’ve shifted. I’m afraid Infinity will be too hard to control and no one in my pack is strong enough to deal with her. Not even Greta. I keep thinking on the next good day, I’ll give her a good run, but it’s been so long since I’ve heard her voice. I’m giving up hope that she will ever come back.”

“Have you given any thought to my suggestion a few months ago? Taking a chosen mate?” I know he’s not asking this to be mean, but it irks me none the less. Even Infinity gives a growl at his question.

“I don’t want a chosen mate. I want my fated.” I state as I angrily stab my brownie with my spoon.

“I know you do. It’s what every shifter wants, but Mads,” Daddy reaches over and takes my small hand in his large one, “you may not have much more time to keep searching for him before she completely goes feral. You might have to make that sacrifice in order to keep her.”

“How do I do that Daddy? How? Please, explain that one to me. And honestly, why should I have to? I’ve sacrificed enough, haven’t I? Why am I the one who always has to sacrifice? Is it too much to ask that I get this one piece of happiness? The happiness that all wolves are supposed to be given. Shouldn’t I get that reward for how hard I’ve worked for the Goddess, our family and THEIR destiny? Not mine. Is that too much to ask for?”

“No. It’s not too much to ask for, and I can’t even imagine how hard it would be to give up your fated. But, baby girl, we may be out of options now. I don’t know any Alpha who’s lasted this long without their fated mate without going feral. You’ve already started showing the signs of feralism, even in human form, and you’re starting to scent like one too.

“How about this? After your sisters’ Alpha ceremony next week, you, Mama and I go on a mate hunting trip? We’ll spend a day at all the packs in North America. You’ve never left the local area in search of him. If you don’t find him, then we’ll reevaluate. Mama and I will plan it all, you don’t have to do anything. We can’t lose you, honey.” He finishes with sincerity and love in his eyes. I look over at Mama and I see the same look on her face. Mama reaches across the table to hold my hands too. Both of them are just concerned for me and I don’t blame them. It feels like a lost cause, but it can’t hurt to go on a trip to search for him. Can it?