Ari’s POV I stood waiting, watching, listening...I could hear screams and moans in the distance. I know I would scream if my mate snuck up on me! That’s probably another reason why I was hiding with my back to something. Maybe it was just my pack training kicking in, who knows? It usually didn’t take all night for the wolves to find their mates so I was nervous after I waited a little while. I started wondering if Alexia found her mate, Lane. Was Anika going to find her mate? What if I found mine, but she didn’t find hers? I hope that wouldn’t put a rift between us since she would be the only one without a mate. As I let my thoughts wander, I was suddenly snapped back to the present when I heard footsteps in the distance. My heart began racing. I’m not sure if I started feeling nervous, scared, excited, or a mix of every emotion including surprisingly...being extremely aroused at that thought. My hands start getting clammy. Suddenly, I don’t feel scar

Ari’s POV As the morning dawn approaches, I know our time is almost up and the claiming is officially over for the season, but that’s okay because...I found MY MATE! “Are you ready to make our way back?” Ares rolls on his side, swiping a loose strand of hair out of my face. My appearance is shot, my hair is a bird’s nest at this point. We mated countless times tonight in countless places around this waterfall, in the cave, in the water, by the trees...I don’t think there is a spot we missed in this alcove that feels like a private paradise to us. “Mmmm…” I moan as I stretch my sore body. I was a virgin when I walked into these woods for the claiming, but I was far from it as I emerged from the woods to share the happiness I was feeling with my father. I couldn’t wait to tell him. I thought about mind-linking him, but this was something he needed to see for himself in the flesh. This man was absolutely marvelous; a sculpture from the gods, and I have never met

Ares’s POV “No..no no no no...that isn’t possible.” Harmon begins to panic. Alec and Alessandro just sit on the edge of my bed, their mouths gaping as they sit stunned and speechless. I don’t think Alec expected me to be so blunt with Harmon breaking the news that his only daughter was now mine. “What? I thought you would be thrilled? She said you have been freaked out about her not finding her mate for a long time. Well...Here I am! Just in time!” I state with concern and frustration. “You are an alpha! She cannot mate with an alpha or she loses the line of succession and Fenry takes over!” Harmon says in a panic. I stand up quickly, shocked as he explains the “fine print” of the agreement of the council. I didn’t realize they were so technical and detail oriented. “This will not do. I’m sorry son, but you cannot be my daughter’s mate. If you are her true mate, you will do her a favor by rejecting her so she can take a chosen mate before her

Ari’s POV I laugh loudly, “My heat?” “Why is that an issue?” Ares asks my father. I can tell he isn’t as amused as I am but rather, excited. “Because my son...she is an Alpha QUEEN now. You are mated and your bodies will begin preparing to succeed me. With the mating, your bodies will continue to transform and the first thing that the Alpha Royals must do is secure an heir,” He smiles and laughs almost like ‘How did ya’ll not realize this already?’ “So, I’m going to stay in heat until my body knows I am pregnant?” Holy shit, I’m starting to freak out. “Precisely.” My father confirms before continuing, “Ares, you will know when she is ready when her scent becomes intoxicating to you and every other unmated wolf around you. In normal circumstances, you would only have to worry about your own pack, but being the Alpha Queen, EVERY unmated wolf from EVERY pack will begin to seek her out.” “Great...just fricken great…” I say. All I need is

Ari’s POV After a long soothing nap in Ares’s arms, we woke up and decided to go outside and get some air. We walked through the gardens in silence for some time before I spoke up. “SO...how do you want to announce this? Tomorrow? What do you think the best plan would be? How many warriors do you have in your pack? How fast could they all get here if they had to?” I start randomly rambling word vomit. He can tell I’m nervous and starts laughing the more questions I ask, the more ridiculous in nature they become. “We can announce this whenever you are ready. If you want me to keep my distance for a while, I will, though I rather not. There is the issue of my father’s death to deal with, so I may be somewhat occupied with that partially while the celebrations go on.” He started to explain. Goddess, I felt so insensitive! Here I was already jumping to war and he hasn’t even processed his father’s death, let alone investigated it or even buried his father!