Chapter 46

A warm glow lit up the insides of my eyelids. My ears filled with the sound of chirping birds as my body gained consciousness. I rubbed my face on the soft sheets and tried to roll over. A sharp pain shot through my lower torso, making me wail in pain. I clenched onto my belly and curled into a ball. I slowly opened my eyes to find myself wrapped in the white sheets on Nicholas’s bed.

My brain woke up a little more and memories from last night's activities played like a movie in my head. I couldn’t remember how many times we had sex, but the moon had disappeared, and the sky started to glow when we finally passed out. My body ached, and I felt so dehydrated. Why was I so sore? The last time I had experienced pain like this, I had shifted into my wolf for the first time.

Fuck! That’s it. My body was accepting Nicholas, and I had to shift to finish the process. Kona and Aries had to be let loose.

I turned over to look for Nicholas, but he wasn’t in bed. I slowly sat up, looking around for him. My ears couldn’t pick you any noise inside the cottage. Where the hell was he?!

Slowly I willed myself out of bed and wrapped my naked body with the sheets. I just had to get to the back door so that I could shift. The simple action of walking hurt so bad. It was after I got to the doorway when I realized the ranch slider was open. Nicholas must have already shifted. As quickly as my body lets me, I walked over to the open glass door and looked down from the balcony.

There, beneath the blanket of leaves, stood a pure black wolf staring up at me with his scorching golden eyes. He let out a loud howl and shifted his weight, trying to encourage me to come down.

I let go of the sheets and climbed over the railings, jumping off the side. Kona immediately took over, and I landed on four furry paws with a thud.

**Nice of you to finally join us** Aries growled through the mind link.

**Well, if you and Nicholas hadn’t tired out Alex, we would have been able to do this much sooner** Kona growled back.

**I don’t see either of you complaining about what we did last night. If anything, you both look thoroughly satisfied.** I could hear the smirk in Aries’s voice.

Kona took a step towards Aries, holding her head high.

**I don’t like how cocky you are. You think you’re the man, huh. Step down of your little cloud, and you’ll see Alex is just as good, if not better. She could have any guy she wants, yet here we are** Kona snickered.

A loud growl echoed through the forest.

**You’re mine! ONLY MINE!** Aries growled, and I could hear Nicholas trying to calm him down in the background.

**Yeah, well, next time you want to be so up yourself, remember I don’t like a smart ass!** Kona rolled her eyes and stretched her body. I felt instant relief wash through me, and the pain was gone.

**Fine! My apologies for wearing you out, Alexandria. I intended to satisfy you after all the suffering you’ve gone through thanks to that mutt.** Aries put his front paws forward and bowed his head.

**It’s okay, Aries. Thank you for being so considerate. I did enjoy myself.** I replied, and Kona rolled her eyes again.

**Any time, Angel. I don’t think I’ve ever had so much sex in one night before** Nicholas laughed. I couldn’t help but smile.

**Nick, Kona, Aries, do you want to go for a run and blow off some steam? We have to go down to Greenstone to see Alex before heading back to Angel Falls to face douche bag**

**Sounds good to me. Aries, you want to lead the way? I would, but I’m woman enough to admit I don’t know my way around here** Kona held her head up high and looked around.

I could hear Aries snicker.

*6* he bolts past the trees. Before we knew it, both wolves were sprinting across the forest. Leaves were crunching under their feet and wind blowing through their fur. I loved running in my wolf form. It was always so exhilarating.

After about 2 hours of running, Aries and Kona decided it was time for us to move on. Nicholas and I shifted back and went into the cottage to shower and get changed.

Neither Nicholas nor I had eaten, and there was nothing in Nicholas’s cottage for us to cook. Nicholas decided to call his dad and ask him to have something ready since the Queen of the South was visiting. Alpha Alex was still not aware that Nicholas and I had mated. Nicholas wanted to surprise his father with the news since it was the first time in history that different territory royalties had mated.

We packed our stuff back into Matt’s car and took the short drive to Slate Pack. Nicholas requested I wear something that covered my mark. I pulled on a round-neck t-shirt and a pair of black dress pants. As much as it was about seeing my in-laws, I was also here on business.

Nicholas drove up to the packhouse and parked in front of the main entrance. Alpha Alex was already waiting for us outside.

I gave Nicholas a smile and wink before getting out of the car. I hadn’t been to the Slate pack in so long. The last time I had visited, there was a raging party happening in the backyard to celebrate Nicholas’s 18th birthday.

I had to beg dad to let me see Nicholas since it wasn’t appropriate for a 12-year-old to be at an alcohol-fuelled party. That night, Nicholas sat on the terrace with me, catching up on life instead of doing a keg stand with his boys. Lots had changed since then, but as always, the place looked remarkable.

Alpha Alex walked over to me and bowed slightly.

“Queen Danton. May the Goddess be with you. It is such an honor to have you here with us. I know the circumstances aren’t the best, but I’m sure we will find a way to make this all better” he gave me a reassuring smile.

“Alpha Alex. May the Goddess be with you. Thank you for opening your home for me to visit today. I’m sure the circumstances will change in our favor. Nicholas was saying you had some ideas that could help us?”

“Yes, I do, actually. But how about we have something to eat first. The Almighty King informs me that you hadn’t been fed due to lack of supplies in his house,” sarcasm dripping from Alpha Alex’s words. He looked up at his son and suppressed a smile.

“Yeah yeah, whatever, old man. I didn’t know how long I was going to be gone. Pardon me for making sure food didn’t go bad while I was away. Besides, Alex wasn’t hungry for food last night. Her appetite had a craving for other things” my head snapped up to look at Nicholas. He had a cheeky smirk plastered on his face. I elbowed him in his ribs as hard as I could, and he doubled over, groaning in pain.

Alpha Alex cleared his throat and looked away. I could feel the heat rise on my face. Stupid Nicholas!

“Alpha Alex, do you think we could have our meal with you in private? I have a few things I would like to discuss with you.”

“Of course, Queen Danton. I’ll get it all arranged in my office. Why don’t you follow me?” Alpha Alex stepped aside and motioned me towards the house.

Several other people were standing at the doorway, bowing and greeting me as we walked in. Nicholas was attached to my side like glue. I could see he was itching to hold my hand, but I had asked him not to. Duke could have informers anywhere in any form. The last thing I wanted was news of Nicholas and my closeness getting back to Duke.

Alpha Alex lead us towards the second floor of the packhouse and opened a huge room. He had a big wooden table in a corner with a full sofa set in the middle of the room. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with books from the ceiling to the floor.

As we walked into Alpha Alex’s office, Omegas turned up with trays full of food. Within minutes, they filled the coffee table with different varieties of food and drinks for us. Alex thanked the Omegas and shut the door.

“Queen Danton, please help yourself. I’m sure you’re famished” Alex handed me a plate.

“Please just call me Alex. You don’t need to be so formal with me” I took the plate and started filling it up with food.

“Alex, it is. However, I can’t be disrespecting the Queen of the South. That’s like waging war.” Alex laughed.

Nicholas picked up a plate and started filling it up too. He was sitting next to me, bouncing with excitement for food.

“Don’t worry, dad. There will be no war between the territories. I’ve made sure of that” Nicholas stuff his face with pancakes between his words.

I looked up to see a very confused Alex.

“Alpha Alex. Aren’t you going to be eating?” I picked up a plate and filled it up with a few things before holding it out for him.

Alex smiled at me and took the plate.

“You really shouldn’t be doing that. You’re our guest, sweetheart.”

“Well, my theory is, if it’s something I would do for my father, then it’s something I should do for my father in law” I gave Alex my best smile.

I watched as his face went from confused to shocked.

Nicholas put his arm around my shoulders and slightly pulled aside the top of my t-shirt, revealing my mark.

Alex gasped, looking between Nicholas and me.

“Oh Goddess, you two mated?! Please tell me you didn’t defy the Moon Goddess!” Alex looked angry.

“Dad. Chill, will you?! We didn’t defy anyone. Alex is my mate.” Nicholas put his plate down and tried to calm his father.

We spend the next 30 minutes explaining to Alex what had happened with Duke and the legend Gideon told us about.

Once Alex had heard the story, he was happy. Very happy.

“I can not believe this! My son has finally mated. Oh, I’m so happy!” Alex pulled me into a hug.

“You two will be the strongest royalties in history! You’ll bear the strongest pups! Oh, I can not wait to tell everyone!

“Dad, dad! Calm down. We can not say a word to anyone just yet. Duke still has Danton Moon Pack under lockdown with everyone in it. We have to take Gideon back for him to let us in” Nicholas picked up his plate again and started eating.

“See, I have a suggestion about that. Very few people have met Gideon. Why don’t you disguise someone else as Gideon and take him with you? Duke wouldn’t know the difference. At least that way, Duke will let you back in, and Gideon will be safe” Alex sat on the edge of his seat.

I picked up my plate of food and sunk into my seat.

“Good idea Alex, but Erik has seen Gideon. He knows what Gideon looks like. I’m sure by now Erik would have made it back to Angel Falls to help Duke” I took a few bites of my pancakes.

My pockets started to vibrate. I had left my phone on silent.

I pulled my phone out and looked at the caller ID. It was Clark’s number.

I clenched my teeth and answered.

“Hello?”

“Alex! Alex, where are you?! These people, they have us locked up in the cellar. I don’t know where your dad is, but they said they were waiting for you to return. Where are you? We need you!” Clark was sobbing.

I rolled my eyes.

“Where’s my dad? What happened?” I faked enthusiasm and tried to play along.

“I don’t know where he is. They took him up to his office. We haven’t seen him since. I’ve never seen these men before. But they took that Roy guy up to your dad's office too.” He sounded genuinely frightened. If I hadn’t known his plans, I would have believed him.

“I should be back later today. Hang in there, okay. Help is on the way” I discreetly popped a piece of strawberry into my mouth.

I knew my family was in trouble. But letting this asśhole wind me up, I wasn’t that stupid.

“Okay. What help are you bringing? There’s so many of them here.”

“I haven’t really decided yet. I’ll see what I can do. Can I speak to Matt?” I was going to play his bluff.

“Umm.. his in the other cellar. I snuck my phone in with me. I’ll toss him my phone next time the guards aren’t around. Oh no! Someone’s coming.... bye!” And then the call ended.

I signed and looked at my phone.

“How stupid does he think you are?” Nicholas snorted.

“I don’t know, but I’m going to guess this was his way of finding out what I was up to. I’m surprised I haven’t received a call from that jackaśs that called yesterday.” I put my phone back in my pocket.

I was getting a little worried now. I was sitting here enjoying food while my family was held hostage by a crazy man.

“We should start heading back. I’m sure Alpha Trent has probably got everything ready by now.” I got up and put my half-eaten plate of food down.

“I’ll have some food packed for your trip. You taking your HQ warriors with you, Nicholas?” Alex got up and walked to his desk.

“Yeah, I’ve asked them to come down here now. You’ll let me borrow the pack warriors too?”

“Yes, take them with you too. You’ll need all the help you need. I’ve asked Lowe to bring Gideon here as well. It will save you the drive.” Alex opened a drawer and pulled out a small velvet box. He smiled at the box and made his way back to us.

The box in Alex’s hand was similar but smaller version to the box Nicholas had given me on our drive here.

He held the box out for Nicholas. There was a proud smile on his face.

“You’ll need this now. I don’t know how you two have planned to proceed, but this would be the first step.”

Nicholas took the box from his father's hand and nodded. He put it in his jacket pocket and gave his father a knowing smile.

“What’s going on?” I asked, looking between the father and son.

“Nothing Angel. My warriors are here. Shall we?” Nicholas placed a quick kiss on my forehead and walked towards the door.

“All the best, Alex. I really hope things go as you plan. I’m sure the Moon Goddess will be watching. Give that mutt a few punches from me” Alex gave me a side hug and kissed the side of my head.

Once Nicholas and I became friends, Alex had pretty much accepted me as part of their family. Just like Nicholas had mentioned, mate or not, I was family.

I hugged the old man back and smiled. How blessed I was to have two amazing fathers.

“Laura would be so proud of you both,” Alex whispered. I saw Nicholas stop in his tracks and tense up.

He never spoke about his mum's passing. I had met Laura twice before the tragic incident that took her life.

“Dad! Not today, please,” Nicholas growled over his shoulder.

“Sorry” Alex let me go and sighed.

I had to remember to ask Nicholas about that once this was all over. I had never really gotten to the bottom of what had really happened that day.

I walked over to Nicholas and slipped my arms around his waist. He relaxed under my touch and let go of the breathe he was holding.

“Better?” I looked up into those gorgeous green orbs.

Nicholas grabbed my waist and pulled me closer.

“Yeah, much better.” Nicholas gave me a big smile, and I felt my heart skip a beat. fuck Nicholas was cute. I still wasn’t use to how handsome and sexy he was. He was every girl's dream guy, and here I was, pressed him against this hunk of a man. He was all mine. Forever mine.

Nicholas’s smile fuelled the burning fury I had for Duke. Duke had kept me away from this amazing man and his handsome smile.  He had made my life a nightmare just for his revenge. Stopping him was the least of my concern. What I wanted was blood.....