59.

**Michael**



Emma and I sat in the receiving room that was open to the people of the kingdom, accepting gifts and well wishes from wolves and vampires alike. They all wanted an up-close look at the prince and princess, the two people they may or may not put their faith in for a safe future.

I turned to my mate and noticed how tense she was, even her wolf was tense, the smile on her face was weak and she was constantly distracted.

After sending away another well-wisher we were alone for a few minutes, besides the twins and additional guards, I took that opportunity to talk to Emma. Something was bothering her, she wasn't her self and it has been two days I've been asking her what was it that had her so thoughtful and sad.

"Emma," I called out to her.

"Hmm" she answered slightly turning to me. Her eyes were distant as she focused better on me.

"Emma," I said again sighing this time. "I'm fine, Michael I'm... I'm just a bit tired that's all. I promise." She answered quietly.

I knew she was lying when she tried to avert her eyes away from me. "You do know you can confide in me right?! Whatever it is I would try to help in whatever way. Baby, what is it?" I said to her.

She looked at me with sad eyes then released a deep sigh. Have I done something wrong? Did I offend her in some way?

"If its something I did. I'm truly sorry," I quickly said.

"No. No. No. Never. It's not you, I swear. It's something that I must figure out on my own. Please bear with me," She pleaded with me while cupping my cheek. I leaned into her touch, reveling in the sparks that erupted by her it; I held her hand and kissed her palm in her response I heard her gasp. Opening my eyes I saw her lovely green eyes soften, all I saw was love and adoration. I will never get tired of seeing that look from my mate, she's my world, the reason I'm a better man.

"If you need help with anything just ask," I said to her. She smiled and leaned towards me, doing the same, our lips met with the same feeling we get from a simple touch. Our lips moved against each other in sweet familiarity, I wanted more I needed her closer but those thoughts were squashed by someone clearing their throat, interrupting us.

Letting out a loud growl I turned to the culprit, "What?!" I shouted at my beta. Mason gave me a triumphant grin as he bowed in acknowledgment, "Excuse me your majesties but King Landon would like to see the both of you in his study when your daily duties are over," He said with a smug look. Emma giggled beside me, I knew why she was laughing, Mason has been pestering me for the past few days about how love-struck I am with Emma.

What can I say, she has me wrapped around her fingers? I would do anything she asks of me, go where ever she goes, be whoever she wants me to be if it makes her happy.

"Thanks, Mase," Emma said containing her self. He bowed and left the room, turning to Emma I smirked at her which made her laugh louder. "Yes my love" she laughed out kissing my cheek, no words were to be said when she knew what she did to me with that one kiss.

We left the room with the twins in the lead making our way to King Landon's study.

I knew what he wanted to speak about. My family was due to arrive in a day's time with their best warriors. To say I was excited was an understatement, not seeing them for so long was torture now they would be closer to me and safe. We were all skeptical of how they would take the news of Emma and me being the next king and queen. Their leaders.

On top of that, tension has grown thicker being on alert for Malcolm was getting to all of us. Sightings of rogues were coming too frequent, Avery and Isah heightened all training, even mine was heightened. Now I can control my gift to the point where Emma and I can combine both our gifts, it all happened out of the blue when we were fooling around on the grounds one day. Landon and Arabella were ecstatic when they heard the news apparently our bond was to thank for, it gave our gift the boost it needed.

"Morning daddy," Emma said bouncing towards her father when we entered the study. Landon's eyes twinkled with happiness as his daughter kissed his cheek and sat next to her mother. His gaze was fixed on the two as they immediately started with a conversation, now there was a proud father and mate I thought to myself.

Hopefully one day I would have that added title- a father. 'Can't wait to see our mate bearing our pups' Zane said happily. "Michael" I heard Emma shouted at me through our link. "What? I didn't say anything it was Zane," I said giving her a fake pout. She blushed and went back to her mother.

Sometimes I regret allowing my chatterbox wolf into my thoughts.

"Okay everyone quiet," Landon said aloud, "Michael are you ready for when your family gets here?"

I nodded afraid to speak out loud. My father would be a bit disappointed when they see us, not confiding in him, keeping secrets from him under his roof but I know it all would work out fine.

"Very well. We should be expecting everyone tomorrow night. Besides the warriors of Dark moon, another 100 wolves will be arriving. They are part of our army but hails from past commanders and Ari's family packs, they have been updated about the situation and took great care in making their way here. We must be vigilant tomorrow. Noah and Jonah you two shall head the security of Emma and Michael. Something is up, the air is too still" he said to everyone. The last part was muttered more to himself but everyone heard.

"Now that we know what is happening tomorrow. Donnie and I would like to clarify a few things with everyone." Arabella started.

Landon nodded for her to continue. "Caleb has proven himself nothing like his father, his action and attitude towards us and the helpers are nothing like his father......." She started to say then cleared her throat.

"I've had concerns about him since he's half-human and son of a royal so I posed my questions to Liselle our elder and her answer was somewhat a relief. Caleb is considered as a prince by blood," Landon continued.

No one spoke we all have our opinion of Caleb; we all have associated ourselves with him and accept him nonetheless even the twins.

"Has he been blessed with gifts as us?" Emma asked.

"We don't think he will ever be. We never had a human in our line so everything that happens around him would be recorded." Arabella answered.

We all nodded accepting Caleb as one of us. With him as a prince, he can only ascend the throne if anything happens to Emma and me.

"Does he know?" I asked.

"Yes, he does. When I told him, he didn't want the position but accepted it when I agreed to tell no one" Landon said, "So no one outside this room should mention this."

"Yes, your majesty" was everybody's response.


*********************************************


**Mason**



Leaving Michael and Emma to themselves I decided to take a walk to the pond just outside the gardens. It was hard to witness the love between two mates on a daily basis; the teasing I give to Michael is just to take my mind away from the constant pain I'm feeling.

Her scent was everywhere, whenever I feel her presence near I turn the other direction, seeing her would send me in a frenzy. Her beautiful face never leaves my mind, oh goddess I wish I can just have her in my arms and be complete. 'Can she see past her insecurities and love us?' My wolf asked.

I couldn't answer him because I know she hasn't given me a chance to prove myself to her. Prove to her that she would be loved and protected. Prove to her she would be mine both heart and soul.

I sat at the water edge letting my thoughts get the best of me. A few tears rolled down my cheek as I remembered the day my mother died. My father was uncontrollable he begged Alpha to see her body but was kept from doing so; Becca the twin's mother took me in for the period of time dad was inconsolable. I was only nine and lost her. That same night Emma promised to be my sister as I was her brother to the end.

Emma was the best example of a best friend and she still was.

"Sorry. I ... I didn't know you were here" I heard the angelic voice of Ariana said. My head shot up quickly to the vision in front of me. Her long brown hair was caught in the gentle breeze that blew around us with sad brown eyes giving her the look of a lost angel. I couldn't say anything but just nod in response.

Who was I kidding? No matter how much she hurt me I would still want her. Stupid mate bond.

I watched as she stood there looking at me fighting with herself if to stay or leave. Her presence brought on so many feelings that I myself was fighting what to do also. The only feeling that was more dominant was anger and it was coming to the surface.

"Mason I'm ....." She said breaking the awkward silence. "Don't. Just don't." I grounded out, rising to my feet to I can look directly in her eyes. Walking towards her, pain and sadness filled her eyes, her breathing became shallow as I stood directly in front of her.

"How does it feel?" I asked, my voice was colder than usual.

She bent her head a sob escaped her lips, I hooked a finger under her chin and raised her head. "It hurts so bad" she cried fully now.

"I can't take it anymore. I can't live like this. Please forgive me, Mason," she cried. Her hands were on my forearm, holding on for dear life as she pleaded with me.
'Beautiful mate. Mate in pain' my wolf said whimpering.

"Do you understand what you put me through? What YOU put us through? I cannot and would not accept a mate who doesn't accept me for who I am. I am no cold-hearted fool who would use or hurt the woman that was destined for him. I'm a wolf who would love her. Cherish her. Treat her like the queen she is in my life" I said calmly to her.

Ariana fell to her knees and cried freely. I was torn between the two, comfort her and tell her I need her in my life or leave her where she's at with the pain she brought upon herself.

'Don't you dare make our mate suffer anymore. She's truly sorry,' my wolf shouted at me.

'I ..... what if........ I'm so tired of it all' I said to him in a defeated tone.

Even though I wanted to take her in my arms and whisper sweet nothings in her ear, my heart wasn't ready. The fear of a second rejection.

Crouching in front of her I raised her tear-streaked face to mine, "I am yours to love as you are mine to love but......" I started to say then releasing a tired sigh. Wiping away her tears, I kissed both her cheeks, she let out a surprised gasp, the feel of her cheeks against my lips was instantly pleasurable. Slowly I lowered my lips to hers and lightly brushed them together.

"You hurt me so much, baby. Just know I will always be yours, Princess," I whispered against her lips then capture them in a slow sensual kiss. Honey. That's what her lips tasted like.

Warm soft lips with a flavor I know I would be addicted to. It was so mind-blowing, how can one kiss make me feel so... Complete. Cupping her face in my hands I deepened the kiss, placing myself back on the ground, her fingers ran through my shaggy blonde hair making gentle tugs I was in heaven as I held my very own angel.

My Ariana.

My wolf was in pure bliss though we haven't fully accepted her as our mate she was still dear to us.

I ended the kiss with one on her nose. "Are you truly willing to be with me? A wolf. Beta to Prince Michael and Princess Emma. A dutiful and loyal wolf to his prince first then his mate. Are you willing to become the beta female of this kingdom?" I asked of her.

She nodded quickly. "As long as I can have you. Nothing else matters my sweet wolf. I don't want to go another night without you near me. My heart can't take the pain and loss" she said cupping my face. Her touch calmed me instantly, this is what I longed for.

I have to risk this, I myself can't live with the pain anymore, I needed her.

"Neither can I," I said to her claiming her lips once more.

This time the kiss was filled with more passion more emotions. Most of all - acceptance. I lowered her to the ground and hovered over her, gently passing my hand over her body, my wolf got possessive claiming her beautiful lush body as his and no others. "Mine" I growled against her lips placing my arms around her as she held me in hers. "Yours," she whispered in my ear.

Hovering over her I traced her face as she smiled warmly up at me, "You're so beautiful, baby" I said to her. She blushed at my words and hid her face in my arm I laughed at her antics allowing me to kiss her temple. From that moment I vowed to love her and protect her show her what mates are. How loyal mates are.

I was about to tell her how I felt about our current situation before I was interrupted.

'Beta Mason we caught four wolves trying to get into the territory' One of the warriors that were placed under me called out to me in great apprehension.

'I will be right there,' I replied hastily getting up.

"Go into the palace now Ana," I said to her pulling her up. Shifting into my wolf in front of her, I nudged her to the path back up to the palace. "Be careful. I just got you." She said to me before running back to the palace with inhumane speed.

Sensing her presence away from me I turned to go to the western side of the woods, my team gave me the exact location where they were located, Michael was told also and was on his way to the area where our trespassers were caught.

I came up to the densely wooded area where my men circled the four wolves, they barked defensively at my warriors. Their form was alike to my men and oddly familiar. Shifting back to my human form I walked into the circle, my team leader shifted also and stood beside me ready to attack if any seem stupid enough to try.

The four immediately submitted as they recognized my position, "I am Mason, Beta of Blood Moon can you tell me why you're here on royal lands?" I said aloud. They whimpered and shifted back to human form. They kept their heads down, I noticed how battered their bodies were and weak, these men hardly hold themselves up.

"What is it, Mason?" I heard Michael said behind me. I kept my head low as did my men when Michael entered the circle.

"Four trespassers, your majesty. They have yet to answer my question" I informed him.

"Stand" Michael ordered them. They readily obeyed as the power he radiated wasn't to take lightly.

"Answer your beta" Michael ordered once more.

"We seek help. Beta Mason. Your majesty" one answered.

"Help? In what way?" I asked.

They raised their heads, I instantly knew the wolves.

"To find the man who destroyed our pack," the other said.

"What pack are you from," Michael asked.

"Moon Dust" I answered for them. These four wolves were warriors under my father, the last surviving four I saw captured by Malcolm's men.

Michael and my men looked at me confused but I only had one question in my mind.

"Where's my father?"