43.

**Michael**



I will always be amazed by my mate when I see the use of her powers, a sense of pride always fills me.

Proud at how strong she was accepting her life as a princess.

Proud of the love she had for her friends and family.

And proud that she is stubborn as an ox in whatever she believed in. I'm sure, not most she-wolves would wait for a mate who rejected them after being claimed.

Emma did. She believed in us as do I. Having her as a mate was like striking gold, a lot of responsibility came with her and I am willing to accept them once I can see her beautiful face next to me every morning.

What happened between her and Aiden was now but a memory and it will be behind us. We were both stronger now.

I can't blame him though, Emma is easy to love but he went too far by wanting to hurt her. Breaking us apart would kill both of us, the loss and sorrow would eat us alive.

The pain of that simple kiss was excruciating, I don't even know how it would feel when we make love.

Letting out a sigh of relief at that little hiccup being made through, I looked on at Landon and Avery training Emma in hand to hand combat.

Her moves were above par for a she-wolf. Noah informed me of the training their father put her through in human and wolf form.

She learned well from Daniel, I looked around at the others who stopped to watch the staged fight that was about to happen between father and daughter in wolf form.

"You ready baby girl? I may push you harder than Daniel because it is strongly needed. Malcolm won't hold back if you two are in wolf form. Understood?" Landon said standing before Emma.

She nodded with a smile and rolled her neck in anticipation to shift. "Good," He said smiling, Emma stepped back and bowed to her father giving him the opening to shifting first. Landon accepted and shifted into a large black wolf similar to mine and King Lucian's but the only difference was a mark of white was on his right paw like a bandage. It was truly a rare marking.

The power of the king radiated so much onto us that everyone made a step back.

Emma bowed to her father then shifted. Arabella smiled at the sight of her daughter as the white wolf I knew how she felt being in the presence of Emma in her wolf form.

It felt like you were blessed with a once in a lifetime opportunity to see her.

"She looks so beautiful just like her grandmother," Arabella said wiping her eyes.

Avery and Isah along with the guards stood in awe as Landon himself bowed to Emma.

She looked at us in confusion.

"He's welcoming you, home sweetie. Acknowledging your title" Arabella said with tears in her eyes.

"What does that mean actually?" I asked.

"It means the alpha is welcoming his pup into his pack informally soon will be the ceremony. It would mark the crowning of you and Emma also." Isah explained. I nodded as the two began to circle each other.

Landon lunged at Emma on her right but dodged him and spun to face her attacker quickly. He then proceeded to clamp down on her paw which made her dodged again, Emma took that chance to mark his side but not enough to cause damage.

He nodded in approval.

They faced each other again this time with Emma attacking he allowed her to get closer before jumping over her using his hind legs to kick her down to the ground. She fell and quickly got back up waiting for Landon to come back in attack mode which he did. Coming close to her she dodged his first attack but he got her on her hind leg bringing her to the ground, Emma rolled over quickly and got to her feet attacking with a force she tackled Landon which he did fell but was still on defense for his attacker.

It was a sight to see the techniques they were using especially from Emma, the twins' face held proud smiles even Mason.

I was blown away by her defense attacks, it was also the first time I've seen her fight .... It was definitely a turn on. 'Our mate is so incredible. Must make her ours' Zane said to me lustily.

'Something we definitely agree on' I returned watching the fight.

Avery gave her a few pointers Landon linked to him as they fought.

"Daniel has done a great job with her" Arabella said still focused on her mate and her pup.

"He sure has," Avery said chuckling as Emma brought Landon to the ground once again. We all knew the king was holding back in fear of hurting his daughter but they saw the fight as exceptional.

"Alright, you two. Time for a break." Arabella called out to them after watching them go the seventh round. Reluctantly they both stopped, I got Emma's extra clothes and made my way over to her, I ran my fingers through her fur and got a growl of delight from her. I crouched to her height and kissed her snout in which she licked my face in return earning a growl from me.

'How about a run just us?' I asked her through our link.

'That sounds great' she replied wagging her tail.

Chuckling at her action I turned to Arabella and informed her that we were going for a run.

"Be back in an hour" she called over her shoulder as they made their way off the training grounds. The twins and Mason stayed back not wanting to leave us alone, I didn't mind knowing they would give us privacy.

We stripped down to our boxers and shifted before Emma, she came up to me and breathe in my scent before she licked my face lovingly, I growled playfully at her which earned me a slap to my face with her tail.

In wolf form she was more playful and teasing which I adore, I heard Mason barked at us then at the twins informing us he would take the lead while the twins stayed behind us.

We walked out to the clearing, Emma close by my side, I loved having her next to me, everything seems right in the world when she's there.

I nipped her ear playfully before we ran after Mason, 'Come on my love' I said to her.

The five of us ran the length of the meadow and circled it, racing each other, letting go of the tension of the situation over our heads. Just being young and carefree.

'Our new family' I told Zane which he happily agreed.



After the hour we promised Arabella, quickly we made our way to where we left our clothes then proceeded back to the castle.

Walking back, we all were making fun of each other, Emma on my back teasing the hell out of me. Such a vixen I got.

Feeling someone looking at me I turn my gaze to the right to see a figure looking at us through a tall window with someone turned towards them. I brushed it off as a couple of help or guards talking.

I positioned my head back towards Emma whose head was on my shoulder.

"Dinner date with me tonight?" I asked her.

"Since you asked so nicely" she teased rolling her eyes.

"Ever the funny one aren't you, my love," I said capturing her lips with mine briefly.

"Who else gonna be the funny one in this relationship?" She asked.

I laughed placing her on the ground gently and kissed her nose.

Life surely won't be dull with my princess.


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


**Aiden**

"Just a kiss!! That's all he said it would take to break them. Does it look like they're on the verge of breaking the bond" I shouted at the older wolf beside me.

"Watch it pup. You may be an alpha but I'm an elder" he hissed.

Thanks to the gracious prince as I heard he has been called by a maid, I was in solitary confinement but with the lavish styling of a member of the royal court.

The suite I was in had all the comforts for a long stay. Guards were posted outside my door and was told if I needed to shift to allow my wolf freedom I can do that twice a week according to how long I'm here for.

At least I'm out of that hell hole.

Just to get my father and my fellow pack.

".......... I'm going to talk to the king to see what I can learn. He would want to know if they're are progressing on finding the hideout" the elder told me.

"If you're so close to the king why is he shutting you out?" I asked smugly.

"Don't push it, boy." He growled at me.

"All I want is what was promised to me," I said looking out the window.

It truly pissed me off to see Emma throwing herself at that dick of an alpha, how dare he banish my pack in their time of need after taking away what is mine from me.

After all of this, I will have the mate 'I WANT' with me, I don't care who I have to go through to get her, no one would stop me.

In two weeks, it all would be mine.

"I guarantee that it will be fulfilled. Meanwhile, try and get back into the good graces of your friends, you surely messed up in challenging the prince don't slip up again. Our time is limited" he said to me then left.

I scoffed at the mention of Michael being called a prince.

I'm the one they should be loyal to, I'm the one who should be called a prince. She loves me and not him.

I will prove it to them who should rightly be crowned prince.