44.

**Caleb (Malcolm's son)**



"That was amazing," my mate murmured in my ear.

I held her body tightly to mine watching the sheet covering her move slightly down with the movement. Her smooth tan skin was calling me to touch her which brought me a sense of pleasure in something so simple.

"I bet it will always be that way with you," I said softly kissing her head.

We were lying in bed after fully completing our mating and I was truly satisfied. Finding my mate wasn't something I was eager for, I just left it to faith.

I felt her fingers trail my neck, quickly I removed her hand and held it in my own. "What happened there baby?" she asked with concern.

"Just an accident. Leave it be," I answered her remembering our ambush on the royal detail.

Getting off the bed I went to the corner of my room to get dressed. I didn't want to remember that point where I disappointed my father. No one knew the alpha had gifts. Only to find out later it was the princess' mate.

Father was so set on having revenge on his family that I only want to make him proud of me. I was doing all of this for him to notice me as his own, a wolf not a half breed his men took to calling me. If I had to be cruel like him to get that look of pride in his eyes, then so it will be.

Easier said than done.

I don't even have any qualms against the royal family. My cousin Emma seems so sweet and kind what in the world can she do to harm others of her kind. Father kept on saying she's dangerous and needed to put a stop to her. Whatever he says goes. Its been like that since I can remember.

"Sweetie?!" Heather called out to me.

"Yes baby," I said looking at her. Her blue eyes shone like crystals while her blonde hair looked so beautiful against the sun.

"Was your father telling the truth?"

"With?" I knew what she was talking about but what does Emma have to do with her?

"His niece. Emma" she spat. So much anger was in those words and neither myself nor my wolf liked it all. We found ourselves protective of the girl we met under hostile circumstances.

A grimace took home on my face at the memory of seeing the petite brown hair girl pleading for her friend. I just wanted to hug her and tell her I'm sorry, wished it wasn't that way.

"Yes. My cousin is the future queen of the wolves" I answered.

"Oh," her reply was. Her fists clenched around the sheets but a smile was still pasted on her face.

"Why do y'all want her so bad? She's just wolf-less anyway" she asked with a voice of interest.

"Who says she was wolf-less? Weren't you and her in the same pack if I'm not mistaken?" I asked.

"Yes, she came from our pack. Emma never shifted, everyone knew that. Even the alpha and beta but they always treated her like the princess she is. She's such a bitch. No one was ever good enough for her except the alpha and beta. They followed her around lovesick. Won't be a surprise if she fucked both of......" She spat.

"QUIET!" I said. Though my father may hate her and I'm to do the same as well, my cousin's name won't be tarnished.

"Don't you dare talk about Emma like that" I hissed at her.

"Even my own mate she has wrapped around her finger. First Aiden now my own mate" she continued.

"She's my cousin, of course, I will defend her" I shouted.

Heather kept my gaze then laughed, "I wonder if Malcolm knows that his own son cares about her, that same bitch he wants to kill" she sneered.

I saw the anger in her eyes and I knew it was for Emma.

My father can't know of my weak spot for her it will once again result in me gaining punishment. Now it seems he got a new ally, someone else with hate against her. My mate.

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



**Emma**



Why can't every day be like this? My whole family having a meal together happy with each others company laughing and teasing one another. But I know that this is the calm before the storm.

Whatever happy moment we have, we had to cherish it.

Around the table a satisfied smile was on my face, the twins were bickering between themselves, my parents in their own world, Isah was joking with Avery while Michael was in a deep conversation with Mason while he held my hand beneath the table.

After our talk this morning, he found little ways to touch and hold me close to him, making sure I was always by his side.

It was sweet and I didn't mind, I love being next to him.

"Excuse me," Dad's voice brought me out of my thoughts along with the tinkling of his water goblet.

"Sorry for interrupting but Ari brought something to my attention. Kids I know you have accepted being a part of my pack and are staying but that's informally though. I've welcomed back my pup which came sooner than expected but we couldn't be anymore happier. I've decided to move up the initiation ceremony to tomorrow...... It is soon but not knowing when my uncle would strike leaves me uneasy" he stated.

Michael's hand on mind became limp which made me turn to him, he was staring blindly in his meal lost in taught.

Sadness came over our bond and I knew what he was thinking about. Cutting the bond with his family.

"Michael?!" My mother called out to him.

"Yes, Arabella?" He answered quietly and turned to her.

She smiled at him warmly and continued, " I know what you're feeling now. I've been in your position many years ago " she looked at my father who kissed her temple.

"You will be cut off from your family by bond but you will always have them with you. Leaving your family for a new one is one of the disadvantages of being a mate to a royal. We are not pressuring you but we need to have you kids connected to us for safety. We need to let your two positions be known. Emma's 18th birthday is what we planned for but it needs to be done. I'm sorry, sweet one" she said with a little sadness in her eyes.

"My brothers and I somewhat know how you feel, though we're happy to cut all ties with Moon Dust we know how it feels to lose that personal attachment to our family," I told him.

His blue eyes were sad as he looked at me, it was a moment I want to erase. I never want to see him in pain nor sad.

His thumb stroked my cheek as I leaned into his touch. The sparks from his touch were welcomed fully.

"You're my new family now," he said smiling, " and no way in hell I'm giving that up."

"So I take it that we got five more members to our family then?!" Isah asked grinning.

Daddy nodded his head smiling at Michael and me, the pride in his eyes was clear.

" I shall notify the elders of this. Tomorrow night would be great, a new moon is peaking then" Avery said excusing himself from the table.

"A new moon. New beginnings" mom said smiling at us around the table.

'Indeed it is' Alia said to me which pleased both of us.

"I will call your family Michael and give them a heads up on what is to happen. We can't tell them the real reason though. I hope you're okay with that?!" Mom asked.

"It's fine," he said softly. I squeezed his hand in support which he accepted.

Dad explained the initiation process and the ceremony for the crowned prince and princess it was really fascinating.

We never saw the joining of a new wolf to our pack so we were really interested in the details.
'Emma?! ' I heard Aiden's voice through the pack link.

My body tensed up, Michael noticed and kissed my temple.

'As I recalled we are no longer friends. And the fact that you challenged my mate, you just dug yourself in a deeper hole. Leave me alone' I shouted over the link.

'I'm sorry Emma. I wasn't thinking straight. I'm sorry. I've accepted my faults and not happy with them. Please forgive me' he said.

'Overnight?' I snorted 'go away Aiden please'

I blocked him before he can answer. Knowing what my former best friend did and said I couldn't wait to be free of Moon Dust.

"Ready to start our new life?" I asked Michael.

He turned to me, " With you in the picture, I can barely wait" he said capturing my lips with his.

Pulling away, I looked over at Mason, after tomorrow we both will be leaving behind a friend who betrayed our trust and us as a whole.