50.

**Dark Moon Pack**



The wolves of Dark Moon were gathered in the clearing frozen to the spot where they stood after hearing the announcement that was made by the one wolf they thought have died.

In response, they all shifted to their wolf form. Both young and old, they all knew what was happening. With their future alpha responding first with his howl of acceptance the pack followed.

The last royal was alive. The bloodline lives on.

Nearby packs continued on with their acceptance; they now have a princess and a prince added to the kingdom. All wolves were in a celebratory mood except for Angelo and Anna, before the announcement they felt their son's bond being broken from them. It was painful to feel and see it from each other. They lost a son and gained a royal that night.

"You alright, dad?!" Maxwell asked his father who was sitting in the lounge blindly staring at a picture of all three of his pups.

Angelo looked up at his son the only one he has left, the only one to lead the pack, Max took the role of alpha just as Michael which made his father proud. "I'm alright, son. Just missing your brother" Angelo said.

They sat in silence.

"Dad. Didn't the howls of the new royals sound familiar to you?' Maxwell asked.

"Familiar like how son?" Angelo asked distractedly. The older man was more caught up in thought and warring emotions of feeling the bond to his eldest son sever. A year ago it was faint, this time it pained his heart even more so.

"The first sounded a lot like Emma's and the new prince like Michael's," Maxwell said. He knew his brother's mate howls anywhere, the time she spent with them he familiarized himself with her laugh, her voice, her growls even her howls. He did so unconsciously but at moments when he misses his new sister, he would replay her laugh in his mind. Even with Michael. He missed his brother and sister a lot.

"I don't think so, Maxwell. Maybe its how you're missing them that the royals' calling sounded like them. If Emma was truly the princess don't you think your brother would tell us? " Angelo said standing up.

"But he hasn't even contacted us since they left Dark Moon how would they have told us? I know those calls were Michael and Emma," Maxwell pressed.

"Enough! Michael is with a new pack now but certainly not the prince. It's a trying night for us all, just drop it," Angelo shouted.

Maxwell bowed his head in submission. He knew his father was still in pain of Michael leaving the pack and he was sorry for bringing up his suspicions he just wanted to find a way in putting them at ease. Maxwell truly believed all is well with his brother but his parents have been worrying non stop. The call from the queen herself sort of put them at ease.

Angelo sighed when he realized what he did.

"Maxie. Forgive me. Its all too much tonight. When Michael or Emma decides to call we shall ask them. Now let's just focus on celebrating tomorrow with the homecoming of the new royals," He said smiling at his young son.

"Sure thing dad," Maxwell said going to hug his father.

Angelo was so grateful for his son stepping up to take over but evermore grateful for being the strong one when the whole family has been lost after the kids left Dark Moon.


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


**Malcolm's Hideout**

Howls of joy and relief echoed through the prison halls as all the captured wolves heard the new princess' call. Those that believed in her to save them returned her call, it was truly a joyous moment for them. The survivors of Moon Dust was still in shock of hearing the news of Emma being the princess, more so when they heard her howls. She wasn't wolf-less after all.

Alpha Jack had tears of happiness brimming in his eyes, they have worked so hard to protect the little princess now she's finally home.

"I wish Becca was alive to be part of this," Daniel whispered memories of his loving mate came flowing into his mind. From the day that they met, when they received Emma, to the last moment they held each other. "I know she would be proud that Emma has reach home safely and the boys are alright," he continued. Jack sat next to his friend of so many years, witnessing Becca being killed in front of them was horrendous. A part of him died along with her. Daniel and Becca have been pillars for himself and Aiden when his mate died. He knew of the pain and loss Daniel was feeling.

"I bet she is and she would be happy to know how strong you are also, my friend," Jack said trying to comfort him.

Daniel snorted in disbelief. He wasn't as strong as before. With the loss of his mate, he has gotten weaker but was still able to hold his own.

"Quiet" a shout was heard down the halls. The sound of heels made its way closer to the wolves who were chatting with excitement.

Malcolm, Derek, and Heather came into view. "Enough with your unnecessary howls. Just because your so-called princess has notified you wretches of her return doesn't mean we would be running for the hills. I will finish what I started eighteen years ago" Malcolm shouted.

Malcolm was angry that Darwin hasn't informed him of this impromptu move done by Landon nor of the unsuccessful result of breaking the two. Incompetent fools Malcolm thought. Luckily the troops are being gathered so an attack would soon be on the way. Things surely are happening unexpectedly.

"Your little princess won't know what hit her," Heather sneered. Getting rid of Emma would be ideal for Heather. Then she can get Aiden all to herself. She can easily break the bond with that half breed. His dear cousin was a thorn in her side since they were kids. Mason and Aiden saw only Emma and no other she-wolf. Aiden was to be hers not caring if he wasn't her mate, Heather has always been in love with him.

"Et tú Heather? Et tú?!" Daniel said icily.

She shrugged in reply as the other survivors of her pack couldn't believe her betrayal. All for what? Power? Has she forgotten what this mad man has done to her pack? Her parents?

"I see an opportunity and I took it. Can't blame a girl for having big dreams" she said leaving.

"Oh and alpha Jack your son hasn't made through on his deal. I hate to know that you lost your mate now your son. Can't have failures under my reign can't we," Malcolm said amused by the shocked look on the alpha's face.

"What did you make him do, you bastard?" Jack roared in anger.

"Correction. What he hasn't done." Malcolm said laughing and turn to leave.

"Don't you dare touch my son Malcolm. I swear I would skin you alive myself," Jack shouted after him.

"Get in line," Malcolm returned before the gate slammed shut.

"Aiden can't be stupid enough to side with that vile thing," Jack spat in anger and disbelief.

"Let's hope he didn't," Daniel said.

"But what would Malcolm need Aiden to do? It's not like he can just walk into the palace and kill the king." Jack said sitting beside his friend. Daniel thought about that question then groaned in realization when he figured out an inkling possibly more than that why Malcolm approached Aiden.

"Emma," Daniel whispered.

"Aiden won't hurt Emma he loves her too much," Jack said knowing how much his son loved the princess and what he did in England all in the name for love.

"Then whatever he was supposed to do he sure as hell failed to do it" Daniel responded.

Daniel sent a prayer to the moon goddess for Aiden to be kept safe from whatever danger Malcolm sending his way.


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


**Vampire Territory**

"Such joyous sounds isn't it, my love?" Queen Rayan asked of her beloved Dimitri.

Dimitri and Damian stood on the balcony of their castle as they looked on at the scene below them. Few wolves who resided in their kingdom were in the wolf form howling at the moon in response to their goddaughter's calling.

"It sure is. I can't wait to meet her" Dimitri answered happily, they all were anxious in seeing the little princess. For years they have been keeping the secret of her whereabouts and of her survival, Landon gave them reports of her growth whenever he received them from her 'parents', now to put a face to the girl Landon raving about made them itch with excitement.

"We shall leave the following night. Everything is ready for our travel to Landon," Damian said watching the wolves in wonder.

"Have Ariana been told of her visit to her aunt?" Rayan asked smirking.

"The kid is practically sitting in the courtyard waiting to leave," Damian said laughing. His niece was extremely excited to go see Arabella even more to meet her new cousin.

Dimitri shook his head in amusement picturing a 19-year-old daughter acting like a 5-year-old.

"Oh leave her be. You don't hear anyone teasing you about being as excited as her to see Emma," Rayan teased.

A sheepish look covered Damian's pale face before he childishly stuck his tongue out at his sister in law.

"Wow. The commander of the vampire army is a six-year-old. What shall people think, dear brother," Dimitri said rolling his eyes at the two.

"They would think about how handsome and brave king Damian is. Well, the ladies " Damian said grinning like an idiot.

"Enough you two. I'm going to make sure I got everything packed. I can't wait to see Ari" Rayan squealed as she left the twins on the balcony.

Damian listened for a moment to ensure Rayan was a good distance, "I've sent the men ahead they should be arriving at Landon's in the early morning. He knows of their arrival also, Avery." Damian said in a hushed tone.

"Good. What about the secondary ones?" Dimitri asked watching on at the wolves dancing in the moonlight below them.

"Been sent ahead also. No need to worry brother. Malcolm won't be able to touch a hair on Emma" Damian reassured his brother. "He would be dead before he even sees her again," Dimitri said icily.

"Excuse me your majesties but someone is by the gates wishing to speak to the queen," The palace butler said behind them.

"This hour?! Escort the visitor to us please," Dimitri said, a bit skeptical of this announcement but he couldn't just leave the traveler out in the cold.

Damian and Dimitri followed the butler down to the foyer where they waited for the visitor to enter.

A few moments later the door was opened to a dirty weary-looking person under a dark hoodie.

"Show yourself," Damian said in his authoritative tone.

Slowly their visitor removed the hood, "Hello uncles. Its been years huh".

"Is it the night of the living dead around here?" Damian shouted in disbelief when they recognized the person in front of them.

Dimitri was in shock unable to move. Rayan is going to freak when she sees who's in her home.