61.

The arrival of the remaining three set the palace wolves and vampires in pure excitement, they were all enjoying each other's company and meeting their new prince and princess. An impromptu party was being held in the grand ballroom to lighten everyone's spirit. It was needed since the palace was on lockdown and tensions are high. The alphas of all five packs were huddled with the vampire kings, also Michael and Landon, they were all eager to meet the prince.

"So tell me, son, what pack do you hail from?" An older alpha by the name of Jerome asked.

"Dark Moon pack sir" Michael answered proudly. Landon smiled at his pride and even more so when the surrounding alphas spoke highly of Dark moon and their alpha.

"My pack was called in to help a year ago when hunters attacked, they chose the time when their guards were let down. Rumor has it, the alpha's son was one to blame" Jerome said quietly.

"How so? " another asked by the name of Micah. "They said he allowed a hunter who supposedly was his mate into the wolf community and she tricked him into telling her all their secrets" Jerome continued.

Michael clenched his fist in anger, his jaw clenched tighter as he stood there listening to the rumors that were made about him. No matter where he goes his past would always follow him.

Landon sensed Michael's wolf struggling to the surface and called his daughter to comfort her mate.

"Gentlemen are we so idle to listen to rumors. Dark moon though they are strong they are just like any packs to fall prey to hunters" Landon said cutting all talk among the men. Michael sent a grateful look to his father in law just as Emma came next to him and held his hand. Her touch calmed him instantly which he thanked her by kissing her temple.

"Goodnight alphas. Sorry for the intrusion." She greeted the men.

They all bowed to her and was captured by her beauty and the subtle peace she always brought with her.

"You're welcome, dear princess. We all are honored by your presence." Douglas said. He looked at the petite brunette with pure fascination, thinking how lucky prince Michael to have such a radiant woman as his mate.

"Thank you alpha Douglas" she replied. 'Are you okay? Do they know that you're the alpha's son they talk about' she asked her mate.

'No. They would be ashamed to know that their prince is a traitor' Michael said to her wistfully.

'Stop it.' Emma shouted at him. He nodded and held her closer to him, afraid she would leave his side.

"So my lovely niece, tell us how you met this man, your loyal mate" Alpha Aaron asked with his signature smirk. Emma had a pleasure to meet him personally and found him to be just like her mother. Playfully yet serious when the time calls for it and surely a delight to be around.

"Now. Now. Uncle Ronnie do we need to dampen our spirits this time" she answered. "No my dear Emmie just the good parts skip the sad parts," he said shrugging his shoulders.

'Its okay baby I can handle it now' Michael told her sensing her hesitation.

"The twins and I made it to Dark Moon after escaping Moon Dust's attack where alpha Angelo and his family took us in without any questions asked. They didn't know I was the princess, not even the white wolf. I met his two kids Maxwell and Maddie, who welcomed me as their own. After a week there I met his older son......... Michael." She said smiling up at her mate. He was focused on only her as she told them how they met. The sharp intake of breaths was heard around them. The memories of how he treated her came back into play.

"It wasn't a fairy tale story of how we made it this far. I had my demons and Emma stood by me through it all. Yes, I'm Alpha Angelo's eldest son, the son who was brought down by a female hunter who played on my greatest weakness 'finding and loving my mate'. I won't stand here and say I'm not him because I was. I paid for my mistakes and the goddess herself gave me a second chance. She gave me Emma," Michael continued.

Alpha Jerome looked on at the two and felt like such a fool for divulging in such rumors. The young prince was right his weakness and everyone's weakness were their mates. The hunter played her cards well.

Aaron smiled proudly at them, Landon told him of Michael over the phone and thought of him as his own blood, his own nephew. He would be a great king as he has just proven to the five alphas who now truly respect him.

"I'm terribly sorry your majesty," alpha Jerome said bowing lowly.

"It's alright. I can't run from my past. It's the present and future I have to make better and I'm doing it day by day," Michael responded kissing Emma's knuckles.

"Prince Michael is very exceptional in war tactics which he is currently helping with and we got the help of his father and his pack. They should be arriving soon. My delta is personally accompanying them to the palace." Landon said proudly.

"Ah. Very good. Angelo must be proud that his son has made a wonderful match" Micah offered. Michael smiled but didn't voice the truth.

Michael and Emma decided to take a break from the party, they found an empty room and sat on the sofa. They stayed quiet for a moment just holding hands, "thank you" was all Michael said breaking the silence.

Emma turned to him, his head was bent watching their hands thoughtfully, "That's what mates do. Be there for each other" she said softly.

"You have been there most of the time. That's more than most mates have to do. You got one messed up mate, my lovely princess" he said laughing softly.

"I prefer this messed up mate than a boring straight-laced mate. He keeps me on my toes" she said kissing his cheek.

Michael growled playfully at her and placed her directly on his now harden member. Emma moaned as she felt his excitement. "Just one touch you got me like this," he said huskily capturing her lips. Their tongues dance around each other in a familiar movement that sent them both on an edge. Emma ran her fingers through his thick wavy hair and tugged at it softly; his hands found her firm butt squeezing them as she grounded her arousal on his member that was forcing its way out of his slacks. With their lips still locked, Michael raised the hem of her dress to her waist as she released his member from its confinements.

"Now, baby, please," Michael breathed out feeling how wet she was.

"Fuck" she moaned as the feel of his fingers against her heated core sent shivers up her spine.

Slowly she slid down his hard shaft, he moaned in pure pleasure in her ear which gave her encouragement to bounce up and down.

Michael threw back his head not believing how much pleasure he is getting from this girl. His mate. His future wife. She went faster on him pushing them both to their fulfillment.

"Look at me, love," Michael said huskily clutching her waist sliding down a bit on the sofa. Emma's green gaze with his blue, their gaze unwavering, Michael began to thrust upward reveling in her moans and her facial expressions. His grip tightens on her waist as he felt their release coming soon. Emma held him tightly, the feel of their bodies together sparked the fire between them even more. "Please baby. Please." She begged him.

"Soon my love," he said kissing his mark on her neck. Michael went faster getting lost in the bliss he felt, the type of bliss only she can give.

"Now" he whispered in her ear and they both gave into their release, floating on cloud nine and getting lost in their own bubble. Fully sated, they stayed in each other's arms breathing heavily and loving the aftermath of their lovemaking.

'Dark Moon pack has arrived, you two,' Noah relayed to them.

"Just in time," Michael said. Still buried deep in her, he moved his hips slowly, making her moan loudly in the room. Wanting more but knowing they have to put a rain-check on it till later, she easily got off his member. He was still aroused when she got off which earned her a string of curses. With a smug smile on her lips, she slipped off to a nearby washroom.

"She would be the death of me and what a sweet death that shall be," he said to himself following her to the washroom. They cleaned themselves up and stood to look at their reflections.

Looking like the evermore bad-boy poster kid, Michael was dressed in all black, his sleeves were rolled up to his forearms and loose slacks. He re-positioned his crown on his head to be crooked completing his bad boy look. Giving Emma his signature smile he held her hand tightly, she was dressed in a white party dress hugging every curve on her body. Her long brown hair was in curls in which her crown sat perfectly on top of her head. He allowed his heated blue gaze to take in her beauty, her curves, and the love that shone in her eyes. Looking at the image they made, he silently thanked the Goddess for bringing them this far.

"Perfect," he whispered in Emma's ear, earning a blush from her. Hiding behind her hair, she pulled him out of the room with a cheeky grin on his face.

As they made their way to the thrones, neither noticed alpha Angelo and his pack in the middle of the room bowing before King Landon.

"Presenting the Crown Princess Emma and her mate the Crown Prince Michael," the doorman called out. Every member of Dark Moon heads shot up to the throne, they have all focused on the couple before them in shock that their excitement came in second. Landon stepped to the side as the two made their way to the Alpha and his family, the twins flank their sides while Mason stood directly behind Michael.

They all bowed in respect still completely at loss by what they heard and what they were currently seeing.
Angelo watched his eldest son with wary eyes, he took in Michael's full appearance from the crown on his head to the shoes on his feet. Emma stood by his side with a serene yet welcoming smile on her face.

"Hey, dad. Mom," Michael croaked out. Anna was in tears seeing her son after so long, quickly she pulled him into a tight hug not wanting to let go.

"My baby. I've missed you so much" she cried holding him not wanting to let go of her firstborn.

Emma smiled at Alpha Angelo. "Goodnight princess," Avery said as he walked passed her.

"Goodnight Avery welcome home," she said not taking her gaze away from the alpha.

"Do you recall the words of delta Avery?" She asked Angelo. He nodded in remembrance.

Landon stepped up beside her, "With the kindness of your heart you took in three young wolves in their time of need without the knowledge that one was the princess of this kingdom. I would like to thank you for protecting them Alpha Angelo and thank you for raising such a fine young man you call your son" he said.

"You're welcome, sir. Though this is all a lot to take in I do appreciate you taking care of my son also" Angelo said with a genuine smile.

Emma peeked behind Angelo to see Max and Maddison with smug smiles on their faces. She sent a small wave to them in which they return with a soft laugh.

Maxwell had a hunch that the howls they heard that night were of his brother and Emma and he was right, Maddie was a bit skeptical when her brother told her of his thoughts but now she stood corrected.

"I would like everyone to welcome the Dark Moon pack. The pack who has been there in the time of need, the pack of your dear prince, and now the sixth pack to be under the royal seal. From today Dark Moon is now a royal pack and ally." Emma stated to the crowd. Cheers were heard all around, everyone greeted the warriors and the family into the fold, shock was on all four members of the alpha family as Michael stood amazed at the scene in front of him. The packs welcomed Dark Moon as old friends it was truly a wonderful sight to see.

"Come. Let's find a quieter place for us to talk" Arabella said taking the hands of Ana and Maddie. They were stunned by the queen's forwardness; Emma went to Maxwell and grinned up at him all he did was shake his head at his adorable new sister.

"You know if all of this doesn't work out you can be my Luna" Maxwell teased with a wink.

"If I ever need an alpha to settle with I would surely choose you Alpha Maxie" Emma countered kissing his cheek.

"I can hear you two" Michael growled in their direction as he approached his father.

"You were meant to hear my love" Emma teased dragging his younger brother to the anteroom her mother led them to.

Emma sat between her parents while Michael sat by himself with Mason and the twins behind him. Angelo and his family sat across from them all.

"So what do y'all want to know?" Michael asked.

Emma rolled her eyes at her mate stating the obvious, her friends snickered at her action but was quickly silenced by Arabella.

"Word has it that the princess died eighteen years ago. It was ploy then since your daughter is right here in front of us" Anna said.

"Yes. We had to keep her safe so we sent her to live with our old friends. The twins' parents. They grew her up as their own it was not till the attack on their pack that she was told of her true identity" Arabella said.

"So when they made it to us she didn't know of her lineage?" Maddie asked.

"I found out when Michael left," Emma said quietly.

They remembered her nights of calling out to him not eating, only focusing on her mate, to have him back. It was heartbreaking to hear and witness.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Angelo asked.

"It would be risking Dark Moon's safety. The fewer persons knowing of Emma was better and safer" Jonah answered.

"What do you mean? We would never betray the crown." Angelo countered.

"We knew of this Alpha Angelo but we couldn't risk it. If word got out that survivors of Moon Dust matching our description you would have been attacked" Noah said reassuring the alpha.

"So the attacks that were being reported from the smaller packs were connected to you three?" Maxwell asked.

They all nodded in response to his question.

"The person who spearheaded these attacks was searching for her to get rid of her. With Emma out of the way he can claim the throne." Landon said.

"The only person who would be able to do that is the banished prince Malcolm but he died in the vampire prisons," Angelo said in confusion.

"I wish," Arabella mumbled. Everyone heard her mutterings and looked at her highly amused, she simply shrugged and brushed them off.

"My uncle is surely not dead. Weak but not dead. From our information gathered he has prepared an army to overthrow us. He still has the single mind thinking that purebreds should be dominant and both humans and vamps should be our slaves" Landon spat.

"It all has been lies we've been fed all these years. You lied to your own people, the people who mourned the loss of your daughter. Our hopes of a secure future crumbled when the news of the princess was told. You expect us to sit here idly and accept that just because my son is your daughter's mate" Angelo said angrily. He shot up from his seat, towering over the king. Noah steadily approached the alpha as Mason placed himself behind his king.

Landon gestured to them to stand down and gave Angelo a weak smile.

Holding his daughter's hand he simply stated, "I value the loyalty of my people but the safety of my daughter and my people comes first "

Angelo looked at his own daughter and released a frustrated sigh. He couldn't be mad at the king when he would do the same for Maddie, even for either of his son.

"You knew of the danger that she was in and still stayed by her side. " Angelo said to Michael, not with disapproval but of pride.

"Love and protect that's what mates do," Michael said grinning at his father.

Angelo shook his head and went to his son, Michael stood and gave his father a hug that spoke so many words between them.

Words that weren't voiced out loud in the past year. "Love you son" Angelo whispered for Michael's ear only.

Those two words washed over him melting away all the guilt he felt of betraying his father; all the doubt's that were in his mind that his father no longer saw him as the kid he was proud of at sixteen. Tears prickled his eyes as he returned, "Love you too, dad".