62.

**Emma**

I cleared my throat for the umpteenth time as I caught Maddison worshiping my dear sweet cousin with her eyes. Caleb was completely oblivious to it all but accepted her company during dinner or family time around the palace. I know he was hurting it showed in his eyes, just thinking of how his mate Heather rejected him after they mated made me angry. She stood so low of staying with his father because he was half-human.

Maddie sat up straight and glanced at me, I bit my lips trying not to laugh aloud. We were all seated around the table waiting for our dinner to be served. I looked around the table and smiled in pure happiness, my whole family was here well almost we have to free Daniel, Alpha Jack and Mason's father, to have that feeling of content.

My father, Michael, and my uncles were always thinking of different attacks, I've even offered to help but they wouldn't involve me in the war itself. Dad made it an order for all the royal females and helpers to stay away from the war or whenever an attack struck us. Mother and I were angry about not being able to help. I still was. I wanted to be by Michael's side to make sure he doesn't leave me, he's a great fighter with his gift and in wolf form but I can be added strength to our side.

I tried reasoning with them with my guilt trips about what my people would think if I don't help defend their home or use my gifts against our threat. But they weren't persuaded. Michael was the first one to answer, "I won't allow it, Emma. You're too valuable for us to lose, even more so to myself and your father. Please baby just do this one request."

I couldn't deny my mate so I gave in.

"Excuse me," I heard Caleb said hoarsely along with the tumbling of his chair. Looking up I saw how tightly clenched his fists were, his body was rigid and he was struggling to walk. Growls were heard around the table, Alia was frantic, 'Get to him don't let him shift inside. His mate is breaking the bond.' She told me. Everyone's wolf sensed it also.

For some unknown reason to me, Alia was very protective of Caleb and his wolf.

Quickly I ran after him, sniffing the air for his scent it was still strong but on both sides of the hallway. I heard an agonizing cry from the stairs, running to the sound I found him curled into a ball on the last stair. Alia whimpered as I got closer to him.

"Caleb," I said with a shaky voice I didn't realize I was crying till I spoke.

"Emma," he grounded out.

'Hold him' Alia shouted at me. I did as she ordered. Caleb held onto me tightly as I hugged him. His body began to relax, then I was feeling an inkling of pain in my chest but not too much for me to cry out.

'Get outside and shift' Alia said desperately.

'Please help him,' I heard a male wolf said to me. It was an unfamiliar voice and I knew he wasn't of the pack.

'Its Caleb's wolf. Go now Emma' Alia pushed me again.

Using whatever strength she gave me I got him out to the grounds. "Caleb. You need to shift please" I cried crouching down beside him.

He looked up at me, his green eyes full of unshed tears and pain, "Too painful" he was able to say.

'Emma this may hurt but you need to absorb some of his pain. Place your hand on his chest' Alia said.

'What?! I can't do that. I never did this' I said to her hysterically.

'Its an evolved form of your healing abilities. You can do this. Please help him' she cried to me.

Doing as she told me, I began to feel his pain, it was so hard to stay focus, the pain was ten times the pain I felt with Michael.

'SHIFT' both Alia and Caleb's wolf yelled at us. It was a task to do so, completing the change we both were on the ground whimpering our wolves took over and edged closer to each other. The pain was still going on, how can she do this. Take to another man knowing her mate would feel this agony. Our wolves were howling in loss and sharing of pain.

"Emma. Caleb." I heard my father shouted. We were too tired to respond.

I sensed Michael coming closer but my father stopped him.

"She's in pain. She needs me," He yelled.

"We can't touch them nor be near them. Their wolves would know what to do" dad was saying to him.

I looked at Caleb in wolf form. He was no longer gray with brown fur, but now gray with white. His paws were coated snow-white like little socks. He looked majestic.

'Brother', Alia whimpered.

'What?! How can this be?' I asked her.

'His father was controlling us that day of the ambush. He knew we were against the attack. Alia is my sister in wolf spirit, I'm Arion. We share each other's emotion. I felt everything from your pack being attack to now. ' he said weakly.

'Is that why you were so protective of him?' I asked Alia.

'Yes. We must protect him. Malcolm wants him dead also.' She replied.

Before she can reply another wave of pain hit us, Caleb and I howled out in unison as it racked our bodies.

'Baby look at me. Please, what is happening. Please baby.' Michael's cries came to me in desperation. Weakly I turned my head to him, resting it on Caleb's back, I saw him on the ground with dad and uncle Aaron holding him back. It was then I noticed a shield around us. Did I create this?

'Caleb did. He has a gift similar to yours now. As he grows with you new gifts would be given to him and his descendants. Your mate nor any other wolf shouldn't touch the shield. Its dangerous' Arion said.

'I'm fine baby. Don't come closer, please. The shield will hurt you.' I told Michael. He wanted to be near me, his wolf Zane was calling to us. Michael shifted and began to pace in front of the shield.

'Is he hurting you? What is this, my love?' He asked again.

'Caleb's wolf is my brother. He isn't hurting me. He's protecting us.' I told them all.

They all were shocked, I looked at my parents to see them wearing satisfied smiles. I had a feeling they knew and there was more to this.

'Emma? Are you alright? I'm sorry for what I put you through.' I heard Caleb's weak voice said to me. He tried to stand up, I still had most of my strength so I transferred some of it to him helping him to stand stronger.

'Don't be. You're here now' I told him nuzzling his neck. He playfully nipped my ear.

'Are you okay?' Alia asked them.

'The pain still lingers the bond is weaker now. He won't feel anything she does again' Arion told us. Just as how my Alia was fond of me, Arion was the same to Caleb. They protected us like no other wolf to their human.

'How can I talk to you without a pack bond?' Caleb asked pawing my neck playfully.

'Arion quit playing and answer your human' Alia said sternly.

'Sorry. The goddess made our link possible. When wolf spirits find their siblings it all comes naturally. ' Arion answered

'This is how all of us can communicate together. Welcome home brother' Alia said to them.

Looking at Caleb in wolf form he looked weak, 'Caleb are you alright?' I asked.

'I'm.... F...I'm fine' he said to me before he collapsed and shifted back to human form. The shield was lifted and my father rushed to his side.

"He's fine. They need rest. Since he's half-human earning his gift has taken most of his energy. Along with his mate bond breaking." Dad said to me as I lay next to my cousin.

'Does this make him a full royal?' I asked him.

"Yes, he is now. He's now fully part of our line." Dad said aloud.

Pleased comments were heard around us, the majority of the castle surrounded us, I was confused as to why?

"They felt your pain and also Caleb's. Every wolf sensed his coming out. He won't be able to hide his position any longer," Dad said allowing them to move Caleb.

Michael came to me still in wolf form whimpering licking my face and neck lovingly but with concern.

'I'm alright Michael. I'm alright' I told him whimpering also. I remembered the look on his face, he was afraid of losing me and wanted to ease my pain. He was truly devoted to me, his love for me was very intense.

Noah came up to us with a few pieces of clothing and gave it to Michael.

'Come' was all he said leading us into the forest.

Following him I looked behind me and saw Angelo and my father watching us intently, Angelo asked my father a question in which my father replied with a smile and led them away.

My mate led us to one of the less used areas of the forest, there I shifted and stood before him. He circled me twice, licking my thighs and hips, brushing against me intimately. "He didn't hurt me, Michael. You can calm down now" I said getting dressed while he sat looking at me.

'I know. Just was looking at how beautiful you are. You cut your hair. Why?' He asked.

I shrugged my shoulders and sat opposite him.

How do you tell your mate you miss him when he's busy planning for your safety? Michael and I haven't spent time together in a long time only during dinner and when we get ready for bed. He usually came to bed late when I'm asleep. One night he missed dinner with the family along with my father so I decided to wait up for him with dinner in our suite. I waited for him for three hours with his promises of coming soon, I fell asleep in the lounge waiting on him, next morning I woke up alone in our bed. I couldn't be upset with him because I know most of his time is for us and our kingdom but I missed our afternoons in the garden or by the lake just us.

He shifted and crouched before me.

"Emma. What is it? Why are you sad?" He asked. I wanted to tell him but I just forced a smile and prayed I don't cry.

"I'm not sad, silly. I'm okay," I said clearing my throat and smiled again. His gaze on me made me feel bad, he knew I was lying but kept it to himself. He got dressed then sat next to me.

We stayed in silence with the noises of the night as our company, this was the longest we stayed silent with the knowledge of a problem between us.

"Is it about us?" He quietly asked watching how I held myself staring out into the dark.

"I want my Michael back. Please don't think of me as selfish. I know I gave you the okay to lead above me, to make all the decisions pertaining to our kingdoms defense but... I..... " I said then stopped talking entirely.

"But you miss the times we made for each other. I know we haven't done things together and I'm at fault there. I do apologize my sweet princess" he said stroking my cheek with his fingers. His touch sent sparks through my body in which I welcomed fully.

"But you're doing it for us. For me." I quietly said as a tear escaped my eye. Gently he pulled me into his arms and listened to my cries. I wasn't just crying for the absence of my mate but also for the interruption of our lives. Though I was thankful to meet Michael I was sad about the events that took place. "Tonight I'm yours. No late-night patrols," He said while standing up with me in his arms.

He carried me all the way to our suite like I weighed nothing, we said nothing to each other, quietly he sat me down in front of our dinner which was brought up for us. In the same silence, we ate, sending small smiles to each other, when we were through he went to the bathroom then came back out a moment later in his towel alone.

Michael still hasn't said a word to me, he only took care of me. Picking me up bridal style he carried me to the bathroom, undressed me, and sat me in the tub that he filled. Keeping a steady gaze on me he dropped his towel and joined me.

"It would all be over soon," he said washing my hair. His fingers felt so good and calming, he trailed kisses from behind my neck and my shoulders. Each kiss had me wanting my mate more.

He held me in his arms, resting his chin on my shoulder and took in my scent, "Promise me that whenever Malcolm attacks, you will stick to the escape plan. Do not come to find me ...." He said.

"Michael. You cannot ask me to do that. I won't." I yelled at him trying to get out of his hold.

"You will do as I say." He commanded.

Though his dominant tone didn't affect me, the desperation and fear behind his demand made me bow my head in submission. "Fine" I whispered. Our night became tense and awkward, I can feel it all through our link but he didn't voice them at all, he was protecting me as usual. Michael didn't want me to see him in a vulnerable way, he wanted to be strong for me. Quietly I got out of the tub without looking at him then got ready for bed.

'Mate is worried and afraid of losing us. He didn't mean to I'm sure of this' Alia said . I nodded to myself and went under the covers, not too long after he came in.

"Emma.... " was all he said before I felt all that has been bothering him. All the worry. The uncertainty. The fear even the love.

"I promise. I... I won't come back" I finally agreed with my voice cracking. Silent tears rolled down my cheek, I'm now left with the thought that I can lose him, I can lose the love of my life to this war that is about to happen.

His arms snaked around my waist as he buried his face in my hair.

'My mate. My wife to be. I love you with everything I have. I would always be yours, Emma. Always and forever' he said to me.

'Always and forever' I cried.

I fell asleep in the arms of my love with memories of us good and bad.