Intentions

Like a robot, I go through the rites.
Now that Selene herself has confirmed my mating with Ralph, consulting the Oracle is unnecessary. The Sages cut my palm and mix my blood with theirs and Ralph's. Then we both drink the mixture as a bond with each other and the Kingdom. At a distance, Alidya and Randall stand and watch with satisfaction. "Rain Weiner, will you take King Ralph as your mate? Do you pledge allegiance to the Kingdom and all he represents?" Elder Nicolas questions me. My throat clenched, I had to force the words out; "I do." Elder Antony of Storm Forest takes my hand and places it in Ralph's.
"My King, Storm Forest is counting on you to treat Beta daughter and Luna Rain, with respect and prioritize her happiness," he states briefly. Ralph nods to the man. "You can be sure of that, Elder," he replies ambitiously. He then takes me by the hand and leads me to his parents. Randall and Alidya are clearly stricken by the ceremony and lay their hands on us. "As strange as everything went, the result is definitely acceptable. It was well worth the risk," Randall sighs. "Either way, Rain stays with us, she's the perfect Queen. Hopefully we can get her coronation through soon".
This is followed by congratulations from the guests.
On the faces are mixed emotions, multiple mates are a rare phenomenon throughout the werewolf species. Actually, I myself need to learn how this should work, the three of us will have to make arrangements. Otherwise, I foresee problems. Ralph has already shown his jealousy at different times. After the congratulations, Ralph leads me off the stage, walking back into the Palace. When we are out of the hearing of third parties, I turn to him. "Ralph, we will have to make arrangements with Jasper. Otherwise, this won't work," I urge him. "This is new for all of us, but if we know where we stand and respect each other, the Moon Goddess won't have to intervene again."
Unwillingly, he nods.
"Yes, that's the right solution. I don't want any drama either, everyone is now eagerly waiting to see how we will handle this," he confesses reluctantly. Then he takes me in his arms and begins to kiss me passionately. His hands move over my body, searching for a response from me. "Ralph, please," I exclaim, out of breath. "I want to meet my parents and sister. I can't believe I have parents," I cheer. He sighs and looks at me. "Does it really have to be tonight? They will definitely participate in the werewolf run. You and I are not needed there because your wolf hasn't appeared yet".
But I persist and finally, Ralph relents.
We walk to the large conference room and sit at the head of the table. In the mind link, he instructs Eric to escort the delegation from Storm Forest to us. A few minutes later, my mother ran into the room. I jump up and waddle toward her. "Rain. My daughter!" she exclaims and takes me in her arms. "How glad I am to have you back. Those were horrible weeks, I didn't know what had happened to you or if you were still alive. Oooh, my child". Beside her, Ruth is kicking her feet. Noticing that our mother has no intention of letting go of me any time soon, she hugs us both.
"I knew something wasn't right when I saw you weren't coming back to your apartment," she sighs. "I asked everywhere and looked at the camera footage but there was no indication that you had been kidnapped or anything. I kept hoping you would call me. And here you are, the Queen of werewolves," she chuckles. My father also joins the embrace while Elder Antony and Jasper stand watching from a distance.
"Please take a seat," Ralph now offers them. He beckons Jasper to sit at the other end of the table. "As you already know, I'm King Ralph, but to my in-laws, then I'm just Ralph," he explains with a charming smile. "The man next to me here is my Secretary Eric and over there at the door is Ivor, my Chief Warrior." After the greetings are done and everyone focuses back on him, he continues. "The situation that has arisen is unusual. We will all have to get used to it. You are all welcome in the Palace, whenever you want to come. I will build a wing for the Palace, where Rain's parents can live. I want her to be comfortable and until her memory returns, I am sure she will want to spend a lot of time with you."
I know he wants to win my family's affection with this.
Fortunately, my parents don't have a problem with that. They smile gratefully at his gesture. "My mate and I are returning to Human Town. We still have to finish our studies. And then find out if there is a need for a doctor in the Kingdom," she brings in dryly. "But we'll be back at the next vacation," she declares childishly. Everyone smiles at her remark, John, her mate, pulls her toward him.
Ralph now turns to Jasper.
"Jasper, since we do have the same mate and status, it's easier to drop the formalities," he notes. "Saray suggested that we make arrangements within this strange mating. I suggest that you first lead the preparations for the massive pack move. Then I expect you here in a month to establish the rules for our living together".
Everyone looks relieved. They obviously feared a scary rivalry between the men.
Not so. "For tonight, I invite you all to stay in the Kingdom. Tomorrow we'll see how to proceed further," Ralph continues.
Jasper clears his throat.
"That's very considerate of you, Ralph," he states, his voice free of all emotion. "But the Jet is waiting for us. I return with Elder Antonius to my pack. Rain's family will decide whether to stay".
"I'll go with you, Jasper," I insert immediately. "I want to show Storm Forest that the heirs are on their way. I understand everyone thought I was infertile. Now instead of one, they will have two successors".
"No! And that is final!" roars Ralph beside me. "This is the day of our mating. You can't go and leave me alone on this special day, Saray. Tonight is our mating and marking". Furious, I turn to him. "That is pure egoism. Are your desires most important to you? The Kingdom knows about the Crown Princes, isn't it now Storm Forest's turn to know about the arrival of their Alpha pups?" I lecture him. A pained expression appears on Ralph's face as I highlight Jasper as the father.
It becomes oppressively quiet in the conference room.
Jasper stares at me but remains silent. I don't intend to concede for a moment.
When Ralph sees the stubborn expression on my face, he jumps up.
"Do as you see fit," he roars, and with big strides, he is out of the room....