Family Feuds

Queen Rain's POV

We sit in the Palace garden with our pups, enjoying the nice weather.
The boys are growing steadily, it always amazes me when I consider that they are only two weeks old. But they act like two-month-old babies, already smiling broadly and playing with the music boxes hanging above their crib. And they are definitely bigger than the children their age I see on the Internet.
At first, I thought it was because of their feeding and wanted only to breastfeed them, no extras. But Jasper explained to me that Lycan pups have faster development than humans or normal werewolves. Anyway, I am proud of my sons, they are healthy and growing like cabbage.
Jasper sits next to me with the eldest in his arms. The young man adores his father, sensing Jasper close by is enough for him to stretch his arms out and babble a lot. Fortunately, Jasper makes lots of time to be with them. And then there is the rest of the family, who spoil both boys beyond measure. With so many grandparents, aunts and uncles, they have no shortage of attention. And that takes my thoughts to last night.
Rachel came over when I sat on the back balcony.
She expressed her desire to repair our relationship as siblings and regretted her inappropriate behavior. But she hoped we could now forget the past and start with a clean slate. Jasper silently sat beside me as she spoke, I sensed his suspicion well. To be honest, I was surprised to see her being so kind to me for the first time ever. Rachel never liked me, I can't remember an encounter with her where we were cool. She was always mean, trying to get me in trouble with all kinds of schemes. And then her tireless attempts to snatch my mate from me, I didn't know if I could ever forgive her for that.
But then she pointed out her mark to me. Rachel is now mated and marked.
With Eric, the Royal Secretary. Rachel told me they were chosen mates. That was the real surprise of the day. At no point did Eric hint to me that he was interested or in love with my sister. There was even a moment when I felt like Clair was his fated. After the delivery, I had wanted to ask her about this, but she had suddenly disappeared. Ivor, who now managed the warriors of Storm Forest, assisted by Cleo, told me that Clair had unexpectedly taken leave to visit her maternal grandmother in another pack. Later, the grandmother turned out to be terminally ill and she wanted to stay to nurse her to death. But if Clair was indeed Eric's fated, she would never have left, so my feeling was a false alarm.
In any case, I was ready to restore my relationship with my sister.
We sat talking for several hours, she was so into the twins and even changed their diapers before she left. She explained that Eric wanted to hold a mating ceremony in private, only with family, especially since they had already completed the mating process. Well, if Eric succeeded in taming this wild sister of mine, I do want to give her the benefit of the doubt. So, in addition to being sisters, we are now friends.
Meanwhile, Elena, Ruth and John have returned to Human Town or continue their studies.
They promised to be at the Name Giving Ceremony of the Princes and that is in a week. Honestly, I am dying for this ceremony. The Sages will decide the names and that makes me antsy.
I look at Jasper next to me, who is trying to persuade our oldest to grasp his toys properly. "Jasper, the ceremony is making me uneasy. Do you think we can agree with the Sages to allow us to name at least one of the boys ourselves?" I ask him. "I would love to have a combination of your and my father for one of them. I understand the tradition but they can only determine from the eldest then? After all, he is the Crown Prince. The second is a successor to him," I complain.
My mate smiles. This is not the first time I have asked him to intercede with the Sages.
"Don't worry about that, Rain. We'll be fine. Besides, it's more important that the pups are healthy. Names are just a formality," he asserts. I roll my eyes; this is his standard response. He slides closer to me and kisses me on the lips as of to distract me from the matter. Since giving birth, he kisses me only on my forehead every day, today I notice he is finally showing a little more intimacy. Eagerly I part my lips and connect our tongues. The sparks wash between us, I sigh in relief. Groaning, he pulls me closer and passionately we get to it. As our lips unlock, I stare into his lustful eyes.

"When is it safe, Rain? It's been a long time. I yearn for you, babe," he whispers against my lips before repeatedly pecking them. I smiled softly; I already felt his aloofness was related to his ever-burning desire. But I need to be sure. "I thought you no longer felt attracted to me and therefore kissed me as your sister." My insecurities echo in my voice.
"No, baby. You are the woman of my heart. No one can be as attractive to me as you. As soon as I see you, I'll think of our next makeout," he assures me. I look down and see my still slightly swollen belly. The baby fat is persistent. I started light exercise a week ago, but my hips remain round and my belly blubber. Jasper follows my gaze. He tightens his arm around me. "You gave birth to my pups, you are supernaturally beautiful to me," he responds emotionally. "Next week, the nanny starts her duties and then I'll join you in training after you've fed the boys." I nod gratefully.
And then something jumps to my mind.
"Jasper, have you seen Ralph lately? I tried to talk to him about the ceremony but couldn't find him anywhere," I say, puzzled. "Also, Ivor didn't know anything about him and Eric is only interested in his mate." Jasper brings his eyes to slits. For a moment, he is silent, but then he turns to me. "I couldn't reach him in the mind link either. He has closed that one for quite some time," he explains absently. "Don't worry, I'll find him as soon as the pups are in bed."
And as our oldest looks on in his arms, we exchange another deep kiss....