32.

**Caiden**

"I have to send you two back. I have blocked every wolf from coming back for solace. You need to go calm them down. With the shift on our planes, they can easily be corrupted by Corvineus. The rogues have already been affected."

The words and advice of Mother were taken in intently as I picked up my still unconscious mate preparing her for the journey. Though our spirits are separate she can easily get lost in her dormant state.

"Come now, sister. Enough of the family chat," Corvineus shouted at Mother as an energy ball came sailing our way.

"Privacy is something you never learned, huh dear twin brother. Now I ask you once again. Release Rion, he needs his human," she countered while keeping up a shield and retaliating her brother's attack by sending Rion into the trees and stunning him with a lightning bolt.

"He would live as long as he stays loyal to me. He is so far gone he doesn't know where he belongs," Corvineus sneered attempting to break the shield.

Cora turned and gave me a sad smile. "I'm sorry but you must leave without Rion. Please be careful. You are human now but still with your gifts. Are you ready?" she said. Unsure of what I'm about to meet back home I nodded in response and held Rosaline close.

"You are the rightful heir to both thrones. You can save them all with your mate by your side." Her words were distant to my ear as I felt my connection to her fade.


**


I woke with a start my breathing heavy as I looked around the somewhat familiar room. Angelo's room? Why am I here? A whimper in the corner had my attention immediately, I instantly recognizing my brother's wolf submitting to me with his eyes low. Angelo never submits to anyone besides our parents and that was out of respect.

"Ang?" I called out my voice was hoarse for the lack of use. Gingerly I left the bed nearly tumbling to the ground but Angelo was quick to help as he put his body between myself and the floor. "What is going on?" I asked putting my arm around his large wolf body.

'The wolves are uneasy. You just returned back to us. It seems that your presence has calmed....' he started to say before he stopped and sniffed my right arm. I looked to where he was focused on. "What the heck is this?" I exclaimed looking at my new tattooed arm. It showed our royal crest on my shoulder with my title in the old language. 'Son of the second generation white wolf. King Caiden' Angelo read.

"No. No. Dad hasn't stepped down. Rosaline hasn't... Rosaline!!!!" I exclaimed crawling back onto the bed. There she was sleeping peacefully her color came back to her beautiful tan skin, a small smile on her lips her curls spread like a halo around her head. "My baby" I whispered kissing her head. She was alive and that was all that mattered to me. The cracking of bones then the opening and closing of a drawer notified me of my brother's return to his human form.

"I can control my wolf again. That was weird even for him," he said after a moment of silence. I sat beside my mate holding her warm hand and took in her beauty.

"She loves you. Worried about you since the day you left." he continued. "Rion has been made to think that she doesn't. She told me everything. How am I to get back my wolf Ang?" I told him while removing myself from her.

"What are you saying, Cay?"He said in a harsh whisper as I walked out of his room into mine. I needed to go see my people, calm them down before the battle reaches us. Ignoring his question I changed into a fresh pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt along with my pair of trainers. Standing before a mirror I took in my new appearance my eyes were eerily silver while my hair was a shade lighter more blonde than brown. My body was a bit more muscular even for a human now I still felt powerful. Angelo came into view looking at me confused while sniffing the air, the look of understanding took over his face. "He's still in the wolf realm. Corvineus has control over him," I said stalking out of the room with Angelo hot on my tail. That's when the realization hits me "You are talking?" I exclaimed laughing.

The shy Angelo came out. "Well, you left me no choice, brother. I had to keep you alive plus Rose wasn't faring too good without you" he said looking anywhere but me. I looked at him at saw how much older he was than 21, shaking my head I brought him into a hug. "I'm the older one you know" I mumbled. He held me tighter, "Duties of a kid brother: make sure my older brother is alive and happy. Don't want you to live my life," he responded. I knew what he meant and blinked away the tears that threatened to come. "Thank you," I said with my voice breaking.

"You would have done the same, brother," he returned softly. I would if I could of turn back the hands of time I will save Elise to avoid the pain he went through and the loss he was feeling all now. I nodded and released him, he gave me a tight smile and walked before me. We rarely show affection to each other but the brotherly love was there through our actions.

He led me out to the northern grounds where I saw every wolf within the palace laying on the ground restless snapping at the simplest thing. Shaking my head I made my way to them. As I passed each wolf their posture changed, they stood up with their heads bowed eyes to the floor with a soft whimper escaping their mouth. Though I was accustomed to them bowing to me since I was younger this level was new. I only saw this when Dad and Mama were in their presence. But this is what I have to accept now, I was no longer a prince who had little responsibilities because his parents knew his reluctance. I was now their King, the one to protect them, keep the peace among every kind.

I made my way to the center where my parents both sat in wolf form looking over our people, what happened next made everything real. My mother's beautiful wolf stepped forward and looked at me, her emerald green eyes shining brightly. "I'm home mama," I said hoping that she won't be disappointed in me from what I have caused. I always wanted her approval and never wanted to let her down, with Dad he was always proud of us even if we messed up, both mama and dad always had this pride in their eyes when they look at us. That's why we were always scared to have them disappointed with us. 'I see that my sweet Cay' she said, hearing her gentle voice calmed the nerves in me. With those words, my own mother the powerful white wolf of our time submitted to me as her king.

"Mama don't.... you don't have to," I said trying to have her stand up. In my peripheral vision, I saw my dad the most feared wolf doing the same. "Dad..." I breathed out still not believing what was happening. 'Finally, you have accepted your given role' Dad said to me. My mother rose up and released a victorious howl to the sky, my father and brother followed, then my sister and her mate were next acknowledging my new position. Among our kind, the acceptance of one's new position must first be said by our family then the people closest to us.

When I heard my best friend's howl, I searched the field for him, spotting the only hybrid among wolves was easy, I smirked as he mockingly bowed to me. "Welcome home, brother" he shouted across the distance a reddish-brown she-wolf nudged his side in which he lovingly looked down at her. I wondered who this wolf was but was interrupted by the other victorious howls across the field.

Though I'm without a wolf I felt each and every wolf acceptance of me even far and wide as I heard the howls beyond our grounds. It seems like they were waiting patiently for me, I was thinking that I wasn't good enough to be their king because of my conflicting mind my uncontrollable power but I was wrong. This is me. Their king.

One by one each wolf came up to me and pledged their loyalty to myself and their future queen with my parents keeping a watch over me my brother and Micah each stood by my sides. During a she-wolf's declaration, everyone fell silent and I knew why I felt her presence before turning around. Walking towards us was my queen with her eyes only on me as they made a path for her, not once did she notice how they all fall at her feet. I stretched forth my hand towards her as she drew nearer, when her hand was in mine the familiar shocks went through my body, her scent was intoxicating, her eyes shone like a million fireflies as she held my gaze.

"Welcome back my queen," I said to her as I gently brushed my lips against her knuckles.

"Queen?" she asked confused. Smiling at her I noticed the crest of the queen on her right shoulder, I turned her attention to the tattoo. "You have wholly accepted me and my people. You gave your heart to the wolf prince and now that I have accepted my destined fate as king though earlier than usual, my mate has become queen. Queen of all wolves, vamps, and other mythical creatures."

It was a mouthful to take in so I awaited her response, she seems to be thinking it over, glancing over to Angelo who nodded in some response and gave her a smile he always gives our sister. Still holding my hand she turned to me and cupped my cheek, wanting to have her touch more I leaned into her palm. "Your queen," she said softly but I knew everyone heard.

"I love you," I said quickly before claiming her lips I've grown addicted to. Every time I kiss this woman she brought me to my knees, my heart wanted to explode with all the love I had for her from since I was thirteen. Rosaline was my future with or without my wolf. Howls again erupted in acceptance of their new queen. A human. A hunter's daughter. My people were truly great.

"I love you too," she said after I broke our kiss. Her eyes showed it all and I humbled at noticing it. I finally had her. We joined the others as they celebrated their new king and queen within it all I told the sentinels to be on high alert around the grounds taking extra precaution at our somewhat vulnerable state.


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




**Alpha Janovich**



What the hell is going on I thought to myself as I woke up to find myself in silver bar prison. I tried to recollect what happened when I reached the prince's room but the howls and loud cheering distracted me. I listened to them and shook my head in denial. "NO! This can't be," I screamed out loud. He's king now? And the human is now our queen? How was this all possible?

Wasn't his wolf uncontrollable? He's supposed to be dead by now I shot silver......

The memory of seeing the lifeless body of my nephew came rushing back, they killed him.

It's all ruined.... wait... The rogues. They were awaiting my command and the hunters were among them also. This won't be ruined after all. I can simply order my beta to attack and they all would fall knowing how armed the hunters are.

I calmed my wolf who was trying to deny the pull of our new king, if he gives in then we both would be at war and all that I have worked for would be useless. We would never submit.

'Beta Mark' I called out.

No Response.

'Beta Mark. Answer me' I tried once more.

Nothing.

"What is this?!" I yelled out in frustration. Why can't I contact my men?

"Yo! Crazy dude" Someone called out. They can't be talking to me with a lack of respect I'm a fucking ALPHA!!!

"You can't ignore me. Alpha." He said with a disgusted tone.

"What do you want mutt?" I sneered looking forward to seeing a man leisurely lying in his prison bed with long dark hair and medium built.

He scoffed. " You are in no position to pull rank on me. From what I heard you can be classed as a mutt also. Trying to kill the crown prince?" He shook his head in mock disbelief.

"No one in their right minds would go that way. Its fucking suicide. I mean come on Queen Emma and King Michael's son. Their firstborn? I thought alpha's supposed to be smart," he continued.

"You don't know anything. No wolf should be above the other. This whole family should be wiped out and leave us normal wolves to govern ourselves. Don't they see we live in fear of them," I ranted. A raised eyebrow was all I got in response and a mumble saying 'delusional'. Young wolves will never understand they all blinded by the royals. Ignoring him I tried to contact my men once again.

"Wolfsbane" I heard the man said.

"What?" I asked confused as to why would he randomly say that.

"Prisoners of the royals are given a dose of wolfsbane to block out mind-link to the outside world and keeping their wolfs sedated. Smart huh?" he said giving me a cocky smirk. Of course, why didn't I think of that?

"What are you in here for?" I asked distractedly as I try to think of ways to get word to my men.

"What do you mean?" he asked stupidly. I rolled my eyes and took in the mutt once more. His attire looked too clean to be a prisoner, he wore combat boots with black cargo pants tucked in with a plain white tee. His long black hair was in a messy ponytail with low shaven sides and back. He looked somewhat familiar but I couldn't place him anywhere.

"Who are you?" I asked. He chuckled darkly and unclasped his hands to reveal finger-less black gloves. Who was this guy? Kicking open the prison door he strolled out of his cell by then I was confused.

"Do you know how long I've been waiting for you to wake up? Guess Prince Angelo knocked you out good" he said smugly. I was utterly confused, who in their right minds would calmly stay in a prison cell to wait for someone to wake up.

He stood outside my cell door and watched me intently, his cold dark eyes sent fear through my body the same as Prince Angelo. "Who are you?" I asked once again.

The man laughed out loudly and wiped fake tears from his eyes. Who was this maniac?

"I'm the last person you would be expecting to see. Your actions to the crown are punishable by death and I will take so much pleasure in ending your pathetic life. Do you know how long I wanted to kill you? Since my uncle was in power" he said.

I swallowed in fear knowing my death was evident but at the hands of this maniac?

"Your uncle? King Landon was your uncle?" I asked boldly.

"Yeah, it's a fact that most people know about me. Surprised that you don't remember me. That hurts," he continued fake pouting.

I watched him again as he stood at ease with his arms folded and his head held high. "I never found evidence of you being involved in Helen's death even if she was a rogue but you trying to kill my nephew Caiden? I knew I had to be the one to end your pathetic life of a worthless alpha" he said coldly.

My heart stopped as he mentioned the word nephew, everyone knew to never cross the twin Deltas. This one especially.

The executioner.

One half of the ruthless duo.

Delta Jonah Stevenson. Brother of Queen Emma.