“She’s there, brother.” Godric pointed up toward a balcony on the eastern side of the palace where Princess Helena stood with her two attendants as well as two royal guards. She was dressed in faded blue jeans and a white blouse. Her long blonde hair hung down to her waist and flowed gently away from her face in the wind. Even from this distance, her green eyes sparkled as she smiled and waved down at everyone.
“Is that the princess?” Cassandra asked while waving both hands in the air. The rest of his family and pack joined in.
“Yes, that’s Princess Helena, the omega I’m courting.” Aldric stated and stood a bit taller. He’d never been in this type of position before and found himself smiling like a loon but unable to stop himself.
“Well done, son,” Karl said while his mother, Hilda, beamed before grabbing Cassandra’s favorite backpack from their vehicle. “Was that the princess I felt a moment ago? Because I must say, that was indeed a warm welcome.”
“Yes, that’s one of Helena’s powers. I’ll explain everything once we get to our suites. I prefer to keep as much of this as private as possible,” Aldric explained.
“Understood, son. Let’s get everyone unloaded and settled. We’ll all sit down and talk before we meet your princess.”
After a parade of people and luggage made their way into the palace, Aldric had his family, four more staff members, and six warriors settled in their rooms. After giving everyone a complete rundown of the situation, his family and pack were equally as furious as he was that someone thought to approach an unmated omega, whether she was in a courtship with Aldric or not. The fact that she could possibly be their pack’s omega just added fuel to the fire.
“She’s a princess omega, she can talk to animals, and I get to meet her, right?” Cassandra gushed. Aldric hadn’t missed the fact that his sister had packed all of her pretty dresses in hopes of attending a real ball.
“She can paralyze an army,” Karl said. Aldric ignored his father’s revelation and decided to focus on his sister.
“Yes, you’ll meet Princess Helena this morning, cupcake, but I’m not sure of all the functions you’ll be able to attend. We’ll have to check,” he said while reviewing yet another security report from one of his warriors.
“Okay, I know I’m too small.” She seemed to deflate, and he couldn’t have that.
“You won’t always be small, sprite. Don’t wish to grow up too fast.” Aldric tickled his beloved sister before she raced away to finish coloring a picture to present to the princess at breakfast.
Aldric stood and let his own powers as alpha shift forward, guaranteeing everyone’s undivided attention. He looked around the room at all the people assembled and thought of the many pack members back home ready to do whatever necessary to help their alpha protect and win the affections of this omega.
“Thank you all for your allegiance and loyalty. We have no idea what to expect, but I know each of you will stand strong and act with honor. I could ask for none better to stand with me, and with any luck, Helena will agree and decide to choose me.”
His family cheered enthusiastically while the members of his pack tilted their heads to the side, exposing their throats—a show of their submission, respect, and honor for their alpha.
“Okay, time to go meet the royal family,” Theron announced, always the man to keep everyone on schedule.
“Are you sure jeans to breakfast is appropriate, son? I know they said casual, but they’re royalty,” Hilda asked before brushing away yet another imaginary piece of fluff from her pants.
“Trust me when I say, you’ll understand when you meet them. There’s a public at-court persona and then in daily life there are the real people behind the crowns. Though, I’m not entirely sure how to take King Leonidas just yet. One moment he’s welcoming, the next he looks like he wants to tear off my head and stuff it down my throat.”
“He’s acting completely in character, son. Though he may be Princess Helena’s uncle in truth, he’s a father giving away his daughter. He just wants to make sure you’re the right choice,” Karl explained on his way to the door.
Everyone was dressed casually as requested, except for Lothar and his six warriors, who were dressed in black, covered in weapons, and wearing both Aldric’s pack and Helena’s royal crests on their arms. When the king said combine forces, he’d meant it.
Aldric led the members of his pack over to the royals’ private wing. His warriors were on full alert on either side of the group as the palace bustled with life. Their group didn’t go unnoticed by fellow visitors, but the staff seemed to be expecting them and allowed them to respectfully pass.
They were met halfway by General Jensgar. After introductions, he led them into a two-story glass arboretum filled with colorful flowers and creeping vines all stretching to catch the morning sun. A small waterfall flowed into a pond filled with equally colorful koi fish, which immediately captured Cassandra’s attention.
Around the next bend, Aldric and his group found several tables set for breakfast and surrounded by staff. More royal guards stood at the perimeter and a laughing King Leonidas and Queen Alexandra sat sharing the morning paper and cups of coffee. Even though they were dressed casually in jeans and sharing a newspaper like any normal couple, the aura of power surrounding them was unmistakable. King Leonidas could easily kill anyone in the room without much effort, and they all knew it.
“Alpha Aldric Forst, I’m glad to see your family and pack members have arrived safely.” The king stood and rounded the table to shake Aldric’s outstretched hand.
“Yes, thank you, Your Majesty. I believe you’ve already met my parents, Karl and Hilda Forst.” Aldric held out his arm as his parents stepped forward. “Would you like me to make introductions now, sire, or wait until the princess arrives?”
Before the king had a chance to answer, a certain seven-year-old’s impatience got the better of her. “I thought all kings had crowns with lots of shiny things on it, and you’re wearing jeans not robes,” Cassandra stated with the curiosity and innocence only a child could muster and—Aldric hoped—got away with.
There were a few gasps just as his father quickly scooped Cassandra up and began apologizing for insulting the king. “Your Majesty, I sincerely—”
Helena’s voice reached them before anyone had noticed she’d entered the room. “You know what, little flower, I used to ask my uncle that same question when I saw him walking around in his flannel pajamas and slippers.” The princess spoke softly, as if in a secret whisper between friends. Cassandra giggled and the rest of his pack began to breathe a bit easier while Helena continued on with her child-geared explanation. “He always told me that, on occasion, we had to send them out for cleaning or they just wouldn’t sparkle anymore, and I personally wouldn’t want to stand too closely if we didn’t get those robes cleaned regularly.”
Aldric felt his tension slip away with each step Helena made closer to their group. Her eyes sparkled with humor and her hair flowed behind her as she gracefully walked up to the king and kissed him on his cheek. She wore the same faded jeans and white blouse they had seen when she’d stepped onto her balcony earlier this morning. No jewelry or tiaras—she was even barefooted, and she was by far the most beautiful creature Aldric had ever seen.
“You’re the princess.” Cassandra yelled and squirmed until her father finally put her down, and she ran the remaining few feet up to Helena and her attendants. Her three royal guards now all wore Aldric’s crest on their arms opposite the royal crest, making it easier for the teams to intermingle seamlessly.
Helena winked conspiratorially at Hilda before gracefully assuming her regal princess persona or “RPP” as Amalia had called it last evening. Aldric wondered how Helena knew meeting an actual princess was a gift to his little sister.
“I am Princess Helena Leonidi Reinhilde Lichtenberg, and you must be none other than the Lady Cassandra Forst that I’ve heard spoken of so fondly.” Helena lowered herself flawlessly so that she was a
t eye level with Cassandra before extending her hand palm up, waiting for his sister to take it.
“Wow.” Cassandra took Helena’s hand and did her best curtsy, which in truth looked more like a modified bow, but she held her head high. “But I’m not a lady, Your Highness. I’m just Cassandra, and Aldric’s my big brother.”
Helena gave her a beaming smile and tapped Cassandra on the end of her nose with the daisy she’d been carrying in her other hand. “You, Cassandra, are indeed a lady if I say you are, understand?” Then she tucked the daisy behind Cassandra’s right ear.
Cassandra turned to their parents, her smile stretching from ear to ear. “Mommy, I’m a lady, a real lady. Princess Helena said I was, so it has to be true.”
Aldric could hear his sister and mother talking animatedly, but he found himself sidestepping all protocol and walking over to take Helena’s hand. Leaning down, he kissed her softly on the cheek.
“Good morning, little one. Did you sleep well?”
Helena had spent most of the evening flipping between excitement at the thought of seeing Aldric again, and worry over the flowers someone had sent to her. Though she had tried to seem unbothered by the unsolicited behavior, in truth it concerned her more than she was willing to admit.
“Good morning, Aldric. Honestly, falling asleep was a bit difficult, but I’m fine.” Helena believed it best to not keep anything from him.
“Your jewel is swirling green, little one. You’re concerned by last night.” If the tension lines around his eyes were any indication, he didn’t look pleased about the deliveries either.
“You know it’s going to be difficult to keep things from you if you can see the colors of my jewel even when I’m controlling them.” She smiled up at her handsome alpha and, yes, he was hers. After last night’s visit, she had decided she was going to keep him if today’s sparring session and ride turned out well.
“Exactly, but considering you can easily sense my feelings, we can call it even.” His wolfy grin sent a rush of warmth through her body that left her feeling anything but concerned over a possible stalker. “I know you’re worried about whoever sent those flowers, but I need you to trust me and your uncle to keep you safe.” He spoke softly while brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. His gentle touch had the same effect on her as his sexy grin.
“I trust you both.” She told him and decided to leave some of the concerns at Aldric and her uncle’s doorstep.
“So should I perform my own introductions?” her uncle asked with a grin as he stood patiently waiting in the group behind Aldric. She had a hard time tearing herself away from her alpha’s intense midnight blue eyes; they were so dark and expressive.
“Oh, don’t be that way, my dear,” Alexandra scoffed. “You were no better when our families first met. As I remember, you could barely string two words together. At one point, my father thought you might be mute.” She turned toward Aldric’s parents. “Besides, we’ve already had the pleasure of meeting Karl and Hilda at court. How are the two of you?”
Karl bowed and Hilda curtsied. “We’re well, Your Majesty. We thank you for your invitation and for the hospitality you have shown to us and our family.”
“I think we can do away with the strictest of formalities between the two families when we’re in private, don’t you agree, Uncle?” Helena asked before she wrapped her arm around Aldric’s huge tattooed bicep and rejoined the group. She couldn’t help herself; whenever she was near her alpha, she couldn’t keep herself from touching him. The bonus: Aldric didn’t seem to mind.
“Yes, yes of course, Helena. When we attend official functions later today, we’ll resume all formalities, but when we’re in private, there will be no need. After all, we might soon be one family.” Her uncle just had to throw that last part in, and if Helena didn’t know better, she would think he was in a hurry to mate her off.
“That’s very gracious of you, sire.” Aldric brought Helena over to his parents. She had been looking forward to meeting them all morning. “Helena, I would like to introduce my father, Karl, and my mother, Hilda.”
Before either parent had a chance to respond or bow, Helena rushed forward and hugged them both. She wasn’t having what she hoped to be her in-laws bowing to her on their first meeting. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
Karl and Hilda couldn’t mask their shock but quickly wrapped their arms around her in return. Helena knew she was an unconventional princess, but she was okay with that.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Princess Helena,” Karl responded before locking eyes with Aldric.
“I should’ve warned you. She’s a hugger. If whoever or whatever stands still long enough, Helena will try to hug it. She’s been trying to tell me for years that it’s her omega side coming out. That’s also her excuse for walking around with bare feet when she can get away with it.” Her aunt tsked while looking down.
Helena laughed and simply carried on introducing herself and hugging the rest of Aldric’s attending pack. Even the new warriors got a hug because she refused to leave anybody out.
Aldric stood right by her side, making sure Helena felt safe and secure. Her aunt and uncle chose the more traditional form of introductions, but Helena understood not everyone was comfortable with open shows of affection. She wasn’t an idiot; she wouldn’t go running around hugging strangers, but these people would be her pack someday…she hoped.
What if he says no?
“Part of my omega heritage has a strong affinity with nature, and walking without shoes on allows me to feel the earth beneath my feet. We’ve discussed this, Aunt Alex,” Helena explained while the group spread out among the tables and staff began to bring out trays of various meats, waffles, pancakes, eggs, fruits, and toast to begin breakfast.
The king and queen sat at the head of the table with Helena to their right. Aldric sat beside Helena’s right, as it would be at all royal functions if he agreed to be hers. His six warriors remained standing and joined her own guards, immediately taking on the mantle as her protector. They would combine with her own people to form a new unit.
“Well, whatever the reason, young lady, Aldric can try to keep shoes on you now or watch as his warriors carry you over sharp objects, just as I’ve seen Marcus do on countless occasions.” Uncle Leonidas smiled fondly at her, as if remembering the last time Marcus had to give her a piggyback ride to the palace because she had lost her shoes yet again.
Helena’s face heated with embarrassment and she felt the need to explain. “I tend to misplace, forget, and abandon my shoes regularly, therefore requiring someone to give me a piggyback across the sharp stone laneway.”
Aldric squeezed Helena’s hand in a show of support. Gods, he was perfect.
“I’m guessing stones aren’t part of the earth you want to feel under your feet?” Godric joked from across the table with a smug grin on his face. Their father, Karl, obviously still unsure of the informal family dynamic, coughed and shot Godric a withering glare.
“We’ll see how funny it is, brother, when we take you outside, place you in the middle of those sharp little stones and leave you to get back without shoes and without shifting.” Aldric threatened before pulling Helena closer to his side.
“You wouldn’t.” Godric’s grin disappeared and Helena couldn’t help but laugh at the way the tables had turned.
“I would, and I would record it for those in the pack who couldn’t be here. We wouldn’t want to leave anyone out.”
“Feel free to use any of the royal guards if you need assistance having Godric comply,” King Leonidas graciously offered. Helena was always amazed at how her uncle could keep a straight face, and by Godric’s shocked expression, it was working.
“Thank you, sire.” Aldric replied, his face giving nothing away, just like her uncle’s. If she hadn’t been able to sense his joy at teasing his brother, Helena might have thought he was serious. “I might take you up on that.”
Godric let out a frustrated sigh and Aldric finally
broke into laughter, along with the king. “You’re too easy, brother.”
“You guys are just mean,” Godric grumbled, but smiled eventually.
“I have a treat for everyone. I baked banana walnut sticky buns with white chocolate frosting.” Helena announced and the kitchen staff began to bring out dozens of small white single-serving ramekins filled with sweet, decadent caramel-covered sticky buns with white chocolate topping.
She watched as the group dug into their treats. Aldric took a big bite and closed his eyes. He chewed slowly, savoring each piece in between licking caramel from his lips and fingers. She groaned softly and blushed, feeling a growing excitement over the look of complete rapture on her alpha’s handsome face.
“Do you like them?” she whispered, her patience at end.
“As if you had to ask, little one.” Aldric leaned over, nuzzled and kissed Helena’s cheek. “They are delicious. Do you like to bake?”
“Yes, I love it. I’ll try any recipe, which has at times turned into goopy, sloppy disasters, but more often now we get wonderful things like these sticky buns.” She knew she was gushing and felt no need to hold back.
“What’s in these? I swear they shouldn’t taste this good,” Theron asked as if his logic-driven mind wanted to deconstruct her sticky buns.
“I can assure you that every ingredient is all natural and supposed to be in there.” She laughed as Theron looked less than convinced. “Okay, it might have something to do with my ability to transfer my joy into things. It just happens.”
“Stop pouting, Godric. You did this to yourself.” Aldric threw a napkin at his still disgruntled brother who was just now getting his sticky bun. Apparently the staff had their own way of making Godric pay for his earlier teasing.
“I know a certain young man who couldn’t seem to keep himself out of trouble being denied his dessert before. So I wouldn’t throw stones or napkins.” Hilda laughed while cleaning chocolate from Cassandra’s cheeks.
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