by Sydney Addae
Her confidence and straightforwardness appealed to both his human side and his beast. “My king”. Her words rang repeatedly in his mind. Never in a million years would he ever have ascribed that title to himself and wondered why she called him that. He liked the idea behind the concept and she would forever be his Queen. He didn’t want or need a court, the two of them would have a monarchy in their den. He liked that even more and made quick work of his bath.
She had changed in a yellow strappy dress that fit snug at the top and flared from her small waist, stopping mid-thigh. The color looked amazing against her complexion. Standing in front of a mirror, she brushed her long hair, pulled it to the side and twisted it several times before pinning it in an elegant bun. She slid her feet into matching sandals, then turned and looked at him.
Goddess, his mate was stunning. He stared at her a few moments before realizing he was gawking and pulled on a pair of pants and a clean shirt Raven sent.
“You’re beautiful. Yesterday I didn’t pay much attention but you’re gorgeous.” He moved closer, cupped her cheeks in his palms and kissed her again. “My Queen.”
She smiled up at him. “My king.”
“You have no idea how badly I want to strip you naked and mess up your hair.” He stared at the bun, touched it gently and then met her patient gaze. “Lovely. Your eyes. I don’t know many full-bloods with eyes like you and your father’s”
“Me neither,” she said with a cheeky grin.
He stood there staring down at her for several moments. Mated. He still couldn’t believe it. “I never knew how much I missed you until you arrived,” he whispered, surprising himself.
Her eyes widened slightly. “Thank you for waiting for me.”
“I’d wait all eternity for you, Zoe,” he said meaning it. He finally understood the difference between being with a mate and being with someone else. There was no comparison to the level of completeness he sensed. It was more than a feeling. Mating altered a person, connected them in a visceral way. He took her hand, grabbed their bags and headed toward the front door. “Come with me, let me show you your new Pack.”
They walked outside. Pack members lined the road and waved at them as they entered the truck. “Wait, my dad is over there.”
“I need to formally meet him.”
They turned and walked over to where her father sat surrounded by others including Thiago.
“Congratulations, Alpha Lucian, Kira,” Lloyd said.
“Her name is Zoe,” her father said, holding her gaze.
“Are you angry with us, Daddy?” Zoe asked as others congratulated them.
“How can I be? You have no choice of mates. Seems I just got you back and you’re gone again,” he said.
“Come with us so we can talk. I haven’t told Lucian about what happened to me, he’ll have questions.”
“Do you know who he is?” her father asked as he stood and walked toward them.
“Pack Alpha,” she said.
“Not just Alpha over a Pack, but all the Alphas and Packs in Central America,” he said walking with them to Lucian’s truck.
“What?” she asked surprised. “That’s a thing? I mean, is that normal?”
“Seems like it’s the new normal,” her father said as he slid in the backseat.
“We’re going to his home, are you okay with that?” she asked hoping he didn’t want to kill Raven anymore.
“Yes.”
That one word wasn’t very comforting. “Mom wants me to have a wedding.”
Her father didn’t say anything, he rarely responded when she referred to the Queen as Mom.
“What do you want?” he asked a few moments later, surprising her.
“I don’t know yet. This connection I have, we have, is intense, unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. There’s no hesitation, no thinking, it’s like my mind went on auto-pilot. Is that normal?”
“Yes. It’s the mating heat, it’s not over which is why I’m taking advantage of this brief interlude to deal with a few things and leave. There’s no telling when you’ll come out again,” he said.
“You’re not leaving,” she said anxiously as she looked back at him. Their gazes met.
His eyes softened. “Not today, but soon. I’ll be back.”
“Are you moving here?”
He looked out the window. “My mate and pups are here. I’ll be returning.”
“Thank you, Daddy. Thank you so much. Being separated from you again is just too much change, too fast.”
He gave her a slight smile and nodded slowly but didn’t say anything.
Minutes later, Lucian pulled into a garage and looked at her. “Did you see any of Honduras on the ride here?”
“Not this time. Next time for sure.” She leaned over and brushed her lips against his. He held the back of her head and deepened the kiss, robbing her of thought.
When she could think, Lucian held the door opened for her. She stepped out and into his arms.
“Finally,” Raven said from the door. “Welcome, Zoe. Welcome, Alpha Sacha. Please, come in. Can I get you something to drink?”
“Nothing for me right now,” Zoe said to cover the awkward silence as her father watched Raven.
They walked inside. Zoe appreciated the light, airy feel of the place and could see herself being comfortable here.
“Duke will be here shortly, he just took the last of his things to our place otherwise he would be here to greet you, Zoe, Alpha Sacha,” Raven said.
“How are you feeling, Raven?” Zoe asked as she took her hand. Shorter by a few inches with less cleavage, Raven’s dark eyes softened in her lovely face as she pushed errant curls that escaped from her thick braid behind her ears.
“Great. Thanks for bringing me home. I don’t remember anything from that time, can you... after you and Lucian are situated I’d like to talk about what happened. How’d you find me to bring me home?”
“Sure. I’ll tell you the little I know,” Zoe said without looking at her father.
“I’m sure Lucian is just as interested in what happened, Zoe. I’d like to hear how you found Raven as well,” her father said taking a seat in the living area.
Zoe had refused to share that information with him before and hoped Lucian didn’t push.
“I am curious,” Lucian said as he moved closer to her and brushed his fingertips across her shoulders. Delightful tingles ran down her arm and settled in her core as her nipples hardened.
“If you don’t mind sharing, Zoe, I’ve been curious ever since Lucian said you were his mate,” Raven said taking a seat near Zoe’s father.
“You want to talk about this now?” Zoe asked Lucian.
“Is it a long story?”
She thought about it. “Not really.”
“Then yes, I’d like to know.”
Zoe sat in the chair across from her father. “Two days before I flew Raven back I was in the Goddess’ temple.”
“How? It’s kept locked. I alone have a key,” her father said sitting forward.
“I broke into the upper window.” She waved that aside. “Raven was lying in a room, asleep. You looked asleep.”
“How did I get to South America?” Raven sounded confused.
“I have no idea,” Zoe said.
“A few days ago I was told of a plan to have my vengeance against Ricardo. He killed my mate and daughter and kidnapped Zoe.” Her father pointed. “I wanted to kill you.” He looked at Raven.
She patted his hand. “Totally understandable. Uncle Ricardo was strung out on drugs and did some awful things.”
Shocked by Raven’s words, Zoe watched her father as he stared at Raven. “I don’t know how you arrived in South America but when word came that you were missing I searched for you.” He looked at Zoe. “She flew you home while I was away.”
“Thank you for that, Zoe,” Raven said with a slight frown. “What made you do it? How did you know to bring me to Honduras?”
“Honestly? I
was told I had to return you home and that I was the only one who could do it without starting a war.” Zoe held up her hand. “Do not ask who told me, I will not answer.”
Her father sat back with a huff and tight lips.
“Well that was true,” Raven said. “One look at you and Lucian wouldn’t declare war on his mate. You’re the only one who would’ve gotten a pass.”
Zoe looked at Lucian. “Is that true? Do I have a pass or do you plan to punish me?”
He leaned forward and nipped her shoulder. “You think you’re not walking straight now, just wait until I finish punishing you.”
“Before the two of you get started, can we finish our discussion?” her father said. “Zoe wants me to tell you what I know of her kidnapping. She’s been missing 15 years but only has memories of the past 14. I’ll be returning home before the mating heat runs its course and won’t have this opportunity again.”
“Yes. I’d like to know what happened, thank you.” Lucian sat forward. Raven watched the older man while Zoe leaned into Lucian’s side.
“After your Uncle’s men took her, I searched everywhere for her. It wasn’t until today, when Zoe asked what the men were after, that I realized there was a plot to take my pups, possibly my mate as well.”
Lucian stiffened. “What are you talking about?”
Her father shared what he and Zoe discussed. “It’s almost as if the fight was a distraction to take them. Marianna would’ve fought to the death before allowing anyone to take Suri.” He shook his head. “I don’t know what they wanted with Zoe but it’s important that you know someone stole her for a reason.”
“Thank you for the warning, but no one is taking my mate anywhere,” Lucian said in a hard voice.
“Good. Queen Miriam will be pleased to hear that,” her father said.
“Queen Miriam? From Lyrill? What does she have to do with anything?” Lucian asked, frowning.
“She’s the one who found me in the forest and raised me,” Zoe said watching him. “How do you know Mom?”
“That’s your Mom?” Lucian asked staring down at her.
Zoe nodded slowly.
Lucian placed his hand on her cheek.
She felt him penetrate her mind. “What are you doing?”
“One second, love.”
Zoe tapped her foot while staring at him. When he removed his hands, he continued staring at her. “No memory bubbles.”
“What?” she asked.
“I thought someone tampered with your memories, it’s a new thing they’ve been doing lately,” he said staring at her with an odd expression.
“Memory bubbles? Who’s been tampering with memories? You?”
“No.” He frowned. “The Liege. That’s a whole —”
“Oh, I’ve heard of them,” she said.
“As I was saying, Queen Miriam found Zoe in the forests near Lyrill and saved her life. Zoe had no knowledge of how she got to Lyrill, we still have no idea how she landed on the other side of the globe or what happened during the year before the Queen found her. Miriam was concerned for her safety and closed the country to make sure Zoe’s enemies never found her. She insisted Zoe learn self-defense, including how to handle human weapons, so that she is never again a victim.” Her father paused. “The Queen raised her as her own and considers Zoe her daughter, next in line for her throne. There is little Miriam would not do to ensure Zoe’s safety. I believe they are a package deal, at least that’s been my short experience.” He glanced at the door when someone knocked. Raven went to answer it. “Do you have any questions?”
Lucian opened his mouth and closed it. “I... oh boy.” He closed his eyes and shook his head as the dots connected. Miriam was involved because of Zoe. No one knew Miriam had a daughter. How did they miss that? She closed the country, that’s how. No one in or out who would share news of Zoe’s presence. What would Zoe think when she learned he sent Storm to Lyrill to search for Raven?
“What’s wrong?” Zoe asked.
“How forgiving is your mother?” He looked at her.
“It depends. Why do you ask?”
“We got a few things twisted while searching for Raven. We’ll talk about it in private,” he said.
“Does it have to do with my mother?” She leaned back and stared at him.
Lucian realized Sacha had been right. He was her king but Miriam held that untouchable part of her heart that was off-limits to everyone. How had they gotten that information so wrong?
“Yes. I... the necklace, crystals, and other things. We’ll talk about it later.” Lucian needed time to think clearly over everything when the mating heat wasn’t so strong.
“What’s Thiago doing here?” Zoe asked her dad as she turned toward the entry. “Where is Raven?”
Alpha Sacha stood and stuffed his hands into his pocket. “This trip has been full of surprises. I was told Thiago needed to meet Raven which is why he accompanied me on this trip.”
“What?” Zoe frowned, glanced toward the door and then laughed. “Raven? Is there something you want to tell us?” Zoe asked in a loud voice.
Lucian left to find Raven.
“You could’ve told me,” Zoe said to her father.
“Why? You were so sure he was interested in you, you never realized he wasn’t.” He shook his head. “Someone is playing havoc with my life.”
“Well, at least you have an Alpha you trust to take over your Pack when you move here.” She moved and took his hands. “Unless you think he’ll move here to be with Raven?”
“Have no idea. I’m tired of trying to understand what’s going on in the universe.” He grinned as Thiago walked into the living area holding a thoroughly dazed Raven’s hand.
“Alpha, did you know?” Thiago looked at Raven as if she were the most precious treasure. “My mate. I cannot believe she was so close to me and I had no idea. Silvia said I needed to come with you to Honduras but I –”
“Silvia told me I needed to make sure Raven and you met. I assumed you were mates,” her father said, with raised brows. “When did she—"
“Silvia told me to return Raven to Honduras and that I was the only one who could prevent bloodshed,” Zoe said, shocked at the other revelations.
“Who is Silvia?” Lucian asked as he wrapped his arm around Zoe’s waist and pulled her close.
Thiago pulled Raven in front of him and held her tight. Raven’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she relaxed in his hold.
“Silvia is our historian. She and my mate were related,” Alpha Sacha said moving toward the exit.
No one spoke.
Thiago kissed Raven.
“My job is done. Thiago is a good man, Lucian.” Her father left.
Raven pulled Thiago behind her down the hall.
Lucian stared at them a few moments before taking Zoe to their room. “We’ll talk later.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Two days later, Lucian, Zoe, Raven, Thiago, Duke, and Alpha Sacha sat at the table for lunch. Exhilarated and sublimely happy, Zoe couldn’t stop smiling and kept stealing glances at Lucian as she ate.
“We’ll be returning in another week,” Thiago told Zoe’s father. “Raven has to set certain things in place before she can leave.”
“We’re going to miss you,” Duke said. “I just moved your things to the small house and you’re moving again.”
Zoe wasn’t sure how she felt about Lucian’s brother. He had been brooding since he learned both his litter-mates were mated. On the surface, he said all the right things but she didn’t believe he was all that happy for anyone.
“I’ll be here a few more days,” Raven said, glancing at Duke before looking at Thiago.
“Where are your Pack lands?” Duke asked Alpha Sacha.
“South of Bogota.” Her father glanced at him and continued eating. “You should stop moping around and plan a celebration for your litter-mates. Those under your leadership will follow your lead, don’t confuse them with your jealousy.”
/> Duke’s cheeks reddened as he glared at Zoe’s father. “I’m not jealous.”
“Yes, you are,” Raven said softly. “You’re feeling left out and it’s uncomfortable for you.”
Duke stared across the table at her, glanced at Lucian and back at Raven. “I never thought you’d leave. Never expected you to be so far away. You’ve always been here.”
“And it’s time for me to leave to start my own den with my mate.” The look she gave Thiago made it clear he was her choice and priority. “We’re starting our den.” She grinned and it lit her face. “Most likely already started it. Be happy for me, for us.”
“I am happy. It happened so fast that’s all. I’m processing the changes.” Duke looked at Alpha Sacha. “Are you moving here?”
“Why?” her ornery father asked.
“Just trying to understand everything,” Duke muttered and ate a piece of roll.
“I’ll pick up the rest of Raven’s things and take them to the house I’ve rented for our stay,” Thiago said into the silence.
“You guys can stay here,” Zoe said.
“No,” Thiago and Lucian said at the same time.
Frowning, Zoe looked at Lucian and then Thiago. “Why not?”
“I don’t know him,” Thiago said simply.
“If you stayed here with us, you would get to know him. He’s your mate’s brother,” Zoe said.
Frowning, Lucian met Zoe’s gaze. “Security is saying your mother is here, demanding to be allowed through the gates. Did you know she was coming?”
Zoe stood and ran to the door. “No, she didn’t tell me. Which way is she coming from?”
“What is it?” Duke asked.
“Prepare to meet Queen Miriam,” Lucian glanced at Alpha Sacha who sat back in his seat with his hands clasped over his waist. “Did you know?”
“She doesn’t share with me like that, but I’m not surprised. I think she was making plans to come to South America to surprise Zoe.” He looked out the window where Zoe stood at the edge of the porch waving like a maniac at the limo driving toward them.
“A real Queen?” Duke asked.