Aldric stood with both Helena and Cassandra in his arms. He’d never felt this amount of pure joy in his life; he never realized he could.
He would give Helena as many babies as she wanted, if the gods granted, and he would protect and care for them.
The ride back to the palace took a little over thirty minutes, but in that time her uncle and aunt had pulled out all the stops. If Aldric thought the place was a spectacle before, it was nothing compared to a princess omega choosing her mate. It seemed like the whole damn staff was out in the gardens as they rode past, everyone happily cheering. Helena couldn’t help but worry that Aldric might change his mind after seeing what he was really getting himself into.
Hell, the massive black royal Fenrir tattoo that covered over half his neck, from his jawline to his collarbone and across several old scars, should be enough to freak him out. Oh, and of course Aldric didn’t get the same peaceful, regal Fenrir she had. No, he got the savage, don’t-mess-with-me Fenrir. Though the tattoo was magnificent, Helena wasn’t sure Aldric would like it once he had a chance to get a look at it.
They reached the stables and Aldric helped her from her horse. While he still held her close in his arms, she had to warn him. “Things will become a little crazy around here now. I should have prepared you for that, I’m sorry.”
“No need to be sorry, little one. I would jump through as many hoops as necessary as long as you were waiting at the end. I won’t leave you no matter what I have to do. You are now my omega to love, protect, and cherish.” He spoke fiercely while holding her tight to his broad, muscled chest.
“You love me?” Helena had hoped that over time Aldric would grow to love her, but to actually have him state that he already did was heart stopping.
“Of course. You’re a strong, intelligent, kind woman who’s as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. When I watched you interact with my family and then fight me with such passion, it just sealed the deal for me,” he confessed, then hugged her closer.
“Well, if you want honesty, I fell in love with you slowly over the years as I watched you from a distance. As you know, I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere near you. But I saw the way you provide and care for your family and pack, and the honor and respect they show you. Since you’ve been here, you’ve shown and told me you don’t want to change me one bit. I know I’m different from what most expect, and sometimes I stand out, and not always in a good way, but you accepted that. I’ve been waiting for so long to be here with you.” She hoped her love and adoration were shining through since she did nothing to hide it.
“I love all of you, Helena.”
“As I love all of you, Aldric.”
“Forgive me, princess, but unless you want the entire palace down here in the stables, we must go to the king and queen,” Amalia said while trying to take a discreet look at Aldric’s royal tattoo.
Helena sighed. “Yes. We must go. Let me thank our horses and we’ll be off. The stable staff will have to brush and rub them down, as I fear Amalia is correct, we’ll soon be overrun with well-wishers. Cassandra, come say good-bye to Matilda.” Helena waited for Cassandra to run over and take her hand before they entered the stables with her warriors in tow and quickly thanked each horse and staff member.
Cassandra was hugging Matilda and crying softly into her soft, white mane. Helena reached down and wrapped the little girl in a hug. “Cassandra, honey, you’ll see Matilda again. This isn’t a long good-bye.”
The sweet little dark-haired angel wiped her red eyes and looked up. “It’s not?”
“No, sweet girl. Matilda is my friend and goes where I go. Now that your brother has accepted me as his intended mate, when we leave to go to our pack, Matilda will come along. You have a big job since she will need your care to adjust.”
“I can take care of her.” Cassandra turned and looked Matilda straight in the eyes. “I’ll take care of you. You don’t need to worry. I’ll introduce you to everyone and they’ll love you too,” the child vowed with absolute certainty.
“Matilda would like to accept your offer and looks forward to many adventures in the future,” Helena translated for Cassandra. The two would become inseparable, Helena knew it. She wondered how many times she would find Cassandra asleep in Matilda’s stall in the coming years, or even more likely, Matilda in Cassandra’s room.
“Will you be my sister?” Cassandra asked before closing Matilda’s stall.
“I would like to be.” Helena would never assume to become such an important person so quickly but hoped someday Cassandra would feel close to her.
“You can be my sister. You love Aldric and make him smile. We’ll get along just fine.” Cassandra patted Helena’s hand in an adult-like manner.
“Okay, so when did you turn seventeen?”
“It happens when everyone around you is ancient.” And back to seven it was.
“Just don’t let them hear you call them ancient,” Helena warned.
“I know. After I told Mother that one time, I’ll never make that mistake again. I never knew there were so many ways to cook spinach. Eeewwww.”
On their way out of the stable doors, she overheard Godric telling Aldric that his tattoo was fierce and screamed respect. Helena hoped Aldric still felt the same way when he actually saw it.
Surrounded by warriors and tucked close to Aldric’s side, Helena walked with Cassandra hand in hand through applause and cheers of congratulations on her way toward the throne room, where her family and Aldric’s parents waited.
Outside the closed doors, Amalia and Giselle brought Cassandra between them and stepped back with Godric, explaining that once they entered, the princess and Aldric would have to approach the king and queen alone.
Helena clung to Aldric’s hand, feeling excited, nervous, and oh so happy. Gods, she was going to throw up.
“It’ll be fine, little one. You’re mine,” Aldric assured her just before the doors were opened wide. Helena had often wondered why they couldn’t just leave the doors open so she could walk in normally without all this buildup and stress. “Game faces.” He gave her a quick grin. She nodded, then he led her into the room, their courtly personas in full force.
As they crossed the chamber filled with people, she began to feel a slight shift. Aldric’s and her powers were flowing with a great deal more strength than earlier in the day and were blending together fluidly. She knew he felt the change when he squeezed her hand, but they kept walking toward her uncle and aunt seated on their thrones at the front of the room.
Later, in private, they would have to try to figure out the cause of such an immediate and strong change in their powers.
In a place of great honor, Karl and Hilda stood to right of the thrones, with Godric and Cassandra at their sides. Their staff were behind Aldric’s parents and Helena’s warriors took up positions throughout the room, discreetly securing it further even though her uncle’s royal guards were in attendance.
Finally, they reached her family after what had to be miles, according to Helena’s frazzled nerves. She curtsied and Aldric bowed formally to the now standing king and queen. Uncle Leonidas came forward to Helena and took her left hand, inspecting the beginnings of her mating tattoo.
“You have chosen your alpha, Princess Helena?” the king formally asked as his duty as king and surrogate father demanded.
“Yes, King Leonidas, I have chosen Alpha Aldric Forst.” Helena’s voice rang loud and clear. She wanted to leave no doubt Aldric was hers.
“And you, Alpha Aldric Forst, you have accepted Princess Helena as your omega?”
“Yes, sire, without reservation I accept Princess Helena as my mate and omega.” Aldric’s voice echoed through the room.
The king raised Aldric’s left arm, inspecting his matching mating tattoo, until her uncle’s eyes stopped to inspect Aldric’s neck.
“Show me the rest of your tattoo, Alpha Aldric,” King Leonidas demanded, curiosity written all over his face.
Al
dric stood tall and proudly turned his head, exposing the unmistakable Royal Mark of Fenrir. Low murmurs filled the room as her uncle closely inspected the mark and smiled.
“Seems the gods have spoken.” King Leonidas took Helena’s left hand and placed it into Aldric’s before announcing, “This union isn’t only celebrated by our kingdom, it’s ordained by powers far greater than any who stand here. I, King Leonidas Lichtenberg, proudly announce the intended union of Princess Helena Lichtenberg to Alpha Aldric Forst in two days’ time.”
Cheers rang out, and the pair were enveloped in the arms of their families.
Chapter Five
“It’s definitely Fenrir, just the kick-your-ass version.” Godric poked at Aldric’s neck yet again.
“Keep poking me, little brother, and it won’t be Fenrir kicking your ass.” Aldric walked over to his closet in search of a button-down shirt. It had been hours since he’d seen Helena, and he still had a meeting with King Leonidas before joining her for dinner.
“Don’t kill your brother, Aldric. Your mother is fond of him,” their father deadpanned as he headed straight for Aldric’s closet. “Wear the mark of Fenrir with pride, son. It’s an esteemed group that is chosen for that mark.”
“What are you doing in my closet?” Aldric asked while his father rooted through his belongings.
“Looking for a belt,” Karl answered simply, without turning around.
“Don’t you have your own room and staff?” Godric asked before poking Aldric’s neck one last time and receiving a swat across the back of his head for his troubles.
“Well, that traitorous staff is with your mother, who is currently in lockdown behind closed doors with Queen Alexandra in full-blown bonding ceremony mode. I can’t find anything without your mother, so loan your old man a belt.”
“Here.” Aldric handed his father a black leather belt. The king had called this meeting and it involved both inner circles, Aldric’s legal counsel, Lothar, and General Jensgar.
“So does this make you royal?” Godric asked again, and Aldric still didn’t have an answer. “People keep bowing when you walk by them.”
“I’m not sure. King Leonidas hasn’t specified, so perhaps we’ll learn more at this meeting. He did say he was calling in an elder. I don’t care either way. Helena has honored me by asking to be my mate, and I’m not leaving here without her.”
“Of course not, son. No matter what your Fenrir tattoo means or doesn’t mean, Princess Helena has chosen you and has begun the bond. No one can take her away from you now.”
Aldric wished he had the same conviction as his father. They still hadn’t found the person responsible for leaving the flowers, and as of this afternoon, two more bouquets had been delivered and diverted to security before Helena had even known of the flowers’ existence.
Without fail, Godric was already on the same page as Aldric. “We won’t let whoever is sending those damn roses near your mate. In two days, you’ll be fully mated and we can take your princess and our new omega back to our lands where she’ll be surrounded by her pack.”
“Thank you, Godric. At times, I still have a hard time believing Helena chose me. Damn, my wolf and I are having a hell of a time being away from her, and I think that’s affecting my judgment.”
His father pointed toward all their luggage. “I think that’s why the king is moving us all over to their private wing this evening. That way at least you’ll only be a few doors away from Helena until the ceremony. Once the two of you are mated, your wolf will calm a bit, but right now, instinct demands that you stake your claim and keep all others far away.”
Godric’s mood turned solemn as he walked over and put a reassuring hand on Aldric’s shoulder. “Helena loves you, big brother. Anyone with eyes can see how much she wanted you alone to be her mate. You’re one of the strongest alphas among the packs. Your mate will be safe.”
“Well, let’s get this meeting over with so I can go find her before my wolf decides waiting isn’t an option.” Aldric walked through his bedroom door to find the rest of his party and led everyone over to the king’s private library.
Just as Godric had pointed out, while their group walked down the corridors on their way over to the royal wing, people stopped and bowed as they passed. Aldric wasn’t entirely comfortable with the attention, but if this was one of those hoops he would have to jump through, he was more than willing to jump for his princess.
The library doors were open, allowing them to enter without fanfare. King Leonidas sat behind a large oval table, his head advisor Emmerich on one side, and General Jensgar on the other. Beside him was a smaller gentleman Aldric had yet to meet. Various security and staff were milling about.
“Alpha Aldric, welcome. Please have a seat. I hope to have this settled quickly so that we may return to our mates before mine makes your upcoming bonding ceremony a weeklong event.” King Leonidas invited everyone to the table. His tone was light, but Aldric sensed an underlying current of tension.
“Thank you, sire. I would like to return to Helena as quickly as possible.”
“Leave us and close the door,” King Leonidas ordered, and all those on the other side of the room immediately stood, leaving only one royal guard at the now closed door.
“We can speak plainly here, gentlemen. There’s no need for prevaricating. I prefer the truth from those closest to me, and considering you’re soon to be my nephew and responsible for the care and wellbeing of the little girl I raised and love as much as my queen, we should be close.” King Leonidas wasn’t holding anything back, and to drive his point home, he unleashed his power, forcing every man to bare their throats to him.
Stunned, Aldric didn’t feel the need to submit to the king. He sat there a bit unsure of what to do, but his instinct told him not to bare his throat. He wasn’t about to stop listening to that little voice; it had saved him on more than one occasion. King Leonidas seemed to redirect his efforts, centering them completely on Aldric alone. Instead of baring his throat, Aldric stood. He had no idea what game was being played, but his wolf refused to back down.
“So it is truly the Royal Mark of Fenrir. I apologize, nephew, but I had to make sure. Please sit.” King Leonidas motioned Aldric back to his chair among the astonished faces of his people.
“You would have been flat on the floor if Fenrir didn’t favor you, Alpha Aldric,” a female voice commented before the woman entered the room through a door behind the king’s desk. She was tall and willowy with straight black hair that hung to her waist and eyes almost gold in color. “Though it might have been fun to watch, Helena would have kicked my ass all the way back to her suite if I even tried to hurt a hair on your head.”
The woman looked to be about twenty-six, but only a fool couldn’t see the ancient knowledge in her eyes. She was an immortal, but what was she doing here?
“My niece loves him, and if we do something to him, neither one of us will see anything containing chocolate ever again.”
“Does she blackmail everyone with these damn cookies?” Lothar asked, never taking his eyes off the new arrival.
The woman smiled widely, eyes glowing before she jumped with the grace of a feline on top of the table, walked over, and sat cross-legged in front of Lothar. The king said nothing and neither did General Jensgar, which didn’t escape his men’s notice; therefore, none of his people moved to defend.
“Well hello tall, dark, and definitely handsome. Who might you be?” she purred, all the while leaning closer and closer to Lothar.
“Ceva, now isn’t the time to start one of your love affairs. We have things to accomplish, and you know damn well, the longer we keep him—” the king tipped his head toward Aldric “—from Helena, the longer I’ll receive evil glares, so let’s move this along.” The king huffed while shaking his head at the woman.
“Ceva?” Lothar asked, bringing her attention right back to him. “Princess Helena’s godmother, the white witch?”
“Yes, handsome, and you are?�
�
“Lothar, Head of Warriors under Alpha Aldric Forst.”
“Oooo, I knew you were deadly. So hot.”
“Ceva.” King Leonidas shouted. “I’ll call Helena.”
“You used to be fun, old man,” Ceva grumbled before moving to within inches of Lothar’s face. “We’ll continue this later.” Lothar’s face remained calm and in control, but Aldric could see the curiosity in his old friend’s eyes.
Ceva stood again, still walking on top of the table before making a graceful flip into the air and landing effortlessly onto a nearby chair. “So, as I was saying, Aldric would’ve been lying flat on the floor with blood seeping from his ears. The amount of force I asked Leonidas to use should have accomplished that easily.”
“You asked the king to try and kill me.” Aldric was furious. Helena’s own godmother wanted him dead.
“Calm down, big fella. If I wanted you dead, you’d be dead.” With that, her golden eyes shone red and a set of impressive black wings erupted from slits he hadn’t noticed in the back of her clothing. “I love my goddaughter immensely. She was the only one I managed to save from the death brought upon her family. I would not kill the man she loves…without cause, of course.”
“Of course,” Aldric deadpanned.
“I like you, Aldric. We’ll get along just fine. Anyway, I was monitoring the effect Leonidas was having on you and could have shielded you if necessary at any moment. You were in no real danger.”
“Then why the test?” Aldric asked.
“We had to know for sure. I apologize, but Helena means the world to us and I can’t risk her safety on assumptions. You’re marked by Fenrir. He protects you from the direct effects of magic, just as my queen, Helena and I are protected. Of course, we could be harmed by man-made devices or poisons like those damn weapons laced with black magic, but a direct death spell will have no effect. You are, for all intents and purposes, now royal, chosen by Fenrir himself.”
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