Chapter 72

Xander –

The previous weekend, I accepted Beta Michael to be a member of the pack. Because we were providing refuge to Elanor's mate and the young princess, we were not able to openly accept her into our pack or honor her as an honored guest.

I had my mother make sure that I provided them with a 3-bedroom house, as beta Michael still must convince his mate Elanor that she is their mate, even if she is not a she-wolf.

Claire has been watching the security video feeds while I have created an electronic free room, so even listening devices would not function.

Throughout my life, Zach has been my best friend, almost like a brother. My heart was broken by the sight of my cousin and his sister crying day after day after their parents passed away. My heart broke right along with them. The loss that I experienced when they passed was so unbearable that my dad decided that we should let them live with us. The one thing I know about Zach is that he will always be my brother. I can only hope that I can figure out what is wrong before someone gets hurt.

As soon as Beta Michael has the silent room setup, we will discuss the situation with Zach. I need to alert the Alphas from different packs to be cautious. Clair and I are getting married this weekend, so I'm worried about that. This is an enormous affair. Leaders of all packs and kings from magical kingdoms are going to be there

Due to the way Zach spoke, it spooked me. I cannot cancel the wedding, nor do I want to cancel it. Being the future king and queen always involves security risks.

My gut tells me that something bad is going to happen on our wedding day. Fear of what might happen needs to be let go. Perhaps I am experiencing wedding jitters? Nah, I chased Clair everywhere to get here. I want nothing more than to marry her.

I have a feeling that we may not be able to go on a honeymoon. I must stop myself from thinking negatively. We will take on each day as it comes, it will all be fine.

Deciding to put my inner conflict on the back burner. I laugh to myself as I had a couple Omegas setup up a couple of traps for retaliation of Clair’s and Akira’s pranks. I had them make a Pink runny Meringue and put it above their bedroom doors. When they walk into their bedroom, SPLAT, the bucket of meringue will spill above their heads.

Clair –

After having set up my office in the security building and meeting everyone in the building including the janitor, I was ready to begin. In fact, I decided to go to the princess so we could deactivate the booby traps that he had installed. There will be more fun to be had when we put the pranks somewhere else, just think about it.

The princess and I knew exactly where to look, how unoriginal above our bedroom doors. I laughed to myself, where do men spend lots of time? On the toilet! We set up the toilets so when they would flush, the pink gooey stuff would fall on them. Then we laughed hard all the way to the park, where I let the princess play with children her age. Which didn’t sit well with Elanor,

Elanor -

“Your highness Clair, we cannot have Akira in the open should someone recognize her.”

Clair –

“You are right to be concerned and afraid for her safety. I understand your concern and fear. In any event, if I recall correctly, you took her away from the moment she was born, which is why nobody knows what she looks like. It's the reason why you have camouflaged your looks for the sake of her safety.

This is awesome. There will never be too many ways that we can try to protect this young princess. However, she is still a little girl who needs to have playtime to make sense of every day. Then she won't end up as a captive of her circumstances because she won't be a prisoner of her circumstances.”

Elanor sat on the park bench next to me, contemplating every word I said. In my limited knowledge about elves, I think I read once that they live on logic, and if you can give them logic, you stand a chance of winning them over.

Elanor sat and watched as Akira hesitated to venture up to the other young kids. However, a friendlier little girl came up and invited Akira to play teatime. These two girls were in a solitary universe of their own.

Elanor nodded and realized her fears had taken over any chance for laughter and happiness, she did indeed make them both prisoners of their circumstances.

Elanor –

“Your highness, thank you for having such insight. You are right I had gone too far on keeping us locked away from the world. Akira does need time to laugh.”

Clair –

Elanor and I embraced each other and laughed as we watched Akira playing with her new friend for the first time.

Meanwhile back at the castle the prince and his beta Michael are making a new fashion statement wearing meringue on their hair and suit.

The prince is mumbling to himself I don’t have time for this crap.

Clair –

Through the mind-link, I can hear a very angry mate yelling at me. "Now, it seems to me that your trap was too obvious, over the bedroom door, was it not? Nevertheless, you must admit, the idea of placing it above the toilet was ingenious. It is time to admit defeat and you must concede the point. Surely, you are aware that you will not be able to outwit me!”

Xander ---

I forgot all my anger and decided not to let Clair play pranks on me anymore. “Oh, it's on Clair. Watch your back!” I close the link laughing out loud to myself.