Chapter 44 – Caden

Staring at Grace before me her face pink with a blush, I can’t help but reach out and graze the back of my hand along her cheek.

“Beautiful.” I whisper out, getting a shy smile as response from her. She mumbles a soft thank you and for a moment I enjoy this shy side of her. She has been a strong independent she-wolf before me since we met. Only shedding tears when needed. It has been rare to see her this shy.

“Okay love birds, the banquet needs you to make an appearance Caden.” Karina interjects, coming to stand behind Grace. I roll my eyes at my sister before holding my hand out to Grace.

“Shall we?” I ask, smiling as she places her hand in mine, Grace giving me an equally large smile.

“We shall!” she giggles out, allowing me to lead her from her room in the medical ward and out the building. The music for the banquet can be heard from where we are and I slow my steps, not ready to deal with the other wolves just yet. I want to savour this alone time with Grace before we are surrounded by wolves from all over the world.

“If we go any slower the banquet will be over.” Grace chuckles out, pressing herself closer to me. I sigh, knowing she is right, and pull her in for a hug.

“Is it bad I want to avoid everything and just sneak off?” I ask, smiling as she snuggles closer into my embrace.

“as much as I agree with you and want to sneak off, we need to go to the banquet since you are now the King.” She reasons making me sigh once more. Grace is right as always. As king I need to make an appearance to the banquet and announce plans for when the Run returns in six months. With a sigh, Grace and I continue walking towards the other side of the lodge where a large patio waits. Rounding the corner, I am in awe at how fast the co-ordinators have worked, the patio being set with multiple tables full of food. On the grassy lawn in front of the patio is filled with wolves mingling with one another as a D.J. set to the far right side of the lawn. As soon as wolves notice me, they begin to bow, backing away to give Grace and I room to move. Word of me arriving must have spread as the music stops and silence reigns while Grace and I stand in the middle of the patio.

“Long live the King!” Someone shouts after an uncomfortable silence settles over everyone. Soon another wolf chimes in, then another until the crowd is chanting Long Live the King. Grace chuckles beside me, nudging my shoulder playfully with hers as she also chants along. With a sigh, I raise my hand into the air and wait for the wolves to settle once more.

“Hello everyone and welcome to the final banquet.” I start, getting a cheer from the crowd once more. I sigh, wondering if everyone will be this excitable whenever I want to make an announcement.

“Settle down everyone!” Grace orders, her smile set into a playful smirk. She is clearly enjoying herself. As the crowd quiets again, I thank her before turning back to face the crowd.

“I want to apologize for my behaviour earlier today but I also want to assure you all that killing my father was the right thing to do. As such I want to announce that the Run which is to happen in six months will be canceled.” I begin to explain, seeing confusion and shock amongst the crowd.

“So does that mean we wont be able to find mates?” Someone asks and I sigh, looking at Grace who gives me an encouraging smile.

“No, you can still find mates.” I answer, smiling at the crowd as I pull Grace closer to my side.

“For the next six months and as long as it is consensual, you and your partner can complete the mate bond without having to go into the Run.” I state, seeing excitement on everyone’s face.

“Does that mean we can mate with our boyfriend or girlfriend?” A she-wolf asks in excitement. I smile, realizing it is Amelia calling out from the crowd, her arms wrapped around her boyfriend.

“Yes. You can do so as soon as you’d like.” I confirm.

“In the meantime, I will be making changes to the laws that govern our nation as well as give she-wolves their rights. Enjoy the last banquet of the Run as I plan to make significant changes going forward.” With that, I guide Grace to a table and hand her a plate. The music resumes and the happy atmosphere returns as Grace and I choose what to eat. Amelia and Brayden soon join us, the blonde giving me a quick hug and introducing me to her mate.

“Thank you for protecting Amelia.” Brayden smiles at me as I shake his hands, surprising me by how calm this soon to be Alpha wolf is.

“No need to thank me.” Chuckling, I pull Grace to my side, watching as she scoops a fork full of potato salad into her mouth.

“Hungry?” I ask, placing a kiss on her forehead. She nods, not bothering to answer me as she continues to eat her food and Amelia gives me a helpless look.

“You might want to fill another two plates for her before she is ready to talk.” She sighs out, shaking her head at Grace who rolls her eyes and sticks her tongue out at the blonde. I chuckle again, deciding to find an empty table for the four of us to sit at. Zander and Karina soon join us at the table we find, my sister carrying two plates full of food while Zander watches her with concern.

“I have a feeling we may need more food for the banquet.” My Beta states as Karina sits beside Grace, the two she-wolves nodding a greeting before they silently eat.

“I have a feeling you are right.” I laugh out. Introducing the two wolves to Brayden and Amelia, I am happy to see Zander and Brayden instantly hit it off right away. Amelia and Karina begin to talk about my coronation, what outfit the girls will wear as I go and fill another plate of food for Grace and me, bringing it to the table just as she finishes her first.

“Seems our little family is getting along.” I chuckle out, wrapping my arm around her shoulder.

“Seems like they are.” She agrees, a smile on her face. Looking out to the crowd of dancing and mingling wolves, I sigh and wonder just what I am going to do to replace the Run by next year.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Grace asks, drawing my attention back to her as she pushes her now empty plate away and scoots her chair closer to me.

"I'm thinking about how next year there will be no more run." I answer, my emerald eyes looking into her sapphire ones. She smiles, turning to look at the crowd of wolves as newly mated pairs dance and those still single mingle about. Many will be leaving to their new packs with their mates tomorrow, some even moving to new countries.

"That would be a dream come true for a lot of she-wolves." She whispers and I nod in agreement, thinking about the work ahead of me.

"But what will replace The Run?" Her question has me frowning and I can’t help but sigh as I look away from her, towards the forest bathed in the blue moon light.

“I am not sure yet.” I sigh, running my free hand through my hair as Brayden takes Amelia to dance and Zander rushes after a now drunk Karina, the wolf more of a worry-wart to her than I am.

“But I am sure you and I can come up with a great idea that will benefit every wolf." I continue, turning to catch the surprised look on her face. . My instinct tells me that Grace is the one I am meant to be with, to have as a co-ruler of all wolves and that if these last seven days have taught me anything, its that as long as I have Grace beside me, I know everything will work out in the end. Her brilliant mind will be able to help create an event that would benefit everyone in the werewolf nation and be fair for the she-wolves to attend.