40

The following morning I called a meeting with my still loyal allies, my generals, beta, gamma, and council. Everyone was there except for Natalie. I had my mom take her out for a girls days and to do a little shopping for the ceremonies. I needed to do this without her so she wouldn't get worried or overly anxious. Desmond has truly hurt her and she is scared of what his pack is clearly capable of.

I need to distract Natalie and play things down for the time being until the ceremonies passed. I don't need her stressing about the war, I need her to focus on the ceremonies and making them the best as possible. Females dream about the day they have their ceremonies and I don't want them to ruined for her. Desmond seems to want to ruin her big day, he's jealous. I knew this would be a problem, but I won't let that bother me.

"We need to strategize so this war can be held off until the ceremonies come to an end," I tell.

"I agree," my general tells. "If you die in combat or the challenge she needs to be carrying your pup and heir. This would secure the throne so he can't take it from the royal family. It is against the law to challenge pregnant or nursing female."

My council members nod. I could see the fear in my soon to be father-in-law's eyes. I am grateful he is on my council. Natalie will need his support more than anything if something is to happen to me. My other council members don't respect her like they respect me yet. They'd just talk over her and in some cases, over throw her.

"I'll have some men ready for the challenge if you need their assistance," the head of the royal guard offers.

I wave it off. "I don't think that'll be necessary. That'd be cheating."

"But what if things get out of hand? Or he plays a trick?"

"Than yes, but they'll be on stand by no matter right. Am I wrong?"

"No, your majesty."

"Good, now we have to come up with a plan until the ceremonies conclude."

"We can send members of this council and some of your trusted people to negotiate," one member offers.

"That could work, but it doesn't buy me a lot of time to plan the ceremonies and actually have them. You know? There is only so long you can milk negotiations and they'll get tired and eventually stop agreeing to meet. I need something more time consuming."

"How about we just send some warriors to hold down the territory line so they can't advance any further? If it comes to that we'll have to negotiate or wait till the war is over for you to mate with Natalie."

I growl lowly. "Don't you get the point of Natalie and I mating before we go to war? It's to secure the throne if I die in battle! The rules state if I die but my mate is pregnant they cannot take that home away from her and leave them homeless."

There is a collective sigh.

"If I may suggest, if that plan does go into affect I can provide a home and protection for my daughter and pup," Nathan tells.

"I don't want it to come to that. Don't you understand? I want to mate and crown her queen before battle! I want just one day where we are fully mated and one before I go out there and risk my life. I want to be able to hold my pup in my arms and not have to worry about this! I just want to be fucking happy," I yell, my rage taking full control.

I just want this all to be over. I want Desmond to back down from this war and leave me be. I want them all to be submissive to me again. Why can't I be happy for once? I finally get my mate and now everything goes down the drain.

"We'll just have to do a combination of both, secure the boarder line and negotiate with his allies. That's it. That is all I'm offering until I can conclude the ceremonies. Okay?"

They all nod in what seemed to be an agreement. I could finally end the meeting until a frantic message rattled through the link of a boarder patrol member.

'Alpha, there is a until of warriors trying to break the boarder line,' he tells.

I growl. 'Where is Natalie? Has she returned home?'

'No.'

'Fuck! Locate her and get her home and secured safely into the bunker.'

'Yes, sir!'

My wolf snarls and starts to pace as we head into battle not knowing where our mate is. Where the hell could she have gone? I mean obviously we didn't know this was going to happen today. I checked over her schedule today and she had nothing on it. She had no duties or places she had to be, so where could she have gone?

'Alpha, it appears that your mother is also missing,' my beta chimes through the link.

I let out a sigh, she is with my mother. Now I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I mean why didn't I think of that first. My mom is excited for me to have a mate and hopefully grand kids. Mostly to just have a female to talk to and bond with. She most likely took her out shopping for clothes for the ceremonies. She has been a big help in planning as we have no clue what we are doing. That is why we usually reach out to someone who has been through it for help.

'Find them and make sure they are secured in the bunker before Desmond's pack reaches the palace,' I order.

'Yes, your majesty. We have sent out a group of scout to find them.'

Natalie is literally going to be the death of me and she has no clue. I know I shouldn't be angry as she didn't know this would happen today, but my wolf can't help but pace. Pacing in anger and worry. Why doesn't she think and consult me before going places? I think that is what I was most angry about, she didn't tell me where she was going so I am angry about not knowing her whereabouts at a time like this.

My large black wolf advances with the rest of the top warriors, my beta, and gamma. I could smell the stink that is Desmond's pack warriors. We all stop in our tracks when a female emerges from the crowd.

"My name is Sophia and I am Desmond's true mate," Sophia announces. "My pack and I will spare your lives if you hand over my mate. If you do not there will be hell to pay and we will take the Queen forcefully."

Great, I think. They are threatening my mate while she is out in the world, unprotected. They can easily get to her before me as I do not know her whereabouts and she has zero protection. Yeah, she may have my mother, but what is one Alpha female going to do against so many warriors.

'Do not worry, Alpha,' A scout comes through. 'We have located the queen to be and she is being protected and escorted to the bunker along side your mother.'

'Wonderful,' I let out a sigh of relief. 'Where was she?'

'The mall with your mom.'

Of course, the mall. I should be relieved that she is with my mom she has the protection of herself and another Alpha female. Yet, I couldn't help feeling annoyed that neither of them told me. When I checked her schedule she was completely free today, so I guess this is more or less that I am shocked. Shocked because I thought she'd be home and safe, having quicker access to the bunker.

I should be happy though that my mother took her out. Ever since she became my mate and Queen-to-be she has felt stressed and disconnected with her friends. Luckily her father is always around due to his new position, so she isn't entirely isolating herself which I was worried about.

I focus my gaze upon Sophia before shifting and covering myself.

"Why are you here," I demand.

"I am here for my mate, idiot," Sophia responds arrogantly.

"Desmond told us you had rejected him."

She takes in a deep breath and rubs her temple. "I have had a change of heart."

"You mean you have had a change of agenda. Why all a sudden? Why didn't you step in when his title was stripped? Here we are in the battle field a week or so later."

"Because this is my rightful position."

"No, you can't fully take over without the mating and marking of your alpha male mate. You have authority and power but not the amount you do when you are alpha female. You crave the power and strength and that is why you are here now, reclaiming your position. Face it you never loved him, you want to mark and mate before he is killed so you have the authority."

She lets out a snarl and her eyes turn a dark color. I guess I hit a soft spot. "I have scouts out looking for your female and once she is found she'll be brought to me and have to face my wrath, unless my mate is freed."

I laugh, "my mate is secured in a secret and secure location, but nice try with the threats. I applaud you. Good luck."

"You think you have thought of everything," she snickers. "But you will eventually fuck up and I will there to destroy you."

"Oh, I'll be waiting. Until then please get off my territory or there will be blood shed and casualties on both sides."