41

~The morning before the battle~

Confused, I woke up on the wrong side, in a cold outline of my mate. Where was he? He usually does work on his laptop waiting until I wake up so he can give me a briefing of what is going on. Yet, today he was gone before I even woke up. He was gone long before I woke up because his side went cold. Stretching out my limps and letting out a yawn, I head to the bathroom that has the faint scent of his cologne.

Once I got myself ready for the day I headed down to the kitchen where Max's mother sits eating her breakfast. Her head perks up when she hears my footsteps and her eyes light.

"Natalie, good morning," she greets.

"Good morning, ma'am," I respond.

"Please, call me Jane. I am going to be your mother-in-law I hate formalities. Besides I am no longer the Queen, I should be referring to you as such."

"Okay, Jane. Good morning, Jane."

She smiles. "What are your plans for today?"

"I do not believe I have any."

"Wonderful! I have planned a girls day."

"Girl's day?"

She nods. "You need clothes and what not for the big ceremonies."

"I do? I thought I was having a dress fitting for my coronation and marking ceremony."

"You do! I am talking about the other ceremony."

My eyes widen in realization in what she is talking about and my face turns hot. I am pretty sure I was as red as a tomato. I shield my face from the embracement and take a seat across from her. Talking to his mother about having sex with him was unusual and truly embarrassing. It isn't something I'd expect a mother wanting to have a conversation about or take her daughter-in-law shopping for. She wants to take me lingerie shopping, you know something I'd wear when I am mating with her son. I don't know, it is just weird for me.

"Sorry about suddenly dropping that on you. I can tell you are embarrassed. We can do something else if you'd like."

"Oh, no, no. It just isn't something I'd expect a mother to do."

"Well, it isn't something a mother to a daughter would do. I want grand-pups and it's been awhile since there was another women here to do such activities."

"Oh, I am so sorry. I was just shocked at such an offer."

"A lot of mother's to alphas or males like to take their future daughter-in-law shopping. It is always shocking when they offer. I know I was as well, so I know how you feel."

"Okay when are we leaving?"

"Please eat first then we can leave. I'll tell the chauffeur."

I fill my plate with my favorites and continue to talk to Jane. She gives me tips and stories about being Queen. Although she is no longer in that position she still carried herself like she was all the way down to how she sat and drank her tea. Her mannerism screamed respected and that I am your superior, do not cross me.

Jane had the soft yet vibrant eyes her son had. Really that was the only trait they shared, Max really looked like his father.

My fear was not living up to Jane when she was Queen, I have big shoes to fill. I didn't have training like she did. I do not know the first thing about being Queen or even a Luna. It was intimidating. My fear is being a horrible Queen and one that will be looked over and walked on because I am nothing like Jane. Although my wolf has realized her position in the pack and has demanded it, I do not know how to. I do not have that instinct. I was the daughter of a Beta, so all I know is to obey and be obedient.

I can not command a troop or make a political decision. I wasn't raised to be such. My father just hoped I'd settle down with a nice male and did't care his for ranking he just wanted me to be happy. Although I am happy I am stressed about this position I was placed into. Hopefully Jane and Maxwell can help with this transition. I strive to be half the Queen Jane was.

Once we finished breakfast and put our dishes in the sink I grabbed my handbag and winter jacket. Jane was already waiting in the warm running car.

"Where to," the chauffeur asks.

"The mall," she responds.

"Which one?"

"My usual one."

"Of course, m'lady."

The car pulls up to a luxurious outlet shopping center.

"We have arrived, ma'am."

"Wonderful, thank you!

Jane practically pulls me out of the car and drags me to the car and so began our girl's day shopping trip.

Stalemate. Neither of us moved. It was dead silent as if everyone was holding their breathes to see who would make the first move. Neither of us did because we are to pride full and stubborn. Now that I know Natalie and my mother are safe I can stand here all day.

Yet, that did not seem to be the case. A frantic message came through my mind link.

'Alpha, it seems the escort has been ambushed and they have the Queen,' a warrior comes through.

My blood boils.

'I told you to make sure the escort was secured and had the best warriors,' I snarl.

'This is not our fault, it seems they has placed someone into the pack as a spy and orchestrated this whole attack.'

She was a smart bitch. Planning this entire attack and placing someone into the pack to make this play out in her favor.

'And my mother?'

'They left her be. It seems they only want the Queen.'

Oh, now I am definitely going to kill this witch. A deliberate attack on me and the monarchy. She knows what she is doing, but she does not know the consequences and I will not hesitate to kill her. To have blood shed on my territory, I will not hesitate if it is all in the name of protecting Natalie.

Sophia grins when a couple of warriors practically drag Natalie to her feet. I catch a glance of her and she is staring at me. When we make eye contact she grins and winks. Oh, this women. She does not stand down in the face of violence. Knowing my mate she is going to want to tear this women to bits. Not gonna lie, I'd love to see this.

Natalie is literally going to be the death of me and she is proud of that fact.

They throw Natalie to Sophia's feet where she looks down upon her a grins sinisterly.

"I have your Queen. You have nothing now! One step out of place and I will not hesitate to rip her throat out," Sophia announces.

"You've won, I have nothing."

She laughs. "Face it, I have a leverage over you. I have the advantage, I have the Queen and you will do whatever I say to keep her safe."

"What do you want?"

"Desmond."

"No can do."

"Then she dies."

When those words spill from her mouth the entire pack link goes eerie silence until a sudden wave of anxiety and anger crashes like a wave. I can not lie, even though I know my mate very well and can tell she is planning something I am still worried. I am proud of my pack though. She hasn't been formally introduced as the Queen and Luna, yet the acknowledge her as such. All willingly to lay down their lives to protect their Luna. All stand in position and ready to lay down their lives for protecting the Luna and the pack they love.

The silence of the battlefield was disturbed by a strong gust of wind. It wasn't wind though, it was so powerful many lost their footings and I was left in the front bracing, feeling the wind smack my hair around. Once it blew over we all looked up to see two female wolves facing off. Sophia's wolf was a standard grey wolf with black highlights. Yet, this was the first time I was seeing Natalie's wolf. She too was a standard grey wolf but it wasn't a lighter grey with random patches of white. Her wolf carried the same green eye trait but with flecks of silver. Her front paws were white and her back legs were too, but they went up like high socks.

A snarl is heard, but I was unsure who it came from since they were standing facing one another and Natalie had her back to us. Basically blocking my view of this exchange. A power surge could be felt through the pack. This is the first time she is shifting on her mate's territory, royal territory. Her wolf knows her place and is defending her pack as the Queen. Taking what is rightfully hers, the dominance and power that comes with being the werewolf Queen.

Then the circling starts the swooshing of their tails and the stomp of their feet. Sophia thinks Natalie is weak so she will use that to her advantage. The element of surprise is on our side. She thinks she is as weak as Desmond played her to be, but that is wrong. Marked or not an Alpha Female wolf always knows her position and will not be questioned, especially if it is the Queen.

Sophia is the first to make a move in which she advances, charging at Natalie who is unfazed and doesn't even flinch. Snout to snout they stare at one another, one content and the other full of anger. She seemed to get tired of this game and pounced on top of Natalie, pinning her under her. She now reveals her canines to her attacker, dodging or counter attacking every blow she tries to make.

What the fuck is she doing! She is going to get herself killed!

Snarls are heard from both females as the rest of us sit and watch. What else are we supposed to do? We are in shock from such an advance. Yet, her pack kept making comments about Natalie and what a leader she is.

Natalie's legs push up on her stomach and launch her backwards. She lands with a thud on her back and rolls onto her side a slides down the hill. While her pack advances to watch this exchange, my pack backs up to give them space. She licks her lips as she strolls down the hill. Not a concern in the world, she has the high ground. Confidence in each step as she now hovers above her opponent.

Her top lip reveals her entire set of teeth before they disappear and sink into Sophia's neck. When they come back into site they are covered and dripping in blood. Sophia lays on her side, bleeding out through her neck. Both packs stand in absolute shock. Desmond's warriors fall to their knees, shaking. My pack kneels in a different way, acknowledgment of their Alpha Female.