59 Surprises
+ Points
59 Surprises
Lily POV
As soon as we leave the room, Vincent meets us in the hallway. “I want the body burned. He
will get no burial in the kingdom he stole from my father and tried to steal from me,” Drake says. “Of course, my king,” Vincent says and bows. Two guards follow behind him as we make
our way out of the cells. “We will see you all for dinner in the private dining room. I look forward to hearing your decision, Samuel,” Drake says, and I wonder what decision he’s talking
about.
“If you’ll excuse us, I have something I would like to discuss with my queen,” Drake says. He
leads me toward a staircase that I hadn’t noticed before. He offers me his hand, and we make
our way up two flights of stairs before we reach an ornate wooden door. There is a strangely
designed handle made of a metal that is almost iridescent. It looks like vines joined by a
unique flower.
“I almost forgot that this place existed. Being confined to the servant’s quarters left this place
a distant memory. I haven’t been here since before I lost my parents. I’m sure that if they could
have figured out how to get in they would have destroyed it. Only those that will share my
blood or wear my mark can open this door. The enchantment is my father’s design,” Drake
says. My heart is racing. “Go head my love” he says.
I reach for the handle and a purple glow emanates from my hand. The vines actually roll in my
palm and the sound of a lock disengaging startles me. I push the door open and step into a
room that takes my breath away. “This was our wing when my parents were king and queen.
The enchantment was my father’s way of protecting his family. No man, elf, wolf, or beast can
get through. I was hoping that if you agree we can live here,” he says.
I can feel how anxious Drake is through our bond. “I figured the twins already have their rooms and Jasmine could have the master bedroom totally gutted and use it for the new babies‘ nursery, but if you don’t want to live here, we can always.” I cut him off with a kiss. His arms
go around my waist and I wrap my arms around his neck. What started as a way to silence
the torrent of fears my handsome mate was feeling turns heated quickly. When we finally
break apart, he rests his forehead against mine.
“I would love to live in this amazing place with you. I love what I can see so far. Your parents
had wonderful taste. I couldn’t love it more if I designed it myself. Will you show me around? I
would like to spend some time just the two of us, but I’d like to see what could be our son’s
room some day or where we can make a nursery for our daughter.”
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Tears stream down his cheeks and I wipe them away with my thumb. “You have no idea what
your words mean to me. I never thought I’d have a beloved, let alone a future with children,” he says. “We will have everything my love. You deserve all of this. You are going to be an amazing king and father some day.”
“Only with you as my queen. You’re right though about wanting time with just us. I want at least a few years with just you and me. Years for us to enjoy loving each other and learning to be king and queen, so when it’s time we will know how to be the leaders the kingdom needs and the parents our children deserve,” he says. He presses a soft kiss on my lips before taking my hand, leading me around the space that will be our home.
As we make our way from room to room I can’t help but think about my family. I wonder how Jameson is going to feel about becoming Alpha when he comes of age. I had always thought that my future was to become Alpha of the Blue Crescent, but now I know Drake and the Elven Kingdom was always the path that was meant to be mine. I won’t lie I’m going to miss my family, but this is what was meant to be. “Don’t worry Lily girl, you will always have me and your family will be closer than you think,” Ariel says.
Before I can ask her what she means, Drake squeezes my hand, bringing me out of my thoughts. “Are you alright, my love?” “I’m perfect. I was just thinking about my family.” “You miss them” he says with no anger or sadness in his voice. “I do, but once everything is settled here we will make the trip to the pack so you can meet my family.”
“I can’t wait, my queen. I’ve never left the Elven realm. I can’t wait to meet the amazing wolves that have raised such strong, beautiful woman,” he says. He must see my look of concern. Is he able to leave the realm? Surely there are other enemies to the throne. I can’t put our people
at risk for my own selfish desires.
A smile spreads across his face. “Worries of a true queen. I promise you that the kingdom will be completely safe if we leave for a few days. Besides, I’m hopeful that Samuel will accept what I’ve proposed” he says. “What did you propose?” “I would like him to return to the castle as consigliere to the king and appoint Mirabelle as acting head of the Elders with his oversight. Besides needing his guidance, it will give him and Myra a chance to be close to our
family,” he says.
“When we visit your pack he will act in my absence and the good thing about portals is that once we visit, we can be back in the realm immediately should anything arise that needs our immediate attention,” he says. I can’t help the excitement that bubbles up inside me at the thought of visiting my family whenever we have the time. Without a second thought, I launch myself at Drake and almost knock him over. We both laugh as he presses his lips against
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mine.
+ Paints
After we finished the tour of our new home, Drake went to speak with Samuel about his decision. I went to check on Jasmine, Liam, and Colton. I knew our dinner was going to be in the private dining room, but I wasn’t sure what everyone was wearing. Wait did that question just come out of me? Since when do I care about what to wear for dinner, especially since it’s a dinner with people I now consider family. Ariel giggles at me. “Looks like someone is turning into a queen? Next you’ll be planning dinner parties” she says, and I swear she is grinning.
“Not funny” I say just as I reach the door to Jasmine and Liam’s wing. I knock twice before Jasmine opens the door. Without a word, she pulls me into a bone–crushing hug. After a few seconds, her whole body relaxes and I realize that she hasn’t seen us since we went to deal with David earlier. Neither of us need to say anything, but I can almost see the tension leave her body when I pull away. “Where’s Drake” she asks. “He went to speak with Samuel. I came to see what everyone is wearing for dinner tonight.”
She smiles leading me down a hallway to a large bedroom. “My clothes are all still in this closet. Liam and I plan to gut this room. There is another large room at the other end of the hall that will be our room. We haven’t decided exactly what will will do here but there won’t be
a trace of what it was,” she says.
I nod, understanding exactly what she means. “I’m so happy for you and Liam, Jasmine. I can’t wait to spoil all your pups.” She pulls me in for another quick hug before we walk into a closet that is as big as a room. “I planned to wear a blue summer dress and Liam is wearing dress
slacks with a short sleeve button–down shirt” she says.
She moves her hand through the rack of clothes and pulls a white summer dress that is covered in large green flowers that match Ariel’s eyes. “I think it will look beautiful on you” she says, handing me the dress. “Thank you, for the dress. Do you know where Colton and Arina are? I haven’t seen them since the royal court.“Something flashes in her eyes but it’s gone as
quickly as it came.
“I’m sure they are just spending time with Canius and Artruo before they return to their tribe. Liam is disappointed that Matilda will be leaving, but he is so happy she has found her beloved. They will be meeting us in the private dining room. You should go freshen up and get into that beautiful dress” she says.
Dinner
Drake and I walk into the dining room to find that Jasmine, Liam, the twins, Myra, and Samuel
are already waiting. Daniel and Diane are out of their chairs the minute they notice Drake. I
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59 Surprises
smile as they both wrap themselves around them. I smile even bigger when they release
Drake and wrap themselves around me. “Are you our sister now, Lily? Did you know mommy
has two babies in her belly,” Diane asks. “I guess I am. Yes, I did know that, and I’m so excited
about meeting them.”
They go back to take their seats next to Jasmine and Liam and I can’t stop the smile on my
face as I listen to them chatter. We start to move toward our seats when the door opens
behind us. I turn expecting to see Colton and Arina, but instead my mother and father are
smiling at me. I feel like this can’t be real. Are they really here or am I just wishing they were? I look over at my handsome mate, who smiles, nudging me toward them.
I rush across the room, and I’m engulfed in both my parent’s embrace. I can’t stop the sob that escapes me. My mother pulls me to her and wraps her arms around me. “We are so proud of you Lily bear. I have missed you so much.” She presses a kiss on my cheek before she whispers near my ear. “Your mate is very handsome.” My father’s growl makes me giggle. He pulls me from my mother’s arms while giving her a warning glare, but there is no real anger in
his eyes.
“Your mother is right about one thing Lily bear. We are so proud of you. I never thought when I
I
held you in my arms as a newborn pup you would be this amazing Red Wolf that was meant to be a queen, but I did know that you were the most precious part of my life. I have missed you, but I know this is where you are meant to be. Just don’t forget to visit us in between being the bad*** queen I know you’ll be. Now introduce me to my new son–in–law, so I can warn him
to never hurt my pup,” he says, making me laugh.
