Filling my travel mug with coffee, I groan at the magic bean juice waking me up. Albot woke those who are traveling north to the Royal Pack at four in the morning, wanting everyone fully ready to leave by five thirty.
We plan to bring thirty wolves out of the two hundred that joined Astraea, these wolves already devoting their loyalty to me as the Princess and not as their Alpha. They know the risk, having been training with Matrix in the ways of the Royal Pack Warriors and know that any moment, they could possibly lose their lives.
“You okay, sunshine?” Marcie asks, her tired yet happy eyes running up and down my body.
“I. Want. Sleep.” With a groan between each word, I walk into her open arms and allow my friend to hug me. She will be here, taking care of Astraea while we are gone, and having the wolves train in case of any retaliation from Coro.
“I know, hun. Albot said he will drive your Hummer so you can get your beauty sleep.” She teases with a chuckle, pulling on my simple braid. I growl lightly, earning another chuckle from Marcie as she pulls away to look me in the eye.
“You got this, Crystalline. You go there, kill Alexander at that ball, and take the throne. Then we kill that brother of yours and work on eradicating the Soulless.” Her words are encouraging as we both smile at each other. If things go the way we want them to, I will be Queen and Marcie will be the Luna of Astraea.
“Crystalline, you ready to go?” Albot steps into the room, leaning against the door frame as his smiling face finds mine. Marcie nudges me, a smirk on her own tanned face and I glare at her, already knowing the hidden meaning. She cannot wait for the day my mate bond breaks and I can be with Albot.
“Yes, are Alice and Blake in the Hummer already?” I ask with a yawn, Albot pushing himself off the door frame as I walk towards him, taking his outstretched hand.
“Yes. Blake wants to drive if that’s fine. This just means you can use me as a pillow and sleep longer.” He answers. I smile, happy that my pup can drive now without much trouble and agreeing that Blake could use more practice. He will be leaving for college next year in Toronto and interning with Atticus in the fall.
Marcie walks with us to the front door, the pack already waiting to go as we all say our final goodbyes to everyone. Matrix comes to me, pulling me away from Albot and into a hug.
“Thank you, Crysta, and be safe.” He whispers. I close my eyes, taking in my best friend’s scent before releasing him and watching him take his place next to Marcie. They will be great leaders of Astraea, and I cannot wait to watch them continue to grow this pack.
“I will call you when we reach the Royal Pack.” I assure him, seeing the pained look in his eyes. It kills him knowing he can’t be there by my side, but Marcie and him are needed here to protect the pack from Alexander and Coro’s allies. They are also needed to help those in need of a second chance find a new home. The sad thing is, I realize that I no longer need the two wolves as my protectors.
With one last goodbye, I climb into the back seat of my Hummer, Alice and Blake already settled in with the GPS ready to go.
“This was the land Nightmare Moon sat on, wasn’t it?” Alice states quietly, shocking me.
“Yes… How did you find out?” I asked confused as Blake lets out a sigh.
“We knew the day we arrived here. We just didn’t want to say anything because the truth is, we were happy to be able to see our parents’ graves again. Besides, Nightmare Moon no longer exists and to know this place gained a second chance because of you, made us even happier.” Blake explains, turning in his seat to smile at me. Tears well in my eyes at the trust the pups put into me. They had faith in me to keep them safe and happy.
“Well, Marcie and Trix already said you are welcome back anytime.” I sniffle, wiping away a stray tear.
“Yeah, but you’re our mom now. Our home is with you.” With that, Blake turns back to face the front, turning the Hummer on and driving away. Hopefully, this last move will be their forever home and we can all live peacefully together once more.
***
“So this is the Royal Pack lands.” Alice asks, her eyes scanning the border as we approach a patrol. Albot had called ahead an hour ago, letting the liaison of the pack know our estimated arrival. Now, we just wait for the guards to do their inspections before gaining the okay to enter their lands
“We still have two hours to go before we reach the palace.” I inform her, doing my best to stay quiet and inconspicuous as we pass by many houses and the small town.
“Do you think the charm Cassandra gave you will work?” Albot sighs with worry, his eyes never leaving the Royal Guards as they search through the many vehicles we brought, their watchful eyes making sure there is no threat to Alexander. I stay silent, a guard coming towards my Hummer with a worried look on their face. Albot rolls down the window, his features a mask of calm as he greets the wolf in front of him politely.
“Alpha Albot, it looks like someone had silver on them, could you explain yourself?” The guard asks. Silently cursing, I open the link.
[Who is the idiot that brought silver?] I demand, putting an Alpha command into my words.
[My mate packed it for me for self defence. It’s a dagger with the edge coated in silver. I am so sorry; I had no clue.] I sigh as a Hunter named Daniel answers, realizing he left a pregnant mate back at Astraea with the promise to return safe and alive. No wonder there was a weapon in his suitcase. Albot relays the message to the guard, explaining it was a gift from that wolf’s pregnant mate and meant no harm. I smile with how smoothly he can lie, making it seem like an innocent accident.