1-The Birthday to Remember

“I trust you two can simply take the cart and start?” Luana, the Palace’s Headhouse keeper, says loudly.

“Yes, Ma’am,” the twins bow to her and take their cart full of towels, sheets and supplies up to the third floor of the Warrior Dorms. All the Warriors on this floor are at training. The twins have two hours to get through 10 rooms. There are 5 crews working this floor, so they work fast.

“I hope he comes here unmated,” Ada tells her sister as they clean their third room.

“I do too. But if not, it’s okay, we can serve the Queen,” Emma shrugs.

“No, Emma,” Ada makes her twin stare at her. “You and I will not accept another as Queen. We will be Queen, or no one will. You can’t back out. You will be the Queen Consort right beside me.”

“What if he has a fated mate who is not us?” Emma asks whispering.

Ada grabs Emma’s upper arm, griping her tight. “We will run her off. And then we will console the King. We may be able to enlist the Grand Duke himself. He loves to take from his brother, we get him to seduce the Queen.”

As Ada is scheming, Lewis is entering the hall to see his secretary’s daughters.

“Good morning, Your Majesty,” the other maid says out loud seeing him.

Ada gives her twin a warning looking as they return to their cleaning.

“My favorites,” Lewis announces, smiling at the girls. “I spoke to Luana and you two will be on the King’s Floor starting in the morning. Princess Ariella has sent over a list of changes the Crown Prince and new Grand Duke plan to make and I can’t think of two more qualified to assist me in making the floor perfect for our new King and his Duke. Grand Duke Duke, I really hope he adopts another name.”

The girls and Lewis share a laugh before the Warlock hugs them.

“Ever since your father died, I have been worried about what would happen with you two. But you both have made me so proud. I can’t wait to see how far you go with King Bär.”

Ada and Emma hug the King Consort. Ada smirks, knowing she plans to go all the way to the throne.

“Your Majesty,” a chorus rings out again as Caleb comes onto the floor.

“Ladies, thank you for all you do for the Palace. I consider each one of you as important as the ministers in my cabinet,” Caleb announces loudly.

“He is showing off again,” Lewis rolls his eyes as he whispers to Emma and Ada.

“Oh, I come to give you news and find my mate wrapped in the arms of two beautiful women. Should the King be jealous?” Caleb teases.

Lewis pulls the girls tighter, making them laugh.

“I’ve held your hard body for 20 years. I want to hold something soft,” Lewis teases back, making the girls laugh again.

Caleb fakes shock and hold his heart. “My Love, you break me. You want me to go soft? Never in 20 years have you found me soft.”

Emma blushes as the Kings flirt. Ada lets out a huge laugh.

“What news do you bring, My Love?” Lewis asks as he squeezes Emma tighter, knowing this makes her uncomfortable.

“Bär, has not found his mate,” Caleb smiles.

Ada tries to hide her triumphant glee. Emma says a small prayer that the Prince will not come here unmated. All the other maids gossip. What if they are next Queen?

Meanwhile at Conrad…….

“You okay, Bro?” Duke asks his older brother.

“I mean, it would have been nice to take the throne with a Queen,” Bär shrugs, his blonde hair falling in his pale blue eyes.

“You could just pick one you know,” Duke throws an arm over his shoulders. “All these females are making wet spots in their panties for you.”

“I will wait for my mate,” Bär assures Duke.

“So, when we are mated,” Gabby interrupts the brothers to slide under Duke’s arm. “Are you going to go with a different name?”

“I was thinking about it. My name is the name of Grandpa Finch’s Wolf. How do you think everyone will feel if I use Finch?” Duke offers.

“Dad, Uncle Finely and Uncle Carter might like it. But Mom and Monty might not so much. He is still a sensitive subject with them,” Bär warns.

“All you can do is ask, Babe,” Gabby tells him.

“You looking forward to being a Duchess?” Bär turns his attention to Gabby.

“Duchess Gabriela Conrad,” Gabby smiles. “I’ll be the second most powerful woman in the kingdom.”

“Until I find my mate, you will be the most powerful,” Bär tells her.

“Oh, yes,” Gabby giggles.

“What are you three doing,” Rose asks as she and Davis join them.

“Teasing Gabby,” Bär answers.

“I’m in,” Davis jokes, making everyone laugh. “What? I tease her better than anyone.”

Again, the five of them laugh.

“My siblings, my Beta,” Montague, Monty, and his mate, Zoe, join them.

“My brother,” Bär calls loudly.

“My brother,” Duke throws an arm over Monty. “I have a question.”

“I have an answer,” Monty chuckles.

“I can’t be Grand Duke Duke, it sounds like shit,” Duke starts, making Monty laugh. “Since I'm named after your Dad’s wolf, I wonder if you would mind me using Grand Duke Finch.”

Rose sucks in a heavy breath. She knows Monty’s birth father is a sensitive topic.

Bär looks between his brothers. Monty is in deep thought.

“I will need to speak to Mom,” Monty says. “But I’m honored. I know Anderson, Finley, and Carter will be too. I’ll make it okay for Mom.”

“I don’t want to make it more difficult for Mom, us moving. But I want to use the name,” Duke says.

“I think the final decision is Mom’s, but I’ll speak to her,” Monty nods.