Elise's POVThe walk down the long hallways of the castle always felt long to me. It feels like an exercise whereas Megan always walks with grace and a smile on her face. She is literally the epitome of grace and beauty and she never fails to make me feel self conscious and intimidated by her beauty. I'm like a duck walking next to a graceful, beautiful swan.And she's not the only gorgeous person here, I've met many more model like, gorgeous women. This place brings out my insecurities. Everyone here is either gorgeous or handsome. I stick out like a sore thump. "Luna?" Megan's concerned voice knocked me out of my deep thoughts."Hmm." I absent-mindedly hummed in response."Are you alright? You seem unwell. You are radiating a hint of sadness. What is the matter?" She asked almost making me cringe.I forgot that people near me can sense my emotions here if they radiate strong enough. It's another type of bond here. The bond between the Luna and her pack and in my case, also a queen
Elise's POV"Okay guys, let's go." I told the kids as I took the prepared picnic basket from the granite countertop."Would you like our help, Elise?" Everett offered with a dimpled smile.I smiled at him leaned down to press a kiss onto his forehead before shaking my head at him," No thank you, Sweetheart.""Are you certain? We would love to assist you." Evangeline smiled up at me.As much as I tried, I couldn't swallow the giggle that left my lips as I shook my head at her," I'm sure, Sweetheart." I assured, leaning down to press a kiss onto her forehead too."Perhaps my assistance may put your minds at ease, Children." Noah's amusement filled voice resonated from behind us, making all three of us simultaneously turn to his unannounced, unexpected figure."Uncle Noah!" The twins simultaneously called, before they ran over to give him a hug before returning to my sides with twin grins lining their lips."May I?" Noah asked, gesturing to the basket in my hand."Are you sure?" I asked
"You know I could have easily carried it back, right?" I asked, gesturing towards the picnic basket that was loosely hung over his arm."I am quite aware, Little One, but I would prefer you not especially not in my presence. You do not need to lift a finger while I am with you." He stubbornly retorted with a slight scoff that had me rolling my eyes even as a small smile laced my lips."As you wish, your Majesty." I playfully said earning myself a playful growl in return as he winked at me."I prefer, my Love." He suggestively smirked."Of course you do." I lightly giggled in amusement. Who would have thought that bad, moody King Theodore could be such a playful man. It really hides his true age."Eli!" The twins happily called as they wrapped their arms around my waist with twin grins marring their faces."Yes Sweethearts?" I smiled at them as I stopped in my tracks."Everett and I will be playing in my room, would you like to join us?" Evangeline enthusiastically asked with hopeful
"Oh my, I doubt you will be attending the children's play time after all," Megan said as she walked towards me with a softness to her words and tone," Shall I go tell his Majesty that he might need to entertain them for the entirety of the afternoon?"I shook my head as I peaked one eye open to be greeted by a warm smile."No, I can't disappoint them. I'll just spend a few minutes with them then I'll take a nap." I reassuringly smiled at her as I opened my other eye while getting off the bed."Are you certain, Luna? I'm sure they'll understand that you're a bit tired." Megan raised an eyebrow in amusement."I'm sure, Megan." I chuckled with a shake of my head."Alright," She shrugged," Shall I take you to Princess Evangeline's chambers?" "Yes please." I asked.With a nod, she guided me out of my room and two rooms down from mine. "This is Miss Evangeline's room, your Majesty. Would you like me to knock for you?" She asked, taking me by surprise as I immediately shook my head."No th
Soft chatter filled my ears as warm, small hands curiously cupped my cheeks. A groan softly escaped my lips, making the small hands immediately retract to their owner as I opened my eyes to the evening-sun lit room. Everett's happy features suddenly appeared in front of me before Evangeline's curious, but happy features also appeared next to her brother."Good afternoon, Eli." They simultaneously greeted before breaking into sweet giggles of laughter at their paired greeting."Good morning, Darlings." I lightly chuckled before I turned my head just for my cheek to brush against warm fingers that were connected to a hand that belonged to a very much asleep Theo."Daddy's still asleep." Evangeline cutely explained. "He is, isn't he?" I found myself absent-mindedly responding before I turned to the two darlings curiously staring at me,"Okay, how about we go downstairs for a snack and let Daddy sleep? He must be exhausted." I negotiated. They nodded without a second thought as they al
For the second time today, I was carefully shaken awake, but this time, I was greeted by the warm and soft pair of eyes that I only knew belonged to Megan."Good evening, Luna. My apologies for disrupting your nap, but dinner is ready." She apologetically smiled."Oh." I meekly responded as I sat up on the bed with my back against the headboard. My eyes felt swollen and tired. I felt tired and I knew it's because I had cried myself to sleep. There was bound to be evidence of my tortured state showing proudly anyway, now I just have to wear it until it disappeared. "Are you feeling alright, Luna? I could have someone bring your plate up, if you'd like?" She offered with genuine care lacing her words.I weakly shook my head," No, it's okay." Plus this way, I might get the chance to explain myself to the twins. "Are you certain, your Highness? "Megan raised an eyebrow that spoke volumes,"His Majesty will not be attending as he is currently busy tending to paper work and the children ha
"Good evening, my Lady," Noah slightly bowed his head," I was not aware that his Majesty was expecting you.""Good evening," I politely smiled instead of objecting to his appraisal titles. They still make me uncomfortable sometimes, but I'm really trying to respect their customs. "I didn't tell him I was coming, but do you by any chance know where I can find him?" I asked."Well, he told me that he wished to retire for the night. In fact, he left less than 2 minutes before you arrived." He smiled at me."Oh." I whispered in slight disappointment. I really wanted to talk to him, but I can't disturb him if he's already in bed."But, I'm most certain that he would appreciate your company before he retires." Noah reassured with a teasing wink.A light giggle softly left my lips as I nodded at his words in agreement. "You're probably, right.""Trust me, I am." Noah nodded."Thank you, Noah." I smiled at him in gratitude. "I am forever at your service, my Queen." He bowed his waist, the w
I don't know for how long we sat in that position, but by the time my tears had stopped sliding down my cheeks my nose was a clogged mess and my eyes were tired and swollen."What do I do, Theo?" I hicupped in my teary hoarse voice. "I can't bare the thought of having hurt them. I need to fix this.""And you will, Darling. I know you will." He softly coaxed, continuously running his hand over my hair in such a soothing manner that I had to fight not only my feelings, but overwhelming sleep."But how?" I hopelessy asked."You can always sit them down and talk to them." He suggested but the mere thought of confrontation made my body quiver, even though I knew that this was the only solution. "I can always be there if you need me as moral support, but I believe that this is a conversation you should have with them on your own.""But you're their father," I looked up at him," You have to be there and besides, the topic needs you there because it affects you too. As much as I would love mo
Theodore's POV"Good evening, my lovely wife and children." I cheerfully greeted as I stepped into the bedroom where my very pregnant mate was comfortably laying on our daughter's bed with a book in hand and a twin on each side."Daddy!" Evangeline excitedly called as she all but jumped off the bed and flew into my arms."Woah," I laughed as I hugged my princess to my chest while Everett remained perched to her side remaining a loyal Mama's boy." How are you, my Sweet Princess?" "I'm fine thanks, and how are you, Daddy?" She cutely responded."Good evening, Father." Everett greeted but showed no sign of moving."Won't you be hugging your father?" My sweet mate asked our son with amused eyes."I will," He responded, smiling up at his mother," Later," He snuggled further into his mother's side before running his hand over my mate's protruding stomach."He moved!" He excitedly said."Really?" Evangeline excitedly asked as she just as excitedly squirmed in my arms."Be careful, Evangeline
"The evening seems to have gone quite well with no hiccups in the slightest." Theo sighed in relief as he neatly placed his coat on the couch."Yeah, I'm glad there were no problems." I smiled as I made my way towards him as he plopped down on the couch and rested his head on the headrest so he could look up at the ceiling."I hope my grandparents did not overwhelm you, I know they can be quite overwhelming sometimes." He apologised while furrowing his eyebrows. "They were very sweet," I giggled as I stood in front of him just to have his eyes open to reveal a pair of tired but happy and satisfied chocolate brown orbs." You look tired." "I am." He merely sighed, closing his eyes again, his features relaxing as peace washed over them and I think I know how to make it all even better. Biting my inner cheek, I raised two fingers from each hand and pressed them against each of his temples before gently rubbing in a soothing manner that I hope would sooth his mind and body. A quiet moa
"I was just about to come looking for the four of you." Emma sighed in relief."My apologies, Mother. It took a bit longer than expected," Theo calmly apologised," Where is Father?"Emma simply released a sigh before shaking her head with a smile,"A king will always be a king, Sweetheart. He's mingling with other royals and acquaintances. You know he can never sit without doing anything."Theo hummed and nodded in agreement before leaning down to press a kiss onto my cheek. "I better go amuse our guests." He sighed, clearly not pleased with the idea even as he gracefully dragged his body towards a group across the room.""He took that from me," Emma groaned, placing her hand against her forehead." I was never a social butterfly either.""Seriously? How did you manage during these kinds of events then?" I curiously asked even as I smiled at her in amusement earning myself a playful glare from her before she sighed."I spoke when needed." She winked."I honestly took you for a social but
"May I ask what it will be about?" I took a chance to ask even as I risked throwing an eye to my side, only to find the space empty. Emma had left at some point."Mother and Father are greeting the entering guests. We will be meeting back with them shortly." Theo explained somehow having noticed my divided attention."Oh." I measly answered as I discreetly wiped my damp and sweaty palms on my dress. "Please do not worry yourself over this, Sweetheart. I assure you it is nothing bad and it does not involve that extremely long slit that is showcasing what is only for my eyes to witness," He growled the last part as his eyes burned a golden hue for a second before he released a shaky breath and warmly smiled at me. "My apologies for that, Love."He seemed quite on edge tonight and that worried me because for as long as I have known him, he has never been this irritable or on edge before. "Are you alright?" I asked with concern dripping from my words."I will be," He assured as he offer
"We're almost done, your Majesty." Mr Laine apologised from where he stood next to the the vanity, observing the make up artists work."It's alright, beauty needs patience, right?" I reassured with a light chuckle trying not to move as much as possible so as not to disturb the lady doing my make up."That is true indeed, my Queen." He chuckled."And," The lady said, applying one last swipe of lipstick on my already red lips," I believe we are done, your Highness.""Thank you." I smiled in gratitude as I prepared to stand up just to have the door burst open to reveal a stunning Emma as she strutted across the room in awe."My my do you look precious, my Darling," She gushed as she stopped in front of me, but in all honesty, she was the beautiful one between the two of us. Her luscious pitch black locks seemed to effortlessly glisten in the bright light of the evening rays as they freely flowed down her shoulders and back. Instead of it being in its usual curls, it was as straight as a
"How about we go down for breakfast, my Darlings. I'm sure you must be starving." Emma cooed at the twins who just eagerly nodded in response."But we need to wish Mama a good morning first." Evangeline smiled at her Grandfather and Grandmother."Of course, my little Darlings," Emma gushed, before Evangeline flew out of Oliver's hold just for Everett to give Oliver a quick hug before they both headed my way." We'll be waiting downstairs, Sweethearts." Emma notified, before both her and Oliver disappeared into thin air. Do they have something against doors?I didn't have all day to stay in my thoughts as the twins cuddled themselves into my chest."Good morning, Babies." I cooed, wrapping my arms around my two Loves in an embrace. "What about me?" Theo asked, feigning hurt as he dramatically placed his hand to his chest with a grimace I believe was there to emphasise his pain."No Father, this is our time with Mother. You were not invited." Everett reprimanded his father with the cute
"Where is she?" Exclaimed a very excited voice making me to jump up from the bed in shock. The abrupt speed not failing to make me moan as dizziness clouded my mind. I shouldn't have jumped up like that just a second after waking up."Mother, my mate is still fast asleep, you can talk to her later during breakfast." Theo's aggravated voice responded to the unfamiliar female that was apparently his mother, yet her voice sounded like she was the same age as him.A sigh left the woman's mouth before silence followed until a very unfamiliar face appeared in my line of sight, making my heartbeat spike up in shock as a scream left my lips."Mother." Theo quietly scolded while shaking his head as he also appeared in the room, but he stood next to the bed and sent me an apologetic smile."Awe," Theo's mother cooed, cupping her cheeks as she looked at me with adoration as if she was mesmirised. Her pitch black locks bouncing from her shoulders even as the rest flowed down her back. Her sky blu
"Where's Theo?" I groggily winced as pain paralysed my body and had me biting my inner cheek as to not start crying, but at the rate it was increasing, I think I'd be screaming soon. "He's on his way, Luna." Megan assured with an apologetic smile as she grabbed a wet cloth and placed it on my burning forehead, instantly cooling my slightly damp, but pain filled, blazing hot body.I've been taking a nap since the twins left but just a few minutes into waking up, this pain started stabbing my body and I couldn't move. That's how Megan found me, but with every minute, the pain only increases. I tried to hide it at first, but it's gotten so unbearable that I feel emotional and wanna cry and scream at the same time, but something in my mind is telling me that I need Theo, but I didn't wanna bother him. I didn't even tell Megan to call him, but now that he is on his way, I'm really not going to stop him.I could feel my hands shivering as bile settled in my throat from the pain. I knew th
"Are you ready, Little Mate?" He softly coaxed."No." I honestly answered as my breathing grew ragged."Sshhh," He muttered against my skin making goosebumps mark my skin." Please try to calm down, Love. At the rate your heart is pumping, I fear you might faint." He said with concern tainting his words. Every word sending warm air caressing my naked shoulder in a soothing but chilling way."I'll try." I weakly reassured."You'll be alright, Baby. I'll try to be as quick as possible." He promised from where his face was dug in my neck before he pressed a brief, warm and sweet chaste kiss that had jolts of electricity shooting across my body before looking up at me. "On a scale of 1 to 10 how bad will it hurt?" I chanced a question that I knew I might regret."I would rather not say, Love. I have no accurate level as I have never experienced this type of pain before, but from what I have collected from people, it is far from pleasant." He sympathetically smiled at me."Okay," I let out