1. Ruby

“What the fuck was that?” I wake up to Eya quietly talking to Osric, who is laying behind me holding me close with his hand rubbing my belly.

“She’s a Lycan born under the blood moon, who knows where her abilities end,” Embry answers from the other side of the room, when I barely open my eyes enough to see we are in a room similar to ours at home.

“She shouldn’t be able to control vampires or do anything like that. Did you watch her aura?” Eya’s voice sounds genuinely concerned and shocked.

 I take a deep breath enjoying Osric’s warm scent keeping me relaxed.

“She broke the compulsion herself, she learned how to manipulate them like they did to her. She’s already embracing her abilities, it’s the only way she would have been able to do this. Think about who  Adaline is; do you really think her grandchildren wouldn’t be gifted. I know Addy gave them every advantage she could, Liliana and Raven are special and we’ve never seen anything like them before.” Osric’s chest vibrates against my back making me roll over and bury my face into it  causing them all to pause their conversation.

“No wonder she’s mated to you both,” Eya chuckles making me smile gently as I slowly  wake up more.

“Is she awake?” Embry asks, his footsteps grow closer.

“No,” I groan into Osric’s chest  feeling  exhausted, like I have  been  drained of my energy.

“Never,” Liliana giggles making me shoot up  to see her sitting at the foot of the large four poster bed. I smile a little seeing Dad and Ryder sitting near the fireplace waiting to make sure I’m ok.

“Now she is,” Embry laughs,  coming over and sitting behind me,  I lay back into his arms, not sure if I can stay sitting up.

“She just channeled more energy and power than any of you ever have, she’s exhausted,” Liliana sighs concern clear in her voice. She moves closer and brushes my hair out of my face, making me blush.

“Everything everywhere aches,” I sigh while looking down at my belly hoping I didn’t hurt them.

“Eya took good care of you; our pups are healthy just like you, you’ll feel better soon,” Embry comforts me while leaning against Osric  watching him as he places his hand over my belly.

“Where are we?” I question them while looking over at Osric, my hand resting over his.

“Our home in Blood Moon, it was closest and you needed rest,” Osric answers while looking to Eya who in turn nods making everyone get up and leave us alone.

“I’m sorry I scared you both,” I apologize,  repositioning myself to where I am laying on my side with my head and shoulders on Osric and the rest of me on Embry.

“Don’t apologize for protecting yourself. You saved everyone there, while managing to keep the peace treaty between werewolves and vampires intact with zero loss of life,” Embry reassures me,   reaching for my hand he  kisses my fingers.

“I had to trust myself, I knew it was the only way we would survive. I swear it feels like Ruby is a redhaired alter ego in my head,” I almost giggle at the thought knowing it was my mind connecting with my power.

“You were exquisite,” Osric compliments me with the sweetest smile.

“The other Alphas? Jonathan?” I ask, trying to remember everything as my head begins to hurt the more awake I become.

“They’ve all returned to their packs agreeing to maintain friendly alliances with Wolf Creek. Only Alpha Lucas was reluctant, which isn’t a surprise he was good friends with Quinn. Jonathan is in a cell for you to do with as you please.” Osric answers, delicately brushing his fingers through my hair relaxing me.

“They’re afraid of me, aren’t they?” I ask,  looking up to see Embry and Osric both  looking proud, but Embry looks concerned as well.

“Some are, it's easy to be afraid of what you don’t understand. It’s nothing to worry about, Embry and I both have a worse reputation, but keep it up you’ll catch up soon enough.” Osric chuckles gently, looking down at me he tilts his head. As I stare up into his eyes I see  the sadness and concern, he usually hides effortlessly.

“Oh, I can’t wait for the news that I can command vampires to spread, it’s going to be even harder to get the Elder Council here to accept me,” I softly speak with a sarcastic laugh, making  them both chuckle a little.

“It doesn’t matter, you’re their Queen, they won’t be able to argue that. Especially with all the Alphas being grateful for you saving them from a blood bath. It also seems you’ve made quite the impression on Alpha Benjamin from Silver Moon, he’s a strong Alpha with quite the reputation. Like Osric, he’s almost always at odds with the Elders in his pack, I believe he’s fighting to make his mate Luna.” Embry states,  shrugging his shoulders and closing his eyes when I place my hand on his cheek.

“I noticed he didn’t agree with Alpha Lucas and King Orin. Why wouldn’t they let his mate be their Luna?” I question, looking at Osric then Embry who look at each other with sad expressions.

Osric closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, Embry cups his cheek and kisses his forehead trying to comfort him.

“Because his mate is a male. It’s a similar situation to when  I had to fight against the council here to be being mated to Embry. Ares, his mate is a good man and just wants to serve his people, Benjamin is also a good Alpha. When we tour the packs, it is one pack we’ll have a longer stay in,” Osric answers after a moment of silence, making my heart drop feeling sad and frustrated that other packs struggle with same sex mate bonds.

Clearly talking about Benjamin’s struggle is hard for Osric and Embry, hitting close to home since they’ve had to deal with Blood Moon rejecting their bond.

“We  have to make changes among all the packs, I’ll need both your help to do it.” I almost whisper, looking up into Osric’s eyes and he nods his head with a proud smile.

“We will make changes, it’s time I step up as King and make changes for the better,” he agrees,  kissing my forehead while resting his hand over the twins who kick, responding to his touch.