HelenaI was having tea in the garden when I noted the leaves were changing colour. Winter would be there rearing its head soon, and I wouldn’t be able to sit outside and just enjoy the warmth of the sunlight.“I thought I would find you here.” Louisa joined me and I smiled, pouring her a cup of tea.“You know me. I prefer summer.” I winked.“Oh, no, give me winter any day.” Louisa’s cheeks turned red as she smiled, and I just knew where this was going. “I love sledding and cuddling in front of the fires.” She smiled, sipping her tea and I burst out laughing.“Do you remember that first winter when we found out you were pregnant after you came flying down the mountain!” Tears formed in my eyes as we laughed and Louisa nodded.“I think my favourite memory will always be the first time the children could go down the mountain alone. Noah was so excited he nearly peed his pants!” She squealed with laughter and I nearly choked on my tea at the memory.“We’ve had incredible memories with th
EmilyIt was the saddest time in the kingdom, and our news took a back seat, but I didn’t mind. It gave me the time I needed to get used to the idea that Noah was more than just my best friend now. He was my mate. The news of his grandmother broke the next day, which immediately focused all attention elsewhere, but as soon as the mourning period was over, it was right back where it used to be.On us as the new royal couple. His mother made everyone go out as soon as the snow stopped, and I watched as people laughed and played again like children. Small ones were building snow men while the bigger children and a lot of the adults came flying down the mountain.“Shall we?” Noah held out his hand to me and in his other hand he had a beautifully carved wooden sled. I grinned as I took his hand, and we made our way up the mountain. Our cheeks were bright red from the cold by the time we reached the top and I waited for him to get on, but he smiled at me.“You first.” He pointed at the sled
EmilyI instantly recognized the hunger in his eyes as our game suddenly turned serious because I was feeling that very same hunger. I stepped back to get perspective and the spell we were under broke as Noah cleared his throat and took a couple of steps away from me.“This damn mating ceremony can’t come fast enough.” He whispered under his breath and I giggled. I couldn’t help it. I was lucky I was a female, or my lust would also have been out there for the world to see!“Oh, goodness! Is that the time? I’m late!” I shouted as I caught sight of the watch on the wall behind Noah and I kissed his cheek before rushing off. I was supposed to have my last fitting for my dress and I had been so mesmerized by Noah that I clean forgot. I ran into Queen Louisa’s bedroom trying to catch my breath and everyone turned to look at me.“I’m sorry I’m late. I was in the armoury.” I couldn’t very well tell the queen that I was ogling her son, could I?!“Oh, honey. A queen is never late. That also in
EmilyI was woken by my omega on the big day and I noticed that the sun was already shining brightly. I couldn’t believe that I had slept so late for once. My biological clock usually woke me before the sun rose, but my omega believed it was because of all the stress of the past couple of weeks.She brought me breakfast in bed, which was a nice change of pace since I didn’t have to rush to get ready for breakfast and soon my room was filled with women. Half of them were there to get the rest of us ready for the important event.Chairs were brought in for everyone and laughter quickly rang through the room while hair and make-up were being done. Everyone got dressed as soon as they were ready, and I was the last one to get into my dress. My hair was pulled up, and I had small curls falling down the side of my face.I almost didn’t recognize myself when I looked in the mirror, while my mom carefully placed the veil in the bun at the back of my head.Queen Louisa placed a beautiful tiara
HelenaI nudged Louisa the moment I saw the two lovebirds disappear, and we couldn’t help ourselves as laughter rang through the air.“Ah, young love.” Louisa sighed contently and I nodded.“Do you remember being that age? I mean, I do, but it seems to be so long ago.” I smiled as I noted the other children mingling with their friends.“I remember thinking there was no way I would be able to be a queen!” Louisa cried with laughter.“I remember wondering how on earth I was going to be intimate with my best friend.” I giggled. Louisa and I had become more than sisters-in-law. After what we had been through with the war and raising our children in the same home, we were more like biological sisters.We had our differences of opinion, but we were closer than I ever was with my own brother. Bennie and Liam, of course, were almost like blood brothers. They sometimes remind me of the days when we were just mated, and we all would just have fun with life and with our kids. Those two never gre
EmilyI guess it was no surprise when we announced just two short weeks later that I was pregnant. Everyone around us was incredibly happy, of course, but it was no surprise. Most royals usually produced an heir as soon as possible to secure the crown.It was a very old tradition, but still one that was very important. Especially in our world. All the rulers had to have someone, whether they be a boy or a girl, to take over one day. If they didn’t, other packs would think them weak and attack in the hopes of taking over.We hadn’t seen war in our region for many years, but it could very well happen at any time. I felt relief in the air as soon as we announced the pregnancy. I still had to arrange Bernard’s birthday party, but suddenly, I had a lot more help as well as a lot more people around me telling me to take it easy.“It’s infuriating! I’m not made of porcelain just because I am pregnant!” I huffed on one of the occasions that Noah and I were alone, and I could blow off a little
HelenaHow did I tell my son that his mate was the daughter of a traitor? Did I even tell him? Liam had done everything in his power to make sure that most of the pack didn’t know about our little secret, and we had been carrying it all these years without most of them finding out.The Duke of Ironmoon had betrayed us and that was how the northerners got the perfect opportunity to wage war. The duke had told them all about our defenses as well as our grain stock and, in return, the northerners would have given him a title and land.We were never able to find out exactly how much, but it was clear that it was a lot more than his title and his house in our kingdom. The duke was a very ambitious man. He never cared for anyone other than himself. It was obvious the day he was arrested. He was more concerned about his own welfare than that of his mate and child.That was when Liam decided on this elaborate plan to protect them from the duke. Unfortunately, that young woman is now my son’s
HelenaI could see that the young woman was very uncomfortable, and it broke my heart to see my son looking so confused about it all. It was infuriating that life had to be so difficult sometimes. My poor boy was born in the belly of the castle as war started. Why couldn’t he just have this one thing?“Son, we need to talk.” I sighed as he ran after Arora, who was clearly on her way to her mother. They had just come from the gardens where I gave them privacy, but I kept a close eye on them just in case. The last thing we needed was a scandal where there was none. People so loved to talk about the royal family and I knew they would be talking about Bernard and Arora.“Mom, I’m just …” He looked a little agitated.“Now son.” I gripped his arm a little tighter, and he looked into my eyes. He sighed and nodded, and we made our way inside the castle. I wasn’t sure if I should tell him everything, but I had to warn him somehow.“Mother, what is so important that you had to stop me?” He only