~Willow's Point of View~
“I need to speak to you both, this minute and it can’t wait,” I said, stroking Dawson’s face.
He was clearly stressed beyond compare. He needed my touch right now as much as I needed his. I knew I had a very calming effect on him, and I wanted to give it to him.
“Are you all right,” Damien asked, putting his hand on my back.
“Just … both of you, alone … now,” I said, still holding Dawson’s face. I kept my voice cool and level.
When Dawson was truly pressed against the wall, teetering on the edge as I’m sure he was now, he needed someone to pull him back. I wasn’t sure how he handled it before me or if he just had a full ps
What would you do for Mallory?
~Draven’s Point of View~ Nothing pissed me off more than thinking our palace was not safe. Having a mate has changed me in ways I could have never imagined. Caring for someone else more than yourself, feeling like the world revolves around her, what she thinks. Her happiness. I always want to put a smile on her face, be the reason for it. Keeping her safe within these walls should not have to be a concern but now it is. Not to mention the fact that Jeanette, Victoria and Willow were likely all going to be pregnant together. They were sisters, you could see it on their faces. It was such a beautiful thing and I couldn’t wait for it. I stood, along with two hundred others, practically holding my breath as Mallory was laid on the executioner’s table. Father even gav
~Willow's Point of View~ The entire palace was completely on edge, and had been now for over two weeks. Two weeks and four bodies had been found, not including Sally. I felt like we were living in a game of Clue, but it wasn’t fun. It wasn’t fun at all. One murder framed Damien, another Dawson, which of course beyond infuriated him. The fourth one, framed me. He was boldly and outwardly mocking us, this piece of shit. We all had a strict buddy system, always at least three to four people together at all times. I was barely sleeping, it usually took my mates physically exhausting me to get me out. Not that any of us were complaining about that. It was just under a week from when t
~Dawson’s Point of View~ It was now the day before my wedding and there had been more murders since we found the male’s shirt. One framed my mom and one framed my dad. It was beyond ridiculous at this point. People were sleeping with bells on their door knobs so they would hear anyone trying to come in the night. Mother of course had done all she could to control the press but word was getting out. “Murders In The Palace, No One Can Stop It.” "The King Powerless In His Own Home." We looked like complete fools. Father was beside himself, always more concerned about our public image than he let on. Little did they know or report that each person who’d been murdered we were able to either trace back to t
~Willow’s Point of View~ “Are you the only one who isn’t going to tell me to call it off,” I asked, looking at my mom. Of course that would mean ruining Jeanette’s day now too, but she would understand. Her of all people. My mates both wanted me to until I pointed out it was the best way to draw out Maxwell. “I haven’t said to cancel,” Brad said, fluffing out the train on my dress. Mom shook her head. “I think we’ve interfered enough with the goddess’ vision. What’s going to happen now is in her hands,” she said, taking off one of her jade bracelets and putting it on my wrist. She repeated the gesture with Jeanette and we clanked them toge
~Damien’s Point of View~ We had a few couples dances as everyone mingled and had some hors d'oeuvres. A band played some light jazz music and everyone was in a good mood. I noticed Willow getting a bit tired, her pregnancy was the furthest along and she was carrying two. I knew it would be a bit harder on her. But that’s why she had two of us to carry her around. I couldn’t wait. Foot rubs, rubs everywhere. Spoiling her rotten and the babies. “Why don’t I take you upstairs,” I whispered in her ear as I moved the hair off her neck and kissed her skin. “And when we don’t come back,” she said, giggling. Fuck she’s so damn cute. So sexy. She doesn’t even have to try. Just the slightest thing she does and I
~Willow’s Point of View~ I think everyone has had the dream where you see yourself, you see something happening in slow motion and there’s nothing you can do about it. Well this was just a much longer, extended version. I felt myself paralyzed and unable to move, I felt him near. There was nothing I could do and that was exactly what he banked on. What he planned on and what he needed to get his kink I suppose. The horror I felt that he would do something to me sexually was absolutely maddening. The idea that I was maybe conscious enough to know what was happening but unable to move was sickening. I had to pray that was not part of his plan, but it was clear killing me was the end goal. Although I could feel my body being carried by him, placed in the throne room … I w
~Willow’s Point of View~ Mila always says to trust my gut instinct. Well, lately all I can think is that the danger is not over. Someone royal is still in trouble. I have told my mates this, and while security is still amped up and inspectors have re-vetted all employees it hasn’t done anything to quell the feeling of doom I have. There have been a few more visions over the last few days, nothing major. Nothing I could gain much from. I think it is stuff off in the future. One may have even been something about my sister Heidi, but it was so hard to tell. We were preparing to officially have the coronation to make the guys joint Kings and to make me Queen. I was nervous, but I felt ready. A Queen at 17 though? Yikes!
~Willow’s Point of View~ “I swear,” I said, pledging myself to the crown. To the Drexel dynasty. To protect and serve the Ten Kingdoms against all enemies. To serve at the pleasure of my Kings, and to be their partner in love, life and the pursuit of happiness for all our subjects. And some other stuff I’m sure I blurred out. The ceremony had already been nearly an hour, and my feet were killing me. I felt like I’d gained ten pounds in the last week and my clothes were tight, way too tight. I resolved my first act as Queen was to ban high heels immediately. I had on three inch pumps that were completely unnecessary. I looked over and saw Jeanette and Victoria both in flats and I gave their feet the evil eye. The gown I had on was also way too heavy, and the jewel
~Two Years Later~ ~Willow’s Point of View~ “It’s so dang hard to believe isn’t it,” Jeanette said, as we watched our mates and pups swimming in the lake. We made a pact that every year, during our birth month we would come back to camp, if only for the day. You can do that kind of nonsense when you’re a royal with a helicopter at your disposal. Of course there were so many of us now the poor pilot had to make two trips. Maybe three depending on how many people wanted to come. “It really is,” I said, shifting my son Dylan in my arms. He was only a month old and certainly not ready for swimming. But we’d get him there. Thankfully he slept through anything and everything, and if he woke … well a boob in his fac
Ten Weeks Later ~Willow’s Point of View~ Trying to find a new normal when so many of us in the palace were still totally new to this life must be what it’s like for a first grade teacher. Kids that are somewhat eager to learn but mostly want to play with their friends and just have lunch and recess. Only us pregnant hippos loved our nap times. It seemed like all we did was have meetings and eat. I wasn’t complaining since I knew it was all important stuff. But it definitely seemed like we were all just making it up as we went. We had some “guidance” but no real adult to stand there and say ‘this is what you do’. Jeanette and I often joked that we were playing house and the real owners would be home soon. It
~Dawson’s Point of View~ The ladies had now been in mom’s room for nearly an hour. Watching them on the cameras made me absolutely sick. They also gossiped freely, truly believing no one was listening. They trashed mom, talked about how she didn’t appreciate her fine things. But oh, they would. They would take better care of her stuff. They were all far more deserving. They already had plans for certain gowns, for upcoming events. I hoped they truly enjoyed their last minutes of freedom and complete indulgence. I was ready to reign down absolute fire on these damn females. At least five pieces of jewelry had been pocketed. They did it without a second thought, and bragged about it. I had to leave the room several times because I got so pissed off. I just saw red. Befor
~Willow’s Point of View~ I absolutely felt this was an all hands on deck situation. I was currently standing in my mates’ office along with Draven, William, Victoria, Jeanette, Brad, Mom, Nicholas and some others that Dawson insisted were their top security people. He was confident they were absolutely trustworthy. I quickly told them my vision then my plan and everyone stared back at me in shock. “Those raggedy bitches,” Dawson said, slamming his fist into the desk and causing splinters to fly. He got one stuck in his hand and my mom quickly went to work getting it out. “I just had this feeling there was something more we were missing. Some
~Willow’s Point of View~ Draven arranged for Victoria, Jeanette and myself to meet with Delia’s girlfriends. I wasn’t sure exactly why it had to be us specifically but I supposed they felt it would grease their wheels. It would be easier to talk with three pregnant she-wolves than with four huge and intimidating lycans. Two that have big crowns on their heads whether they actually do at the moment or not. I supposed talking to anyone with the word ‘King’ in front of their name would be nerve wracking. Although I really enjoyed the talks I had with Dante. He was very easy to speak to, but maybe that was because I was mated to his son. He may not have been as warm and welcoming with everyone. Now, I would certainly treasure them. The tender moments we shared.
~Draven’s Point of View~ For three days now I’ve been an orphan. My entire life the big legacy of the Dubois Drexel families was drilled into my mind until I could recite our family tree by heart. In some regards I felt as if it was all slipping away. I looked at my brothers and our mates and knew that wasn’t true but it still seemed that way. You can take all the precautions in the world, have the finest security. Live in a damn palace and it doesn’t matter. Feeling safe is just that, a feeling. It’s not real. I put my head on Jeanette’s shoulder as the minister began to speak. Our family believed in cremation, at least half your ashes were to be carried by the wind. The rest could be buried or kept b
~Damien's Point of View~ By the time I got back to my mom’s room, dad had fallen asleep. His heartbeat was a bit slower than I liked and his color was off, but I didn’t see what we could do about it. I ordered another bed to be brought in and I didn’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner. It took my brother and I along with two male nurses to get him into the bed and situated. We pushed the beds together making one. Draven then joined their hands. Dad seemed just as lifeless. I wanted him to wake up and fight with me, argue with me about staying out all night. Tell me I wasn’t going to amount to anything. Just say something, have life behind his eyes. He looked nothing like the virile and strong King he was just a month ago. I knew Draven was having the same thoughts.
~Willow’s Point of View~ We literally had no way to get an unconscious Dawson out of the medical ward without anyone seeing. It was bad enough I just ran through like someone was dying, people would want to know why. I hated having to be so accountable to people, having to explain myself. It was quite a burden to shoulder. *Can’t just walk around naked huh? That sucks. Guess what I can do that,* Mila said. I nearly snorted. Like I didn’t know. Ever since the incident where she almost made me pee my pants during a rather important time, she’s been constantly reminding me of things she can get away with and do that I can’t. *What’s wrong with our mate,* she asked, as I stroked his hair.
~Dawson’s Point of View~ She couldn’t die, I wouldn’t accept that. For all her faults she was my mother, the only one I’d ever have. She gave her entire life to her children, to the crown. To the Drexel dynasty. Half the palace was gathered outside the medical ward, desperate for word. The word was, she was in a coma and it wasn’t likely she would wake. The staff loved mother, they were all highly devoted. When Willow brought to my attention that Maxwell could have potentially poisoned something in her room, we literally gutted it and sent all her products for testing. We were still waiting to get the results back, I’d just gotten off the phone with the lab and after some choice words they promised to have it all done today.