Chapter 3

SASHA POV

"Do you think I should cut my hair back off before we leave," I ask the two men lounging on the couch in my room.

Luis shrugs, but Roland raises his eyebrows.

"Why," Roland asks, and I shrug this time before answering.

"The long hair is so messy. I have to style it, but with my bob, I get up and go. I'm the princess.....shouldn't I try to look more put together for the other packs," I say uneasily.

My insecurity is screaming out loud and clear. I have no idea how to dress or appear professional. Rules, fighting, and laws, I know, but politics. Shaking hands and fake smiling have never been my strong suit. The closest people in my life share a look before looking back at me.

"The packs will be more than happy to meet you, Sasha," Luis declares, and I roll my eyes.

"You should do what makes you most comfortable. During this tour, we will be meeting with many Alphas and many Lunas, but we will be on training fields for the majority of the trip. If having short hair will be more convenient, so be it," Roland says, and I beam at him.

I turn my eyes to Luis and place my hands on my hips.

"See, why can't you be more like that," I ask Luis mockingly.

He rolls his eyes and growls at me.

"You are the princess. You don't need to worry about impressing anyone. They should impress you. I don't want you worried or anxious about wolves that are below you. You are one of their leaders, and you have had the training to lead them. Do not feel intimidated to meet your people," Luis declares in his no-nonsense way.

I huff. I understand what Luis is saying, but I can't help but feel anxious. This trip will prove to my parents that I am a valuable asset to the royal family. That I too can have tasks that help our people. But it is so hard to feel confident when I have never left pack lands. I have never been on an airplane. I have never met another Alpha in his own territory. I have met a few that have visited us, but that is it.

To earn respect from all these wolves, I must appear strong, confident, and likable. Luis wants me to walk with my head high and be the little girl he met thirteen years ago. The sure of herself, sassy little royal who commanded a room. I'm still that same girl, but only within this border. I don't know who I am off these lands.

"I will try, Luis," I mumble, and he sighs as he gets to his feet.

"These feelings are normal, Sasha, but don't let them control you. Don't let your nerves make you forget who you are. Long hair or short hair doesn't make you more respectable. But as Roland said, if short hair is more convenient, cut it," Luis explains while placing a hand on my shoulder.

I search his dark eyes before nodding my head. I trust these two men with my life, and their council means the world to me. If Luis thinks I am ready for the next step, then I should believe him. He has never lied to me before.

"Well, I will keep my hair then," I say, walking away from Luis and heading to my large walk-in closet.

I start picking out different outfits. I need at least five professional looks, three casual, and five or six training outfits. I pull out three suitcases, and I throw them to my bed.

"Roland, grab my makeup bag and straightener," I order, and both men groan.

"Hey, if you can sit, you can help me pack," I say around a laugh.

I spend the next hour packing and consulting with my guards on what clothes I should bring. I can tell they hate every minute, but I need their opinions. I want to be sophisticated but not stiff. And I definitely don't want to dress overly sexy. When we finally zip the suitcases, both men exhale loudly.

Amelia (mom)- Sasha, come to the office, please.

Sasha- be there in a minute.

"Luis, they want me in the office," I say, and Roland groans.

"So I have to load all of our bags myself," Roland whines, and Luis laughs with me as we leave my room.

*******

I knock on my parent's office door before entering. All three look up and smile before closing their laptops. I shift uncomfortably as all their attention lands on me. I take my usual seat and fold my hands. This meeting must be important.

"Are you packed," mom asks, and I nod while giving her a small fake smile.

I'm not too fond of small talk, but mom always uses it to cushion conversations. My dads are more direct like I am.

"Are you ready for this trip," Dad Jason asks while studying my face.

Aww, there it is. My parents are making sure I am ready emotionally. Do they doubt me? Are they scared I will embarrass them and the Riverstone name? I mentally shake the negative questions from my mind. Confident and strong, Sasha...Confident and strong.

"Yes, I am excited to meet our people finally. I believe I am ready," I say, trying to appear nothing but confident.

Dad rolls his eyes, and Father sighs.

"Sasha, it is okay to share your true feelings with us. None of us expect you not to be scared," Mom says gently.

I sigh, and my shoulders dip.

"Fine. I'm a little nervous," I declare in an annoyed tone.

I hate admitting weakness. I don't want them changing their mind and taking away my first ever royal duty. But they have already seen through my mask. There is no point in denying it.

"That's normal; we were nervous when we became Alpha," Father says, and dad nods.

Mom smiles and stands up. She moves in front of her desk and leans her butt against it. She folds her arms and studies me before saying anything.

"You remember I was a rogue, right? My mother was a Luna, so she had given me Luna training, but then I became a rogue. I was terrified of my position when I found out who I was mated to. I was queen during the biggest war in supernatural history. I was so scared of failing. And then, to top it off, I was informed by my great grandmother that I was, in fact, a goddess.....Don't be afraid of being nervous; embrace it. You will receive help if you admit you need it," Mom says, and I shoot her a genuine smile.

"We are sending you to White Crest first. It will be a good place for you to build your confidence. Cousin Ben's females are all trained and treated as equals, but it will be your first experience with other wolves. Use it as a jumping-off point," Father says while beaming at me.

I dip my head a little, and shame courses through me. My parents brought me here to help ease my nerves, not to judge me. I always do this. I always think so negatively, and I know I shouldn't. My family has always been there for me. They knew I wouldn't ask for advice, so they brought me here to encourage me to ask.

"I'm worried about not being taken seriously. I mean, I'm only 18, I've never been off of pack lands, and I will be the only royal on the tour," I admit weakly while looking up at my parents.

They all nod and smile.

"Those are common fears, Sasha. And every leader has felt those fears. Most Alpha's gain their title at 18, and almost all Lunas take on their position with zero training," Dad Jason says with an easy smile.

Comfort washes over me as the truth of his words set in. I am the usual age to be receiving responsibilities, and all the leaders I am meeting with are either in my shoes or have been in them before.

"Thank you. I love you," I say, looking at each of my parents with sincere eyes.

I embrace mom as my dads stand up and move around their desks. Mom places a kiss on my cheek, and I move into dad's arms. He squeezes me tightly and whispers loving words before passing me to Father. Father kisses my head, and I bury myself in his chest.

"We are always here for you. We know you pride yourself on trying to be perfect, Sasha, but leaders make mistakes. They learn, and they grow. You are taking your first step in becoming a great royal leader, and we couldn't be prouder. I will miss you as soon as you leave tomorrow. Helios is already driving me nuts for letting you leave. Your mom and dad are going to have their hands full, keeping me from following you," Father admits with a slight chuckle.

I step back slowly. Father's face shows light humor, but his eyes shine with the truth of his words. Helios flashes in his eyes, and Natalia wags her tail in our mind. She loves her father's affection.

"Be strong, Father. I will be back before you know it," I say with a reassuring smile.

ALPHA BEN POV

"So how many will be visiting," Chelsea asks as she pulls on a pair of gym shorts.

"Three, according to Jason. The princess and her two guards," I answer while also getting dressed.

"Do they doubt us and how we treat our females," Chelsea asks with her eyebrows furrowed.

I shake my head as Ace growls in our mind at Chelsea's words. He hates when she acts as if she is the real Luna of our pack. I accept it, but he hates it.

"No, they know we train and respect both sexes here. The princess has never left Riverstone before, so the royals feel she should begin in a properly run pack. She will be able to see the difference if she visits a pack run incorrectly. And to be honest, my adopted great-great uncle Jackson is highly protective of his mortal child. He has always been that way, though. When I first met their mate Amelia, he acted as if I would try to steal her," I say as a laugh escapes my lips.

"You were a bit of a player before I made an honest wolf out of you," Chelsea says as she wraps her long arms around my neck.

I give her a smirk before dropping my lips to hers. I was more than just a player. I was a man whore, to be honest. I wanted my mate and searched for her around every corner, but I also indulged in my sexual desires.

While most of the men in my family fought against their natural sexual appetites, I accepted it. Sex is common and even healthy in the animal kingdom, and since we are half-animal, we should have sex.

When I met Chelsea, I was still searching for my mate. But as the years dragged by, I accepted reality. I chose to look at the women I was involved with and chose the best Luna for my pack from those women. The female that I decided on was Chelsea, and so far, that decision has been an excellent one.

Chelsea is the strongest female fighter in my pack. She is caring, intelligent, and relatable. The pack loves her, and I care for her. She fills the hole in my chest and warms my bed. She is my partner.

"That I was. Jackson should visit. He would be shocked to see me tied down," I growl as I squeeze her left ass cheek.

Chelsea squeals and swats my hand away.

"None of that. I just got dressed after your last attack," Chelsea says before dashing from the room.

I chuckle and finish dressing. I need to make sure the guest rooms in the packhouse are clean. The Kings will want Sasha to stay close to the pack and not in the guest hotel. Time to work.