Chapter 1

THE ENTIRE STORY WILL BE FROM LANCE'S POINT OF VIEW. THIS STORY IS FOUR YEARS AFTER EMMETT AND LISA STONE BECAME THE NEW KING AND QUEEN. The only new character is Clints mate.

PLEASE READ ALPHA'S TOUGH GIRL AND ALPHA'S LITTLE SISTER FIRST. This is Book #3 please read Book 1 and 2 first.

I slam into my house. I'm so tired of these whiny pups. Each batch of new warriors seems to be getting lazier and lazier. The only teens who have any common sense or work ethic are the ones born from the original Riverstone Families. The new packs we added four years ago just don't seem to get it.

I strip down as I walk through my house, leaving a trail of sweaty clothes, and head for my little bathroom. I need a cold shower to cool my burning rage. It's like these youngsters think that training is a joke. They believe, since they are in the Royal Pack, that no one would dare hurt them. I turn my water on full blast and sigh.

I'm the last instructor before graduation. I'm the one who decides if they are ready, and this year, only five are ready. I groan; Emmett is going to lecture me on having too high of expectations. But honestly, we are the Royal pack, and our warriors need to be the best. The problem is the pack's setup. The four packs we gained have never been merged. We are too spread out. Adolescent Pups from the other territories don't grow up around the Alpha King, and they lack fear.

I turn off the water and walk into my bedroom. I open my dresser and pull out my last set of clean clothes. I forgo drying off or even boxers and yank on my clothes. I need to speak with Emmett, Clint, and Scott now before I lose my freaking mind. But first I might need some clothes..... and food.......and...

Lance- you think you could have someone do a full clean at my place Cinthia. It's a wreck, and the fridge is empty.

Cinthia- ( laughing ) sure, Lance. We need to find your mate soon.

Lance- don't remind me. Thanks.

Lance to Emmet/Clint/Scott- I need to discuss some things. Can we have a full meet at the table.

Emmett- Give us 15.

I cringe. I hope I didn't interrupt something. The Alpha's house has become its very own circus act. Moira and Lisa had pups two months apart, and there is not a moment's rest over there anymore.

As much as I want pups, I couldn't imagine coping with twins. Luna, of course, handles it like a champ. Queen Lisa is the best at literally everything. I have never seen that woman fail. Emmett and her are truly the strongest wolves in the world. I'm fortunate to have them as my Alpha and Luna. It makes dealing with these ignorant pups worth it.

I stroll from my small craftsman home to Lewis's Diner. I got 15 minutes, and the Lewis family never fails me when it comes to food. Like a true unmated male, I rely on others for my food. Lewis's is packed with unmated wolves, and every time I enter, I inhale as deeply as possible.

My sense of smell rivals even Alpha's. Every time I go anywhere, I try to suck in every scent around me. Hoping, no longing, to smell something sweet and special. I'm 26yrs old. Most wolves my age who haven't found their true mates have given up. They settle for a chosen mate. But I can't even imagine doing that. I want what my friends have. I want the sparks, the tingles, the undeniable passion that can only come from a Goddess given bond.

I order my usual double meat sandwich and head out without looking around. I don't need to see the sexy she-wolves since none of them are the right one.

Ace- Maybe our mate is human. We need to visit the human cities more.

Lance - and when would we have time for that?

I ask my wolf sarcastically as I tear into my sandwich. With each passing year, Ace and I have become more and more bitter. Happy ever afters are all around us, and we just want ours.

By the time I reach Alpha's house, my sandwich is long gone, but my poor attitude remains. I take deep breathes, calming myself before having to enter a home full of Mated bliss.

When I open the door, Moira's mouth-watering pot roast fills my nostrils. Ace and I are instantly hungry again.

"Uncle Lance," Lenny squeals as she runs towards me, avoiding her cousins. I quickly swing her up onto my shoulders.

"Uncle Lance, that's no faiw," the twin boys shout at the same time.

"Shutup, Uncle Lance is my hewo. He just saved the castle's most bweautiful pwincess," Lenny says with a smug voice. I chuckle and continue into the kitchen.

Lenny wiggles down, realizing the boys aren't following her. The princes might be the next on the throne, but Little Lenny runs the castle. "Tank you, Uncle Lance," she says, kissing my cheek before her small feet hit the ground running.

"What were they playing this time," Moira asks while dishing me a plate and handing it to me without asking if I was hungry or not.

"Something about most beautiful princess. I was the saving knight," I say, chuckling. Moira's navy eyes flash with amusement.

"She is so funny," Moira says, waddling towards the dining room.

"Shouldn't you be on bed rest woman," I ask as I slowly follow her. I'm prepared to throw this plate if she slips.

"What is it with you men? I am just fine," Moira growls loudly. I chuckle under my breath—sore spot. Bet Scott is having a fun time at home lately.

"And don't think I don't smell Lewis's on you. Do you not like my cooking anymore," Moira says, flopping down next to a concerned-looking Scott.

"No, I just figured you wouldn't be cooking...umm...this late in your..." I say, stumbling over my words. Scott cuts me off with a glare.

"See, baby. Everyone expects you to be resting," Scott says in a gentle tone, but a trace of fear seeps through.

"I AM FINE. I AM NOT SOME CHINA DOLL," Moira yells as the rest of the group enters the dining room with overflowing plates.

"Moira, settle down," Lisa orders with a smile.

Emmett and Lisa look tired but happy. The boys must not be giving them a break. Clint looks like he is walking on water. Ever since he found his mate two years ago, the guy is constantly happy. There are no stormy days in Clint's world now that Simone is marked and mated to him. I huff a little, trying to hide my envy.

"Alright, Lance, let's get this over with. I want to get home," Clint says as soon as his butt hits his seat. I roll my eyes. I love Clint and Scott like brothers, but their carefree attitudes irk me sometimes.

"What's wrong, Lance," Luna says, reading my no-nonsense expression like usual. I swear the woman can read minds. Emmett stares at me, gauging my body language.

"The trainees are lacking in work ethic. They are lazy and seem to not have pride for their pack. They feel as if they are above the world and nothing can touch them, so why train. Our graduates this year are pitiful. Only five made the cut. And I wasn't the only instructor feeling this way before either of you say I'm too strict," I say, looking between Alpha and Luna's eyes.

"So what do you propose," Scott asks, rubbing Moira's swollen belly.

"The trainees showing the least respect are from the outer territories. The ones from original Riverstone lands behave like warriors. All five of the graduates came from families that live right here. So....... I think it's time to move them in. We need a massive new packhouse and about 60 more homes. I'm thinking the old packhouse could be the mateless omega's house. It's just these wolves... they are living too far away from their Alpha. They lack pack pride. We need to do a better job of making them true pack members," I say, looking at the faces of my family.

"That's a good idea. I wouldn't have to travel so much all the time," Clint says with a smile.

"I agree, Lance. We will get Twin Construction on this right away. We will also need demolition teams for the abandoned homes. I don't want rogues sneaking in and having places to lay low. I think this can be done in a year, right, Scott," Emmett says, nodding and getting his thinking face on.

"Yeah. We have had a huge increase in workers, and with how great the pack's finances are, I can pull in a few other wolf companies to speed up the builds. Shouldn't be a problem, and we shouldn't even take a full year," Scott says, nodding and chewing his lip.

When Scott became Delta, he took over Riverstone's finances. His accounting degree comes in handy. Scott has doubled Riverstone's already sizable accounts. He has tight purse strings, though. Wolf Royalty typically live lavishly, but as long as Scott is in charge, nothing will be purchased if it is not necessary. Owning a company through a major recession will do that to a person.

"Scott, we will also need new schools. Our current schools can't hold that many new students," Lisa says, listening to the boys in the other room.

"What about sending our wolves to the human/wolf schools," Clint says, biting into a massive chunk of potato.

"Ups the chances of finding mates, and the Royal pack will be seen mingling with the world instead of being closed off," Emmett says, nodding.

"How about elementary/middle school on pack lands and high school beyond the gates," Lisa says, looking uncomfortable.

"Is big bad Luna worried about human bullies," Clint says, grasping his chest with fake surprise.

"Shutup, you big oof," Luna growls, and we all laugh loudly.

"That sounds perfect, Love," Emmett says, kissing Luna's hand.

I look away and eat some of Moira's fantastic food. Scott suddenly curses under his breath, and we all look over in time to see him scooping Moira up into his arms.

"Lance, get the door," he yells, and I jump up. I move like lightning. Bolting to get the front door open for him.

"What's wrong," Lisa yells as we all follow Scott and a sweaty unconscious Moira.

"I don't know," Scott says with panic in his voice and running even faster.

Lance- Cinthia watch the kids.

Cinthia- already on it, Lance

I sigh in relief. Of course, Lisa and Emmett already linked her. I roll my eyes at myself. We bust into the pack hospital, and Dr. King leads a panicking Scott to an open room.

Lance- better add a bigger hospital to the list of new builds

Emmett- will do

We all sit down. Panic evident on our faces. Moira is so small. This pregnancy has been hard for her, and we are all scared it's another Cassidy situation.

Simone bursts into the waiting room moments later and moves to Clint's lap in silence. Once again, I'm the fifth wheel, but I push the thought away. Right now is about Moira.

Four hours later, Scott runs into the room with an excited smile.

"They are both fine," Scott says with a bright smile.

"Can we see them," Emmett asks with a shaky voice. I realize how scared my Alpha must have been for his baby sister. Scott nods and holds the door open so we can head down the hall.

Scott takes big impatient strides back to Moira's recovery room. Inside the room has to be one of the most beautiful sights. Moira looks sweaty and tired, but she is super happy.

The chubby-cheeked baby in her arms is the spitting image of Scott and Lisa. Scott picks the baby up with the biggest smile I have ever seen. My heart clenches with envy and pride at the new addition.

"Everyone I would like for you to meet, Michael Matthews. Named after his late Uncle Mike," Scott says, passing the bundle to his sister's arms who is openly crying.

A knife twists in my stomach. Happiness and grief pushes through the room. Mike.

We all pass Little Mike around. Each one of us shed a few tears of pure happiness. Another Mike in the world. Another Mike that will grow up to love Moira.