Daniel’s P.O.V. Aspen is cuddled into my side as I listen to my Dads talking, it is strange to call Thomas Dad and I know I will get used to it eventually. They are talking about Aspen’s Mother and the more I hear the bigger my dislike of the woman becomes. I understand why no one ever told her who Dad really was, she is a power hungry Wolf and I know she will try to worm her way back into Aspen’s life. The expression on my Sons’ faces becomes more grim by the minute and I hope Hunter never runs into her without someone by her side. “My Mate never cared for Aspen, she was happy to let me look after her. That was until Aspen started to talk and it became clear that I enjoyed taking care of her, that it was never a punishment. Even though she always thought that I didn’t like the fact that it took time away from my job, but I could do what I wanted and my parents were more then willing to keep an eye on Aspen if needed. You had your own room on the Alpha floor and if we couldn’t find you there you were in Drake’s office. I found you curled up on his lap while he worked quiet a few times and I think he hated it every time I took you away. Drake never found his fated Mate and he is still looking. You are the Pup he never had and somehow you knew that in a way.” Dad looks at Aspen as he speak and I see the love he has for her reflected in his eyes. “Daniel, do you remember a videocall you had with Drake about an attack on the Council?” He asks and I nod my head, because I remember that day very well. “I didn’t know what to think of Drake, he kept whispering as if he was afraid someone might over hear us.” “No, that was not it. He was afraid to wake your Mate.” And we all burst out in laughter as Aspen turns red in the face at that. I see Brent’s eyes glaze over and a scowl appears on his face. “Daniel, you might get to meet the bitch sooner than you hoped for.” He grumbles as he gets up out of his seat. “Wait, Brent.” Aspen calls out and he turns around immediately. “Show her to the main living-room, I don’t want her in our private wing.” A smile appears on his face as he walks out. “Dad, if you don’t want to see her you are welcome to stay up here.” She says as she looks at her Father. He smiles before he turns to Jax and asks, “Can you link your Pops once everyone is seated, I want to see the look on her face when she realizes that Aspen knows the truth.” “Papa, not a problem. I like to see that too.” Jax says with a smirk on his face, before he and his Brothers walk out as well. I put my arm around her shoulder and guide her out of our wing to go see her Mother.Gabe and Brent are sitting next to one and other on a couch and I can tell that my Mother in Law doesn’t condone a same sex relationship, one more thing to dislike about her. She is visibly more charmed by my Sons as she tells them how happy she is that her Daughter finally found her Mate, “I was afraid she would settle for a chosen Mate, like she did before. I hope your Father doesn’t hold it against her, Jayce.” She says. “Excuse me, Ma’am. Protocol states that you are to address him as Prince Jayce or Your Highness in public and given the fact that we are in the main living-room this is considered public.” Brent states with a straight face. Brent turns in my direction and decides to show her what the proper way is, “Your Majesty, this woman claims to be the Queen’s Mother.” He says as Aspen and I walk further into the room. I feel Aspen tense in my arm and Jason steps to her other side quickly as he grabs her hand. I decide to ignore her Mother for a moment as I guide Aspen to a couch across from her Mother. Once we are sitting I turn my eyes towards her Mother, “Ma’am, it is nice to meet you.” I say without showing my distaste for the woman. “Daniel…” but she doesn’t get to say anything else as Gabe interrupts her. “Ma’am, my Mate already told you that protocol applies in this room and that means you address the King as Your Majesty. Otherwise you might end up in a cell for disrespecting the King.” He says and I see her face crunch as he places his hand on Brent’s leg. “My apologies, Your Majesty. I will have to get accustomed to protocol in the Palace.” She says and Jason asks, “Why would you need to get accustomed to protocol in the Palace?” She stares at him and I have to stifle a smile as I complement him through the mind-link. “Prince Jason, Aspen is my Daughter and she needs me in her life. I am the only family she has and for that reason I will have to get accustomed with protocol as she will want me close.” Justin is the next to open his mouth, “What do you mean, the only family she has?” He asks and I can see that Jayce is contacting Pops. “I am not sure what she already told you, but I had to raise my Daughter alone after her Father died, Prince Justin.” She replies. My Dads walk in and Benjamin turns to Thomas and says, “You’re Dead…” Aspen ducks into my side and I can feel her shaking with laughter, Joshua is rolling in my head while my Sons don’t hide their laughter. “No, Benjamin. Last time I checked I was still breathing.” Thomas reacts and Brent falls of the couch as tears roll down Gabe’s face. Aspen’s Mother faces her Mate with her mouth wide open and I wish Hunter was here to see this. “Thomas, what are you doing here?” She asks and quickly turns to me and Aspen, “Sweetheart, what did he tell you?” However, Jax doesn’t give anyone the chance to react, “Alpha Drake did all the talking and I can guarantee you I believed every word he said.”“Mother, you once told me you wished I wasn’t a part of your life. Well, let me grant you that wish. I want you to leave and never come back, don’t ever mention to anyone we are related. You are no longer my family.” Aspen says and for the first time I feel her aura leaving her. Her Mother has no choice to accept what Aspen said, because she used her aura and her Mother can never reveal who she is to Aspen. Vincent walks into the room to escort her out of the Palace and he will make sure she never gets back in. As soon as Aspen knows she is out of hearing range she turns to her Father, “Dad, can you call Uncle Drake and tell him what happened. He needs to know, I don’t want her to talk nonsense to anyone.” She asks and Thomas leaves the room to call his Brother. Aspen sits down with a sigh and everyone can see that she is upset, but I am glad that she has us. Justin sits down on her lap and she tries to push him away, but he is too big for her to move him. I see the twinkle in his eyes and he tries to crawl onto her lap, making Gabe lose it completely. “Justin, get up. You are too big for this.” I hear her mumble with laughter in her voice. “No, Mom. According to Dad no matter how big I become I will always be his Pup and right now I need a cuddle from my Mom.” Aspen is giggling as she is still trying to move him of her lap and when she realizes it doesn’t work she goes in a different direction. “Dad, get this Grandson of yours of my lap.” Both men rush into the room and Benjamin starts laughing at the sight of Justin trying to get comfortable on her lap. Thomas only points his phone in their direction and I have a feeling she will get a call from her Uncle real soon. Jayce is the one that decides that Aspen has had enough, “Okay, Toddler. Naptime.” He yells as he lifts Justin of her lap. Justin pouts at Jayce and I can no longer hold my laughter, I have missed my Sons messing with each other. This is what they used to do with Sarah and I can see that Benjamin enjoys this as much as I am. “I want my Mommy.” Justin says whining and Jayce has to laugh so hard he loses his hold on Justin, dropping him on the floor in front of Aspen. She laughs as she lowers herself onto his lap, “I am right here, Baby.” She says as she puts her arms around him. Justin turns his head towards Jayce and sticks out his tongue, making Jayce laugh even harder. “Oh my.” Martha exclaims and we all turn towards her. “Don’t tell me any of you ate the cupcakes?” she says with a mischievous smile on her face. It takes a while before we settle down enough to explain to Thomas what Martha meant and even longer before we can have a normal conversation again. Jayce checks in with the guards, but none of them have found a trace of Hunter.