Jax’s P.O.V. “We better make sure we never piss her off again, that girl will bury us before we can blink our eyes.” I say to my Brothers through the mind-link. After she told us she wanted to finish her studies, I thought I might be able to talk her out of it but now I know I shouldn’t. Even if I managed to get her to drop her studies, it would only benefit me and my Brothers and today she showed me that she wanted what was best for others. Today was not about her and her studies, it was about Papa’s freedom and it was about freeing Cedrick’s Mate. Today she showed that she is a Royal, she will fight for our people and she is not afraid to stand up to a bully. I know it will be hard to be away from her, but I also know it will be for the benefit of others in the long run and I can’t stop her from doing what she wants. Hunter jumps on my back and tells me she wants to go back to our private wing, to just spend some time with her family. Jason opens the door of the Throne room and Papa is standing in front of it, “Is the party already over?” he asks. Jason tells him that he will get an invitation to the next one and I know that Hunter will address the Council Elders again, I am just not sure how long it will be before that day arises. We are laughing and joking around as we head back to our private wing and I see quite a few surprised faces at the train of people behind me. I nearly have a heart attack when Macy steps in front of me and says “Jax, why don’t you let the little Pup for what she is and join me at a party tonight.” Brick is growling in my head and I nearly growl out loud myself, but I forgot for one second who is on my back. “Well, it looks like you haven’t learned anything over the years. Have you, Macy?” Hunter asks and from the corner of my eye I see Max stepping closer. “Max, this is Macy and she is very interested in Jax. No matter how often or in which manner he tells her to go to hell and stay there, she just doesn’t seem to understand that there are actually males around that want to wait for their fated Mate.” She says as she looks at Max over her shoulder.Max stares at Hunter before he turns his attention to Macy and I know he will have some “nice” things to say as well. “Your Highness, I don’t understand why she doesn’t wait for her fated Mate. Is she afraid she might have to start cleaning a Pack-house somewhere in the middle of nowhere?” He asks. Hunter giggles as Macy looks up and down Max’s body, but before she can open her mouth he shoots her down. “Not interested. I would like to have a pleasant life.” He says before he steps in between me and Macy, giving me the chance to walk away from her. “Max, will you please keep an eye out for Suzy? Same attitude, but with an interest for Jayce.” Hunter calls over her shoulder and I hear Max mutter “What the hell is wrong with women?” Hunter turns slightly around and I see she is looking at Victor and Matt. She then turns her eyes to Gabe and Brent and I start shaking my head, knowing she will have something to say. “No wonder.” She mumbles, but she doesn’t say anything else. Then again she doesn’t have to, we all understand what she means by that. I thank Max as we enter our private wing, Jayce sighs in relief as we walk towards the living-room and I see Martha standing in the kitchen preparing our dinner. “Martha, I caused my first trouble.” Max shouts into the kitchen and he sends us into a fit of laughter. Yeah, he is like Hunter and like Hunter he loves stirring trouble, but in this case I welcomed it whole heartedly. Martha laughs at his words and Max sits down at the kitchen island to tell Martha what he did. He tells her about Hunter and what she did for Papa, Martha asks questions while she keeps working. Max is not bothered by it and he answers every question she has. Hunter is talking to Pops and Papa while she is curled up on my lap, her head lays on Jason’s shoulder while Justin sits on the floor with his head on her lap and Jayce is holding on to one of her hands. I see a smile on Mom’s face as she watches the five of us. I turn my attention to the kitchen and I see Martha and Max talking as he helps her with cutting up some vegetables for her. I remember that each of us did this every evening when we were younger and I think she missed having us helping her.They seem to be at ease and I wonder if this is his upbringing or if there something else. Papa pulls me from my thoughts as he says “Max loves cooking, if it were up to him he would spend the entire day in the kitchen. He thinks we want him to follow in the footsteps of every male in the family, but we couldn’t care less and I know everyone agrees with me when I say that his happiness is most important.” I see everyone nodding their heads and I agree with Papa, Max’s happiness is most important. “Well, at least I know I will never go hungry if I keep Max around.” Hunter says and Justin starts chuckling, we all know how much she can eat. Papa tells us he feels a lot better and he is glad that Debra will no longer be a part of his life. None of us talk about tonight or the fact that she is our Mate, we just talk and laugh about what ever we can think of and that is how we spend the rest of the evening. Pops and Papa ask her where she will go next as we are enjoying our dessert and I nearly choke. “Well, I haven’t decided yet. I think I will at least wait until I have all the information from Elder Edward on underaged Mates and go from there. So for the next few days I will stay at the Palace and I want to give Emma and Ella time to pack. My security team needs to pack up and we need to get transportation in order, which will take at least a day or maybe two. Than of course it will take me at least a day to say goodbye to all of you and before that I will probably need a day to put these four in their place.” She says as she smiles at us. Max looks at each of us before he looks at Hunter and says “Make that two days.” I actually burst out in laughter. I know we will have difficulty letting her go, but knowing she wants us to join her when we are able to will make it a little easier. I see Hunter yawn, but she doesn’t say a thing and I wonder if she is planning on waiting until she falls asleep in my arms. Not that I will mind if she does, but I would like to know if she wants to spend the night in our bed or that she doesn’t feel comfortable with that. “Princess, it is time for you to turn in for the night. What do you want? Our bed or your own.” I ask through the mind-link and I feel her stiffen in my arms. None of us look at her or give any indication of what we are discussing, but I have an idea that everyone knows.Papa keeps talking to Pops and Uncle Drake, while Mom and Dad are getting to know her Aunts and Uncles better. Max is talking with Matt and Victor about her travel arrangements, but his eyes travel towards us from time to time. Hunter comments on Papa’s conversation from time to time, but I can tell that she is seriously thinking about my question and I will give her some time to come up with an answer. “Hunter, do you have any idea on where you want to go next?” Max asks her again and she turns towards him as she tells him that her next classes will be on the hierarchy within a Pack and succession of a High-ranked member. I see his eyes move to Uncle Drake and I know that there is some idea forming in his head. He gets a nod from Uncle Drake, “Hunter, Aunt Sasha lives in a Pack that doesn’t really care for the hierarchy stipulated in the Law. Her Mate was supposed to be the next Gamma, but the Alpha chose the younger Brother of his chosen Mate for the position. They can’t do anything against it, but they are also not allowed to leave the Pack. Not to move to another Pack, not even to visit us. Uncle Drake has tried to bring this in front of the Council, but for some reason they don’t want to grant him a hearing on the matter.” Max’s eyes are changing color rapidly and we can all see that he is very angry with the situation. “Well, it seems that we already have our next destination. Uncle Drake, could you provide a few more Warriors to join me on this journey? I think it will make my Mates a bit more comfortable and I know it will make me feel a bit more at ease.” Hunter asks and Uncle Drake pulls his phone out to make a call.