Meadow’s p.o.v. One year later It has been six months since Brooklyn’s Luna Ceremony and a year since our families became complete. We are on our way to the Palace and I know it is going to be a shitshow. Uncle Joseph had heard what happened after Madden’s Alpha Ceremony and he had blown a gasket. Renya isn’t in line to take over the Throne, unless dozens and dozens of Royals die and even then, I doubt she would want the title. However, she is a Royal and Uncle Joseph hates it when his family gets hurt. Tomorrow night, there is a Full Moon party at the Palace and with such a prominent venue to host it, many Packs have been invited. Among them is the Pack of the man who rejected Renya and he will find out what he threw away that night. “I can’t wait to see everyone again and for our families to be together, even if it is just for a few days.” Mom says. Yeah, I call my Mother in law Mom. “You sound as if they all live on the other side of the world. If you miss them that much, you can travel to Black Valley more often.” Makay responds, which earns him a slap to the head from his Brother. Mom is exaggerating because she visits them at least once every two weeks, but she loves to act as if she barely sees them. And with them, I am talking about Matheus and Madison, because Makayla moved to Gold Moon territory with Tyson. With the slight bickering, time flies and we arrive at the Palace before we realize it. “Your rooms are ready, as usual.” A Servant says as she opens the door to our floor in the east wing. “You are the first to arrive. I will show the others up when they get here.” For a second, I stand in the hallway as I look into what looks to be the living room. Floor to ceiling windows and a fantastic view of the gardens and the forest. Myka warned me that we had an entire floor to ourselves, but I thought he had been kidding. “Come on, let’s settle in before the rest of the family shows up.” Makay says as he scoops me up. He turns to his left to walk down the hall and I see an open door at the end of the hallway. I expect it to be the Alpha Quarters, but it turns out to be our Quarters. We step into the living room as we step through the door and there is another open door in the left corner of the room, which leads to a hallway. Makay walks into the room that has been theirs from the day they were born and he slowly turns around so that I can see the entire room. By the time we are done with freshening up, the rest of the family has arrived at the Palace. We gather in the living room near the front door and when we are complete, we head up the stairs to the top floor. The floor that belongs to the rulers of our Kingdom. We will spend most of our time there during our stay and I get to know quite a few other Royals who live in other Packs without anyone knowing who they really are. Like Alpha Lincoln, they want to be respected for who they are, not for the title they hold. Most Shifters are aware that they are related to the King, but no one knows how close they might be to the succession. If asked, they usually say that their current position in life is all they care about and would hate to live in a glass house. Unlike the dinners in a Pack-house on a Full Moon, we are having dinner away from the guests. It has been a tradition for generations and it sounded a little strange to me when I was first informed of it. “It is more comfortable. No one is staring at us and we don’t have to hear their thoughts or whispers.” Rebel says. It is true that during other Full Moon dinners, I have been uncomfortable for those reasons. Especially after my abilities started to develop and I learned that I could sometimes see the images that accompanied those thoughts. “Just to give you a heads up. Marshal has been telling everyone that tonight he will find his fated Mate among the Royals.” Uncle Joseph says as he looks at Renya. “He will find out he had a fated Mate among the Royals. I wouldn’t get near him now with a ten-foot pole.” Renya growls. We already made plans this afternoon to stay close to her and keep the Moron as far away from her as we can. She will never be left alone during the party and Rebel will keep an eye on him with the use of our abilities.“Did you get an RSVP from Silent Crest Pack, Uncle Joseph?” Madden asks. It has been a question he has been wanting to ask since he arrived at the Palace, but he was able to bite his tongue until now. “No, I didn’t. We never get an answer on whether they are coming or not and I didn’t expect another outcome this time.” Uncle Joseph answers. “Your family founded Black Valley Pack to provide a home to all kinds of Shifters and anyone who tried to erase them from history failed. Silent Crest went through the same thing, but instead of finally accepting them, like everyone did with Black Valley Pack, they are still being attacked. I understand why they don’t show up or give a heads-up on their decision. If anyone wanted to take over that territory, their best option would be to take out the Alpha family.” Milcah states. We often forget that she knows more about the history of other Packs and is smart enough to see most sides of a situation. She has spent most of her life reading and contemplating whether she would do the same. “How would anyone know if Silent Crest would be joining us or not?” Uncle Joseph asks and for a split second, I want to ask him if he is that stupid. I don’t have to because Milcah starts laughing. “Sorry, Uncle Joseph. It is just strange to me that a man who rules our Kingdom would expect everyone to be honest or to keep secrets. There is enough gossip flying around to inform their enemies of their travel plans.” Milcah answers. “Tonight, you will get multiple offers to take an Alpha’s Daughter as your Mate. Rumors around the Palace say that you are thinking about taking one.” Magnus responds. Uncle Joseph looks from Milcah to Magnus, before he looks at the rest of us and we all confirm that these rumors are flying around the Palace.