Myka’s p.o.v. After talking to Uncle Joseph about the rumors and how they might have started to spread, we head down to the ballroom. “King Joseph and the other members of the Royal family.” A Servant announces our arrival. Everyone turns toward the doorway to see us walking in, and I am grateful for Meadow, who is holding onto my arm. This is nerve-wracking for me, and I will never get used to all the power-hungry Shifters staring at me and my family. “He still doesn’t get it; he still believes Renya is an Omega.” I hear Meadow say through the mind-link. I don’t get it. Why would anyone think that anyone walking in with the Royals is an Omega? I would assume she was mated to a Royal and therefore her rank was no longer Omega. We are almost at our table when Meadow starts laughing. She must have figured out Marshal’s thought process and it has to be something ridiculous. “Luna Leona, I don’t mean any disrespect with this question, but have you ever spent time in the kitchen?” Meadow asks and I get this funny feeling that I understand why she is asking this particular question. “Of course, Dear. Just because I hold one of the highest ranks within a Pack doesn’t mean that I am incapable of doing normal labor.” Luna Leona answers. She looks at my Mate as she answers and I know that she is expecting an explanation. “Just realized that there are Shifters who believe that a high-ranking Shifter has no business dealing with low-ranking Shifters.” Meadow states and I see understanding flashing through Renya’s eyes. “Dear, why would anyone care about me spending time in the kitchen or elsewhere to perform physical labor?” Luna Leona asks. Shifters around us start whispering and mumbling. Some seem to agree with Luna Leona’s question, while others sound shocked or disgusted at the thought of it. “Because they are superficial and old-fashioned.” Renya answers. “Because they think they are entitled to order others around. I think we can come up with a few other excuses if we really try.” Oh My. That Mate of mine knew exactly what kind of discussion she would start by asking Luna Leona that question. “Care to explain yourself, Meadow?” Alpha Lincoln asks through the mind-link. “Marshal rejected Renya because he thought that she was an Omega. He saw her in the kitchen a few hours before midnight and jumped to conclusions.” Meadow answers him. No one says a word as we sit down, but I know that this revelation will have consequences for Marshal and his Pack. Alpha Lincoln hates Shifters who reject their fated Mate because of their rank.Makay has been awfully quiet during all this and I wonder when he is going to open that can of worms. “Princess Renya, are you hoping to find your fated Mate tonight?” I hear Makay ask and through our bond, I feel satisfaction coming from my Brother and ecstasy from my Mate. “Only if the Goddess decides to pair me with someone who doesn’t care when I want to help with cooking dinner.” Renya answers as she looks at Makay with a smirk on her face. Some of the Shifters around us chuckle at her remark, but I can tell you that at least one Shifter isn’t too pleased with her answer. Marshal has been watching Renya like a hawk since we walked in and now he seems ready to burst at the seams with anger. “He wonders why Renya didn’t correct him or tell him before they left the party.” Meadow says through the mind-link and we hear a soft growl coming from Renya’s Lycan. “I hear you. I don’t think we need to tell our fated Mate what our rank is after getting rejected, especially if they decide to jump to conclusions, Your Highness.” Makay says as he locks eyes with Marshal. The exchange between Makay and Renya has some Shifters staring at one another and I wonder if anyone is going to make their observations public. “Oh my Goddess, Marshal. You rejected a Royal while thinking she was an Omega. Where the hell were you that night?” Amelinda asks and it doesn’t surprise me that she has opened her mouth without thinking about the consequences.“How the hell did you come to that conclusion?” Marshal growls and Amelinda smiles at him as she explains her thought process on the subject. She might not be the sharpest tool in the shed at times, but she is able to read between the lines when she needs to. She understood perfectly what Makay meant with his remark and the fact he was looking at Marshal did the rest. “You should have told me that you were a Royal, instead of accepting my rejection.” Marshal says as he looks at Renya. “Why?” Renya asks. “Do you think I would want a Mate who is superficial? A Mate who believes that a rank is more important than a fated Mate-bond?” Marshal can’t answer her questions without looking like an even bigger fool. He sits back down as Uncle Joseph gets up to address his guests. “It is clear that some of you still believe in rejecting your fated Mate because of their rank. We are all free to make that decision, whether others agree with it or not. However, it is against most Pack laws to have a leadership with chosen Mates. Marshal, your own Pack has that law and I am giving you my only warning. Take a chosen Mate and I will take your damn Pack.” Uncle Joseph says. He continues his speech with the hope that many will find their fated Mate or a second chance Mate. It is no secret why he used that last phrase and Meadow giggles softly as Marshal turns red with anger. “Enjoy the evening.” Uncle Joseph concludes his speech, then sits down again and we, as a family, stay close to Uncle Joseph and Renya.Marshal keeps trying to get close to Renya, but the girls keep stepping in front of him. Each of them, following Meadow’s example, stands before him with their arms crossed in front of their chest and a scowl on their face. No one messes with our family and even though Renya is a distant relative, we will protect her as if she were our baby Sister.