Damien’s pov
Peace in the midst of chaos is something I'd never felt before yet here I was, watching my mate address her security detail and castle staff.
She was in control, not afraid or angry, like we were a step of ahead of everything.
“We are in control, trust mate” Roman said, but it wasn't that I didn't trust her, I was afraid for her.
My heart stopped when she linked me and told me Narcissa had left a note. All I could think about was that she was in danger and I wasn't there.
I dropped my guard, I left her side and the enemy took that chance to sneak in.
“You couldn't have seen it coming love” a voice I hadn't heard in a while said, making me blink a few times before raising my head to look at Alari but she was still focused on everyone there.
“S.. Sapphira?” I asked and she chuckled, her voice tickling my brain in the most pleasurable way.
“Yes, you left yourself wide open sugar” she said and I was a little embarrassed but happy to speak with her none the less.
“It's been a while, Roman keeps monopolising me” she giggled, making me smile.
“He keeps Alari all to himself too” Roman huffed, making me roll my eyes. Like I could even do that.
“Roman shut up, I'm talking to my mate” I said and he growled at me, making Sapphira laugh.
What I would do to listen to that sweet sound all day.
“We need to find out how that note got there, dismissing me leaves you one Lycan down, so no” Roman said, bringing me back to the matter at hand.
“He is right, we need to work together, our Kingdom depends on it” Sapphira said, making Roman puff out his chest.
“Of course Sapphira, the damn Pufferfish can stay” I said with a smirk, making Roman growl.
“You want to know what's not fair?” Alari said sitting on my lap, bringing my attention to her.
“What?” I asked, a small smile playing at my lips.
“The three of you having a conversation without me” she said, bringing her face impossibly close to mine.
Just one small movement and I'd have her lips on mine.
“Don't be jealous” Sapphira said, making Alari roll her eyes and pull back a little.
“I'm getting real good at pushing you back Sapphira, don't test me” she said smirking, making Sapphira go quiet.
“Let's go eat, then check out the farm” I said, sneaking my hands under her legs and lifting her, making her squeal and hold on tight.
“Farm?” She asked and I hummed.
“This pack's too big to rely on purchased goods only” I said, quickly making my way to the kitchen.
I'd informed Margaret ahead of time and she already had our meals prepared. Lunch would be served soon but I couldn't wait, especially since we hadn't eaten breakfast because of all the commotion.
“Alpha, Luna” she greeted with a smile as we entered.
“Hi Margaret” Alari smiled back as I sat her down on a chair.
“Now that's how a Queen goes about her castle” Margaret said, making Alari blush while I sat next to her.
“Can't have my Queen tiring herself navigating the halls of this place” I said, leaning into her, causing her face to redden even more.
Margaret left us after a while and we ate while talking about the changes that had to be made and possible ways the note could have gotten to there.
“The staff has already been reduced, anything more than that will strain the ones left. And the pack is loyal, I doubt they'd work with Narcissa and her witches, they're a threat to everyone, not just me” Alari said, and was probably right but I couldn't shake the feeling that this was an inside job.
“Fine, but I'm still keeping a close eye on everyone” I said, sighing as I leaned back into my chair.
“Alright, but don't let anyone see you suspect it could be one of us, some may not understand and I don't want the pack thinking we don't trust them” she said, cradling my cheek with her palm and I nodded.
Her touch felt so good I couldn't have denied her.
“I'm ready to see the farm” she said clapping her hands, looking quite eager.
We got up and I went to grab the plates but she was faster, rinsing them in the sink and putting them in the dish washer.
“We should shift, we'll get there faster” I said, the idea of using a car making my skin crawl.
“Yes!” Sapphira yipped, making both me and Alari laugh.
Shifting into our Lycan forms, Roman circled Sapphira a few times, rubbing against her before nuzzling her neck.
She growled softly, loving the contact just as much as Roman did.
We took off after picking up our clothes and had a little race through the forest. She didn't know the way so she kept close, playfully bumping into us from time to time.
It took about 20 minutes to get there, five more than I usually took and I enjoyed every second of it.
We shifted back and dressed behind a set of trees not far from the farm and walked the rest of the way there.
Alari gasped the second we broke through the trees, the sight of the farm as beautiful as ever.
“This is amazing” She said, her eyes roaming the large space filled vegetables.
“Yeah, it's one of my favourite places, come on” I said taking her hand and leading her towards cabins on the edge of the farm.
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” One of the cabin doors flew open and a scream filled the air as a little figure came running in our direction.
“Alpha!!” She screamed when she saw me, picking up speed.
“Mira!” The angry voice of her mother followed as the woman ran after her daughter.
Mira crached into me, not being able to stop in time but quickly gathered herself and hid behind my leg while I laughed.
“Alpha, Luna, I'm so sorry” Fiona apologised while bowing, her breathing ragged.
“It's alright Fiona” I laughed, pulling Mira from behind me and lifting the six year old into my arms.
“What trouble are you getting into now?” I asked, smiling as she sheepishly looked away.
“Mommy wants me to eat broccoli and I don't wanna” she whined, folding her hands on her chest.
“You have to eat it!” Fiona huffed, looking like she was ready to shove the vegetable down Mira's throat if she had to.
“It's yucky” Mira whined, making her mother's face twist in anger.
“Food isn't yuck Mira!” She growled, making Mira's eyes tear a little.
“Now now little one, you know broccoli is good for you” I said, making her huff.
“But it doesn't taste nice” she whined, a tear falling but I knew better than to fall for it. She'd done it way too many times, it's like she could cry on demand.
And no matter how many times she did it, her father always gave into her, but she couldn't fool me anymore.
“How else are you going to grow up and be a strong Lycan like me?” I asked.
“I don't like it!” She kept whining, probably hoping I'd tell her mother to let her off the hook.
“I know, I don't like it either but I eat it anyway because it's good for me. You want to grow strong like me, don't you?” I asked, watching the rebel in her yield.
“I do” she sighed.
“And you'll get a scoop of ice cream after, right Fiona?” I directed my gaze to her mother, begging with my eyes to let her have some dessert.
Okay, maybe her charm was still effective, but who could blame me? She's the cutest kid.
“Fine, you can have a scoop, one scoop!” She said, watching Mira smile.
I put her down and she went to her mother's side, excited about dessert.
She gave Alari a quick smile while her mother bowed and they left, returning to the cabin.
“That's one cute little trouble maker” I smiled, still watching the closed door.
“And you're good with her” Alari said, looking at me.
I returned my gaze to her and instantly fell in love with the love in her eyes, the fondness they held.
“She's a good kid” I said, pulling her to me.
“I hope you're as good with ours when the day comes” she smiled, giving rise to a dream I thought I'd left behind.
I'd always wanted a big family, even before I lost mine and was left alone.
“Our babies will be loved, every second of their lives” I said, kissing her deeply.
“I'll be sure to give you plenty” she laughed, affirming my dream.
Narcissa’s pov
“Times up mutt, my mistress is out of blood” said Minerva, looking like this was the last place she wanted to be.
I growled at her insult, watching her roll her eyes at me.
“Growl at me again mutt, and I'll make you into my own personal beast!” She gritted out, her face twisting in disgust as she looked at me.
Sure I wasn't filthy, like the ones they turned into monsters but I wasn't exactly taken care of.
“I will deliver, it's only a matter of time now. You'll get the girl” I said, pushing my messy hair back, causing the chain in my wrist to jingle.
“You stink, go wash yourself, mistress wants to see you” she said and walked out, but not before spitting in my face.
I couldn't wait for the day I'd get to sink my claws into her chest and rip her heart out.
A guard came in and unlocked my chains, pushing me out of the room to the bath house.
The bath house was a large building with about ten rooms that had four small pools of hot water and I was taken to the one the servants use.
I stripped out of my dirty dress and sunk into one of the magically heated pools, loving the feel of the hot water on my skin.
The guard, as usual, didn't bother giving me any privacy and I'd somewhat grown used to his lustful stare, and I'd taught myself to ignore it.
Scrubbing myself with the wash cloth and soap kept at the edge of each pool, I began feeling better, cleaner.
One of the servant girls brought a clean dress for me while I was finishing up my bath, which was signal for “hurry the fuck up and get out”
I didn't waste any more seconds enjoying the water, I washed my hair, then rinsed myself and quickly got out, drying before putting on the dress.
The guard already knew to take me to the mistress, everyone here knew I only got to bathe when the mistress requested me.
The guards standing outside the large double doors leading to her chambers exchanged greetings with the one leading me there, opening the doors to let me in and closing them behind me.
I walked further into the dark room that was only illuminated by a red light in one corner of the large space.
The mistress was standing at her work station, grinding something, only clad in a sheer robe.
The soft red light kissed her soft, shapely body in the most delectable ways, causing that usual tingle within my stomach.
This was one of the way she kept me in check, making me her sexual slave. She'd cast a spell on me, one that made me susceptible to all and anything sexual when it came to her.
My body literally melts at the sight of her.
“Mistress, you called for me” I bowed, showing her I was still her obedient play thing.
A growl answered instead, from one corner of the room that the light didn't quite touch.
Moving my gaze to the corner, I was met with the glowing red eyes of my mistresses newest pet, a rogue Alpha she'd found and turned into a beast.
“This is my last vile of blood, after this I can't make any more of my beautiful creatures” she said, making me return my gaze to her.
“Everything is almost in place, just a few more weeks and I'll have the girl. And the Kingdom will be yours mistress” I bowed again.
“Three weeks, if you fail again, I'll kill you and get her myself” she said calmly, taking off the robe, exposing herself fully.
“Now come to bed pet, I haven't cum in a while” she said, sauntering towards the large bed.