PREQUEL: Royal Ancestors

It was the morning of Beatrice’s birthday and she woke up alone in her room, just like every other morning. Helena knocked quietly on the door and then let herself in, greeting Beatrice with a smile.

“Good morning, Lady Beatrice, and happy birthday.” She said, handing Beatrice a cup of hot tea.

“Thank you, Helena.”

Beatrice had grown very fond of Helena in the weeks that she’d been in the palace. She was a kind soul and made Beatrice feel very comfortable here.

“Your friends have detailed your wardrobe for the day, shall we see what they have in store for you, my lady?” Helena smiled as she walked into Beatrice’s closet.

Beatrice let out a very unladylike grown at the thought of all the things her friends had planned for today.

“I dread the thought.” She mumbled and Helena couldn’t help but laugh at her mistress’s discomfort.

“They have instructed you to begin the day with a simple cotton gown,” Helena said, bringing a deep red colored gown from the closet, “And then there is a very elaborate party gown for the celebrations this evening.”

Beatrice’s eyes wandered over the simple red gown but a different sort of feeling was clutching at her heart. She had butterflies in her stomach and her hands were shaking; she was a bundle of nerves. She knew what was coming, there was no denying it now. Today she would discover that Arlo had been right along and he was her mate. Beatrice was the future Queen Luna of the realm.

Helena assisted her into the gown and tied up her corset strings.

“The king has requested that you join him in the gardens for a private breakfast. The ladies have a very full schedule for you and he after that. I’m afraid they are determined to keep the pair of you apart until the ceremony.” Helena explained. Beatrice sighed,

“I suppose there is really no arguing with them, is there?”

“No, my lady.” Helena shook her head, “I must say, however, I am looking forward to officially having you as our next queen.” She added, smiling fondly at me.

“I would be very honored to be the realm’s Queen, Helena. If that is the Moon Goddess’s wish then I shall not argue, but I do hope that our relationship does not change. I consider you a friend, Helena, my very first one here.” Beatrice reached out for Helena’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

“Yes, my lady. I am deeply honored and humbled by your friendship and kindness.” Helena blushed.

“Best not to keep the king waiting, I think.” Beatrice said, dropping Helena’s hand and breaking through the thick tension in the room.

“Oh, yes, indeed.” Helena nodded quickly before guiding Beatrice from the room.

As she neared the garden, a delicious smell filled her senses. Beatrice would not get a wolf today, but some things would change. She would feel the matebond as any wolf feels it and her senses would sharpen. She took a deep breath, relishing in the crispy woodsy smell that surrounded her.

It was only when she exited the french doors leading to the back garden that she realized who the smell belonged to.

Arlo jumped out of his chair as he felt Beatrice approaching. Everyday since she’s been here the connection has grown stronger. He began to feel the sparks more intensely, the need to be near Beatrice was nearly too strong to ignore. But, now he knew it would be impossible. Her scent hit him first, something he had been dying to experience since the moment he named Beatrice as his mate. She smelt of fresh rain and lilies, which happened to be his favorite flower.

His eyes immediately locked with hers as she entered the room and he felt them growing darker by the second. He gulped as his hands began to shake with the need to hold the beautiful woman before him. A low growl escaped his chest, Deacon ready to lay claim to his mate. Arlo held him back and waited for Beatrice to approach.

She was blushing, per usual, but her eyes were glued to his and she licked her lips. Her throat felt very dry all of the sudden and she wasn’t sure she was capable of speaking. Her feet carried her almost automatically towards Arlo, stopping only once she was inches away from him. He reached out and touched her hand, causing a flurry of sparks to explode around them. A quiet gasp escaped Beatrice’s lips and she clung to his hand, desperate to keep the skin to skin connection.

That desperate motion seemed to unleash something inside of Arlo, the silver of control he had over Deacon was now gone. He wrapped his arms around his mate and crushed her to his chest, burying his face into her neck. She shivered as his lips brushed against her marking spot, clinging to his arms to keep from swooning. Arlo chuckled and pulled away from her neck, cupping her face between his hands.

“Do you dare deny me now, my love?” Arlo said, his eyes dark and his voice husky with desire.

“No.” Beatrice more or less mouthed the word, no real sound escaping her throat.

“I want to kiss you.” Arlo confessed and Beatrice stiffened in his arms.

He looked at her with worry and concern, afraid that he had offended her or was moving too quickly. Goddess, he wasn’t sure that he could physically move any slower with his mate. But, instead of pulling away from him, Beatrice finally relaxed in his grip and she licked her lips again.

“Then what is stopping you?” She asked with a glint of mischief in her hazel eyes.

As she sucked her bottom lip in between her teeth, the last of Arlo’s control snapped. He crushed his mouth to hers, moving passionately against her lips. She gasped, allowing him entrance to her mouth and he slipped his tongue inside. Her arms moved around his neck and his arms encircled her body, running up and down her back until there was nothing left untouched. When he felt her gasping for air, Arlo released Beatrice’s mouth and returned to her neck, using her scent to calm both he and Deacon.

“I love you so much, Beatrice. Goddess, I cannot believe that you are all mine.” He mumbled in her neck.

She began to tremble as his warm breath blew across her sensitive skin. Her heart was beating so loudly in her chest that she was sure Arlo could hear it. The whole bloody castle could probably hear it. She took a deep breath and mustered up all of her courage,

“As you are mine,” She said with a shaky voice, “Arlo.”

Arlo couldn’t believe his ears when his name came spilling out of his beautiful mate’s mouth. He shot up and latched his gaze onto hers.

“Say it again, my love.” He begged, wanting to see her lips form his name.

“Arlo.” She did as she was told, whispering his name again.

He couldn’t help himself from diving back towards her for another long and passionate kiss filled with need. This time, Beatrice responded with an equally lustful kiss of her own. She ran her hands up Arlo’s chest, slipping side his red suit jacket and grazing over his puffy white cotton shirt. He growled against her mouth, clutching her waist in his hands so tightly that some of the fabric of her dress wrinkled.

Arlo released her mouth and ran his lips along her cheek, down her jawline, and towards her neck.

“You have no idea how hard it’s been for me to stay away from you, my Queen. Everything about you is irresistible.” Arlo purred against Beatrice’s neck.

Beatrice giggled as his breath tickled her marking spot and Arlo growled at the sound of it. He pressed his lips to her neck and her giggles turned into a moan.

“If you keep making these sounds I’m never going to be able to let you go.” Arlo warned her.

“Good.” Beatrice’s voice was no longer trembling or timid. Instead, it was confident and committed; it startled Arlo so much so that he pulled away from her neck and looked over her face.

“Beatrice…..” Arlo’s voice caught in his throat.

“I do not want you to let me go, Arlo. Not now and not ever.” Beatrice said,

She thumbed the collar of his dress shirt, running her fingers along his marking spot. He shivered and closed his eyes, a growl he was trying too hard to contain came sipping out of his mouth.

“Oh, my love, you do not have to worry about that.” He said, his eyes snapping open to reveal pitch black orbs.

Arlo tightened his grip on Beatrice and kept her as close to him as possible. He wasn’t exactly sure how far she was going to let this go, but he was determined to push her as close to her limits as he would let her; his patience was faltering.

“Tell me, my King, is the tradition to wait until after the announcement and coronation to mark and mate with your Queen?” Beatrice asked, her tone completely suggestive. Arlo smirked at her,

“No, my Queen, it is certainly not. What would you like from me, my dear?” Arlo purred, ducking his face so they were eye level.

“All of you.” She said with her eyes on fire.

At her request, Arlo scooped up his mate and cradled her in his arms. He ran back inside and towards the first staircase.

“King Alpha?” Steffanie gasped as she heard Beatrice’s giggles.

“I’m afraid Queen Beatrice will be otherwise occupied until the time of her celebration.” Arlo laughed, sounding not at all apologetic as he hurried up the steps.

Steffy and the other girls laughed as they watched their king and queen playfulling running through the castle.