Unwanted

The Palace

Logan’s P.O.V.

Something is going on, but I don’t know what exactly. Wendy thinks she’s smart trying to get into the palace while Joel is away, but the guards have strict orders to keep her out. I don’t know why she’s so dead set on him marking her. No one has informed her that he and Teegan have already marked each other.

I also have my suspicions that someone in the palace is here under false pretenses. I haven’t been able to find them yet, but there have been several occasions that I know the things on my desk were moved around.

Emily and I have been trying to do our part from the palace to help Joel and Teegan when they need resources or anything quickly. I admire them for trying to help those who have been torn from their families. In fact, I’m a little envious. I was raised to be the next king, but a part of me would like a little freedom.

“What are you thinking about?” Emily asks as she walks into the office. She’s expecting our first pup in a few months, and it looks like she’s glowing. She has long chestnut brown hair and blue-green eyes that sometimes look teal. I pull her onto my lap and bury my face in her neck.

“I was thinking about what Joel and Teegan are out there doing. I wouldn’t mind being out there with them, but I know we’re needed here right now.” I tell her. Emily snuggles into my arms and sighs.

“I was thinking the same thing. Maybe if your parents come back soon, we can join them for a little while. Do you think they would be okay with that? I really like Teegan, and I’d like to get to know her. She’s so much better than all these tramps around here.” I chuckle against her. Emily and I had our own trouble when we first mated.

I wasn’t as disciplined as Joel was, so I’d had sex with several women before meeting Emily. A couple of those women made her life hell because she wasn’t a lycan. In some ways, she’s not that different from Teegan. Emily was an orphan whose family was killed when she was ten. The pack she was in raised her, but she never felt like she belonged. We met by pure accident one day when I had to get out of the palace because I felt like I was suffocating. I drove for hours until I reached the lake. Emily was there alone, lying on the beach. Her scent was like a beacon to me. At first, she didn’t want anything to do with me. When I finally convinced her to come to the palace, some of the women played games to make her think I was still involved with them. It was a difficult few months, but we made it through and are now stronger than ever.

“Women like you and Teegan are exactly what we need around here. Let’s call my parents and see when they will be coming home. I think we deserve a little freedom before we take over.” I kiss her, letting my tongue stroke her sweet mouth. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Now call them before this pup grows any bigger, and I can’t move.” I put my hand over her flat stomach and laugh.

“When that happens, I’ll carry you where you need to go.” Emily puts her hand over mine and kisses me again. I pick my phone up off the desk and call my dad, putting the phone on speaker.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Dad, how are things at Silver Moon?” I ask him.

“It’s better. Your brother and Teegan have found several pups who were taken from the pack. This morning, we had a few more come, as well as a twelve-year-old girl named Raquel, who was the daughter of the alpha and luna of a horrible pack. They treated their daughter as a slave and kept her and the others they called slaves in cages in the forest. She didn’t want to leave Teegan, so we agreed to let her stay at the palace. We’re going to be leaving later today to come home and bring her with us. Your mom has already gotten her set up with homeschooling and has clothes being delivered.” I look at Emily and smile. My mom would adopt every lost soul if she could. She hates seeing anyone mistreated or alone.

“That’s great. When you get back, Emily and I would like to join Joel for a while. We believe connecting with the packs and letting them meet their next king and queen will be good.”

“I think that’s an excellent idea, son. How have things been there?” Emily and I sigh in relief.

“It’s been quiet. Wendy keeps trying to get into the palace, no matter how many times the guards refuse her. I also believe there is someone here going through our things. I’ve asked the head of security to do a quiet investigation to see what he can find.” I don’t like the thought of someone here spying on us, but I trust Eric to figure it out.

“We’ll be there later today. Are you going to call Joel and see where he is so you can connect with them? From what I understand, their group is growing. He even said they found a she-wolf from the pack, the Mystic Moonlighters, and she has some incredible magic. I think he’s a little scared of her. She’s Teegan’s brother’s mate.” I can’t believe they found a wolf from the Mystic Moonlighters. They were one of the most powerful packs in the world with their magic.

“That’s incredible. As soon as I hang up with you, I’ll call Joel. Thanks, Dad.” I hang up and look at Emily.

“Well, it looks like we’re getting ready to go on a road trip.” She kisses me, and I hold her against me.

“I can’t wait. Call Joel; let’s see where they are.” I click on Joel’s name and put the phone on speaker again.

“Hello?”

“Hey, little brother. How’s it going?” I ask him.

“We’re on our way to a pack near Des Moines that may have a man who they took in as an orphan several years ago. We’re hoping he’s from Silver Moon.” Joel replies.

“That’s great. I just spoke to Dad, and he said they’re getting ready to return to the palace later today. Emily and I would like to join you and Teegan. If that’s okay with you.”

“That would be great. At this point, we might need to rent a bus because there will be five couples and six guards with you two. I’ll see what we can find that we can all fit into. After we visit this pack, we’ll stay in Des Moines until you arrive. It will be good to see you.” I smile, thinking of the days when Joel and I were young. We would sneak out of the palace and try to run away. We didn’t know until later that our dad always had guards watching us, only letting us think we’d gotten away until we got hungry or tired and returned home. Just like now, we only wanted a little independence back then.

“We can’t wait. Emily is excited about spending time with Teegan, too. You know they have a lot in common.” Emily nods and smiles as she kisses my cheek. She’s close to my sisters, but I think she’s still always felt like an outcast.

“Yes, they do. We’ll see you soon.” I hang up, and Emily hugs me excitedly.

“Yay. Now, let’s go pack. I know we’re going to see a lot of bad things out there, but I hope we can make a difference. I want to help those people who think they’ve been forgotten.” Emily says as she stands up. I lift her into my arms and carry her out the door. It will be nice to have a break from our duties.

The Spy’s P.O.V.

I watch Logan carry Emily to their bedroom and sneak into his office. I was outside the door when he was on the phone and heard him say they were joining Joel and his mate. Blake isn’t going to like that. Killing Joel and the others is bad enough, but if he kills the next king, that won’t be as easy to push under the rug. I quickly text him to let him know what’s going on as I search Logan’s office for anything new.

Once I’m convinced there’s nothing there, I leave and shut the door behind me. I go downstairs and return to my regular tasks, and as usual, no one pays me any attention. The people here are really too gullible. They should know better than to take in strays off the street. It will be their downfall because not only am I a spy for Blake, I’m a spy for others. One whose goal is to kill the royals and take over. When that happens, I’ll dance on top of their graves for being fools.