Chapter 14

“Can you stay today?” Klara whispered to the blonde.

She nodded and sat, “Did you get picked at the ceremony?” Klara asked.

“Yes, the movies are wrong… I wish I was a human.” she brought her finger to her bruised cheek.

Klara had been at the castle six weeks, five gloriously isolated weeks. Klara was gaining confidence and day by day her body was slowly morphing from an adolescent to a woman. Therefore, most of her wardrobe had to be changed to a size up. She had been to see the doctor the week before. He checked her weight and was impressed, he said she was nearly at what he would expect, she’d also even grown an inch. She still wasn’t completely sure on letting Marc in her bed, so they were still separate, although cuddled right up to going to bed.

Marc sank into the dining chair as Klara put the plates down. He had noticed the change in her, she wasn’t a timid mouse any more. He knew there was still a journey ahead of them but he was proud as he looked up to her. A small smile on her face. They still only shared cheek and forehead kisses. But just seeing her coming out of her shell was enough in that moment. They tucked into their dinner. A nervousness bubbling within Marc with what he had to tell Klara. His parents had been driving him crazy.

“Little one…” he spoke slowly, almost hesitantly. Klara looked up to his golden eyes. “My parents want to meet you.” Klara instantly began scraping the skin from her lips. Mark leant over the table and gently tugged her lip from her teeth. “I’ve been putting it off… I don’t know how much longer I can keep doing so...” he said a little guiltily.

Klara nodded, “OK,” she gulped, “When?”

“Erm… tomorrow night.” Her face dropped. “Wade and Adelaide will be there too,” he rushed out.

“They’ll hate me,” she whined.

“You can’t stay locked in the King’s Wing.” He stated gently.

“I go to Adelaide’s and the doctor,” she protested quietly, still a little scared of making him angry.

“I know darling.” He smiled gently, “But… there’s going to be more, you’re going to be Queen. You’ll…” he trailed off. Klara looked down, pushing her half-empty plate away. She had an idea what he wanted to say. She wasn’t a Queen, not the way she acted… But part of her knew she couldn’t be his Queen, she didn’t have a strong wolf and she wasn’t a strong person.

Marc was nervous about Klara meeting his parents properly, he had selfishly kept Klara away, convincing his parents they were still in their honeymoon stage and getting to know one another. He wanted her to be comfortable and felt the more people around the less comfortable she’d be. But slowly she was coming out of her shell which he was proud of.

*

It was the day Klara would meet them over dinner. He was nervous and when he was nervous he worked.

Marc riffled through the small pile of grievances that had landed on his desk that day, so far they were minor things others would easily be able to take care of. Wade bounded into the room looking much too happy, he stopped, a look of realisation crossing his features before his body language crumpled into panic. “Alright?”

“Er… yeah… I, erm… I’m going to be a dad.” Marc stood, a smile creeping onto his face.

“Hey, congrats man.”

“Yeah,” he breathed.

“You don’t look too happy?”

“No, I am… just… erm.” Marc went around his desk.

“The more you panic the more Adelaide will feel it which won’t be good for the pup. Calm down.”

“I don’t think I’m ready.”

“Is anyone?”

“But I’m more a pup than… than Trey!” Marc chuckled and left Wade to his little rant of self-consciousness, grabbing alcohol from the next room and coming back “-How can she think I’m ready… like… I agree I want a pup but…” Marc forced a glass into Wade’s hand.

“It’s a time to celebrate, stop panicking, you can panic later when he’s thinking he’s all grown and getting into trouble.” Marc tipped the glass that was sitting useless in Wade’s hand. “Drink.”

Marc waiting until the amber liquor had disappeared, “Just told you, huh?”

“Yeah, came straight here.” Marc chuckled, “Oh goddess what if it’s a female? I can barely care for Adelaide!” Marc huffed and cuffed the side of Wade’s head hard. “Ow! OK, thanks man.”

“Going to announce at dinner?”

“Yeah, thought it’d take the pressure from Klara a bit, how’s she doing?”

“Nervous.”

*

Evening rolled around and the six of them were sat around a grand banquette table, Marc squeezed Klara’s hand as soup was placed on the table. Nervous didn’t come close to what Klara was feeling. “So Klara dear, how are you finding the palace?” Elsbeth, Marc’s mother asked. Klara looked across to Adelaide who glanced up to smile at her.

“It’s very grand, y-your majesty” she responded quietly. Her hand shook as she grasped her spoon. She peeked up to the former King. He exuded so much power, she knew it was a similar power to Marc but the former King’s power was terrifying, particularly as he was scowling at her.

They finished the soup in silence. “So,” The former King cleared his throat as he put his spoon down. “Is this all an act?” Klara blinked at him.

“Father, what do you mean?” Marc asked.

“This…” He waved in Klara’s direction, “Timid, mousy… weakness,” he sneered.

“Daddy!” Adelaide snapped.

“Silversmith’s are tricksters darling, don’t let her fool you,” he reasoned. Klara had dropped her head, swallowing hard. “Father,” Marc warned lowly, “She’s been through a great ordeal.”

“If it’s not an act she’s not worthy.” He glared at Marc, “Find someone better,” he shot.

Klara wanted to disappear, she shrank in her chair as much as possible. “Would you have said that about me? Father?” Adelaide forced her last word with venom. “After what I fucking went through?”

“Language Adelaide,” he chided. “But of course not, child.”

“She’s been through fifty times what I went through. Show some fucking compassion,” she spat.

“Adelaide,” he growled. “Compassion is for those worthy. Not Silversmith’s, they’re untrustworthy… scum. You’ll do well to be rid of her son.”

Klara whimpered.

“Darling, give the girl a chance,” Elsbeth stroked his forearm soothingly. “She’s not her family, Xander.”

“They’re all the same,” he spat. “I bet she’s not even announced loyalty to the crown?” he sneered. Marc opened his mouth and shut it again. “Thought as much.” He wrenched his arm from his mate. “She’ll destroy you, my son, send her back,” and with those words he stormed from the room.

Elsbeth sighed as Xander left. “What the hell was that about?” Marc almost exploded making Klara flinch. Elsbeth exhaled, “There’s been bad blood between your father and the Silversmith pack for decades.”

“That’s not Klara’s fault,” Adelaide folded her arms.

“No, it’s not. I’m sorry dear, please don’t take it personally,” Elsbeth addressed the top of Klara’s head. “What happened, mother? He’s acting rash,” Marc asked.

“He’s never been able to forgive, let alone forget.” Elsbeth looked over the younger wolves around the table. “Klara dear, my mate doesn’t usually act this way.” Klara merely whimpered. Marc was going to send her back.

“Elsbeth, what’s made him so… prejudice?” Wade asked, clasping Adelaide’s hand.

“It’s not my place dear.”

“Please ma’ma?” Adelaide asked, “Please?” Elsbeth sighed, sipping on her water.

“Very well, I’ll start at the beginning,” she started.