Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Chris was packed with his possessions in the boot of one of the family’s SUVs. He had said goodbye to everyone, unsure how long his tour would last. Marc and his father had stated a few expectations. Mainly to not embarrass the crown, to remember who he was and it would be polite to stay for a week in each pack.

His guards were there to protect him and he would do well to remember that too. He sighed, wondering how much the guards would get in the way, and wishing at least one of the Gammas were going with them… but they weren’t. Marc had assured some of their best were going with him.

Matilda slid into the driver’s seat. Alright… he could cope with her. She was strong, graceful, and delicate like a samurai sword. “We’re nearly ready, My Prince.”

“Thank you, Tillie.”

She fluffed up her curly mahogany hair, shifting in her seat to obviously get comfortable. “You’re aware we’re going to Palterson first? Then working our way back home.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

She nodded definitively before staring straight ahead, obviously waiting for the secondary guard. The other car would also hold two guards… Chris felt it was overkill having four on him… but Marc had been adamant.

He settled himself, it wasn’t long before a shoulder-length haired guard, Callum, joined them and the tires began bumping over cobbles away from the palace. He ran his fingers through his hair, watching as his homeland slipped away through the tinted windows.

It was an eight-hour drive to the tip of their kingdom, previously Queen Klara’s pack which had been taken over by The Crown. The Northern and Eastern half being taken up by Palterson for the last six years, while the Southern and Western side had been taken over by Celestine.

As pack neighbours went… The Crown never had any trouble with them and as they passed what should have been a border, there was no border. Chris sat up, of course, the pack was expecting them, but it would have made sense for there to be a presence at the road entrance to their pack. “Is everything OK?” he asked the two guards in intrigue.

“Yes, My Prince.”

Chris shuffled more to the middle, gaining the attention of the two at the front, wordlessly asking his question.

“Ah, both packs have a good relationship, they both support the southernmost border, then the rest is almost free reign.”

“Oh,” was all Chris could utter in surprise.

“You’ll get used to the differences within the packs, Your Highness.”

They drove further, passing pockets of houses as they travelled into the mountains before they reached what was obviously more a hub. The town was possibly half the size of the Royal town. A few shops and eateries dotted between obvious residential homes. They wound through a few streets, inclining up a well-maintained road before he could see their obvious destination.

Chris smiled at the strangely cute but grand house. Charming red brick was a slightly strange contrast to the wall of the mountain behind. It had obviously been built more recently but with the appearance of a much older cottage. Lattice windows gleamed in the afternoon sun, four gable windows poking out of a tawny thatched roof added to the cottage aesthetic.

The two SUVs pulled up outside the obvious Alpha house, Chris made a move to get out of the car. “My Prince, let me,” Callum stated gruffly. Chris ignored him and pushed open the door, stepping out of the SUV he’d been cooped up in for over eight hours.

“Your Highness!” Callum expressed in exasperation, grabbing the door when it had already flung open. “You need to wait for us.”

Chris huffed, feeling scolded. It was going to be hard to let the guards… guard him. He was used to full independence at the palace.

A smell punched him in the gut.

It wasn’t graceful or wafting. It was all-consuming.

Chris wildly looked around, spotting the other SUVs doors open and the source of the smell.

Fuckity fuck fuck.

His wolf was about ready to bound out of skin form, just to get to the gorgeous aroma that was intent on pulling him towards the auburn-haired like a ridiculously strong magnet. He gripped the door hard, trying to ground himself and battle a rather amorous wolf back into the recesses where he couldn’t cause any problems.

“Are you OK, My Prince?” Matilda had strode around the car, looking with a hint of concern at him.

“Fine,” he grunted out.

He swallowed hard, composing himself as much as he could before focusing on the house again, trying to ignore that his mate was here… as one of his guards.

The oatmeal front door was open, their arrival surely already announced to the Alpha via the pack link.

“Your Highness. I cannot express how pleased I am to host you,” Alpha Pelterson was a kind fatherly looking man. Greying hair, twinkling navy eyes, he was possibly almost ready to step down from his role.

“Alpha, thank you for extending the invitation for me to stay within your wonderful pack. I saw many happy faces as I travelled through.” The smokey and spicy-sweet scent had grown closer as he spoke, he didn’t need to turn around to know who had stepped up to his far right.

“We are enjoying a very peaceful time under your brother’s rule. Please, do come inside.”

Chris nodded before turning to the four bodies behind him. “Jaxson and Adam, stay out here. Tillie, go rest, Callum, with me.”

“Your Highness, two guards must accompany you inside.” Adam’s deep rumbling voice spoke, his dark grey eyes didn’t meet Chris’ but his glare was firm.

“Fine. Callum, Tillie, with me.” Chris turned abruptly on his heel, following the Alpha into the entrance hall, consisting of several mahogany doors leading from the hall and an open staircase, a banistered landing in matching woods to the doors that stood above.

“Please, my mate has prepared for your arrival in the only way she knows.” Alpha Pelterson chuckled lightly, his love obvious for his Luna. With the door shut, the scent that was driving him crazy was dulled… not enough for him but still enough that he could smell other things… like the obvious feast they were heading to.

He was correct as he was led through to a large dining room, a spread that looked more fitting to the banquet halls for the royal balls than merely for him. He smiled at the family that was waiting for him. He wished they wouldn’t, that they’d just get on with their day, he wasn’t really much to make an effort for.

“Luna Pelterson, please it’s an honour.”

She curtsied as he addressed her. “Please, Katie, call me Katie. Your Highness… I know it’s not what you’re used to but I-”

“Katie.” Chris gripped her hand, stopping her anxious ramble. “This is more than I ever expected. Please, don’t feel the need for such lavishness.” He quickly recalled the names of the family, “Luca, it’s lovely to see you again.” Chris clasped his hand in both of his.

“Your Highness.” He bowed his head.

“Please, Christopher is fine, if I am staying in your home I feel it only fitting to call me by my name.”

’Your Highness, please remember the expectations from you.’ The mind link filtered into his thoughts from Matilda.

’I wish to be comfortable during the tour, if everyone is addressing me by formal title alone, it’ll get old, fast. The same goes for you lot.’

“And of course, I remember Holly. You’ve certainly grown.” He moved onto their youngest, a smiley yet slightly nervous girl with flowing raven hair.

“Thank you Your High- I mean-” She glanced to her parents, who gave an encouraging nod, “Christopher.”

“Thank you, I’d hate to see this spread go to waste, I don’t want to be rude, but I’m starving.”

“Of course, please, take a seat,” Alpha Pelterson stated jovially.

Chris sat, only too aware of the guards standing behind him by the door still. He wanted to tell them to sit but knew they wouldn’t. He was struggling to focus on the conversation that he was being engaged in, struggling to think of the guard rotation to ensure they had enough time off… where were the guards to stay? He needed to figure it out… but someone was distracting him.

He had to admit, the Palterson’s were everything he loved about family. After some initial awkwardness, they seemed to treat him like any guest, which he was happy for.

’Mate’s here. Mate’s outside. Why is mate outside? Mate must be here. Need mate.’

He ignored the incessant monologue that was battering his mind. Silly wolf.

“Christopher, I hope you don’t mind but we haven’t planned the ball until tomorrow,” Alpha Pelterson announced.

“I felt it would be nice for the ball to still be within mating season, but tonight may…” Luna Pelterson faltered… almost realising what she was saying and who too.

“It is deemed the utmost fortune to find your mate within mating season. I appreciate your thoughts. Of course, it would be an honour to find my mate within your pack.” He smiled warmly, his stomach tugging uncomfortably.

“But do remember, if you don’t find your mate, it may be because she isn’t old enough yet.” He suspected there was a hopefulness regarding Holly.

He smiled, “Of course. I feel this tour is to see my kingdom as a full-grown. It’s nice to make sure everyone is happy and living well.”

“Of course, Your Highness. That is an excellent reason to tour.”

“The King wants a harmonious rule. I’ll do anything to support his wish.”

“The King is doing very well, he was most generous with this land.”

Chris nodded, finishing his meal, he’d eaten slower than normal, and not eaten as much as he wanted… his stomach was rolling which was not the most fun.

“Luca, please show Christopher to his room. We hope it’s to your liking. We have free rooms in our guardhouse. It won’t be the same as a family home, but the beds are comfortable.”

Well, that was one of his worries eased.

He followed the raven-haired Luca through the house up the mahogany stairs. He was every bit a future Alpha, an aura around him that demonstrated authority. “Mum spent the last four days cleaning the room as if it was previously a zoo.” Luca gave an awkward chuckle.

“I’m sure it will be perfect,” Chris reassured, unsure what to say, but he made a note to compliment the family on their home more than he possibly would have. Every inch sparkled and the same could be said for the room he was shown to be his for the next week.

The scent of natural cleaners and essential oils was a warm and friendly welcome. “It’s wonderful. Do you know if there are any commitments for the rest of the day?”

Luca looked a little taken aback, “Err. No. Obviously, they’ll be dinner around seven if that’s OK?”

“That’s wonderful. I shall see you then.”

Luca gave a small bow before leaving him in the neat room.

As soon as the door was shut, Chris sagged his posture, glad to be alone. ’I want to run.’

’After dinner.’ He needed to sort the rotation… and convince them he didn’t need guarding within the Alpha houses. There were no threats to the crown, not within their kingdom. He didn’t need two guards outside his bedroom door… he could hear them breathing.

He scrubbed a hand down his face, what would happen if anyone found out who his true mate was? He couldn’t even ask anyone without drawing suspicion. No… there’d just been some mistake, that wasn’t his true mate, his wolf was wrong, his senses were wrong.

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Thank you to -

Michelle

Amanda Pfister

Lucia Crumpton