Chapter 168

Chapter 0168

“Not alcoholics,” he says, with a frown, “just your run–of–the–mill magical lycanthropes who know

how to party. Finish up everyone!” he calls, leading by example and draining his glass. “We’re

here!”

I can’t help the little squeak of excitement that makes its way out of my mouth as I grab Daphne’s

hand and pass glasses back along the line to Jesse, who neatly stacks them on top of the bar. And

then, one by one, we climb out of the limousine and onto the steps of the palace.

As soon as Rafe opens the door to the car, the shouts of the paparazzi start and lightbulbs begin to

flash.

Rafe goes first, followed by Jackson, and I eagerly follow after him, stepping close to my mate’s

side and watching as his mouth slowly falls open while takes in the palace and all the people

standing to our right, held off by red ropes, their cameras going mad. I glance once to the entrance

and grin, a thrill of joy passing through me when I see my parents standing. there, waiting to greet

us. But I turn my eyes back to Jackson, wanting to make sure he’s okay.

“You…you live here?” Jackson breathes, not even blinking as he takes in the expanse of the

Palace.

“What,” I say, frowning a little and looking where he’s looking. “is it like… big or something?”

Jackson turns his head to me, staring, shocked, and I burst out laughing, unable to help myself from

pressing closer to his side just for a moment, even though I don’t take his hand or wrap my arms

around him, like I want

1. to.

“I’m kidding!” I say, laughing up into his face. “Obviously, it’s a ridiculous house. But yes, we live

here and inside we actually just have a really small suite of rooms to ourselves. It’s well,” I shrug,

“it’s cozy, if you can

–

belleve it.”

“If you’re there, it’s cozy,” he murmurs passively before glancing back up at the palace before us,

apparently completely unaware of how dainn set what he just said was, I beam at him, thrilled,

before I feel my other mate come to my side.

And then I turn my attention to Luca, fucking my hands behind my back as I look up into his face,

beaming at him in turn, “You ready to meet my parents?”

“Well, your mom I’ve met,” he murmurs consideringly as he looks up the steps towards my parents

as Ben, Jesse, and Daphne climb out of the car, ” Your dad…does he know who I am to you?”

“He’s supposed to,” I say, giving a little shrug, “Mom said she’d tell him, so that…well, so that we

didn’t have a scene like we did last night.”

“Well then, Princess,” Luca says, surprising me by taking my arm in his own and starting forward

after Rafe, leading me up the stairs like he’s my escort. Instantly I walk with him, not having enough

time to take a moment to think about what it means or what the press will make of it – if I walk up

these stairs on Luca Grant’s arm. Because it’s already done, isn’t it?

So instead of worrying about it I just smile at Luca and walk at his side. Because perhaps he’s right

– what, really, is wrong with walking into the Palace on the arm of my mate?

Luca and I smile at each other and then turn our faces forward, towards my parents as the seven of

us troop up the steps to the palace where the King and the Queen of Moon Valley wait – the Queen

with a wonderful smile, the King’s expression grim as he moves his eyes slowly between my two

mates.