Shackled to the Crown

Chapter 5

All of them dropped down into a bow or curtsy immediately.

He stood quite tall and intimidating.

Jemma couldn't help but see the family resemblance immediately.

The same golden eyes, the blonde hair but the King's was greying in parts, the high cheekbones. The resemblance was uncanny and Jemma immediately began to worry if Michael's disguise would be enough. The king was clearly older than Michael but from looking at him she would never have told he was his grandfather. He looked much too young. She mentally slapped herself when she remembered that werewolves aged a lot slower than humans. There were a few wrinkles just around his eyes and on his forehead that were a telling sign of age, but Jemma began to wonder how old he actually was.

"Deepest apologies, your highness," the Alpha apologised and backed away, but not without shooting one more venomous look at Tristan and the girls.

Jemma shot him a glare back before turning back to see the King eyeing them curiously.

"Very bold move," he commented as he looked over Tristan, "Bringing a vampire here."

"He is part of the pack," Jemma pointed out before remembering who she was talking to, "Your highness," she tagged on quickly as not to sound disrespectful.

The king raised her eyebrows in disbelief before his features calmed once again into the serene, regal and cold look, "Who is your Alpha?" he asked.

"Michael Ca-Collins, sir," Tiff answered, quickly righting herself before she gave it away.

"Where is he?" he glanced around.

"He's - uh -" Jemma wasn't sure what to do, she couldn't exactly lie to royalty but she didn't want to lead Michael's grandfather straight to him.

The choice was taken away though as the guys appeared again holding drinks.

They hadn't even noticed the King's presence as they handed out the drinks.

Tiff cleared her throat, gesturing with her eyes towards the king.

Michael's face paled as he locked eyes with his grandfather but amazingly managed to keep a calm expression.

The guys bowed respectfully.

"Alpha Collins?" the King addressed Michael directly and Jemma could practically see the lump in his throat.

Michael nodded.

"Come with me, son, I would like a word with you," the king gestured for him to follow.

Shit.

Shit, s**t, double s**t.

The whole pack stared at him in shock and fear, but Michael kept his cool (on the outside at least) and followed along.

Jemma tried to talk to him through their link but he had his walls up.

"What are we going to do!" Tiff whispered desperately once they were out if earshot.

"Do you think he knows?" Darren whispered anxiously.

There was even more panicked thoughts racing through the mind-link, but all Jemma could do was stare after her husband.

Hoping.

Praying, that the king didn't know.

"He doesn't know," Nick spoke reassuringly and confidently, "They are speaking about Tristan."

"How do you know?" she questioned.

"He just told me," Nick said.

She couldn't help but feel a little hurt that Michael would tell Nick before he told her, but the main thing was that Michael was safe. His grandfather didn't know it was him.

At least, for now.

Michael returned to them a short while later and Jemma wrapped her arms tightly around him in relief.

He was a little shocked at first but hugged her back and stroked her hair comfortingly.

"Everything is fine," he whispered to her before addressing the pack, "Tristan is allowed to stay for tonight, but we have to make ourselves scarce."

"Fine with me," Nick gave a humourless laugh, "I hate most of the people in here anyway."

"I say we leave early," Jemma suggested, "I've had quite enough of the ball already."

"We can't leave just yet," Michael dashed her hopes, "But once the speech from the King is over, then we will."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Tiff was a little crestfallen but knew it was for the best, after all she was the beta and the pack was the priority.

They stayed mainly to themselves and the other dickhead of an Alpha didn't bother them again, though Jemma did seem him pass by a couple of times.

The last pack was announced as arrived and the heavy doors swung shut up above, making them jump.

The room feel silent as the King made his way up on to the stage at the front of the room.

Just get through this speech then we can go home, Jemma told herself anxious for it all to be over.

The king started his speech, but Jemma couldn't really concentrate on anything he was saying. She heard parts about rogues and how they should band together against the threat, but other than that she was completely zoned out, her gaze kept popping over to the stairs and trying to figure out the fastest route out of there.

She applauded when everyone else did and as soon as the king stepped off of the stage she grabbed Michael's hand.

"Let's go," she whispered, tugging at him.

It was at that moment that the most delicious smells hit her nostrils, even more delicious than Michael's scent.

"They're bringing out food!" Lily cheered.

"Lily, wait -" but it was too late, Lily was already full steam ahead to be the front of the queue for the food.

Jemma was literally two seconds away from ordering her to return to them that instant before Nick said, "I'm sure a quick bite to eat wouldn't hurt."

Jemma looked to Michael, looking for some sort of answer.

He shrugged, "I haven't eaten all day."

Jemma pouted, she was anxious to leave but no one could ever pass up free food.

"Fine, one plate of food each, then we're leaving!" she said firmly.

The other pack members beamed and ran off towards the buffet table.

"I'll go get you something," Michael kissed her cheek softly before following the pack.

He could clearly see she didn't want to move any further into the room. She wanted to stay where she had a clear view of the stairs to the exit.

She stood alone, watching the pack grab their food from a distance. Even Tristan was in the line for the food, regardless of the heavy glares he was receiving.

Nick and Michael stood to each side of him, protecting him from anyone who felt like being less than gracious towards him.

She then looked at the sea of wolves before her.

They were all so... intimidating.

An odd thought seen as she was one of them, but they all seemed so sure of themselves whereas she didn't at all.

The hatred towards Tristan just drove her to despise their own kind a little more. There were no open minds within this room and it showed. Even the king, despite not actually saying much, seemed very disapproving just from the way he looked at them.

After tonight we can just go back to our own territory and be happy, Jemma assured herself. At least at home there was no judgment and they were a happy pack just going about their daily lives.

"Luna Collins," the voice made her jump and she swung around only to come face to face with the King yet again, "Are you enjoying the ball?" he asked, seemingly taking note of her jumpiness.

"Yeah - uh - yes, your highness," she curtseyed though it was forced, "I am very tired, though, so we will probably call it a night after my pack has eaten."

He tilted his head, seeming to assess her. His golden eyes burning into her soul, and they were not friendly. She self-consciously shuffled her feet under his leering gaze.

"That is a shame," he finally spoke, but there was no warmth in his tone anymore.

"I know," she feigned disappointment, "But I definitely need my bed soon."

He assessed her for a moment longer, she didn't know what he was hoping to achieve by doing so or what he was looking for, but it was freaking her the hell out.

She tried her best to stay as neutral and innocent as possible. It was hard work trying to keep her heart rate steady as his gaze bore down on her.

No wonder Michael ran from this guy.

She'd only spoken with him briefly, but he already seemed like an ass.

The long silences were the worst, like he knew she was hiding something and was waiting for her to break.

"I would like to speak with yourself and your Alpha before you leave, I will be waiting in the sitting area," he pointed to a large door on the left side of the room, "Make sure to pop in before you leave," and with a curt smile he walked away, leaving Jemma stood alone again with her heart racing.

What could he possibly want to see them about?

Did he know?

Had she made it obvious under that intimidating look?

The door was quite a ways from the stairs and was ruining her whole escape plan.

People were giving her strange looks as they passed by after seeing her have yet another brief encounter with the King.

She wasn't sure if it was jealousy, snobbery or just plain curiosity, but they were really interested in her now.

She could hear them whispering about her but she couldn't hear what exactly they were saying.

She was starting to feel really paranoid when a hand on her shoulder made her jump yet again.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Michael asked, while expertly manoeuvring the plate out of her way before she knocked it on the floor.

"We have to see the king before we leave," she told him straight and saw the same look of displeasure on his face at the news as the displeasure she felt inside.

"Why?" he asked, handing her the plate of food.

"He didn't say," she grimaced.

"It'll be fine," he said, but she wasn't sure if he was reassuring her or himself.

Michael really wasn't comfortable with any of this and it was putting her on edge.

Hell, it was probably putting the pack on edge feeling their Alpha's discomfort.

They were trying to hide it and stay strong and positive but deep down Jemma knew it would be affecting them.

She was hoping this meeting was something simple... well nothing would be simple, but she hoped he didn't realise who Michael was.

They could handle any other issue thrown at them, such as Tristan, but the last thing they wanted was for Michael to be found out.

The rest of the pack slowly filtered back over with their plates.

Jemma looked down at her, though her appetite seemed to have vanished. The food looked and smelled delicious, but she couldn't stomach any of it. Michael was just picking at his food and seemed to have lost his appetite also.

Lily, as usual, had a plate piled to the heavens and was eating it with big savouring bites.

The others were eating just fine but seemed a little reserved.

Jemma didn't even bother to try and pick at her food, instead she offered it to Lily who accepted with a gleeful nod and gestured for her to just pile it on top of her already heaping plate.

"You need to eat something," Michael said sternly but Jemma just shook her head.

"I can't right now," she admitted, staring off toward the dreaded door.

"What’s wrong, Jem?" Tiff asked around a mouth full of lettuce.

"Me and Michael have to see the King before we leave," Jemma was still staring at the door as if waiting for it to run up on her and swallow her up.

"What about?" Tiff stopped mid-bite at the news.

Jemma just shrugged.

"We will go now, while everyone is eating," Michael took her hand, handing his plate over to Nick, "Then we can leave as soon as we're done."

Jemma gripped his hand tightly and mind-linked him privately as not to alert the pack, 'I'm scared.'

'I'm here with you,' he rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand comfortingly, as they set off towards that dreaded door.