Chapter Four
1068 Words
King Nathan
For the last week, as I walked through the castle, I felt like I was being watched. I've lived here my entire life and have never had this creeping feeling. The hairs on the back of my neck would stand at attention and goosebumps would cover my body. It makes me wish I had a wolf or a dragon. Or maybe I should look into getting a cat.
But now it was time to head over to the hybrid kingdom for Ashlyn’s coronation and the handover of the wolf and dragon kingdoms. It's been a busy week and Sage has been particularly more overbearing than usual. She was convinced I needed a date for this thing but it would be awkward if I found my mate while another woman was hanging off of me. I know she just wants me to be as happy as she is with Brandon and I am happy. I may not have found her yet, but that doesn't mean I'm not happy with what I have.
There was a quick knock on my bedroom door before Zayden came strolling in. I could have been naked and he still would have sat on the bed and waited for me. I swear he was supposed to be a shifter. And I've seen him naked more times than I would like to admit.
"You ready?" He asked as I fixed my bow tie. This was a very formal event after all. Even though I felt like a goof. I may be a king, but this was too much even for me.
"Ready as can be," I told him.
"New haircut?" he smirked. I chuckled. I was sporting a new cut. Faded on the sides and a little longer on top. I think I look pretty good with my dark blonde hair and light green eyes. Unlike my twin who has bright blonde hair and blue eyes.
"Come on, Mr. Hotstuff, all the single women await," he exclaimed, gripping my shoulder. I chuckled, shaking my head. He was almost as bad as Sage.
I opened a portal to the courtyard of the old council building. It is now the Hybrid Kingdom. The castle is still under the protection spell Ashlyn had placed. It makes it the safest place for her and her family. They have the event set up to where we will be inside the protection spell and civilians will be placed outside the spell. Ashlyn wanted everyone to be able to attend while keeping her family safe. Not that she needed the spell, Freya, the ice dragon would freeze anyone who thought about hurting them. She was a scary dragon.
Zayden and I walked through the portal into chaos. There were staff running around everywhere. I didn't see my sisters, but I did see their mates. They were standing away from the crowds with the kids.
"Uncle Nathan," Gabby exclaimed, her face lighting up when she noticed us walking towards them. She was in a pretty light pink dress with her light blonde hair done in curls. She looked so much like Sage when she was that age.
"Gabby bear, how are you doing, sweetie?" I kneeled as she rushed over and wrapped her arms around my neck.
"You look beautiful," I told her when she pulled away. I kissed her forehead. She giggled as I stood up. She was spinning her dress around.
"Thank you," she giggled.
"Pretty princess," Zayden sang out as he spun her around.
"Where are the girls?" I asked as James jumped from Mason's arms and into mine. Derek was holding Donavon or baby Donny. Brandon was holding Demetrius, who was only a few weeks old.
"Easy, buddy," Mason told him, but James was a wild child. I don't know how my sister does it. I'm exhausted from spending the afternoon with the kids.
"The girls should be ready soon," Derek answered me.
"Or Ashlyn is going to kill Sage." Brandon shrugged. On cue, my two lovely sisters stormed out of the castle doors.
"Sage, stop. I look fine and I just want to see my babies," Ashlyn huffed.
"Mommy," Gabby screamed, running over to her. James was also fighting to get away from me. I put him down and he waddled as quickly as he could to his mom.
"My beautiful babies," Ashlyn kneeled and wrapped two of her kids in her arms.
My sisters looked beautiful. Ashlyn was wearing a white dress with gold lace. It was fit and full-length. She looked like a true queen. Sage was wearing a navy blue satin, full-length dress.
Ashlyn stood back up with James on her hip and Gabby holding her hand. Sage took that moment to play with her hair. She just rolled her eyes before walking over to us with Sage at her heels.
"Brandon control you mate," Ashlyn grumbled.
"I got the baby, she's your problem," Brandon snorted. Sage glared at her mate.
"I mean that most lovingly," he defended. All of us were trying not to snicker. I knew he was going to pay for that later.
"You both look hot, now let's get this party started," Zayden exclaimed and all three shifters growled.
"Me too?" Gabby chimed in.
"You are the prettiest. Now, come with me, my lady," Zayden held out his hand to Gabby as she giggled at the attention. She took his hand and they both skipped off in the direction of the stage.
"Well, my date left me," I shrugged.
"That's okay, I have a lineup for you," Sage said, nonchalantly, and I hung my head, before sighing.
"Are you trying to kill me?" I asked, looking up at her.
"Better you than me," Ashlyn teased, with a chuckle.
"Hey, if you didn't have these two, I would have found you the perfect man," Sage retorted, pointing at Mason and Derek.
"It probably would have been those two."
"At least one of them," Sage chuckled, wrapping an arm around Ashlyn's shoulders. They both looked at each other before they burst into laughter. James started laughing with them, even though he had no idea why he was laughing.
"Stop, you'll ruin your make-up," Sage scolded, which only made Ashlyn laugh harder.
"I'm so glad I wasn't raised in a castle," She told Sage. I pushed between them, wrapping an arm around both of them.
"Then let's get this over with, shall we?"
- Writer
