The Queen Within

Chapter 7

Alandra

We woke up the next morning still in each other's arms. Jonathan and I spent the majority of the night talking about the rogue problem and what could be done. After I had made sure to thoroughly apologize of course. He was a little hesitant to have me in midst of things but he knew how important it was that I helped out. For now, my plan with checking out the training of Roy’s pack to implement in other packs was our first step.

I stretched eager to start my day. Today was the day we were going to discuss when we would actually be able to go to Roy's pack. When I tried to get up, Jonathan's grip around me got tighter as he buried his face into my neck. I giggled and tried to wiggle free. Jonathan grumbled and just kept a tight hold on me.

"Love! We have to get up for breakfast to talk to Roy."

Jonathan growled in my ear playfully and rolled us over so he was hovering over me.

"The first thing you say to me in the morning is another man's name?"

I giggled and he attacked me with kisses. After I surrendered and was graciously released, Jonathan and I showered and got dressed. Today was such a nice day outside that I decided to wear jean shorts and an orange flair tank top. Jonathan wore black joggers and a grey tank top since he was going to the training grounds today. He said he wanted to pop in and handpick some of our warriors to come with us.

We headed down to the kitchen area, my stomach growling as if Onyx moved residence. My little peanut must be hungry too. I hope they have pancakes.

The dining area was packed with our members and some stragglers from the party. We headed to a table in the corner and one of the omegas came up to us asking what we wanted. I was quick to order a stack of pancakes with scrambled cheesy eggs and bacon. The breakfasts of champions. Jonathan ordered a protein shake and some cereal. His usual order when he’s going to train. Mostly because he likes to have a big lunch after training.

I hummed happily, practically bouncing in my seat at the thought of pancakes. Fresh fluffy pancakes drowned in syrup and butter are the best.

“Is there good news or are you just hungry?”

I nearly jumped out of my skin from the surprise. I was so in my own head I hadn’t even realized someone was behind me. I turned, clutching my chest to see Roy. He was holding back laughter from my shocked expression. I furrowed my eyebrows at him, upset he almost gave me a heart attack.

“I’m sorry your highness, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Jonathan betrayed me and burst with laughter. “Sorry love, Roy has very quiet footsteps”

I grumbled but perked up when my food arrived. I thanked the omega and dug right in. Screw manners and being fancy. I am hungry. Jonathan invited Roy to sit with us and they chit-chatted away about today’s training routine. When Jonathan had mentioned going to the training grounds to handpick warriors, Roy was too eager to go.

“Your highness, will you be joining us?” Roy asked as he sipped on orange juice.

“Please, just call me Alandra. Highness is so formal. Just Alandra.” The whole highness thing was getting to me. Yes, I’m queen, but in such an informal setting, I didn’t see the point in him calling me that. Not even Charlie calls me highness or Luna all the time. I didn’t want everyone to feel like I think I’m above them.

“Sure. Alandra. Will you be joining us?”

I shook my head. “No, not today. I have some paperwork and errands to run today if we are going to be visiting your pack soon. By the way, how soon can we visit?” I asked as I shoved my last little bit of pancake in my mouth.

“I can push back my return to tomorrow and we could all go together if that is ok with you both?”

I looked at Jonathan and he nodded his head. “Yeah man, that sounds great.”

Nodding with excitement, I wondered if I should get another stack of pancakes. We talked a little more about plans and travel. After a yummy breakfast, (and another stack and a half of pancakes), Jonathan and Roy went off to the training grounds and I went up to my office to go through the paperwork I had been avoiding for some time.

My office was very simple. It wouldn't have been if Jonathan's mom had her way, but I needed a space that wasn't filled with mountains of luxury. I had a very simple black desk that was metal legs and a wooden tabletop. I paired it with a simple beige office chair, and brown love seats in the middle. There wasn't a theme or color scheme. I honestly just happened to find this furniture around the packhouse and since no one was using use it, I decided to.

Though my mother-in-law hates it and really wants me to order brand new furniture. The only thing I caved in buying was this really nice coffee maker. Only because it does regular coffee and expressos.

Other than that, my office was pretty normal. Well, there was the stack of papers on my desk that seemed never-ending. I sighed heavily and sat in my chair looking at the mountain. Might as well start climbing it.

The first paper I had to go over was a pack's request in expanding its territory. I didn't see any issues with it so I approved it. The second was about a merger between two packs. Seems reasonable. The next few hours went on like that. Request for territory, mergers, splits, new packs registrations, festivals, and celebrations. It seemed like aside from all of the rogue issues, there’s relative peace between the packs.

When I finally got it down to about an inch left in the pile, Charlie came barging into my office. Denise was right behind him and they both were panting heavily with large grins on their faces. I c****d an eyebrow at them and put the document about a pack transfer of power down.

"Alandra! You have to see this!" Charlie said still out of breath. Where did they come running from? He triumphantly placed an open letter down on my desk. So he was at the post office? He must've been at the one just outside the border where we get letters from the outside.

I picked it up looking at the address and saw that it came all the way from Kenya. Do we know anyone in Kenya? I shrugged and opened the letter. When I read it I was a bit confused.

'Dear Charlie, I'm surprised a mere shifter wolf was able to trace us. You have extensive knowledge of Lycan history and habits. You make a marvelous tracker. After speaking with our higher council, we do know of the Adair line and are devastated to hear of the news. We wish to meet this Alandra but we want to verify your information. We invite you to come to our lands so we make talk further about this. -Sarki'

"I don't get it. Who is this Sarki person?" I placed the letter back in the envelope and handed it to Charlie. He was practically jumping up and down and so was Denise.

"You are not going to believe this!" Charlie started but when he tried to explain it, he was rambling and tripping over his words. Something he only did when he was super excited about something. Denise steered him to the sofa and instructed him to do some breathing techniques.

"Charlie and I have been tracking all the known Lycan packs that ever existed. We sent letters to the ones we thought were it and this is the first letter to return to us!"

"Yes! There are others out there Alandra! Other Lycans!"

I sat there dumbfounded. I knew Charlie was looking but I didn't think he was this close to finding them. Last I knew his last expedition was a failure. All along he had other leads? There are Lycans out there? To be honest, I wasn't sure how I was feeling about all this. I was content but saddened with knowing that I and my cousins were the last ones.

Would they even accept us? Should we accept them? We know nothing of these other Lycans. Of these other packs or high council. Yes, I’m royalty here, but to them, to other Lycans, I’ll be just another wolf. Would they even care about me?

My mind was racing at a thousand miles per hour and I couldn't contain it all. The sides of my head were hurting and I rubbed my temples. I was feeling overwhelmed and I wasn't sure what to do or how to even go about all this. What did that matter now? Charlie worked really hard for this. I needed to focus on that.

"Alandra?" Denise came to my side and rubbed my back. The touch was familiar and comforting. Not as much as a touch from Jonathan, but still comforting.

"I'm fine Danny. You know, just pregnancy." It was a little fib. She gave me a small smile and went to the tiny fridge I kept in the corner and pulled out a water bottle bringing it to me. I took a few sips to keep up the lie, and the cold water did help some. They both looked at me with concern and I smiled at both of them.

"See I'm fine. More importantly, can we trust this letter Charlie?"

He nodded profusely, "Yes. Where I sent it to is hidden and guarded like no other. Please Alandra, let me go to this place and check it out. I'll make sure it's safe. I won't risk you or the baby or this pack."

I thought about it for a while and then nodded. I know how important this is to Charlie and everything he has sacrificed and done to get to this point. I wouldn't deny him this.

"Ok, Charlie. You have my blessing. I'll call Jonathan in so we can tell him."

Charlie nodded in agreement and I mind linked Jonathan to come to my office. After several minutes, he finally showed up with Roy in tow. When He saw Charlie and Denise he c****d an eyebrow at me but didn't miss a beat with coming to me and kissing my forehead. The sparks traveled down my body and the whirlwind that was my mind started to calm down.

"What's going on my love?" Jonathan asked as he wrapped an arm around me. Roy sat in one of the love seats and picked up one of the sprawling magazines I keep on the coffee table.

"Well, Charlie and Denise have some exciting news they want to share with you."

Jonathan's eyes went wide and a smile spread across his face. "You guys are having a baby too?!" He screamed it out with so much joy and I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. Charlie and Denise were shaking their heads almost violently.

"NO!" They both said in unison. Jonathan looked taken aback by their outburst and I just couldn't help but laugh. Of course, Jonathan would jump straight to that conclusion.

"Oh... Then what is it?"

After I was able to stop laughing, Charlie and Denise told Jonathan everything and showed him the letter. I told him my concerns but that ultimately, I gave them my blessing to go. Jonathan seemed to ponder this as he paced back and forth. He stared at the letter in his hands, turning it over again and again.

"Are you sure about this? Going here?" He said looking directly at Charlie. Charlie is his best friend and beta. I know he must be worried about how safe this could be. Charlie didn't hesitate to nod.

"I'm willing to risk my life for this. Please, Jonathan. I promise to be careful and to stay in contact when I can. But this... This could change everything."

Jonathan looked into Charlie's eyes and after a while, he sighed heavily and agreed. I could tell he was reluctant to agree, but he couldn't hold Charlie back any more than me. Charlie and Jonathan hugged each other and I hugged Denise. They would be leaving us for who knows how long this time. We weren't even sure it was safe.

Charlie and Denise decided to leave right away to get there as soon as they could. They promised to stay for dinner so we could announce it to everyone and then they would leave afterward. Whatever they find out there, I just hope it does change things for the better.