The Queen Within

Chapter 9

**Hello everyone! I know it has been a long time and for that, I am so sorry. Life just kept bombarding me with one thing after another and writer's block does not help. Things are finally cooled down, and I can focus once again. I truly hope you enjoy this chapter.**

Alandra

I had to blink a few times when we stepped off the tiny jet onto the Eclipse pack. We had been traveling for two days by car at first then by plane. Roy and Jonathan have been enjoying the trip. As for me, I've been hating it. I seriously wonder why they call it morning sickness when it's literally all day.

Looking around the Eclipse pack, I was a little taken aback. it looked more like a military encampment than a pack. There were big square buildings that all looked identical. The only difference was the numbers on the buildings. The buildings were a grayish-green color that almost matched the surrounding greenery around them. The forest surrounding the encampment was lush and untouched. It could be considered beautiful I guess.

Jonathan reached his hand out to me and I took it gladly. He smiled at me and kissed my hand. The sparks ran up my arm, never failing to take my breath away. Roy seemed to have changed clothes while we were on the jet and I didn't even notice. He was wearing sweats and a white t-shirt when we boarded. now he was wearing black tactical pants and a tight black shirt with black combat boots. He looked more serious now than I have seen him since I met him. He always seemed so laid back and chill. Now, he looked like a drill Sargent.

A hoard of people ran up to us and each one of them got in line in front of Roy, their legs together and hands behind their backs. They all looked straight ahead with their heads held high. Each one of them had the same stone expression as Roy.

"Welcome back Alpha!" They all practically screamed in unison. Roy walked down the line slowly. Inspecting each person as he passed them. Jonathan and I stood by watching as he conducted his inspection. Once he went to the end of the line, he made his way back to the starting point.

"At ease warriors! We have special guests staying with us. Allow me to introduce Alpha Jonathan of River Moon pack, and our Queen, Alandra.” Roy said and bowed slightly at the end. the line of people quickly knelt down and bowed their heads.

“We welcome you Queen Alandra!” There goes that unison again. My face felt hot and I felt so embarrassed. I did not want anyone bowing or kneeling to me. I didn’t feel like I earned it. I’m just Queen in title alone, not deed.

“Please, stand, you don’t have to kneel. And Alandra is just fine. None of this Queen business.”

They all stood up and one of the beefy guys with a scar across his face took a step forward. “If it’s ok with you, we pride ourselves in our formality and respect. We would all feel more at ease to refer to you as Queen. If you truly oppose, we will make the necessary changes.”

Crap. When he put it like that, there was no way I could refuse. I sighed heavily and Jonathan nudged me smiling. “Well, your highness?” He said practically holding back laughter. I was so going to get him back for this.

“Ok. I’ll allow it if it keeps you at ease.”

The guy smiled widely and nodded stepping back into place. Roy barked out a few orders and some of the people went to the jet to grab the bags while the others disused in separate directions. Jonathan and I followed Roy down the rows of square buildings as he talked to us more about his pack.

Apparently, about five or six generations ago, the pack switched to military tactics to be better fighters. They use to live near a vampire coven that constantly attacked them. After they switched how they ran their pack, they were able to eradicate the coven, and now live in peace. Roy said they keep up the rigorous training because they never want to be that vulnerable again.

Everyone trains no matter what actual job they have in the pack. Everyone lives the same way with simple quarters, everyone gets paid the same percentage depending on their bracket. Roy said that even he took the pay as his people. He also said the ones that earn the most are the ones with families. To them, families were the lifeblood of the pack, and children needed to be well taken care of.

I have to admit, I admired this. To put families first and make sure the children are ok? It makes the most sense. Roy told us he stays in the building with the one on it, which was at the center of the pack grounds. It's also considered the packhouse where single members and any orphans stay.

"The kids love running wild, so may want to watch your step when we enter. There's always a booby trap or two of some kind of toys."

He said as he opened the door. Immediately, a bunch of kids came running to him, squealing and yelling his name. This little girl with curly black hair that went every which way was the quickest out of all of them and even used a nearby boy to bounce off to jump into Roy's arms. He caught her instantly and held her tightly as the rest of the kids gathered around him for a group hug. It was like watching a lone Santa in a mall full of unsupervised kids.

"Welcome back Alpha Roy Roy!" The kids said. Roy smiled and put the little girl down saluting the kids.

"At ease warriors. You did an amazing job protecting the pack. I am so proud of each and every one of you."

The kids giggled and smiled, copying his salute. They all started talking over one another and Roy had to quiet them down.

"Before I get to the gifts, there are people I want to introduce you to." He said as he made his way to us. "This is my good friend Alpha Jonathan of River Moon pack. And this is his Luna, and our Queen, Alandra."

"A QUEEN?!" They all screamed. They all started to stampede toward me but Roy stood in front of me raising his hands. "Hold on everyone, the Queen is with child, you have to be gentle with her. Do we all understand?"

"Yes, Alpha Roy Roy." They all said in unison. What is with everyone doing that here?

When Roy was satisfied that they wouldn’t run me over, he stepped to the side but stayed close on my other side as Jonathan stayed on my other. The kids each wanted to shake my hand and asked me questions like if I lived in a castle, or where was my crown. It was honestly so heartwarming being surrounded by them and listening to them talk about their days and the things they do around the pack.

After a while, Roy told the kids that we needed to discuss important pack matters and that we would see them tonight during the party. I raised my eyebrow at the party bit, but he pretended to not notice. The little girl with the wild curls gave me a hug and said she hoped I would sit next to her. I nodded promising to. She giggled and ran off with the other kids.

Roy gestured for us to follow him and we did as he led us to his office. It was very simple with grey paint and a black office desk and chair. There were two seats facing the desk as well as a small sofa in the corner. Roy sat in his office chair while Jonathan and I took the other seats. A few moments later, a pack member (which I assumed was an omega) came in and handed all of us some water, and placed a small tray of sweets on the desk. She bowed to Roy first, then me, and walked out.

My mouth watered at what looked like a tiny devil's food cake. I swiped it, practically devouring the tiny cake. I was so hungry this was not going to be enough. Roy's serious face completely melted away and he laughed as I ate one tiny cake after another.

"Shall I order you some food?"

I shook my head and blushed as I cleared my throat. Jonathan smiled and scooted a scone over. "Eat my love. You and our pup need the fuel."

I smiled at him and nodded, taking the scone. Roy smiled at us. He did that a lot. Just watching Jonathan and I's interactions and smiling as he did. It was odd at first, but now I guess I'm used to it now.

"So, let's talk about the upcoming days. I would love for you guys to look at all the training grounds and the regimen we use."

Jonathan nodded. "Yes, that would be perfect. We are thinking of using your packs regimen as a base for all the other packs. We need to prepare for whatever comes our way."

They both talked back and forth about training techniques that I honestly had no idea about. I wasn't even sure the terminology they were using. I mostly just tuned them out and fought the weight of my eyelids. Now that I had a full tummy, I was ready for a nap. The sofa in the corner seemed a little small, but maybe it will do.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door and a tall slender woman came in. She wore the same tactical outfit everyone did. She had charcoal skin and thin long locs that flowed down her back with beads attached to them in random places. Their shape reminds me of snakes. Her body was lean and looked every bit deadly as she did drop-dead gorgeous. Her eyes were a deep brown and she had this look to them like she was on a hunt. Her lips were like a plumped heart. Who was this intriguing person?

"You called Alpha?" She said in the most sultry voice I had ever heard. This woman was a force and I couldn't keep my eyes off her. I know I am happily taken and with child and would never do anything to jeopardize that. But looking can't hurt right? Especially when Jonathan couldn't seem to take his eyes off her either.

"Great timing. Come closer." Roy said as he stood up and made his way around his desk to stand beside her.

"Jonathan, Alandra, this is the warrior I was telling you about. Ebonie Valora. She is our top-ranked female warrior. Better than most of the men warriors we have as well. Ebonie, this is Alpha Jonathan of River Moon, and our Queen, Alandra."

Ebonie bowed gracefully and like an i***t, I stood up and bowed too. My face was beet red when I realized what I did. Jonathan was in hysterics. I shot him a grimace but he just laughed harder. Roy joined him and Ebonie was kind enough to just smile. I swear I'm going to get these boys back.

After the laughter died down, Roy invited Ebonie to sit with us but she asked to stand remaining standing. Roy allowed it and went back to his seat.

“Ebonie, you are one of my greatest warriors. For this, I give you a task that I can only trust with you.”

“I’ll do anything for you Alpha.”

“Not for me. For our Queen.” Roy said gesturing to me. Ebonie c****d an eyebrow. “Our Queen is with child and she requires a bodyguard but refuses one. She has agreed though, to try one out before completely refusing our offer. You are to be the Queen's bodyguard. To keep her safe at all cost.”

Ebonie’s eyes went wide and she knelt down, bowing her head. “I am not worthy of such a task Alpha.”

“Nonsense! You are one of the best. I trust you with this Ebonie. Keep our Queen safe.”

“I won't let you down Alpha!”

Roy smiled at her and she stood up, her face as stoic as ever, but you could see the twinkle in her eyes. She turned and bowed to me, her locs cascading over her shoulders.

"It will be my privilege and honor to protect you, your highness."

This is going to be interesting.