The Pack Princess

Visitors

Mia woke up the next morning feeling stiff and sore. She was grateful that her mom had convinced her dad and Alex to hold off on training for the day, to allow those who were at Mated the chance to recover from the events from the night before.

They had done so reluctantly with only some arguments that the kingdom needed to be ready. Queen Amanda stuck to her mind though and as always, the king relented to her soft kind words.

Mia stretched out in her bed letting out a huge yawn. She was about to hop out of bed when her door flew open. “Good morning my liege” Caleb strode into her room happily and opened the curtains. Mia chuckled and lay back on her pillow.

“You’re lucky I was already awake, Caleb” she shook her finger at him.

Caleb just laughed as he looked out the window.

Just then, Mia’s mom Queen Amanda, poked her head in. “Good morning Princess” she greeted her daughter with a smile. She turned to Caleb “and good morning to you handsome”

Caleb laughed before performing a perfect low bow, gracefully falling to one knee. “Good morning your majesty” he said, taking her hand and kissing it. Her mom laughed at his silly behaviour.

“Ok ok that’s enough” Queen Amanda giggled. She loved Caleb and his antics. “Mia. I need you downstairs soon. The Alpha from the Harvest Moon Pack is still here with his Beta and Gamma. I was thinking it would be nice for you to take them on a tour of the kingdom after breakfast” Her mom said with a smile.

Mia couldn’t be certain but she was pretty sure she noticed Caleb stiffen at the mention of the visitors.

“Sure mom” Mia knew it was the least she could do. She really wanted a hot bath and a whole lot of binge watching Bachelor in Paradise but she knew a quick shower would have to do for now.

“Come with me Caleb” her mother linked arms with her best friend. “Let’s go grab a coffee and let Mia get ready”.

Caleb shot Mia a wink and left the room with her mother.

Mia had a quick shower. The hot water washed off the battle of the previous night. Mia couldn’t help but let her mind wander to Mike. She hoped that he had made it out safely and before things got crazy at the club. She didn’t have his number so it would have to wait til the next time she saw him at CrossFit. She definitely couldn’t get over the way she felt when he touched her and kissed her. The feelings of his hands on her. Inside her. It wasn’t the mate pull. But it was definitely lust. Aria had enjoyed it too. But she was a bit upset with Mia that Mia hadn’t shifted during the battle. She had really wanted to sink her teeth into some of those rogues. Mia assured her that next time for sure.

Mia quickly dried her hair and put on some light make up and a pink summer dress with spaghetti straps and a large floral print. She slid on some sandals and gave herself a once over in her floor length mirror, before heading down to the kitchen.

Upon her arrival, everyone was already there. Emily was seated next to the Beta, feeding him grapes. Caleb was typing away on his phone. Even Prince Noah was out of bed and was talking with Gamma Matt and Gamma Jared about a video game he was into. Mia noticed Alpha Zach, her father, and Alex were engrossed in a conversation that resembled strategy. They all looked up as Mia entered the kitchen.

“Good morning your royal highness” Alpha Zach and his men rose to greet her.

She giggled as they awkwardly bowed and then returned to her seats. “Thanks guys” she flashed them her sweetest smile. “But there’s really no need for the formalities. We appreciate your support last night and were honoured to fight alongside you”. She smiled as she took a spot at the counter and Zach handed her a hot cup of coffee. She took a sip and it was just what she needed. “Mmmmm” she closed her eyes with a slight moan.

The men gaped at her beauty. Caleb looked up from his phone and laughed his signature laugh. “good coffee Mi?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Mia found herself blushing. What was wrong with her? She practically made o****m sounds in the kitchen in front of her parents and the visitors.

“We need our mate”. Aria responded to her thought in her mind.

“Mike?” Mia asked her wolf. Aria sighed. It wasn’t often that her feelings were confused.

“I don’t think so. But I don’t know” Aria responded honestly.

“Maybe we just need to get laid minus the whole mate bond thing” Mia suggested, which caused Aria to howl in laughter.

The rest of breakfast was uneventful. Caleb shot Emily and Ben a few daggers and they laughed and talked about it their different packs. Alpha Zach sat close to Princess Mia. Their hands brushed each other a couple of times. While it was nice and warm, Mia didn’t feel sparks and was relieved by that. A mate right now would just complicate things more. And while Alpha Zach would make an excellent husband and King, she just wasn’t sure that he was meant to be her King.

“Would you like to see the grounds?” Mia asked their guests as some of the omegas hustled around them cleaning up from breakfast and the Queen helped.

“We would love that, right Men?” Alpha Zach addressed Ben and Jared. The faithful Beta and Gamma nodded in earnest agreement.

The men rose. Emily also offered to come which prompted Caleb to want to join as well. They all left the kitchen together.

They walked out the grand front doors into the kingdom. The mansion shaped a medieval castle was also what is known as the pack house, where the royal family lives along with the Alex and the King’s Gamma, Matt and his mate Melissa and their children. The castle was white brick and modernized. 3 stories tall With turrets that signified the bedrooms of the royal family all on the top floor. A balcony was off each of the large rooms. There were also guest rooms on the second floor which was also where the Beta and Gamma lived with their families. It was impressive home, with marble floors, a grand entryway and large winding carpeted staircases.

As they stepped out the front door, Mia took in a breath of fresh air. The group of young adults walked through the front gardens down the large circular driveway. Then they started down one of the gravel roads.

“Everyone lives in cottages throughout the kingdom” Mia explained as she gestured towards the hundred or so homes along the way. Vast neighbourhoods with stucco homes and large driveways with a sports car or 2 lined the road. Most yards had swimming pools. Small roads lead off towards neighbourhoods deeper into the valley. Past the homes was deep woods with large old trees. The forest looked perfect. Like something out of a children’s fairytale.

“Looks like everyone is doing pretty well here” Alpha Zach mused out loud.

“We take care of our people” Mia said with pride. “Everyone who lives here contributes and are compensated for fairly. We don’t believe in rich or poor. We are all equals” she said with a smile.

Beta Ben scoffed “I mean - you guys live in a castle that’s much larger than these homes” he mused.

Caleb let out a growl and even Emily looked angry. They were both very protective of the royal family.

Mia was un phased. “Absolutely we do. We share our home. We open it to visitors” she said pointedly. “We host a lot of events. And” she paused “we are royalty” she shrugged. “Life isn’t easy as a Princess. Others try to kill us. Others attack us. And we have to live in fear” she remained stoic. “So yes - our home is larger. But so is our family and our hearts”.

Alpha Zach glared at his Beta, who hung his head shamefully as he mumbled an apology. He knew that this wouldn’t help him in becoming the princesses chosen mate. He stared at her beauty as they walked down the road. She was breathtaking. Her dress hugged her curves and her sweet scent filled the air. Her long brown hair was moving lightly by the gentle breeze. And her skin was perfect. And light tan that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. She was a wonder.

As they reached the end of the road Mia pointed out the large training field where they practiced and trained. They reached a large building.

“What’s this?” Alpha Zach asked they stopped in front.

Mia smiled proudly. “Come in and I will show you” she gestured to the visitors.

They walked into the large building. It had a community centre feel to it. Mia smiled at the woman at the front desk “hello Lacey. I’m just giving my friends a tour - is it ok to come?”

Lacey stood and bowed for the Princess. “Of course Princess” she replied, eying the group and making eyes with Alpha Zach’s Beta, which didn’t seem to bother Emily, until his eyes met hers

“Mate!” Beta Ben exclaimed.

Lacey rushed around the counter. “Mate” she responded as she smiled at him. They stood in front of each other, staring at each other. Mia was happy for the sweet brunette that worked at the counter of the centre but she was also a bit hurt for Emily. She looked at Emily to see her reaction.

Emily’s jaw had fallen to the ground. She had literally been making out with this man less than an hour ago. She quickly gained composure. Her pink lips in a smile. “What are the chances?” She exclaimed a little too loudly. “Beta Ben, you are in great hands. Lacey is compassionate and caring. She’s such a kind woman. You’ll be happy together”. With that she turned and walked away.

The remainder of the group awkwardly stood there as the newly fated mates continued to stare and smile at one another. Caleb scurried after Emily who had already entered the building. Alpha Zach and Jared looked at Mia. “Well” Mia exclaimed. “How lovely is this!? Ben why don’t you remain here and chat with Lacey and I can show your Alpha and Jared around” she hesitated. “Unless you have someone that could cover you Lacey and you’d like to tour with us?” She asked immediately regretting it.

Lacey quickly gained her composure, breaking the stare of Beta Ben. “Actually I think Liz is free. Let me call her down”. In a quick moment Liz appeared.

“Is this your mate?” She squealed. Liz was a lot to take in. She was a feisty red head but Mia really liked her because she didn’t take crap from anyone and had a real bluntness.

Lacey blushed as Ben put his arm around her. He smiled down at Lacey. She fit perfectly in the crook of his arm. Mia thought they looked adorable but really wanted to get them moving along.

“Ok boys! Through the metal detector” she said with a smile.

The male wolves looked at her and watched her walk through the entryway. She walked through with ease and turned and smiled at them.

“Any weapons in the bin here please” Liz appeared with a large tote.

Sheepishly the men unloaded the pocket knives from their pockets and tossed in their car keys. They walked through.

“Knives boys? Really?” Mia asked with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.

“Never know when you’re going to run into rogues” Alpha Zach smiled at her.

Mia giggled. As they walked into the large room Alpha Zach and Jared gasped.

Rogues were everywhere. A few family’s with young children playing with some toys and enjoying a meal. Some rough looking single

rogues were drinking coffee. There were offices on the left with counsellors and along the right were 2 large medical rooms where 1 rogue was being seen by one of the pack doctors.

“What is this place?” Alpha Zach asked again.

Princess Mia smiled proudly. “It’s a rehabilitation drop in centre for rogues” she told him proudly. “The counsellors over there” she gestured to the offices “help them with housing needs. They talk with them about why they’re rogue and help them with their history”. She turned to face the men more seriously “most rogues aren’t bad. They’ve either left an unsafe pack, or lost their way, forbidden loves, etc. But they’re wolves. And for many they miss having a pack. An extension of family.” The men nodded in understanding. Mia continued “We give them the chance here. Some may stay, some may take some time. Some may be just seeking refuge for a short time. Upstairs we have showers and cots and separate rooms if a rogue or a family needs a safe place to stay for a but but aren’t sure that they want to stay here.” She gestured around the room. “It’s meant to be a safe space for all rogues”. She said with a smile. The men were still looking around, mesmerized. It was somewhat a rumour that the King and his Beta Alex had issues with the rogues, specifically after the death of Alex’s mate. Many of the rogues nodded at the group. Some bowed. A little girl about the age of 5 ran up to them

“Are you really a Princess?” The sassy little girl asked Mia.

Mia smiled “that’s what they call me” she told the girl with a wink.

“Woahhhhh” the little girls blue eyes widened. Her freckly nose scrunched up “but where’s your crown?” She asked indignantly, placing her hands on her hips. Her parents started to scurry over to stop her but Mia indicated that all was well and they slowed their pace, bowing cautiously.

“Well” Mia told her. “I don’t wear it allllll the time” she said with a wink.

“If we get a house here - can I see it sometime Princess?” The little girl asked excitedly.

Mia smiled at her and her parents, who were holding a baby in their arms. “Absolutely you can!” She told her. She excused herself from the men and took the girls hand, leading her back to her parents. She exchanged some words with the family. They gasped and the girl hugged Mia squealing with excitement. Mia appeared to be in a mind link with someone and a man in khakis hurried out of one the offices. He joined Mia with the family and gestured to them to come to one of the offices with him. The family was thanking Mia profusely. The woman looked close to tears.

Mia returned to her visitors. “And that’s how we house people” she said with a curtsy. “So long as there’s no serious crimes against them: which they’ve assured me there aren’t - they were just scared of their alpha, they will have a house here within the week”.

“So to get a place here, I just have to ask to see your tiara?” Alpha Zach asked her with a smile, standing close to Mia, as the group continued their tour.

Mia laughed. “It helps if you’re 5 and adorable like Winnie” she laughed with a wink. Flirting never hurt.

Alpha Zach was enchanted by Mia. He looked at her lustfully. Her heart was gold and she was going to make an incredible Queen and Luna one day. He wished again that he could be mated to her. How was she so perfect and still not mated? He wondered if she would take a chosen mate instead. The thought crossed his mind often and he fantasized about what it would be like to have her as his - to rule together.

“Shall we continue?” She asked. She showed them the upstairs bunk rooms and showers which were all occupied. Mia looked concerned. Wondering if they may need to make the space larger and made a note to talk to her mom. The whole centre was her mom’s doing. Many knew that the queen had done outreach work with rogues before, but very few knew that this was because she herself, an alpha and queen - had once lived rogue herself. They hadn’t encountered Emily and Caleb yet and Mia was a bit concerned. She shot Caleb a mind link “how is she” she asked him as her and the guests left the building. Caleb laughed via the mind link “she was pissed but you know her. Onto the next wolf. She’s wondering about the Alpha” He laughed in response but it felt a bit terse. Mia made a note in her mind to ask Caleb if he still had feelings for Em because that could make sh** complicated between them all again. “We are at the lake” Caleb added.

Mia smiled. She should’ve known a hot beautiful day like this her best friend would make her way to the beach.

“Are you boys ready to see the beach?” She asked the visitors.

They turned the bend in the road and saw the bluest water on the sandiest, most beautiful beach.

Caleb and Emily rushed over to them. Lacey was still with them seemingly unsure as what to do next. Mia took her aside “Lacey why don’t you take the week off and figure out what you’d like to do?” She asked the sweet brunette. “Spend some time with your mate. You’re amazing at what you do and we would hate to lose you - but your happiness is important to us” she said with a genuine smile.

Lacey nodded and was grateful the princess was so understanding and accepting.

They rejoined the group at the beach. There were many already lounging on the beach. Groups of teen wolves in human form hanging out and laughing, tanning and listening to music. A group was playing volleyball. “Should we show them how it’s done?” Mia asked teasingly.

“F*** ya!” Emily exclaimed as she took of her shirt and tossed it on the sand, exposing her large chest in a black lacy bra. The boys gaped for a second and Mia just shrugged before lifting off her dress to expose her perfect curves in matching pale pink lacy bra and underwear set and sliding off her sandals before running down to ask the young boys to play.

The young teens nodded in fierce agreement and the group of teen girls on the blanket near them tried not to look annoyed

“Come on boys!” Mia called waving them over.

Caleb laughed and ditched his shirt and jeans and hustled over in his boxers. “Watch out for Mia! She’s a pro” he warned the visitors who were still staring, jaws to the ground.

Alpha Zach and Jared joined them - stripping down to their underwear leaving Lacey and Ben to sit on the sand and talk.

Mia laughed as she hit the ball at Alpha Zach. He missed it still in shock at her beauty and how her skin appeared to glisten.

The group spent the morning playing volleyball with the youth. They laughed and played in the water. Alpha Zach reluctantly shared that they should go, as a potential war was coming. It was the last thing he wanted to do. He could stay here all day. But his pack needed him.

The group dressed and made their way back to the castle.

“You have our packs full allegiance” Alpha Zach told Princess Mia. “Please let the King know that our warriors are here and we devote ourselves to you and the kingdom” he added with a slight bow.

Mia threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “Thank you” she whispered. “It truly means a lot to us”. Zach blushed brightly red, wanting more but knowing it wasn’t the time. He turned to his men. Beta Ben was kissing Lacey goodbye and they were making plans to have her come visit. “Sounds like we will see you all again soon” she said with a smile.

The men drove off and Lacey returned to work.

“So… what are my chances with that Alpha?” Emily asked them. They laughed.

“I think he’s smitten with the Princess but you know she’s not into that whole tied down thing” Caleb joked.

“Ugh” Emily sighed. “F*** Harvest Moon Pack” she muttered. Mia and Caleb laughed and they walked into the castle together.