"Donovin! Long time! How are you?"
"Oh, I'm still growlin'. Don't mind Gavin here. He just took up the role of Alpha last full moon. He's still learning the ropes. What brings you here?"
Everyone is watching the pair in confusion. All asking the same question of how these two know each other.
"Well, it seems one of your warriors has been mated to my little beloved's best friend."
The elder alpha visibly sniffed the air. "Ah, I see she is human, and your beloved is as well, but-" he stepped closer sniffing again, "-she's a-"
"Yes," Stetson cut him off. "She is. Could we take this to your office?"
Donovin's eyes looked at me in wonder, "Yes, yes, this way, hurry, before anyone else catches her scent and recognizes it."
The group quickly made its way to a large room with a long table and many chairs.
"Please, take a seat. The room is soundproof, and no one should be able to smell her in here," he reassured. "Now, Heath, how did you end up here? With her above all else. Where did you even find her?"
"One question at a time, you old wolf."
Stetson spent the next couple of minutes explaining to the three wolves how he came to find me. That he disguised himself as a human, found me through our bond and my magical static. However, he didn't tell them I was the princess, but he did tell the alphas about the squabble Arthur and the guard had. To say they were not pleased would be an understatement.
"Arthur, how could you lower yourself to such a level? You know better than to participate in something like that," Donovin chided.
"I'm sorry, Alpha. I don't know what came over me. I just didn't want my mate to hear anything negative about us. Especially after just meeting her and finding out she was a human from Criba."
"I suppose that's a justified explanation," Donovin accepted, and turned to me. "So tell me, Miss Estelle, what can you do? How much have you been practicing?"
I stared at him for a second. Not sure how to answer. "Well, I only found out two days ago. I haven't had much time to try anything. A little telekinesis, but nothing else," I shared sheepishly.
"A little? Two days ago? Are you kidding? Even the strongest of witches couldn't do that until they've had their magic for years. Who was your mother?"
I share a questioning look at Stetson. Wondering if I could really trust this alpha, and he nodded his head.
"She was Lady Lana Violet," I answered, purposely leaving out that she was also Queen Lana Windsor. Stetson had to have left out my identity as the princess for a reason.
"You're a Violet witch! That explains everything! From why your scent is there but almost undetectable, to being able to do telekinesis already."
I nodded while he stared at me. Analyzing my features. I hope he didn't notice any resemblance to my father.
"Tell me," he started but paused as if pondering how he should form his next question. "Do you plan on creating more witches?"
His question caught me off guard. I honestly hadn't thought about it. I mean, I have the tool to do so, but would I ever actually use it? And I would like to have children someday in the distant future, but I don't feel like that's what he's asking me. No, he said 'creating.' If he meant my daughters, he would have used the word 'birthing.' This man wants to know if I plan on using my magic as a violet witch to create a coven.
"Well," I started, but paused. I wanted to choose my words carefully. Just because he and Stetson go way back, doesn't mean he won't try to kill me. "That depends. If you're asking if I'm going to go around all willy nilly to create as many witches as possible, then the answer is no. If you're asking if I plan to create my own secluded coven, then yes. Someday I would like to, but my standards for choosing who I will awaken magic in will be high."
He squinted his eyes at me for a moment, but eventually nodded and smiled. "That's what I was hoping to hear. Your mother would be proud."
"Wait. You knew my mother?" I asked in disbelief.
"Not personally, but her coven was the only one who most of the continent had no qualms with. It was a shame they were lumped in with the rest of the witches when the Elves and Fae lead The Great Hunt. We refused to participate for that very reason, but some of the other packs and clans didn't care. To them, a witch was a witch."
"Oh," I murmured, but let out a defeated sigh.
"Anyways," he switched topics, "yes, Arthur. You may travel with your mate. It's important for her to be with her friend. And as I can see now why Heath has such a large amount of guards with him, it's probably best if you stick with them to add a little extra help to protect the little witch."
"Yes, Alpha."
"Now, I would normally ask you to stay and have lunch and visit for a while, but I don't want Miss Estelle here to be discovered. So, I'm afraid we must cut this short so you can go about your way until you are safely in Vules," the elder alpha said.
"Yes, of course, thank you, Donovin. Maybe we will see each other again very soon," Stetson answered, and we all left.
Upon exiting the packhouse we could see the guards standing closely to their horses. There were werewolves scattered about, staring them down.
"Mind your own!" Arthur shouted, and they continued about their business. Leaving us to get into the carriage and finish making our way to Vules.
"Well that was tense," Dee said, breaking the silence after we were back on the mail road. She peaked out the window, and smiled at Arthur's wolf form. I could hear a playful bark in return.
"I couldn't agree more," I responded, and we continued to ride in silence.
About two hours passed before we saw the outskirts of the capital of Vules. Dee and I looked out the curtains to see the houses and streets. The streets were covered with large sheets hanging from building to building to provide shade. From what we used to read, vampires are no longer killed by the sun, just really badly sunburned from it.
"Where do you think he lives?" Dee asked giddily.
"I don't know, but my guess is some sort of mansion. For him to be able to dispose of guards on a whim just for starting a squabble, and to have connections with a head meister, his status has to be that of an earl or marquis."
"Oh, What if he's a duke!?!"
"Ha, yeah, I don't think so," I snorted. I thought about it a little, "Eh, actually, maybe. I don't know. Maybe that's why he refused to tell me until we got here."
***
-Stetson/Heath POV-
We were entering the capital, now. Headed towards the center, the castle. I could hear the girls in the carriage, speculating about my home and status at court. I couldn't wait to see their faces when they get out of the carriage at the castle.
About ten minutes later we stopped at the front of the castle. I hopped off of Nero, and opened the carriage door. The girls came out with puzzled looks on their faces.
"The castle? Do you live at court?" Dee asked.
"Yeah, you could say that," I responded with one of my classic sly grins.
At that moment, Rikard came speed walking out.
"Sire," he said with a bow, "your back! It's good to see you. I heard your quest was fruitful."
The girls had confusion written all over them. Throwing me questioning glaces, but I only returned them with a grin.
"Ah, yes, Rikard. I would like you to meet Estelle. The Princess of the kingdom of Criba, and the last witch in existence."
"Oh wonderful. It's lovely to meet you, my lady. I see the master has won your heart after all. It's truly wonderful. Do you perform the courting dance with her, master?"
"Yes, and it turns out, she's my true beloved."
His eyes shot open wide.
"Your true beloved? It can't be! Congratulations, sire. Now the kingdom can finally have some heirs!"
"Wait," Elle chimed in, "heirs for the kingdom? You don't live at court, you are the court. You're the king of Vules!?!"