Chapter 1

"Do I really have to go to this thing? It's not like they'll even notice that I'm there." I said as Petra, my lady in waiting, helped me get ready.

"I'm not having this conversation with you again. We've already established why this whole meeting is important and why you NEED to be there. It's a show of unity and it's going to show that we are with them as they are going through this period." She said. I gasped as she tightened my corset even harder. Clearly, she was tired of my complaining.

"The same period that has been going on for the past 19 years?" I asked, lifting my eyebrow.

"People heal in different ways. We just have to be there for them as they go through it." She said. I winced as tightened the laces around my torso, securing the corset in place.

I understand where she's coming from but how could I not be this frustrated? For months, all anyone has talked about was the infamous Shamrock Pack coming to visit our kingdom after their alpha passed on. They used to come here all the time when he was alive but they stopped. At first, it made sense; they needed time to grieve. But two weeks became a month, a month became a year, and a year turned into 19. I was just a baby at the time but the friendship between my father, our king, and the former alpha has been spoken about for years. At one point I even wished that I had been born sooner so that I could have seen it all for myself.

"…And done!" Petra exclaimed.

Petra stepped away so she could admire her handiwork. Seeing as we can't see our reflections, our best bet is to trust our eyes and those of the people around us. I never questioned Petra's handiwork because she always makes me look good. And even if I didn't look good, Petra would rather eat her own heart than let me leave my room looking anything less than perfect.

"Thank you, Petra. I feel amazing." I grinned.

"You are amazing dear. Now go out there and wow that crowd." She smiled.

"I'm not wowing anyone," I said as I sprayed a bit of perfume on and slipped my heels on. "I'm only there to make daddy look good."

"Don't start." Petra sighed.

We'd been doing this back and forth for months now. The minute daddy dropped the news that mama and I would not speak to the pack unless spoken to (as per their request), I immediately started venting to Petra. Especially, when I realized that everyone else involved with this whole thing is quite ok with it. Just as long as the Shamrock pack can feel welcome. Even my mother, who would have normally not stood for such a thing said she was ok with doing it.

"Why Petra dear, when have I ever started anything? I smiled as I left my room.

I heard a burst of laughter come from her as I closed the door. She and I both knew how dumb that question was.

I made my way to the large banquet hall where we would all assemble to meet the pack. Daddy and mama were already there, inspecting the work done by the palace cleaners and the chefs. Since Daddy wasn't throwing a hissy fit, all looked well.

I cleared my throat to let my presence be known.

Mama turned to look at me first.

"DARLING!" She gasped. She made her way towards me and grabbed my hands. "You look stunning." She smiled. "You'll blow them all away."

"Give Petra a raise for me." I giggled. "This is all her."

"Oh most definitely. How did she get your hair to look so silky? You have braids in for crying out loud." She exclaimed.

"I couldn't even tell you." I laughed some more.

"Your highness, the pack has been spotted crossing the river. If they keep moving at the pace that they are, they will be arriving here in the next 20 minutes." One of the knights that watched over the castle says.

The air in the room finally changes as daddy rushes, even more, to make sure everything is perfect. Mama lets me go and goes back to helping daddy.

I go and take a seat on the throne while I wait for everything to settle down.

"WHERE THE HELL IS MILTON?!" Daddy's voice boomed.

"Right here, father. No need to get your briefs in a bunch." He says as he makes his way to his throne next to mine. I chuckle as I watch my father calm down from my brother's never-ending theatrics. As far as he was concerned, it's his world and we're all just living in it.

"You look great." He said. "Not as good as me but regardless of that."

I roll my eyes in response.

"Someone's overcompensating today," I say.

"Oh please. The only person-" his statement was interrupted by a loud crash from outside the banquet hall doors. Before we could get up and investigate the doors burst and the room flooded with werewolves.

The last werewolf was the biggest of them all. The alpha. The body of the doorman lay limp between his jaws.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Daddy growled.

The wolves had arranged themselves in such a way that we couldn't escape. We were trapped like mice.

The alpha transformed back to his human form to reveal a tall, muscular man with a thick, black beard, long hair, and tan skin. He had the confident air of a person who had just won the lottery and from the way he smirked, it felt like he did.

"That's no way to great an old friend Elijah." He said

"It is when you kill my doorman and corner my family." Daddy growled.

"Well, I thought the doorman was a welcome snack. My bad." He chuckled.

I growled instinctively. Every part of my body was on edge. I don't know what they had planned but I could tell it was bad.