Chapter 59

Cheyenne's POV

I was sitting in Alpha Nik's office with Alpha Brock sitting next to me. I knew it was killing Gunner not to be here but that was Nik's call not mine. We had talked about my mother's punishment first and I told them about the command I put on her. Would it work or not, I didn't know how long it would work for but it was worth a try. Alpha Brock agreed to let her come back on the condition that my dad wanted her back. If he rejected her, then we would deal with that if or when that time comes.

"What about Ella and Emma?" Alpha Nik asked.

"They are both being charged with trespassing onto your territory correct?" Alpha Brock asked.

"That is correct." Nik confirmed.

"And you say that their sole purpose here was to kill Gunner knowing that it might in fact kill you?" Brock asked looking at me.

"Also correct." I stated.

"Well I say we have two separate trails then. First one would take place here since the crime was committed here. Then after we have them taken back to Wolf Claw were they will go through trail again. We can charge them with betrayal to the pack, because had they succeeded in their attempt, it could have started a war between our two packs. And after what we've all just been through, I don't think neither of us would've wanted that." Brock said folding his hands in his lap.

"No argument there. So trails first and then punishment to be carried out here first and then in Wolf Claw?" Nik asked.

"Sounds good to me. Cheyenne is that good for you?" Brock asked turning back towards me.

"Yeah. Although I would like to ask that Emma not be charged the same on the attempted murder as Ella is. It was all Ella's idea to begin with and she can be very persuasive. I know Emma wouldn't have done this on her own, regardless her feelings for me, if Ella wasn't in her ear." I said.

"It's your call your highness." Brock said with a smirk.

"I'd really hate to have an alpha as my first victim." I smirked back.

We all laughed knowing that Brock was only playing around and I was being my usual smartass self. After that I excused myself to go find Gunner and then go grab some dinner. I really hadn't eaten all day besides what Jax had brought up earlier. Damn a lot has happened today.

After eating dinner, Gunner picked me up and carried me back to our room. He kicked the door shut, laid me on the bed, and then walked back over to lock the door.

"Looks like you could use a nice relaxing bath." Gunner said climbing on top of me.

"That does sound nice actually." I said smiling.

"Anything for my baby. Be right back." He said as he got off the bed and went to start the bath water.

I got up and started taking my clothes off. I was just about to turn around when Gunner snuck up behind me and lifted me up bridal style causing me to yelp from the surprise. He carried me to the bathroom and slowly lowered me into the bathtub. There was steam coming off the top of it and I could smell the lavender oils he had used in the water.

"Lavender?" I asked.

"I heard it helps relax a person after a stressful day." He smirked.

I didn't say anything else, just slowly sank down into the water while Gunner went to grab a washcloth and hairbrush. When he returned, he let my hair down and started softly brushing it out over the tub's edge. No words were spoken, none were needed at the time. I rested my head on the back of the tub and tried not to fall asleep.

After he was done brushing my hair he clipped it up, grabbed the washcloth and dipped in the tub. He started washing and massaging my shoulders at the same time. I couldn't help but let my head fall forward. Next thing I knew he was placing soft kisses along the top of my shoulder, slowly moving across the back of my neck to the other shoulder, sending shivers down my spine.

"You don't stop that, and we won't make it to dinner." I teased.

"Is that such a bad thing?" He asked sarcastically.

"Oh looks who's being the smartass now?" I laughed while flicking some bubbles at him.

This started a bubble fight, which lead to a splash war, and eventually he was in the tub on top of me with all his clothes still on. We were staring into each other eyes and I was running my hands up and down his back softly when he placed his hand on the side of face and ran his thumb over my cheek.

"Never leave me again." He said quietly.

"I don't ever plan on it, as long as you don't ever scare me like you did again." I replied.

"I don't ever plan on it." He smirked, lowering his face towards mine and placing a light kiss on my lips. Just then there was a knock at the door.

"Holy sweet mother of baby Zeus! What in the actual FUCK!?" I groaned while letting my arms just fall into the water.

"Who is it?" Gunner hollered out.

"It is I, Ben, you're noble and loyal warrior." Ben's voice came from the other side of the door.

"Ben I swear on everything holy, I'm gunna…" I was cut off by Gunner's lips slamming against mine.

"Give a minute man." Gunner hollered back.

"Yes you're royal highness." Ben said and I immediately glared at Gunner who started laughing.

"You can kick his ass later. But first we need to uhh, well dry off I guess. Then get clean, and dry, clothes on." Gunner chuckled pulling the plug in the tub, standing up and then offering his hand to help me up.

He reached over and grabbed a couple towels off the hangers and started to step out before I grabbed his arm to stop him.

"Take your wet clothes off in the tub so you're not tracking water everywhere." I said.

"There's already water everywhere babe." He said smiling and kissing my cheek.

I rolled my eyes and wrapped the towel around me and then looked around. He was right, there was water everywhere. Gunner had already made it to the closet to get a change of clothes while I was putting down extra towels to soak up the water before it ruined anything. After I was done, I went to get a fresh set of clothes myself. With nothing else planned for the day, I decided to go comfy, and just put on a pair of three-quarter length sweats, sports bra, and a cut off t-shirt with a pair of tennis shoes.

I don't know how but I made it to the door before Gunner did. I could tell Ben was leaning against it, so I shot an evil smirk to Gunner and then unlocked it and twisted the nob as fast as I could. The door came flying open, causing me to jump back as Ben's body came with it. He stumbled a few steps trying to catch himself before gravity won and he hugged the floor.

Gunner and I started laughing and that's when I heard another female's laughter come from the hallway. I stepped over Ben's body still on the floor and looked out and Chelsea was using the wall to hold her up from laughing so hard which caused me to start laughing again. I told her to come on in also and we all made our way back into my bedroom.

"What are you doing here?" Gunner asked.

"Chels was the one who actually wanted to talk to you." Ben said pointing towards me.

"What's up?" I asked turning towards her.

"I heard that you commanded your mother to never tell a lie as long as she lives. Is that true?" She asked.

"Yes it is." I nodded. "How long it will hold is the unknown at this point."

"I was thinking, and please tell me if I am overstepping my boundaries here, but the time I spent with my grandmother, she taught me more about witchcraft. I am doing a lot better with it." She said with sparkling eyes.

"You got my attention. Continue." I said.

"Well I can make a truth potion that she can drink but it would have to be an everyday thing. How you are going to make sure she takes it would be up to you of course. But this way, if you're command doesn't hold for some reason, you have a plan B." She said.

I looked up at Gunner who was looking back at me and just shrugged his shoulders. "It's your choice babe."

"How much and how long does it take to make?" I asked.

"If I get started now, I can have a few days' worth ready by Monday." She said.

"Go ahead Chels. Even if we don't have to use it on her, it might come in handy at some point." I offered her a reassuring smile.

"We do have your sisters' trails coming up." Gunner reminded me.

"Good point. Chels if I can get at least 2 doses by the time their first trial is supposed to start?" I asked. I didn't know her limits so I didn't want to push her to hard.

"That shouldn't be a problem." She smiled.

"Just don't overdo yourself ok?" I replied.

"I can do two batches at once if I had a big enough room for it." She said looking at Ben.

Ben, Gunner, and I were all looking between each other all trying to think of a space large enough to fit her needs and give her privacy.

"What about the attic space? It's not being used for anything and nobody ever goes up there?" Gunner pointed out.

"That right!" Ben snapped his fingers and pointed at Gunner. "I'll take her up there and see if it'll work and I'll let you guys know. Also, one last thing. Cheyenne, when are you going to be able to mindlink us. I see you guys completed the mating process and everything but wasn't sure how it worked with you being royalty and all." Ben asked.

"Technically, I still haven't been accepted into this pack. Gunner and I can mindlink and I can also mind link with Jax." Ben started to say something but I cut him off, "It's a long story and painful one. But as far as the rest of the pack, I have to talk to the other alphas and the lycan leaders." I said.

"Oh, that makes sense. Ok then we're going to go check out the attic then. See you guys at dinner in a few?" Ben asked.

"Yeah we'll be down there." Gunner said. Ben and Chelsea walked back out and closed the door behind them. Gunner wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me close while I ran my hands up his arms. "How about a run?" He asked.

"Sure. As long as you can keep up." I teased.

We headed down towards the back yard, people still gaping at us and I couldn't help but smile. We walked out the back door and kids were running everywhere and playing. It was so cute.

"You ever think about kids?" Gunner asked.

"Yeah, but not now. There's just to much to figure out at the moment. I'm afraid that the stress would be to much." I said looking up at him for a reaction.

"Good. Least we're on the same page. Plus you still have to finish school." He got a big cheesy grin on his face while I was completely lost for words.

"Wh…wha…what do you mean finish school? I've missed so much already." I rambled off.

"Babe. Calm down. I went ahead and withdrew you so it didn't hurt any official transcripts. You did not go long enough for it to matter. So they more or less just wiped your slate clean. So now you can either go back there or go somewhere else if you choose. I would suggest online course though." He smirked.

"You really did that for me?" I asked in shock.

"Why wouldn't I? You're my mate." He said.

"I know and I love you, but when you did that, you had no idea who I was. What if either of us would've rejected each other?" I asked.

"Well that didn't happen and I don't want to hear that word again. Creeps me out." Gunner said while acting like he was shaking bugs off his entire body.

"Deal." I chuckled.

We continued walking to the woods and when we were in deep enough we stripped down and hid our clothes under some brush. We shifted at the same time and I was shocked to see the transformation of Maddox. We used to be bigger than him, but now we were the same size. Maddox's coat was so black it look like there were hues of blue, or purple? Both maybe? His eyes glowing just like Koa's did but his were still yellow. They looked like little suns placed in the night sky.

Maddox and Koa started playing with each other, tackling, and rolling around in the woods before Koa stood up and smirked at him. She dug her back paws into the dirt and then launched herself over him and took off. We heard Maddox howl and then the sound of his paws hitting the ground followed soon after.

Maddox soon caught up with us. Him and Koa ran side by side dodging trees and jumping over limbs. They finally stopped when they came to the river, walking up and both lapping up some water. They ended up going for a swim and playing around some more before deciding to head back.

Once we were back, we shift and Gunner and I got dressed. He draped his arm over my shoulders while I hung mine behind him around his waist. We were walking back towards the pack house when a ball came flying our way. My reflexes and instincts kicked in and I immediately snatched it out of the air. A bunch of kids had come running up to us smiling asking us to play.

"How about I talk to the Alpha about setting up a kickball tournament?" I knelt down to the kids' level. All their eyes lit up and they jumped up and down screaming yes! "Ok ok ok! Calm down! I will talk to the Alpha on one condition." I started and I could the confusion on their faces.

"A condition is like a promise. Can you all promise me something?" I asked.

"Yes!" They all shouted.

"I will talk to the Alpha, if you all hurry inside, wash up for dinner, and then eat all your dinner tonight. Can you do that?" I asked with a smile.

"Yes we can do that!"

I handed the ball back to a little blonde headed girl who jumped up and wrapped her arms around my neck and squeeze. I hugged her back and booped her on the nose when she backed away before she took off following the others.

"That was amazing babe. You have a thing for kids." Gunner grinned.

"Have you met my family?" I laughed.

We finally made into the dining room where Ben and Chelsea were already waiting for us. Ben waved us down and we went to sit with them. I asked Ben to switch us sides because I wanted to be able to see the door to see if those kids would actually do what I asked.

We were about halfway through our dinner when I saw the first child enter with his parents. I could tell he was looking all around for me so I waved him down and he came rushing over with his parents not far behind him.

"We're sorry ma'am. He insisted on seeing you." His mother spoke.

"It's quite alright. It's part of our deal isn't it?" I asked with a smile looking at the little boy. He was adorable. He had those little chunky cheeks, button nose, and hazel eyes that had that innocent child sparkle to them.

The boy just nodded and then shot a big smile to his parents, "See I told you!"

"Hey hey now. Is that how we're supposed to talk to our parents little one?" I asked.

"No ma'am. I'm sorry mommy and daddy." The little boy said hanging his head.

I put my finger under his chin and pulled his head softly to look back at me, "First time it's a mistake and can be forgiven but do it again and it then becomes a choice which, in most cases, can't be forgiven. Remember that ok?" I smiled at him.

His smile returned to his face and he nodded his head. "Ok looks like you washed up very good. Go eat your dinner darlin." I gently pushed him towards his parents.

His mother grabbed his hand and walked away but his father remained. I was a little confused. Did I overstep my boundaries?

"Ma'am, I just want to say thank you for treating Bryan so good. He has a slight case of autism and he normally doesn't take to other, especially adults, very well." Bryan's dad informed me and my mouth dropped.

"I had no idea. I'm sorry if I overstepped in any way." I said.

"No not all. The fact that he came straight in from outside and washed up without a fight, that was enough relief for us and also enough to tell us just how amazing you are. Keep up the good work." He smiled, bowed his head slightly, and then walked away.

"Uhhhh anybody wanna fill me in on what just happened?" Ben asked.

"Chey might have promised to talk to your dad about putting together a kickball tournament if some kids hurried, washed up, and ate all their dinner." Gunner smiled. "I guess that was the first kid to make it down here."

"Ohh so that's why you wanted to switch me spots." Ben realized as the puzzle pieces clicked together, "And I'm so in on this kickball thing!"

Chelsea and I busted up laughing at Ben. He was supposed to be the next alpha but he was the biggest kid around. Throughout the rest of dinner time, each kid one by one came up to me with their parents to prove that they washed up. Some parents were in complete shock that I actually got them to wash up let along eat all their food. Every parent thanked me and told me they were glad I was around.

After all the kids checked in to show they ate all their food, I told them to go get their baths or showers in, brush their teeth and hair (for the girls), and to get ready for bed. All of them left that dining room with the biggest smiles, parents included, hell, myself included.

As Gunner and I made our way back to our room I made a pitstop by Alpha Nik's office to talk to him about the deal I made with the kids. He was all for it. He got Derek and a few others on it right away setting up a couple of different fields so we could do a couple of games at once to help speed things up.

Back in our room, I changed into pajamas and climb in bed next to Gunner. It didn't take long and I was out. I guess all the stress from today finally caught up to me.