Chapter 44

The White Wolf Castle was full of life this evening. Guests from throughout the Kingdom arrived with their young adult children dressed in their fanciest furs and jewelry they all looked their best. People were standing around drinking King Daniels personally crafted wine and ale and snacking on his food. King Consort Thomas had recruited and trained some really great musicians to come and play great music for the night. Music and instruments were something that other Kingdoms and clans participated in. The wolf kingdoms have never really focused on this kind of entertainment before tonight but this will be a new tradition for them now on since the people were seeming to enjoy it. "Our King is so spectacular. He makes huge delicious meals for his family." A man said out loud praising the White Wolf King. "Our Queen has the best husbands. King Consort Bowen always works extra hard to make sure his family and this Kingdom is safe. My mate and my daughter felt so safe in the way here being escorted by the guards!" another man stepped forward and said. "That is excellent! Excellent. My granddaughter is surrounded by the best mates and she has the support of her Kingdom!" Black Wolf King Maximus said as he made his way into the ceremony. When everyone saw him they erroneously greeted him. "Long live King Maximus!" they all shouted. "Thank you everyone. Thank you for coming out once again to support our Queen!" King Maximus said bowing to everyone. "What a joyous night, my King!" Witch Doctor Yozar said "Yes it is my friend. I believe my granddaughter will be pleased!" King Maximus said smiling happily. "My King. Thank you for gracing us with your presence here in the White Wolf Kingdom!" King Consort Bowen said coming into the hall. "Of course. Anything for you all!" King Maximus replied. They hugged and laughed and smiled it was a great display of love within the royal family and everyone inside the castle were happy to witness such love.

"Welcome my King. You've made it to my home!" Artemis said loudly from all the way across the room. "My Queen!" King Maximus said opening his arms wide and walking over to her. "Greetings to the Queen. Long live Queen Artemis!" everyone shouted bowing to Artemis. Artemis smiled and bowed back. "Hello." She said with an angelic voice. "How are you this evening?" King Maximus asked when he finally had her in his arms. "I am well my King. Thank you for coming!" Artemis said giving him a squeeze. "Allow me to be your announcer for tonight my Queen. It would be my honor!" Yozar said bowing in front of Artemis. She nodded and bowed back. "Hello everyone and thank you for coming out tonight!" Yozar said out loud getting everyone's attention. "Tonight our Queen is giving us the chance to celebrate her Princes. They have finally reached maturity and they are ready to find their wives!" Yozar announced. Everyone cheered and clapped. "My daughter is ready for your first prince!" someone in the crowd shouted. "Good. Good. Let's welcome them. First Wolf Prince Christopher!" Yozar announced as the Prince came into the huge room. "Second Wolf Prince Knox and third Wolf Prince Walker. Lastly fourth Prince Brayden!" Yozar shouted as the rest of Artemis Princes came out. Also today we are celebrating Prince Apollos sons coming of age. Please welcome Prince Ben, Prince Atticus and Prince Joshua!" Yozar announced before the three Princes' made their way inside. "Lastly… first Wolf Princess Winter has come to accept a mate tonight as well!" Yozar announced. The entire hall went crazy with excitement. "Let the festivities begin!" Yozar announced clapping his hands. After entering the huge room and being introduced to everyone Artemis and Apollo's Princes' and the Princess took the liberty to join the crowd a little more intimately. They ran up to friends they recognized from Thomas' school and they fit right in. Artemis was proud to watch her children take the initiative. The boys were in their element as long as all of the attention were on them. The Princess found a small group of females her age to go over and socialize with until she is approached by a potential mate. Since everything seems to be going well Artemis took her mates and sat in their throne chairs so that they could watch and enjoy the ceremony.

"Princess." A young Wolf female named Mandy said as she bowed to Princess Winter when she came up to her. "Hello Amanda. How have you been these past few weeks?" Princess Winter asked "My dad keeps me locked away in the tree house these days. He says it's for my protection so that I don't get abducted." She said with a pouty face. "The King and Queen say the same thing. All females should not go out unattended it is unsafe." Princess Winter said nodding her head. "I just want to have fun you know." Mandy said shrugging her shoulders. "Do you smell that?" Mandy said. Princess Winter looked at the other two girls who shook their heads and then looked back at Mandy. "Sorry, no we don't." Princess Winter told her shrugging her shoulders. In the next moment they were interrupted by two of Princess Winter's brothers. "My sister. Can you introduce me to your friend?" Prince Knox asked her gesturing towards Mandy and full of confidence. "Prince Knox, this is Amanda. Amanda, this is my brother Second Prince Knox." She said disappointed. "Amanda!" Prince Knox said letting out a sigh of relief. The Prince inhaled the air once more and let out another deep breath. "You smell like…" Prince Knox said "smells like…" "cinnamon!" They both said at the same time. Far in the distance Queen Artemis was watching and listening. She smiled as she happily watched everything start to unfold. Second Prince Knox and Amanda grabbed each others hands and smiled into each others eyes. "Mate!" they both said together. The entire room erupted into cheers and applause. "What a joyous moment. Our second son has found his mate tonight!" King Daniel said smiling and clapping. Prince Knox looked up at his parents sitting on their thrones. He smiled and raised his and Amanda's clasped hands. "Mother! I have found my mate as well!" said Third Wolf Prince Walker holding up the hand of a female wolf beastman. "This is Lin!" Third Prince said happily. "Look mother! This is my mate Cindy!" said fourth Prince Brayden as he came forward with the young wolf female. "Excellent my sons!" King Daniel said standing up. Next Prince Ben, Prince Atticus and Prince Joshua ran forward to introduce their mates Laura and Sadia. They both were beautiful young wolf females and Artemis fell in love with them herself. "This is great!" Prince Apollo said laughing with joy. "Very Great!" Artemis said smiling happily.

"My Queen. I hope you don't mind that I took the liberty to personally invite one of the best young men for our Princess Winter. They have just arrived." Said King Consort Bowen. "That is good my love. Look at them. They must be one of the most wealthiest families in out White Wolf Kingdom, look at their entourage!" Queen Artemis said nodding her head. "My Queen. My King and King Consorts. I can't thank you enough for inviting me and my sons to your ceremony tonight!" a man said stepping close to their thrones. "I am Duke from the far side of our Kingdom. I manage a clothing business in our market!" the man said as he formally bowed. "I see. My daughters love buying dresses from you instead of letting her fathers make them for her." The Queen told him. "Your family is quite talented Duke." She continued. "You honor me my Queen." the man said bowing again. "Please stand. Don't tire yourself out on my behalf." She said ordering him. "My Queen. I was hoping that tonight. I could introduce my eldest son to your Princess?" Duke said as he rose back to his feet. "This is my son Harvey!" Duke said pulling his son forward. The young man reminded Artemis of Danny when he first approached her. "Harvey huh?" said First Wolf Prince Christopher interrupting the introductions. "Come forward Princess Winter." Artemis said to her. First Prince almost ignited his mothers words and decided to stand there and intimidating look Harvey up and down. "You think you're a good fit for my precious sister?" First Prince asked Harvey in a serious threatening tone. "My Prince. No disrespect but only the wealthiest and strongest men are capable of being the Princesses mate." Said Harvey in a deep tone. Artemis was intrigued by such an interesting young man. Princess Winter finally made it to Prince Cristopher and Young Harvey. "Mother." She said respectfully bowing. "Princess. If you would have me. I'd like to be your mate." Harvey said to her Bowing. "You?" The Princess asked him turning to look at him. Artemis had to quickly cover her mouth as she snickered. "Princess. Young Harvey is from one of the richest families in our Kingdom. He makes your favorite dresses." Artemis said trying to praise the young man standing next to her daughter. "Yes Mother. Every-time I go into that shop he bullies me!" the Princess said to her mother. "Lies. You always try to make me lower the prices when no one else is around!" Harvey said almost losing his composure. Queen Artemis and King Daniel on the other hand could not control their amusements they chuckled loudly while sitting on their thrones. "This will be an interesting pair." Bowen said nodding his head. "I like this arrangement already!" Queen Artemis said nodding her head as well. "My Princess. I'm willing to forget that all in the past. Today I would love nothing more but that to be your mate. I will protect you, feed you and… make you clothes for free!" Harvey said out loud for everyone to hear. "Free clothes?" Princess Winter asked him. "My oldest has been by my side his whole life making clothes with me. He will run the business when I am too old to stand anymore. I hope he can do so with the Princess happily by his side since they are already acquainted." Said Duke bowing his head. "I agree." Artemis said nodding. "My Princess. What do you say?" Daniel asked his daughter. Princess Winter looked at Harvey again. "Free clothes?" Princess Winter asked him again. "Free. I have brought you this gift. If you still don't want me you can keep it anyways." Harvey told herb he gestured to one of his servants and they stepped forward with a bundle of cloths. Harvey took the bundle from the servant and shook it out to straighten it. It was a beautiful cloak. It was black and somehow Harvey managed to embroider it with the image of a peacock. It made the rest of the young females jealous as they gasped and sucked their teeth. "He even knew that a Peacock is the Princess' favorite bird!" said Daniel. "Impressive!" Artemis said nodding although she had a feeling that Bowen was the one who told Harvey about the Princess liking Peacock's. "Real smooth." Artemis said in a low tone to Bowen on her other side. Princess Winter could not ignore such a beautiful piece of clothing with her favorite thing on it. She squealed and reached for the cloak. "Did you really make this for me Harvey?" she asked him excitedly. "Yes. No one else will get such a piece ever!" he said to her proudly. "I want him to be my mate mother!" the Princess said hopping up and down with the cloak. Artemis smiled and nodded. "Greet your new mate." Artemis said gesturing to Harvey. "Mate!" Harvey and the Princess said in sync.

"Look at this! What an outcome!" said King Maximus as he came forward. "My King. You seem satisfied with the ceremony tonight." Daniel stood and said to the king. "Ah my young King. I feel as if I live my younger days through my great-grandchildren! I am completely satisfied!" King Maximus said smiling and opening this arms wide. "We all are happy tonight! Let's continue to party!" Artemis said clapping her hands "cheers!" she said holding up her cup of wine. Everyone else cheered as well. Artemis watched as her children and Apollos children all left with their mates to complete the pairings. "My goal has been accomplished today. I am the happiest Queen in this world!" Artemis said to her mates. "As you should my Queen." Bowen said bowing his head to her. "Come. Now that the most important part is over with you can enjoy the festivities." Danny said gently grabbing the Queens hand. The Queen and all of her mates stood up and made their way onto the floor for a dance. "Look! The Queen and her mates are all so in love!" a spectator said pointing "the Queen's mates are so handsome and capable!" another spectator said out loud. "What a great family!" someone shouted. Artemis and Danny took the lead first. They danced and looked at each other lovingly. "Do you see this my Queen, our people love us!" Danny said to her. "They do. We have done a great job bring this Kingdom up. Of course they would love us." She said to him. "Also you and the King Consorts did an amazing job with helping me put this together at the last minute." She said praising them. Bowen came over and joined in their dance moving in sync with both the Queen and King. "My Queen. You look so beautiful and happy tonight. I am beyond content." He said to her slowly dancing. "My family is here and my house is getting bigger. My kingdom is happy as well. When you all are happy it makes me happy!" Artemis said. "Come here my love." Artemis said to Thomas. "My Queen. Anything to make you smile." He said coming over and grabbing her free hand. "I and the most happy now that I am with you all. Our children and strong and beautiful!" he said to Artemis, Danny and Bowen. The trio danced around harmoniously while majority of the Kingdom stood around and watched. Eventually people started to join them on the dance floor forming couples and joining their loved ones. This is exactly how Artemis imagined the night would go. No fighting or challenges. No drama. No gossip. Just fun praise and love for the White Wolf Kingdom.