ALEXANDRIA

Losing Our Queen 1.1

Shelby's POV

... Before The Wedding ...

I stared at myself in the mirror that was attached to my dresser. I was dressed in a cute light blush-colored dress that matched the colors in Bethany's color scheme for the wedding. My hair was in a cute, up-do style that was light and wispy with some curls hanging down and some baby's breath stuck in some chosen spots. I put on my blush-colored heels and was ready to go downstairs. I could hear Thomas bumping around in the closet, saying soft curse words under his breath. I giggled and thought about how much I would miss this. I guess I won't remember it, so maybe I won't miss it as much as I feared I would. I could feel the tears burning my eyes as they tried to surface. I made up my mind to leave tonight. I looked through the mirror at the room behind me, our room. I got lost in my thoughts. Thomas walked out and came up behind me.

"Shelby, baby?" He asked with a tilt of his head.

My eyes looked into his eyes through the mirror. I blinked back the tears that were assaulting the back of my eyes and threatening to spill over the edge.

"What's the matter, my love?" Thomas asked, turning me around to face him.

"I can't believe our baby is getting married and becoming Alpha. I don't think he's ready. Let him be my baby for another 10 or 20 years." I half lied. I did wish I could turn back time and do it all over again.

"Yeah ... a big NO to that. I love that boy and all our boys, but they are a handful." Thomas hugged me to him with a laugh. "Plus, I'm ready to start the rest of our lives now. No kids and no responsibilities. Well, at least pack responsibilities."

I buried my face in his chest and breathed his scent in. Annabella whimpered because she knew what had to be done and that we weren't telling anyone of our plans. If I told anyone, I wouldn't be able to go through with it. It took a lot of begging and pleading to get her to agree not to tell Asher.

"Are y'all ready yet?" We turned to see Alex smiling in the doorway. "Why are you crying, mama?"

"My little baby!" I whined out, running over to him and wrapping him in a tight hug.

"Jeeeez, mama. Dad do something." He whined to Thomas as I squeezed him harder.

"She's your mama and you're her only baby ... deal with it." Thomas chuckled as he patted his shoulder.

"Mama, I need you to tie my tie." He said, trying to gently step back and pushing me away with some effort.

"Oh yeah, so do I." Thomas said with a goofy smile.

"How many times over the years did I teach you this? My little baby, I understand but you ..." I scolded Thomas playfully, sucking on my teeth.

"Maaaaa ... Sttttooooop. I'm not a baby." Alex whined.

"You sure do sound like one right now." Jenna laughed as she appeared in the doorway with RJ behind her. "Are you guys ready? Joel is about to worry all of us to death. He's already hit the Gamma and Beta floors."

"Yes." Alex said confidently, giving RJ a fist bump, and they left the room.

"Where did the time go?" Jenna sighed as I fixed Thomas' tie. "Seems like just yesterday they were growing in our bellies, and now they are grown, mated wolves taking over our pack."

She let out a little chuckle, but I could tell she was fighting her own tears. Seeing RJ all grown up was a bittersweet thing for her. James and Jenna had tried to have other children, but it never happened for them. Now that I think about it, none of us had any other children. It's just Jenna was actually actively trying. Come to think of it ... hardly anyone has been born at all in the past 15 years. Before Jenna left the room, I hugged her and assured her we would be down in a few moments.

"Well, this will be the last time we will be announced as Alpha and Luna of our pack." Thomas said with a hint of sadness behind his smile. "Shall we, my Luna?"

He held out his elbow so I could hook my arm into his arm. I stared up at him and his gorgeous smile. My heart skipped a beat just like it has every day since we were kids. I loved this man to no end. I let my eyes enjoy the view for a few moments as my eyes soaked in all his handsomeness. He was absolutely perfect. My man stood tall, with broad shoulders, and fit but not overly built. He looked so dashing in his tuxedo. A shiver of excitement ran down my spine.

"Absolutely, my Alpha." I chuckled at hearing Asher's growl of approval.

We walked out of our bedroom door and down the stairs where a very impatient Joel was running around. Alex was looking at Joel like he was an insane madman with a grin on his face.

'Whatever you are thinking ... don't you dare.' I linked him.

The smirk fell off his face and he turned to look at me.

'Never mama.' He chuckled back through the link.

I chuckled as we stepped off the final step and reached the foyer.

... After The Wedding ...

I excused myself to our guest and Thomas and walked up to our bedroom. I took in all the things about our home on the walk up to our room into my senses, remembering all the memories that have happened in this whole house over the years since we were kids playing with Thomas' mother.

'There has to be another way. We can find another way.' Annabella was practically begging me once we entered the bedroom.

"You know what has happened the past few years. Leaving with Apollo is the only way he will leave everyone alone long enough for us to hopefully find our memory and our way back home. We must take him and everyone else down that doesn't stand with us." I reminded her, talking out loud because we were alone in the bedroom.

She didn't want to leave her mate and I didn't want to leave Thomas. I didn't want to leave anyone. For the past few years, Apollo has been making small attacks on our pack and other packs we are associated with. He made it very clear that he wanted me or else the attacks would only get worse till he got me. The last attack that sealed the deal on this plan of mine was on my coven, my grandmother's coven. We lost a lot of lives that day of newer witches who hadn't been trained enough for such an attack. It had been the worst attack yet.

But I still had to be somewhat selfish.

I couldn't leave before my baby and his mate got married and took over the pack. I couldn't leave them without a Luna and I had to give Beth my title. Plus, I didn't want to miss it. Even if I could never remember it again for the rest of my life, my baby would. I had to be there for him. My last honorable deed as a mother. A privilege that most moms don't get to share.

I was trying to start writing a note and the tears began to fall. The hurt and heartache of what I was doing was sinking into my very soul. I knew that my actions would be devastating for everyone. I was leaving without warning. I told Thomas that we would make a plan and I would leave once we had everything figured out, but this would be one promise I must break.

I decided to take off my dress and heels first. I put on something more comfortable to wear out to the pond. I started to write the short note to Thomas and once I finished my note I folded it up. I left it popped up like a little tent on the dresser with Thomas' name on it. I looked up and tapped the mirror. I moved my hand and the mirror's surface started to ripple.

"You know what to do." I stated firmly and the ripples stopped.

I turned to look at our room one more time and let out a hard sigh. I hope to be back here again sometime soon. I headed out the door and down the hall to the stairs the omegas use to provide services to the rooms. I didn't want to risk anyone coming to look for me to find me. I had been gone from the party for a while now. I slipped out the back kitchen door and along the side of the house away from the pathway to the party. I saw someone going to the house and I snuck off into the darkness of the woods, being as quiet as possible. I made it to the pond and made sure no one was around or followed me. I knew it wouldn't be much longer before my absence would be questioned. It's been about an hour.

"I know you're watching me." I said out loud with a smirk. "Let's get this over with."

A few seconds later, Apollo appeared. A wicked sick grin on his face that made me want to think twice.

'I hate him.' Annabella growled out in my head.

"Finally ready to give yourself to me?" He chuckled seductively.

We looked at the wood line to the forest and I could see Slate running up. I barely noticed Sheena coming up beside him. They started to shift.

"I don't need any trouble. I got what I wanted. Stupid mutts." Apollo spat, and we were gone before they could shift completely.