The King's Love

Chapter 4 ~ Greyson

That drive was longer than I wanted it to be, but we finally made it to Black Forest around midnight. They were in the middle of their Winter Solstice Festival and everyone was going somewhere specific. Fireworks started to be shot into the sky and the colors painted the snow. As we pulled up into the long drive to their packhouse I saw a crimson-haired girl run into the house and shut the door. She was followed by another girl and a guy, it looks like they began to argue, then the guy pushed past the girl and went inside. The girl left, going back the way they all came just as I parked the car. As Felix and I walked up to the porch, someone whistled and it caught our attention. It was a familiar grey-haired man, Black Forest’s alpha, Hendrick.

“Your Majesty, Your grace.” He says bowing to each of us. “How was the drive? There was a blizzard around Gould city, I hope it wasn’t an issue.” He says, I chuckle and extend my hand to shake his. He takes it without question, “We missed it by about 10 minutes.” I say as he opens the door. A strong scent of cherry blossoms hit my nose like a freight train as I took my first step inside. I had to hold myself back and put on a stoic manner to keep myself from searching for the scent’s source. “I’m glad you both came this year. I would like you both to meet my heir.” Hendrick says smiling. I look at Felix confused, he shrugs and we keep following him. The guy from before comes down the stairs just before Hendrick walks up, the guy had to be at least 16. “Jaren, has Charlotte come back from the clearing yet?’ He asks the young wolf.

“Uh yeah… She’s up in Luna Celeste’s office.” Jaren says nervously.

“Perfect! I hope you're enjoying the festival Jaren.”

“Yeah… Have a good night Alpha.” Jaren responds, He puts his head down, walks past us, and out the front door. As we walked down the hall of the fourth floor, I looked at the pictures of Hendrick’s family. I was stopped by a portrait of a 9-year-old girl with dark chocolate hair. She was the little girl I had saved seven years ago. I never got to see her smile the way she does in this picture before I went back home. Hendrick’s Luna told my mother that they allowed their daughter to take the girl when her human mate had to move away, they let her leave because they felt she would be safer from her father if she was sent away.

The intoxicating scent got stronger the closer we got to The Luna’s office. Hendrick knocked on the door and asked who I thought was his daughter from the name if she had a moment. We walked in and I was a girl no older than seventeen, with crimson hair and pale skin. Her back was turned to us, she was watching the fireworks through the glass balcony doors. She was so small, she was 5’3, but she had a beautiful figure. Once she turned around, our eyes met. Her emerald eyes were mesmerizing, lips were plump and pink. She was the older version of the little girl I met years ago. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her, my wolf whispered to me, “mate.” The little alpha was my mate. I didn’t even hear Hendrick introduce us. “It’s nice to see you again Charlotte.” I hear Felix say.

“Please call me Charlee.” She responds, hearing her melodic voice snaps me out of my trance. I cleared my throat, “Hendrick, could you excuse my Beta and me for a moment?” I ask. He nods and I drag Felix into the hall and shut the door behind us. “Dude, why did you do that?” He asks and I just look at him stunned. “Greyson, are you okay man?” He asks.

“That little alpha is my mate,” I told him. He looks at me shocked, then he smiles. “Greyson, that’s awesome! But why didn’t she notice?”

“I guess she is not seventeen yet, but her birthday must be close or I wouldn’t have been able to sense her. Tomorrow night she should be able to at least smell my scent because of the full moon.” I explained. We went to our rooms after that, but I got hungry and went to the kitchen after changing into more comfortable clothes. Charlee happened to come down to find me looking around their kitchen completely clueless. We had a meal and watched a little tv together. She is bubbly and energetic, definitely different from the terrified little girl I found crying in a rogue camp. I finally got to see the smile from her picture in the hallway on the fourth floor, but it was more intoxicating. Even now after we had parted ways, I lay in my bed and her smile lingered and all I could think about was her. She is captivating, The Moon Goddess gifted her such beauty, yet made her so short. It’s quite adorable, she looks like a pup compared to me and I couldn’t wait to see her again tomorrow.