The Wolves of Ossory

16. Maeves Knighting-Gale

Maeve

I smelled him before I saw him, his sweet and spicy mango scent that used to have me drooling. Prince Dominique Pacheco stood leaning against the doorway, waiting for us with his arms crossed. His luscious black hair was slicked back, blue eyes playful as he noticed how frazzled I was.

The man was so damn sexy, I swear, some days I kicked myself for not accepting his offer. He was dressed head to toe in black dress attire, looking delicious and devilish all in one.

"Prince Dominique, Grady Bright, soon to be Beta. Very nice to meet you!" Grady strode forward, raising his hand to shake the Princes.

"Very nice to meet you. Please, you can call me Dom. A friend of the Beaulieu Bells is a friend to me." he shook his hand eagerly and winked at me, that voice sounding husky and charming, just like it use to when he used to scream my name.

Maeve, focus! Aila barked in my mind, causing me to blush slightly. Goddess, the grip this man used to have on me.

"Alma," my sister said as she stepped through the portal. It snapped shut after her and she walked forward to greet the prince as well.

"Pleasure to finally get the honor to meet you, Alma. I had heard many stories." Dominique smiled, his white teeth more prominent against his beautiful tanned, caramel skin tone. I cleared my throat slightly.

"Nice to see you again, Dom," I greeted, smiling at this handsome man and trying to control the pace of my heart.

"Maeve, such a long time! It is so wonderful to see you," his eyes traveled across my body slowly and I gulped, feeling heat run to my core.

"Wellllll this has been very fun and not awkward at all. Thank you for hosting us tonight and aiding in our conquests. Could you please show us to our rooms?" Alma said after a moment, making my ears burn red with embarrassment.

"Ah! Yes of course! I will link my Beta to take you to them!" Dom's eyes clouded just slightly as he contacted his Beta through the link and a man came through the doors.

"This is Javier! My best friend and my selected Beta when I take the title later this year." He introduced the slightly short man with brown hair and deep chocolate eyes.

"I am honored to meet you, Princesses. Follow me," Javier smiled a crooked smile and turned to leave the room. We followed him and I made sure to stay far from Dominique. I could not trust myself to fall back into bad habits and back into his bed.

Their palace was a white marbled structure, plants flowing in through the windows and the floor a sandy colored tile. The walls were decorated with beautiful mosaics and the ceilings were neverending skylight domes. The castle had 4 rounded towers at each connecting corner, and we were heading towards their guest tower.

Personally, I loved the Gale Kingdoms castle. It was tasteful and fitting for the more warmer climate and for being right off the eastern ocean. The sea breeze drifted through the walls welcoming us as we ascended the spiral staircase, heading to the first floor, then the second and third, finally arriving at our rooms.

The third floor had a small common room with four doors leading to separate guest rooms. this was the top floor and the ceiling at the tops of the towers came into a cone top roof.

"Beta Grady, your room is the first door, seeing as you will be required to protect our royal guests. Princess Alma, you are the next one down and Maeve, your room is the third," Javier stated, gesturing towards the bleached wooden doors of each room.

"Also, the prince has informed me that the king and queen would like to have dinner with you in an hour." with that, Javier left us to our own devices.

I went to my room, closing the door behind me and tossing my merlin sack on the queen sized bed in front of me. The bed sat under an arched window directly across from the door. It was a decent sized room, decorated tastfully in sage green and yellow, the colors of the royal Pacheco family.

To the right of the bed, there was a small door leading to a bathroom. It was small, but perfect sized for one person.

I decided to freshen up a bit, rinsing off in the walk in white marble shower. I expanded my bag and rummaged through one of my chests I had brought, fishing out a nice grey gown with small blue paisley embroidery along the bodice. It came down to my knees and was simple, yet elegant. After all, I had to make a good impression on our allied nation. I opted for silver heels with an opened toe and light makeup to finish the look, meeting Alma and Grady in the common area afterwards.

"Very practical," Alma approved. She was in a pastel peach colored dress with gold flowers on the bodice, the sleeves running to her elbows and just slightly off the shoulder. She went with white flats and her hair was French braided, swinging over her shoulder and brushing her midsection.

"You look very nice yourself," I complimented. Grady emerged from his room, clean shaven and sporting a turquoise button down, pairing that with casual but appropriate black slacks and turquoise suede shoes.

"Interesting choice in foot wear, my sweet Grady," Alma cooed playfully. They were a sight, that's for sure. His face turned red and he huffed, heading towards the stairs.

"After you, royal pains in my ass. Oh oh I mean your highness." he smirked back, making Alma and I laugh. Oh yes, he would be a fine Beta.

Javier met us on the ground floor and escorted us to the royal dining room. Through two very tall skinny bleached wood doors, we were greeted by a slightly boisterous sight.

I knew Dominique had a large family but I had no idea the chaos that came with it. Three younger children, maybe 15 at the oldest, were chasing each other through the dining room, laughing and playing tag.

At the head of the long rectangle table, King Dominique the 3rd and Queen Bianca were drinking a greenish liquid with salt on the rims. Very peculiar.

I knew that different regions were known for different alcohols, our kingdom pricing itself on the diversity of different wines, but I had yet to try anything else.

Dom sat next to his father and what I believed to be his younger sister sat by the queen. He stood when he saw me, but nit before I heard Grady whisper something that alarmed me.

"Mate," he said softly, his eyes directly pinned to the princess.

"Oh dear Goddess," Alma and I groaned together lowly.

"Alma! Maeve! Come have a seat! My parents were just talking about how delighted they were for your visit!" Dominique chirped, waving us over. I turned to look at Grady.

"Listen, keep the wolf contained for dinner, we'll talk later," I instructed. He growled slightly, and Aila came forward, pushing the aura on him gently to remind him his place.

"Alright, sorry my queen," he grumbled.

We are very happy for you, dear friend. We need to stay reigned in at the present time, however. But congratulations! Aila and I linked him quickly, watching him relax at our approval.

We took our seats after bowing respectfully to the king and queen, me making sure I was across from Dom and Alma sitting next to him. Grady sat on my left, Javier on her right.

"Thank you again for letting us stay. The palace is absolutely amazing!" I gushed genuinely. It was true, a blind man could see that.

"Oh, Princess Maeve, it is so nice to meet you. And Al, very nice to see you again," Queen Bianca gleamed at us.

When did you meet the queen? I asked through our link

I helped her work the Rogue to Riches foundation in Gale. she linked back quickly. I was impressed to say the least. Go Al!

"Thank you for having us, B. And Valentine! You've grown a good foot since I last saw you!" Alma chided, earning a broad smile from the princess.

"Thank you, princess. I am about to turn 18 actually! I cannot wait to join you and my mother on your charity work. You've truly been an inspiration." Valentine replied.

Damn, Al. Yous a baddie! I voiced to her through our link, making her giggle discreetly.

"I am king Dominique. It is very nice to meet you two finally. And these are-," the king stopped abruptly, clearing his voice for his rambunctious children to hear and settle down into their own seats.

"Like I was saying. These are the other Princesses and Prince," he finished his sentiment, sending a warning to the rowdy bunch.

"I am princess Maria!" the older of the three announced first, bowing. She looked very similar to her father, dark features and beautiful skin.

"I am princess Anna," the small, blue eyed girl bowed shyly next to Maria.

"And I, am prince Zurro. I am also available, ladies," the young boy puffed out his chest, wiggling his eyebrows at Alma and I before bowing. We all burst out laughing as the king cursed under his breath at his rebel son.

"We are working on his manners," Bianca said, shaking her head in disapproval.

"Unfortunately, he takes after our beloved father in that way," Dom laughed, drinking from his water glass. The king smiled proudly as his eldest son.

Dinner commenced and we made small talk about both of our kingdoms. We discussed expansion projects, which Alma knew an extensive amount on, and the politics currently going on. Of course, we left out the coronation.

We drank the green drinks, which I learned was called a margarita and was very fond of. Alma was not a tequila fan, it turns out, so she stuck with water.

"My king, when will the princess have her first shifting ceremony?" Grady asked, nervously eyeing myself and Alma. I kicked him gently under the table.

"A week from today!" Valentine eagerly answered before her father could.

"Grady, why don't you send a report to King Magnus and Queen Amber letting them know of our safe arrival?" Alma suggested, queuing him to get lost for a while.

Sensing that he was pushing it, he agreed, bowing and exiting swiftly with Javier following as directed by Dom.

"Perhaps we could speak in confidence, your highness," I suggested respectfully. Dinner had died down, the younger children being ushered to bed by one of their pack omegas.

"I think it is safe to say that everyone here is of equal right to hear whatever you may say, my dear," Bianca replied kindly. I respected her more for that, honestly.

"Well, it involves your daughter, Valentine," Alma added, smiling reassuringly to her friend.

"I would like to hear what you have to say on my behalf," she stated indignantly, crossing her arms. She was the spitting image of her mother.

"It appears our Beta has recognized her as his mate. Given she hasn't received her wolf yet and cannot recognize him as her mate, we wanted to pick your brains on how to proceed." I intertwined my hands together, placing them on the table.

"That tall handsome fella you came here with?!" She eagerly piped up.

"I see that as a good match, what say you my queen?" king Dominique asked, turning to his wife.

"It is her decision, Dom. We do not dictate our children on who they take as a mate," She told him pointedly. I really liked this queen. Aila agreed.

"The only conflict is, we can't leave Grady behind on this mission we are on. He was tasked to accompany us," Alma explained.

"I'll wait for him. I do not care how long. I'll wait," the princess agreed, no questions asked. I admired her devotion to our friend. Even after meeting him so soon.

"You have my blessing," the king shrugged leaning back in his chair and looking to his wife for approval.

"You have mine as well. Dominique?" she asked her son.

"I am happy for you, little sister. It is rare to find your fated mate so soon. Go on and live your life." he smiled at her, waving her off as a dismissal. She was giddy and got up, running to the doors to find Grady.

"Valentine, you mind your manners now!" Bianca called after her sternly.

I glanced at Dom for the first time all night, and found his eyes staring intently into mine. My heart fluttered a bit but I quickly shut that out.

"I think I will turn in for the night. It was so nice to meet you, your highness. I hope we can visit more again in the future," I smiled at the king and queen, bowing and taking my leave.

"I'll see you in the morning, Maevy!" Alma called after me, already engrossed in another deep conversation with the queen. I had no idea Alma was so well known. I knew she was doing charity work but networking to different kingdoms? I was in awe of her.

I was sitting on my bed when I heard a small knock on the door. Odd, it's a bit late. I thought to myself.

I opened the door and that sweet smell was surrounding me as I felt Dominique crash through, his lips on mine. He kicked the door shut, hands hungerly roaming my body, his tongue slipping into my mouth and greedily tasting every part of me he could get. I could feel thay familiar heat rising within me as I returned the intensity, biting on his lip and growling in approval. Well, I approved but Aila was judging me a bit.

I took out all the tension from the last week onto this man, my nails ripping at his clothes and tearing them off. I pushed him away, standing back to admire him. He was a tall, slender yet muscular man, his hair wild and his eyes blazing.

"You tease me all day, lobita," his voice was husky as he called his nickname for me. "and I am ready to take you any way I can get you." a low growl sounded in his chest, his wolf approving.

I pranced away from him, giving him a slight chase as he dove after me, tackling me onto the bed and pinning my hands down beside my head.

"You missed me huh?" I purred at him, knowing full well this was so wrong.

He bent down, burying his nose into my neck and letting my scent engulf him. He peppered kisses along my neck, grazing the spot that would someday bare a mark with his canines. I flipped him over so that I was now towering over him.

"I don't think so," I teased, rocking my hips against his hard member. He groaned softly, cursing under his breath. I removed my dress so I was only in my underwear, watching his eyes devour my body. His hair was messy now sticking up in all directions in a sexy way.

Dom steadied me with one hand, using the other to push aside the thin cloth covering my core. He lightly traced my folds, daring to go further, and found his way to my throbbing bud, rubbing it with his thumb. I let out a whimper in pleasure, moving my hips in rhythm with his movements.

"Reconsider, Maeve. Be mine," he whispered.

For a second, I considered this heavily. I would be doing my duty, we would be proving the High Chamber wrong, and I would get to have all of this man to myself, whenever I wanted.

No! Aila growled defiantly in my mind, completely killing the mood.

I sighed and rolled off him, cursing Aila through my mind and finding a robe.

"Whats wrong? Why is your wolf angry?" Dom asked, sitting up on his elbows.

"She's just in denial right now. It has been a really long and s****y week," I explained, sitting next to him and snuggling up against his warm body.

"How so?" he pressed on, stroking my hair lightly with his fingers.

"Just some family stuff. And this quest we've been sent on," I replied, vaguely.

"Maeve, I am serious. I would take you as a chosen mate. You know how in love with you I am. You know I would never hurt you. You broke my heart a year ago and I still have so much love for you," he softly told me, kissing my head the way he use to when we were dating.

"I know, Dom. I just would hate to take you away from who you're fated to. And also, ruling my country and kingdom with Alma has always been my dream. You know that," I held him a little tighter, needing this closeness.

"I do, and although I disagree, I respect your decision and support you. I am just bummed I can't have you all to myself, lobita," he sighed, moving away from me to leave my room.

"Leaving so soon?" I asked dissapointedly.

"As much as I would love to stay and worship that gorgeous body of yours, I don't think that is what you need. I want you to want me the way I want you, and when you're ready for that, I will be here waiting for you, ready to claim you as mine. Until then, I think we both have to fulfill the duties to our kingdoms. Goodnight, Maeve," he silently exited and I kicked Aila mentally.

You c***blocking mutt! I cursed her. She growled at me in response

You know we're both right. You need to focus on your mission and not tangle up that beautiful man in our dilemma. she pointed out.

If we fail, Aila, we may have to take him up on that offer, for our kingdom. I sadly replied. She agreed, retreating to the back of my mind so I could settle in for sleep.

All that was on my mind was the fact that I may have to claim a chosen mate, and that this may be my new home after all.