The Wolves of Ossory

7. Food for Thought

Maeve

We headed back to the palace with the gift for our mother hidden in Benson's pocket. It was a small rose quartz crystal. However, we went to our good friend Dwayne, who is a wizard gifted with geology, and had him make a few adjustments to the stone. He cast a spell into the crystal, so whoever it's owner was could rub it at any time and a glimpse of memories would project from it for up to 10 seconds. We had the stone turned into a pendant, wrapping the dull end of the stone with golden strands that twined together to form a small loop big enough to snake through a petite chain. Alma and I had hoped she would wear it as a necklace, so when her and father left the palace to enjoy retirement, she would always have a piece of us with her close to her heart. It was a small piece of jewelry, only about half an inch long and very modest, which was what our mother loved.

I stepped out of the vehicle, inhaling the sweet air that promised rain. It was almost time for supper, so I mind linked Benson to leave the gift in Alma or I's room.

"I am going to take a quick shower before dinner!" Alma announced, smiling back at me and waving.

"I'll see you there," I waved her off, admiring this beautiful palace. Our home was shaped like a big horseshoe against the mountainside. The gardens and common grounds filled in the space between and added to the peaceful area. My parents would often host parties or events in the main areas of the house, which was the loop of the horseshoe shape, but we always ended up gravitating to the gardens. Against the mountain side, a good sized waterfall lazily flowed down, branching off one of the rocks that jutted out and falling into the ground. The water ran deep underground and came out into the lake we had just on the outskirts of our pack and town area. Don't worry! We have a grand 4.5 foot tall stone guard around it. It was made from the same stone as our palace, a traditional ashlar that was a deep grey. Complementing the gray, you can find thick arched oak doors throughout the grand building, starting with the 10 foot arched double doors you use to enter the main body.

I walked up the cream, concrete-stamped steps that narrowed near the top to the front door. This modern design made it look like there were alternating bricks in the design in the hard surface. Our palace was very modern, actually, and I could not wait till I could get my hands on the accounts to buy new plants and decorum. My parents had good taste, don't get me wrong, but I have always told them junipers were a poor choice for the shrubbery in the front. I personally think growing blue hydrangeas along the stairs and bordering the front area would really present a more welcoming aura. But I digress.

A crack of thunder in the distance broke me from my thoughts and I hurried inside. Honestly, I could not wait to watch the storm later tonight.

The pack house kitchen was booming with energy when I entered. I smiled and said my hellos to my friends and pack mates. I made my way to the head of the table, noticing four empty seats. The king and queen usually dined here or in their study together. Tonight they were not there and that peaked my interest just a bit. I sniffed to see if there was a scent that was at least faintly present, but it was as if they had't even bothered to stop by, and that wasn't like them at all.

Is everything okay? I linked to them, hoping they were in the castle and not out for a run.

Yes, dear! We are discussing some rooming issues at the moment as something has come up and will not make it for dinner. Let the pack know! My father answered almost immediately and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Relax. Pretty soon, this will be the new norm for us. Aila voiced to me, making my stomach do a little flip. Nervous? This wasn't like me! I am always prepared and ready for anything. Why would they start now? You really are too much sometimes, Maeve. You are taking over a kingdom in four days. You SHOULD be nervous. This is the biggest achievement for us! Hell, I'M even nervous. Aila chimed in again. I sighed, relaxing slightly.

Alma strolled through the dining room doors, elegantly gliding to her place beside me. I couldn't help but notice the looks of adoration for Alma. She was truly meant to rule; everything about her screamed queen. "No mums and pops tonight?" she whispered to me.

Unfortunately not. They had some other issues that came up. Preparations and what not," I responded, taking a sip of the water in front of me. A few omegas came in, serving all who were there. "Denise, could you please send two plates to the king and queen in their study? They are a bit tied up at the moment," I smiled politely at the younger girl.

"Yes, Princess Maeve. I will get right on that!" She bowed and I thanked her, returning to the group gathered and letting them know the king and queen would not be joining us.

It was nice spending time with our people. Benson was sitting at the opposite side of the table with his son Grady. Grady had just turned 19 and we grew up with him for the most part. He was like a little brother to Alma and I, which is why we had no problem having him take on his father's position when he retired. Benson had lost his mate a few years back. She suffered a very bad heart attack and she couldn't heal fast enough. Even us wolves are mortal to some extent. We all loved Hannah. It was very hard on Brady and Benson, obviously, but on my mother as well. Hannah was her first friend when she was brought here to begin training to be queen. It was a dark time for a while, but Benson never faltered in his duties. We became his and Grady's only family after that. He was always family, if you ask me.

"So, Princess, is your knighting gale going to be here for the coronation to sing to you?" Grady taunted me. He called my ex-boyfriend my knightingale. A little play on words from an old folk song about singing nighting gales that he prided himself on. It was clever, I suppose, more-so annoying, however. He was a prince in the Gale Kingdom, our allied nation that bordered our eastern territories. That whole relationship is a very long story.

"Ha-ha. very funny. Dom is not invited due to a conflict of interest," I replied, acting as if I was bored with the conversation and inspecting my nails.

"Conflict of interest? Was it something serious?" Grady shot his eyebrows up, suspicion creeping across his face. Silly Grady. You think he'd know better than to try to toy with a soon-to-be queen.

"Yes. As a matter of fact, it was. We broke up. He was conflicted and I wasn't interested," I smiled my most dazzling and innocent smile at him. Our friends at the table howled with laughter. Grady's face went red as his father chuckled along with the rest of us, patting him on the back in that oh-so fatherly way.

"Oh, I cannot wait to see how you do as a Beta, Grady. These women will tear you up!" London, one of the other members of our pack snorted next to me. Alma rolled her eyes at that. She wasn't the biggest fan of London but she was usually very good at covering her emotions better.

The rest of the dinner was full of catching up, and it was a nice break from an already chaotic week. Benson excused himself after a bit, explaining he had some business with the king to touch base on. A few more members filtered in and out, grabbing a plate and chatting for a while. It was nearing 8 o'clock and I decided to head to my room. I excused myself and receded to my room silently.

The rain was pouring down outside, lightning dancing across the sky in urgent bursts. I had a window above the tub in my bathroom, so naturally, I drew myself a bath and lit a few candles, watching the storm rage outside. I relaxed into the water, submerging the lower half of my face in the water.

Aila? I reached out to my wolf, feeling a bit lonely in the dark, humid bathroom.

Yes?

Do you ever feel like maybe there's more out there than just this life for us? I asked her, feeling a bit lighter having asked the question that had been clouding my mind all week.

I think our life together is going to be full of highs and lows. What I do know is that I feel like something big is about to happen. I don't know how to explain it, but just trust in me. She comforted me. I know for me, there's a really warm bath being hogged by some red head having an extenential crisis in the dark. She barked coyly at me, and I couldn't help but laugh out loud. She wagged her tail in my head.

You could use a good bath, you mangy mutt. I thought back to her, getting ready to get out of the bath.

Alma. Maeve. Come to the study now! My mother's voice linked through my mind and my heart skipped a beat. I quickly threw on a green robe and some house slippers, rushing out the door, Alma coming out of her room across the hall and following.

"Any idea about what's going on?" Alma asked. I shook my head at her, wracking my brain over what might've happened. I really hope we didn't mess the room arrangement up. Alma spent a good half of the day on that yesterday and about blew a fuse. I had to help her reorganize the placements for all the families.

We made our way to the end of the palace, the hallway lights flickering ever so slightly with the storm outside raging on. I opened the door to our parents' study, seeing my mother seated with the king standing at the window, watching the lightning.

"Mother, what is it?" I asked, scanning the room worriedly.

"Honey, it appears we had a guest arrive early," Amber sighed, taking her glasses off and standing. I glanced at Alma quizzically, sniffing the air. An all-too familiar scent was lingering, dulled out slightly by the rain. The door opened across the room where a small bathroom was located. I groaned internally as he stepped out.

"Hello, cousins," he said, stepping out of the bathroom and towel drying his long sopping wet hair. A strong clap of thunder rattled the windows as he strolled out. How fitting.

"Evening, Desmond," Alma replied dryly. "You are early."

He chuckled every so slightly. "Oh come on, Al. I wanted to come early to help out if you needed. Blood helps blood," Desmond walked to my mother, taking her hands in his. Oh how she just dotes on him. "Plus, I couldn't wait to see my great aunty!"

I wanted to puke. What a little skeeze. Instead, however, I smiled. "Let us show you to your room! You are on our floor and we've already prepared the room with towels, fresh sheets, and a fresh robe. We'll send up to get your wet clothes collected." I turned slightly towards the open door, signaling him to lead the way out.

I hope you keep an eye on him. I mind linked my dad. He looked over his shoulder towards me as Desmond left the room and gave a curt nod. He did not care very much for our cousin. But, just like the great king he was, he put those feelings aside. A perfect symbol of professionalism. My mother clasped her hands together, a beautifully oblivious smile on her face.

"Goodnight," Alma sighed, and we both turned and fled, closing the study door behind us. "So, why are you really here so early, Dezzy? Wanted to cop a feel early you perv?" She spat at him. I sucked in a sharp breath, looking at her discouragingly.

"Of course not! Listen, I'll admit I had a bit of a drinking problem back then. I am truly sorry for that, Alma." He seemed genuinely shocked and hurt at her harsh words. She also seemed a bit taken aback by this turn of events.

"Even so, that does not excuse your actions. You're lucky we didn't press the issue further, resulting in your wandering hands getting removed," I stated pointedly at him. We would't REALLY chop his hands off. Goddess, we aren't barbarians, no matter how appealing the latter seemed. I got the desired affect, however, as Desmond noticeably gulped.

"I meant what I said! I truly just want to help! I am useless in my pack. I am so far from the totem pole, I might as well be an omega. At least being here I can do something meaningful," Desmond responded, raising his hands in surrender. I almost feel bad for him. Almost.

You buying this? Alma linked me.

I'm not sure. He seems genuine, but I smell some b*****t still. I linked back. We continued in silence for the remainder of the walk to our rooms. His was at the beginning of our hallway, the mid section of our floor that veined out in different directions. His family would be in the wings branching out towards the back of the palace, whereas ours were on the front-facing side. A good enough distance, but a bit too close. When we reached his door, he turned the knob but turned suddenly, taking both mine and Alma's hands. We both growled lowly, but he kneeled before us, bowing his head.

"I meant what I said. I am turning over a new leaf. Goodnight, my future Queens," He rose and entered his room, shutting the door behind him. Alma and I gaped at each other. What the actual f***?