My Royal Mate

My Dinner.

Morgan’s POV:

My feet were on fire. I felt like I had run a marathon while wearing high heels. I knew from the beginning that going to the mall with Allison would leave me even more exhausted than I already was. Did she forget that I had been flying overnight? No, she did not. Of course, she didn't.

Allison bought more than just a gown for the ball, she got herself a whole new wardrobe. For real! I can only imagine that her closet must be the size of a second pack house at this point. I'm not judging her, I'm only speaking facts. Instead of studying computer engineering, she should have become a model, or some other s**t related to fashion.

She took me to so many different stores, it was really so unnecessary. I got shoes, jewelry, makeup, a new perfume, and two different dresses. Yeah, I couldn't just wear an old dress tonight. What was wrong with wearing jeans and a sweater?

Now I barely have enough time and energy to shower and get ready for my welcoming dinner. I was looking forward to seeing some other friends.

My former Alpha, Alpha John and Luna Gloria, were exceedingly kind to host a dinner in my name. They thought it was necessary to celebrate my achievements and my return home as well. Both of them were an important rock to my success. The foundation of many of my achievements. Alex and I have had their unconditional support in everything we've embarked. They stepped up to be the adults we needed when mom and dad passed.

Besides being his Beta, dad was also Alpha John’s best friend, and Luna Gloria and my mom were like two peas in a pod. I used to call them aunt and uncle for the longest time when I was a child. This influenced the way Usher and Alex became closer to each other. We followed their example. If only they had also had a daughter, but Usher was the only child. Alex and I were like his siblings.

Dad and Alpha John grew up together. They were both born and raised in this pack.

They had a life-long friendship.

Luna Gloria and my mom came from other eastern packs.

Alpha John met his Luna at one of the annual Wolf-Balls. She was the daughter of an influential farmer from the Shadow Pack, and she had just turned eighteen when they met. She is a strong woman. Most of her success didn't come from the wealth of her mate, it came from her hard work and dedication.

My dad met my mom at one of the quarterly Alpha conventions. He almost got to go home that day because of an issue that needed assistance back in the pack— fortunately, Luna Gloria managed to solve the situation, so dad could stay. She didn't want to leave her mate without his Beta. On top of that, there was a heavy storm that had closed the roads anyway. It was safer for dad to stay.

They said my father somehow fell inside a frozen lake, and they immediately called for a doctor. They were afraid my dad would die of hypothermia because the temperatures were below zero degrees, and his hands and feet had a major case of frostbite. There were multiple doctors invited to the convention and mom was one of them.

They called the doctor with the most experience, since it was one of the locals' fault that my dad got injured. The Alpha of that pack wanted my dad to be well since it happened on a heroic mission. When the doctor, and when I said the doctor I meant my mom, entered the room, she ran to hug and kiss my dad. What kind of medicine was that? Lol. No one understood what was happening. Dad was still in shock and couldn't explain what was going on.

Mom had to speak for both of them.

"We are mates," she announced. Everyone cheered.

And like a miracle, my dad’s temperature returned to his body. He had found his mate and that was all the medical attention he needed to recuperate from his injuries. Mom had some kind of power over dad that even his frostbites disappeared. Four days later Alpha John came back to the Crescent Moon Pack with his Beta, a new park member, and a pack doctor for his trauma department.

The four of them became like the fantastic quartet from that day forward. They were inseparable.

Alpha and Luna have always been like family to Alex and me, especially after everything we have been through. They embraced us as their own children. They even offered us a place in the Pack House so we could be with them, but we were too attached to our home. We had too many memories to leave behind our little nest of love.

The story repeats itself with Usher and my brother. They are inseparable, just like our fathers were. They never leave each other’s side. I am so glad my brother has someone to look after him like Usher does. On the other hand, Allison and I are like sisters. It worked out perfectly.

I was looking forward to seeing everyone tonight.

I took a quick shower and then dried my hair. Allison was extremely specific— she ordered me to wear the pink ombré dress for tonight and save the olive-green dress for tomorrow’s ball.

I got ready fairly quickly and headed downstairs to the living room where Alex was waiting for me.

“You look beautiful, princess,” he spoke.

I gave Alex a small smile and hugged him tight. I couldn’t say a word, it felt like I had needles stuck in my throat. I had missed his hugs so, so much. They were like bear hugs. One of his hugs could change my mood within seconds.

Alex has taken care of me since I can remember. Our relationship became closer after mom died, and by the time our father died, Alex stepped into the role of a father. It was impressive how he became a steady force for me when I was falling apart. He pushed his pain and misery aside so that he could be a tower of strength for me.

I promised myself not to get emotional, but it was impossible. Coming home and not being able to share my success with my parents was excruciatingly painful. Going to that dinner and not having them around made me feel empty. I would have loved for them to share a toast in my name. For us to take pictures as a family.

Our house was directly across from the Pack House. My dad was Beta, so he had to be closer to our Alpha. He also made an incredibly good income, so we lived in a large Victorian home where money was never an issue for us. The house had five large rooms, and a beautiful open-concept kitchen, designed by my mom. We had pictures of us in every room, but I would have given anything to have another picture of us with them.

Alex held my hand, and we walked across the field to get to the Pack House.

“Oh, my Goddess! The doctor has arrived,” said Mr. Parker. His tall and elegant physique welcomed me into the room.

I approached him and gave him a huge hug. Mr. Parker was one of the Elders in our pack. He adored my mom. He was kind and caring and loved my mom like a father loves a daughter. He was a close mentor to her.

“Morgan, I am so proud of you, sweetheart,” he told me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders for one of his fatherly hugs.

“Thank you, Mr. Parker. Thank you for coming to celebrate with me,” I responded.

"I wouldn't have missed it under any circumstances," he told me.

I smiled and then looked around to greet the other guests waiting for me.

Ryan approached me right away and said, “We need him on our side, beautiful,” and winked at me.

I wasn’t going to manipulate anyone to be on my side. If he approved of my relationship with Ryan, it would be because he thought it was the right thing to do—not because I convinced him otherwise.

There were so many familiar faces. Friends of my parents, friends from high school, and my best friends, of course.

“Welcome back home, sweetie.” said my former Luna. She embraced me with a big hug and kissed my forehead. Alpha John came to join us in a group hug. They were so sweet. Usher was a lucky man.

There were also some of the warriors who fought along my dad’s side, and nurses who assisted my mom at the hospital. There were also a few of the teachers who taught me throughout the years: Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Bartolozzi, Mrs. Sarmiento, Mr. Kellner, and Mrs. Leeah,—the Principal of our school.

Oh boy! I couldn’t believe all these people came over to celebrate with me. My heart was just swollen with much love and appreciation. I got teary-eyed.

“You did it, princess," said Usher as he enveloped me in his arms. He had adopted the same pet name as the rest of my family. “I am so f*****g proud of you, Dr. Miller. I can't wait for you to start working at the hospital," he continued.

I smiled and kissed him on his cheek. “Thank you, my mighty Alpha. Thank you for always giving me words of encouragement and for being a formidable friend when I needed you. Thank you for taking care of my brother when I was so far away. And finally, thank you for all your help and support.”

“Always, princess, always,” he replied.

Dinner was great. We ate, we laughed, and we had so much fun catching up with everyone. And before the night was over, just like old times, Usher, Allison, Alex, Ryan, and I spent time together until all the lights went out. I felt a bit sad because Lily excused herself and didn't make it like she had promised to do. I assumed she felt embarrassed at the way I had judged her with my face the day before.

I swear that my face gets me in trouble when my mouth doesn't. But I hope that one of these days Allison and I can meet up with her and have a girls' night at one of our houses. They are my girls after all.

Like mom used to say, there are friends, and there is family, but there are friends who become family. In these past four years, our distance has meant so little because they meant so much more. And even though it may have cracked little holes in the way, my heart always had a special place for each one of them. And I could be one hundred percent sure that I also had a special part in theirs.