A Mate For Princess Calista

The rain streaked down the window of the Royal Crescent Moon pack house, distorting the half-moon's reflection behind a heavy grey cloud. It was early, too early. The only sounds were Celeste's concerned questions to Asher about their daughter's well-being. Calista didn't mind the early wake-up; sleep was a rare visitor. Her dreams were haunted by the desperate cries of her ex-mate's wolf, begging her to reject the man. She'd also see Hamish, her baby brother, lifeless on a hospital bed, a memory that still felt painfully real. Even though everything turned out fine, when she closed her eyes, she was back in that moment. She wasn't bothered that both she and Celeste would be taking a commercial flight to Denmark, rather than her father's private jet. Asher needed it for his visit to London later that day, to meet the human King of England. Despite their royal status, her parents had instilled down-to-earth values. As teenagers, they all worked minimum-wage jobs and learned how to manage money. Calista also volunteered at the Omega Centre her family established, a refuge for Omegas who had suffered at the hands of unscrupulous Alphas. Although such incidents had become rare under her parents' reign, some Omegas still preferred life in the shelter. Calista found fulfillment in helping out, often seen scrubbing floors in designer jeans with her purple hair pulled back. Turning from the dreary scene outside, she gathered her three oversized suitcases and a smaller cabin bag, pulling them towards the door. "Whoa, Lista, it's just a week!" Asher teased, wearing a mischievous grin. "Yeah, but we don't know what events are planned, or what the weather will be like. It's better to be prepared," Lista shrugged, while Celeste looked up at her mate with adoration. "Are you sure Hope will forgive me for leaving?" Celeste asked Asher, a concern she'd voiced before, looking up at him. "Absolutely. I'll come to the airport with you," Asher declared. "Oi, no need. We'll be fine," Lista assured, not eager for a three-hour journey with two smitten mates. While she cherished her brother and best friend, their romantic aura couldn't help but stir a pang of what might have been if she'd never been mated to that rogue. "She's right. It's a six-hour round trip. We'll be alright," Celeste smiled affectionately up at Asher. "Just drive safely," Asher pointed at Lista, who nodded. "Yeah, yeah, I won't go above 100 miles per hour," Lista teased, earning a scowl from him. "No more than 60 or 70 on the motorways," he practically growled. Celeste giggled, assuring Asher that Lista was just joking. Leaving the lovebirds to their privacy, Lista loaded her cases into the black SUV Range Rover before heading back inside to grab Celeste's smaller bags. The fleeting thought that she might have overpacked crossed her mind, but it didn't linger. She cherished her clothes, holding onto anything that brought her a hint of joy. Settling into the driver's seat, Lista watched as Asher walked Celeste to the door, baby Hope strapped to his chest, and shared another passionate kiss. Celeste finally got in the car, her cheeks flushed. Lista shook her head. "Mates," she declared, shifting the gear stick into first and driving down the gravel driveway towards the gate. They waved to the warriors at the border and merged onto the small country road, heading southeast towards larger roads leading to the airport. Celeste connected her phone to the sound system and hit play, filling the SUV with music. Both sang loudly and off-key to whatever was on the playlist. "I'm on my way, Driving at 90, down those country lanes, Singing to Tiny Tempa," Celeste belted out. "What are you singing?" Lista laughed. "It's Tiny Danger," Celeste corrected as she sang along to "Castle on the Hill" by Ed Sheeran. "No, it's Tiny Tempa," Celeste responded, a puzzled look on her face. "It's not, play it back," Lista insisted, playfully arguing over the song's lyrics. The chorus played again, and Celeste looked at Lista wide-eyed. "Why am I just finding this out now? I've been singing it wrong for years," Celeste declared. Lista laughed. This girl's trip was exactly what the doctor ordered. She was already starting to feel more like her old self. They finally arrived at the airport, parking the SUV in the long-stay lot before unloading their cases and heading inside. At the check-in desk, they placed their larger cases on the belt, watched them disappear as the air hostess weighed and tagged them. "Let's hope they meet us at the other end," Celeste joked. It was always a possibility that luggage could get lost, especially with no direct flight to Copenhagen. They would need to transfer flights at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. "Did you pack essentials in your carry-on?" Celeste asked as they queued up for security. "Yes, clean undies and a couple of outfits," Lista confirmed. "Good, I'll do the same. We should probably check in online so we can get a good seat. And I have no idea if the airline will give us complimentary food or drinks." "You're really good at this. I would have forgotten all that," Lista confessed. "My parents took me on a lot of trips when I was younger," Celeste explained. They finally made it through security and headed towards their gate, which had yet to be announced. "Gate 26," Celeste announced after checking the departures board. "We've got some time," Lista declared, noticing the time. "I'm going to pop into the shop and get some sweets for the flight." Lista couldn't help but smile. While her travels had typically been aboard her father's private jet, she understood the importance of packing spare clothing, just in case her main luggage decided to embark on an impromptu world tour before reaching its intended destination. As they turned the corner, the sight of the large x-ray machines greeted them, along with a bustling crowd of passengers loading their cases onto the conveyor belt. Everyone followed the ritual of removing valuables, placing them in plastic trays, and passing through the metal detector. Curiosity tinged with anxiety bubbled up in Lista. She leaned in closer to Celeste, her voice barely above a whisper. "What's that?" She gestured towards the imposing x-ray machine. "It's an x-ray machine. It checks for any potential explosives in your bag," Celeste explained with a reassuring smile. While she had never ventured far or experienced public transportation, she yearned for the full travel experience with Lista, rather than relying on Liane, the Montseny Pack Beta and gifted transporter wolf, who was frequently called upon for her services. A wave of concern washed over Lista, and she whispered again, this time with a hint of jest in her tone. "Well, no explosives, but I do have something pink, about six inches long, that tends to... 'buzz in the night'." She smirked, knowing she was pushing the boundaries of propriety. Celeste's eyes widened in surprise, her lips quirking in a valiant effort to suppress a laugh. The unexpected humor in Lista's remark momentarily lightened the atmosphere, easing their nerves. As they navigated the security process, Lista couldn't help but observe the varied array of passengers around them. Families with young children, business travelers engrossed in their devices, and couples stealing affectionate glances at one another. The airport was a bustling microcosm of lives intersecting, each person with their own unique story and destination. Once through security, they found themselves in a wide concourse lined with shops, restaurants, and duty-free boutiques. The scent of freshly baked goods wafted through the air, tempting hungry travelers with promises of comfort and indulgence. Lista's stomach growled in response, a reminder that it had been too long since her last meal.