The Royal Wolves

* * Queen Erin’s POV * * “Erin, if you don’t stop pacing, you’re going to wear a hole in the floor, and I’d much rather you didn’t, it’s just been laid,” Florence tells me as her eyes give me a sympathetic look. She’s right, of course she is. Since we arrived at her house, I’ve done nothing but pace back and forth while casting longing gazes through the living room window, hoping to see his figure walking towards the house. Every ten minutes or so, I’ve been providing running commentary of what may be happening in the meeting with the Werebear. Wearbears! I can hardly believe it. We were taught nothing about their existence at school and all I want to do is head to the archive room and find out everything I can about them. “Why did William look so worried though? I should be there with them, as a Queen should be, not hidden away like a weak damsel in distress,” I stress at her. “I’m sure they will fill us in, when they are able,” she smiles. “You’re right,” I sigh and look around the room. It’s only now that I realise this house is set up for three. “Is there something you forgot to tell me?” I ask her. “Yes. But it’s a secret. Jo believes it’s bad luck to say something before the twelve week mark. Oh my god, Erin. I’m going to be a mummy!!” she beams. “Oh my god. Oh my god!! Flo,” I sob and hug her. “You look happy. Remind me to tell the Dr to take good care of you or he’ll have me to deal with,” I say as I try to put on a menacing look. “How about you start by calling him Jo, instead of Dr Singh all the time. He is my mate and he carries my mark,” she’s unable to contain her excitement. “I’ve been a rubbish friend lately. I’m sorry … I really am happy for you,” I tell her and walk towards her to wrap my arms around her, feeling like the worst friend in the world. “Don’t be like that. You’ve had a lot on and with Jo believing as he does, I promised I’d keep it a secret until we are further along. Please keep my secret,” she hugs me tightly. “Of course I will. I promise,” I say and hug her again. “From now on, we are going to be having weekly dates, even if it’s just an hour coffee and chat. I need to remember that I am more than just a mate, a mother and a King’s partner.” “Why can you never just say you’re the Queen?” “It’s a big step up from Luna and I don’t feel I’ve earned it yet,” I admit to her. “Have you heard from Cait yet?” “Only to say she has news and we all need to meet and that Stefan will bring us,” I say. “Damn. That’s all she told me, too. I hate being out the loop,” Flo grumbles. “He’s here.” The door opens and Stefan rushes in and wraps his arms around me. “You’re okay,” I sigh and begin to cry. He spends the next half hour updating us on all that happened with the werebear. The more he tells me, the more my heart sinks. “It’s okay. Once I gave myself over to Jenson’s new form, I could feel we would have an advantage over the bears. We just need to finally start training him, instead of being afraid of him. We’ll make sure the pack healers are at the training grounds,” he reassures me. “Go with Flo and freshen up. We need to get ready to meet Cait,” he smiles and kisses my forehead. “But what about the bears?” “For now, Darran is sorting things. For the next few hours, I am simply, Stefan and a family man. Now move,” he pats my rear and grins. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Sixty minutes later, I’m sat in the car with a blindfold on and my excitement is building so much that I’m unable to sit still. “Where are we going? I’m going to need a toilet break soon,” I grumble. “Give over. I’m blindfolded too. And if yours comes off, so does mine,” Flo says. “Both of you just relax. We’re almost there,” Jo tells us. “Why the secrecy, Jo?” I demand. “I agree. Now, answer your Queen, hunni. Seeing as you won’t tell me a damn thing,” Flo adds. “Cait has asked for it to be a surprise. You wouldn’t want to upset your sister, would you?” “Fair play. How much longer?” “Five minutes,” Stefan tells me. “I couldn’t help but notice you didn’t call me Doctor,” he says and I can hear the smile in his tone. “Well I figured you’re family now,” I laugh. True to his word, and it’s only because I’ve literally counted the seconds, the car pulls to a stop in just under five minutes. Stefan carefully helps me from the car and directs me. “Now, just let me adjust your position a little,” he tells me and I hear Jo telling Flo the same thing. “We’ll count down from ten and on one, we’ll remove the blindfolds. Are you ready?” Stefan asks. “I was ready an hour ago,” I tell him. “Ten … nine … eight …” he counts down. I’m not sure if each number increases my excitement or frustration: I just want to see now. “Three … two … one.” He begins to untie the blindfold and then lifts it from my face. It takes my eyes a moment to adjust to the daylight they are now exposed to. It takes a few blinks to realise that I’m staring at a black and silver store front, the board above the shop is matt black and the silver text reads “The Royal Retreat”. I gasp a breath as I see Cait wearing a deep grey set of scrubs with the same name embroidered onto her chest. “Cait!! Is this?” I gasp as I rush and hug her. “Oh my goddess!! Oh my goddess!!” Flo squeals and runs to join us. “Does this mean you got them?” She asks. “Thanks, guys,” Cait smiles to our mates behind us. “Erin. Florence…” She pauses. “Please may I give you a tour of my new business, The Royal Retreat?” She asks with a huge grin. “How? When?” I ask her. “Well over the last two years, if you remember… you sent me off to college. You’re now looking at the new and improved Caitlin: hairdresser and make up artist. I’ve also enrolled into a beautician and massage course,” she says confidently. My little sister has grown up and I couldn’t be more proud of the young woman before me. “Can I see?” I practically beg her. Cait proudly shows us around her new business, the reception is simple, yet elegant. On the reception desk is a tray filled with drinks and chocolate. “The one on the left is alcohol free,” she smiles. “Grab a drink and join me for a tour.” The first door on the right reveals a hair dressing salon which can fit up to eight customers. “The plan is to give people the option of being employed by The Retreat or work self employed and rent a booth,” she tells us. We take a moment to admire the hair salon and move the the next room which is a light, mirrored room and Cait informs us that this is where make up will be done. The next room is enormous and has six mini rooms within it: this is the sun bed section of The Retreat. The tour continues and we view the nail salon and massage rooms. “How is this possible?” I ask in awe. “Well. After I put my business idea forward, I had some very generous investment offers,” Cait grins. “Who?” “King Stefan and Alpha Asa both chose to invest in return for a percentage of the income. I drive a hard bargain. Between them both, I’m only losing 15% of the profits. Can you imagine? Wolf leaders choosing to invest in me!” “I absolutely can. I’ve always believed in you,” I grin at her. “That reminds me. Your envelope came to mum and dad’s. I’m pretty sure it’s your results,” she tells me as she holds out an envelope with the colleges name stamped on it. I feel a pit in my stomach. I haven’t been as dedicated to my studies as I should have been. “Open them,” Stefan urges me. To my relief, my lowest grade is a ‘C’. Everyone praises me and I feel proud of myself. I’ve managed to get passable school grades, while also learning to be a Luna and a mum. We spend the next hour in celebration with Cait and I beg to be her first client. After making an official ceremony out of using her booking diary for the first time, we have to leave. We have our first official meeting in the morning and I know Stefan needs time to prepare. Cait decides to come with us, so she, Florence and I, occupy the back seat of the car and talk excitedly all the way home about Cait’s future and how proud of her we are. * * * * * * * * * * * * * Stefan’s mood becomes somber as the day goes on, I know he’s apprehensive about the first meeting for the Land of Unity. I know it should have been something ground breaking, instead of a proposal of war, but we cannot choose what destiny throws at us. All we can do is travel the path before us and be the best version of ourselves. I walk towards him and wrap my arms around him. "That inner critic is a bit loud today, huh? It wants to save you from making mistakes but it's creating anxiety, doubt and misplaced shame. I think you need a dose of self compassion. Be as sweet to yourself as you are to others. Being kind should radiate inwards as-well as into the world beyond. Trust in yourself as I trust in you,” I tell him and wrap my arms around him. “Have I told you that I love you?” He sighs into my hair. “Yes. And I love you, too.” “Let me love you tonight?” He begs me. “Baby, you can love me any time. Day or night,” I purr at him and then squeal in delight when he scoops me into his arms and rushes me to the bedroom.