The Lost Princess (sequel to The Lost Alpha)

The Truth is Revealed

Chad and Franki were up early. They needed to see Donavan before the girls woke up. They found him in the dining room. He was at the buffet tables making his plate. He sensed them coming and greeted them with a smile. "Ah, Chad, Franki, what can I do for you two?"

"Donavan, we need to use your office after breakfast, please," Chad stated.

"I see," Donavan replied. He could tell by the looks on their faces that something big had happened. "And may I ask why?"

Chad sighed. "I'm sorry, but I'm not able to say that out loud, but it concerns Maxi," he replied. That answer put Donavan on instant alert.

"Is she OK?" he asked.

"We hope so, but we need to have the talk with her," Franki said. "It's time."

"And my office is sound-proofed, making it the perfect place," Donavan stated. "Where is she now?"

"She's still sleeping," Franki said. "She and Sandi had a long night. We're waiting for them to wake up."

"Just let me know when you're ready," Donavan said.

"Thank you so much," Chad said, gratefully.

About two hours later, Maxi and Sandi made their way into the dining room. They fixed themselves plates of food before heading to their table to eat. Aunt Franki and Uncle Chad were already sitting there, having their coffee.

They looked at Maxi and smiled. "Happy birthday," they said in unison. Maxi just blushed and thanked them before taking her seat. She and Sandi enjoyed their breakfast in silence. No one was ready to talk about what happened.

When the girls finished eating and put their dishes in the dishwasher, Chad and Franki took them to Donavan's office, where he and Vivian were waiting, which surprised Maxi quite a bit.

Chad locked the door to make sure there were no interruptions. The girls sat on the couch, while Franki and Chad took the two chairs in front of the desk. Chad spoke first.

"Donavan, thank you for giving us the privacy of your office," Chad started. "Obviously, what needs to be discussed is very sensitive information, not meant for the wrong ears."

"Absolutely not a problem," Donavan replied. "As soon as you mentioned Maxi, I knew it was important."

"Yes, it is," Chad said. "Last night, Maxi shifted for the first time."

Donavan was shocked; Vivian gasped. "But she's only 16, right?" Vivian asked.

"Yes, today is actually her 16th birthday and her shift started at midnight," Franki replied. "She linked us to go to the lake as her wolf said it was time, and we got there as quickly as we could."

"Sandi, I'm guessing you were there as well?" Vivian asked.

"Yes, ma'am, we went swimming in the lake and then were just hanging out after that," Sandi replied.

"Sandi, can we trust you not to repeat anything you hear in this room?" Donavan asked her.

"Absolutely," she replied. "Maxi is more than my best friend; she's my sister. I promise I won't say a word."

Meantime, Maxi sat there getting more and more worried. Was she really some kind of freak? White hair, amethyst eyes, and now an early shift? Maxi was really feeling cursed right now.

"There's something else you should know before we say anything else," Chad said. "Her wolf is pure white, with amethyst eyes and a lilac Caduceus symbol on her hindquarter. Her fur, even the symbol, shimmers under the moonlight."

Donavan and Vivian were both stunned. It was really true after all, everything people believed about her, it was all true.

Finally, Maxi had enough. "Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on? What the hell is wrong with me?" she shouted. Sandi put an arm around her shoulder to offer comfort.

"Oh, my sweet girl, there's nothing wrong with you," her aunt said, smiling. "You are just blessed."

"What does that mean?" Maxi asked.

"Maxi, I have a story to tell you, if you would let me," Uncle Chad said. "I promise it will help."

Maxi just nodded at her uncle to go on.

"Sixteen years ago, The Alpha King and Luna Queen gave birth to their first child, a girl. She was everything her parents could have asked for. However, the princess was born with a rare hair color. It led the other kingdoms to believe that she was a blessed wolf.

"Everyone wanted this innocent child for themselves. They wanted to have whatever powers she could manifest to overthrow the Alpha King and Luna Queen and thus rule over all the kingdoms. The King and Queen received numerous threats to hand over the baby. They became frightened for their daughter and decided to take drastic measures. The Queen's brother and his mate were unable to have children, so were asked to flee with the princess.

"The couple took the baby and flew to a foreign country, to an orphanage that was run by a relative of the Alpha King. The relative was willing to take in the couple and help protect the princess. Because that baby was believed to be a blessed wolf, she needed to be hidden, to be protected from others who would cause her harm.

"Other than her eye color and hair color, she was just like any other she-wolf. However, her 16th birthday came and she shifted for the first time. Her wolf bares a symbol, one of protection, in a color shades lighter than her eyes."

Maxi listened to her uncle closely while he told his story. As he went on, she became suspicious. He couldn't be talking about her, could he? She stared at him when he stopped talking. She only had one question: what colors did this princess bare. She asked, and the room was quiet before someone answered.

"Her hair was pure white," Aunt Franki said, "and her eyes were the color of amethyst."

Maxi scoffed nervously. "No, no that can't' be true," she said. "There's no such princess in existence."

"Yes, Maxine, there is," Franki said gently. "And she is you."

"HOLY-WHAT?" Sandi burst out. She, too, had been listening and also suspected they were talking about Maxi. But to actually hear it was a different story.

"Hold up a minute, are you meaning to tell me that I am a princess? That I am some blessed wolf?" Maxi asked, doubtfully.

"Yes, Maxi," Franki said. "You are Princess Amberlee Dupri, daughter to the Alpha King and Luna Queen. And, you, my dear girl, are not just a blessed wolf, you are a Guardian Wolf."

"How could you possibly know that for sure?" Maxi asked.

"Because, my sweet girl, your mother is my sister," Chad said. "I am Demetrius and your aunt is named Della. We had to live under fake names so you wouldn't be discovered."

"Your parents love you so much," Franki said. "We swore to protect you with our lives. They told everyone that you died of SIDS, in hopes of keeping others from looking for you. However, there are several who were never convinced."

"There are people out there that are still trying to track you down. We can't let them get to you," Chad said.

Maxi couldn't find her voice. This was a lot of information to take in. She linked Aria to ask if it was really true.

Yes, Maxi, we are a Guardian Wolf, Aria replied.

Her aunt could tell that she was talking to her wolf and saw the moment Aria confirmed their identity. Maxi's eyes widened. She was beyond shocked. She actually had no idea how she was feeling at the moment. She needed time to process what was happening.

Maxi looked around the room. "Well, what happens now?" she asked. "Do I finally get to meet my parents?"

Franki and Chad shared a look before they answered her. "Unfortunately, we need to stay put and hidden," Chad answered.

"That means we also need to keep our current names for the time being," Franki added.

This bothered Maxi more than anything. "But why?" she asked, frustrated.

"Because you just turned 16, and you just shifted for the first time," Chad replied. "For one, you need to finish school. For two, we need to start training you physically both in wolf and human forms."

"We also need to ask you not to shift unless we are training," Franki said. "If anyone sees your wolf, they may become suspicious and bring attention our way."

"I see," was all Maxi could say.

Franki felt her heart break for her niece. "Maxi, I am so sorry for all of this," she said.

"It's not your fault, Auntie," Maxi said. "I'm the one who put us in this position."

"Don't you ever think that way!" Franki said, a little harshly. "You are a blessed wolf. The Moon Goddess chose you for a reason and that makes you very special."

Maxi tried to feel comforted by her aunt's words, but it was so hard when you were bullied all of your life, and then find out your life was a lie.

Stop thinking that way, Aria scolded her. I know that life has been tough for you. But this is all part of the plan, to help make you stronger. However, you are the person you were always meant to be and have always been. Whether you are Maxine or Amberlee, you are still YOU.

This actually did help her feel a little better, and she thanked her wolf. Maxi looked around the room again to see everyone watching her. Sandi was looking at her in wonder.

"Sandi, this doesn't change anything," Maxi told her.

"Are you kidding me? You're a freaking princess!" Sandi exclaimed.

"I know, but no one else can know, OK?" Maxi asked. "Please promise me you'll keep this secret."

Sandi saw the pleading look in Maxi's eyes and knew she could not refuse her. "I promise, I'll take it to the grave if I have to. I love you, Maxi, princess or omega. You are my best friend and my sister," Sandi told her. She meant every word too.