The Departed and Return, Princess of Lyconia

The Arrival, Red Moon Pack

KINGS POV

In the upcoming month, we made plans to visit Ellies parents down south at their family’s pack, the Red Moon pack. To get insight from her mother, as she was a white wolf. We were hesitant to travel because of the pregnancy, but urgency became dire as her mother’s illness got worse and it seems she was closer to deaths door then we realized.

We arrived at the border of the Red Moon pack late in the afternoon, as the weather was bad outside, causing travel time to snail down, with howling winds and thunderstorms surrounding us. It was as if the storm was heeding a warning. However, the raging storm finally stopped outside the borders, the sky clear of any sign of any rain or screaming winds.

We continued driving forward with my Beta Jason at the front of the caravan and Gamma Reece with the Elite soldiers following behind us. We were in the center of the caravan, sitting in the backseat of our bulletproof, top of the line SUV. We made it down the packs well-groomed path, randomly seeing the packs border patrol wolves weaving in and out of the trees. Howling to the awaiting pack of our pending arrival, following our every move. They knew who we were but preceded to escort us to the middle of the pack where the current Alpha’s pack house sat.

A huge four-story mansion flanked with the Luna’s favorite white rose bushes, laid ahead of us, with its long columns and whitewashed shutters.

Pulling up to the pack house, Ellies dad Alpha Jacob waits to greet us. Beside him, his Beta Mark and Gamma Anthony were also there with some soldiers standing stoically to the side of the building. The driveway is aligned with people and their families to welcome us as Royalty has come for a visit.

I turned my head to the side to watch my beautiful wife snoring softly on my shoulder. I hated to wake her, but I knew she was so excited to see her parents again.

‘If she was so excited, then why’d she fall asleep’ Jake sounded in my head

‘She probably overexerted herself bro. Plus, it took us five hours to travel over here versus the three hours and to top it off she is pregnant with our pups, you ass!’ I snapped back.

‘Okay okay, keep your panties on! Geez!’ he flustered.

“We’re here Ellie,” I said as I rubbed her cheek to gently wake her up. Her violet eyes fluttered open and gave a small yawn. Sitting up straight, she did a little stretch to wake up.

“Goodness, when did I fall asleep? Sorry about that hon, I didn’t realize how tired I was,” she said yawning again. I admired her as she stretched, her round belly almost doubled in size the past couple of weeks, taking a lot of strength from her.

“It’s all good honey, I know you were tired. Granted, it hasn’t been all that comfortable for you, but you were sleeping so well. I mean if a thunderstorm couldn’t wake you, I didn’t think it worth the trouble.” I teased as my Gamma came to the door to open it for us.

“There was a storm?” she asked unbelievably as she looked out the window, seeing the now pretty clear sky. I shook my head to myself, thinking how weird it was that just a while ago there was such a strong thunderstorm and then now not even a trace of it even existed, not a single drop, not a whiff of rain, absolutely nothing.

‘I know right? Freaky Friday weird’ says Jake reading my mind.

I got out of the car and helped Ellie out. She hobbled out slowly and looked up and smiled when she saw her father.

“Daddy!” she greeted and met her father halfway with his arms stretched out to hug her.

“My baby! Goodness, it’s been ages since I’ve seen you!” he said happily as he placed a fatherly kiss at her temple.

She was the spitting image of her father, a tall well-built man with dark red hair and violet eyes like his daughter. He placed his arm around her after acknowledging me with a curt not.

“Harold, good to see you.” He greeted.

“Jacob, sir.” I returned, staying formal as we were never really that close. Especially, after I whisked his only child away many years ago.

My father-in-law then turned towards the growing pack in his driveway and barked out to his pack in his Alpha voice, causing all, but the King and Queen, to bow and turn their neck in submission to the Alpha,

“Attention!” quieting everyone down. “After years of being away, please welcome my pregnant daughter Your Queen, Eleanor, and Her husband his Majesty King Harold. I know everyone is eager to meet and greet our King and Queen, but please give them time to settle in and visit with our family before performing any royal duties.” With that the pack bowed deeply in respect to the Royals facing them.

“You may rise”, I instructed, and the people rose and cheered a warm welcome, wishing us salutations on our pregnancy.

After that, I let the pair chatter away as they walked towards the packhouse together leaving me behind.

“Oh dad, we’ve been so busy lately with the pregnancy and the recent rogue attacks in the smaller territories that we had to keep postponing visiting you and mom. How’s mom doing? Any improvements?” she chatted continuing their conversation.

Jacob looked back at me and mind-linked quickly, still trying to listen to his daughter chatter away, ‘We will talk after dinner tonight, after the ladies get together. You’ve kept my daughter from me too long, so there’s much to catch up on. Send your soldiers down to the dormitories for their dinner and to get settled. Then have your Gamma get with my Gamma to sort out the detail for patrol and security rotations, during the duration of ya’lls visit’.

‘Yes, sir.’ I responded as he cut the mind link and continued to converse with his daughter, walking into the house.

As King of the Lycans and all were-beings, we have direct access via mind-link to communicate to all of our people. Just like how an Alpha and Luna, can mind link the families and members of their wolf pack, the Queen and I can do the same but to all in our kingdom, when we wish too.

I then turned to my Beta Jason and Gamma Reece, who were standing at attention near the vehicles. Patiently awaiting my instruction, along with my Elite soldiers that were assigned to our guard for this trip.

“Jason. Reese. Please gather the soldiers and get them settled in the guest dormitories and lead them to the cafeteria for dinner. Then you two, meet me back at the pack house for dinner and to show you both to your respected rooms. After dinner, Reese, you will get with Alpha Jacobs’ Gamma to strategize a new rotation to include our Elite soldiers while we are here visiting. Also, Jason, please appoint a guard to always be assigned to the Queen, while I am not with her. Taking shifts if needed with another Elite soldier.” I instructed while omegas came to unload our luggage from the vehicles.

“Yes, your majesty” they responded formerly in unison, while bowing their allegiance to me. Then turned around and walked towards our Elite soldiers, who were all decked out in black suits concealing any weapons under their suit jackets.

“Elites, please follow the Beta and Gamma to your temporary quarters and enjoy your meals. Please stay alert and diligent when on guard and get some much-needed rest when off duty. I will see you all in the morning for training. Thank you everyone for taking this trip with the Queen and I.” I said dismissing them for the evening.

Watching them take their bags and follow their leaders to the dormitories, I shook my head thinking that my elite soldiers looked like a bunch of secret service men for the human president. I sighed to myself, praying to the Moon Goddess that no mishaps happen on this trip and that everyone in my care could return home safely to their respective families.

‘Nah, they look like the guys in Men in Black’ my Lycan joked, trying to ease the worry developing in my heart.

‘Yeah, all they need is the sunglasses, but since its dark outside I guess we can settle for secret service men’ I joked back making Jake gruff in answer.

‘Can we go for a run tonight?’ he asked me

‘I don’t see why not. Let’s wait until after Ellie falls asleep and arrange to have a guard at the door when we leave’ I said

‘Sounds like a plan bro’ he grumps

Turning around, I head towards the packhouse and was greeted by an omega at the door.

“Welcome Your Majesty,” he bowed to me. “The Alpha and the Queen have adjourned to the parlor with some small bites and drinks, as dinner was delayed for your majesty’s arrival. Our head chef has planned an elaborate dinner for our esteemed guests and wanted to await your arrival before starting. Dinner should be ready in about an hour” the young Omega then bowed again and shut the door behind me.

“Thank you, what’s your name?” I asked

“My name is Derek, your majesty” he responded

“Nice to meet you Derek, it takes a lot to be guarding this door and greeting all whom enter. Keep it up!” I acknowledged him by clapping a hand on his shoulder and walked towards the parlor looking for my wife and father-in-law. Without noticing, the omega stood up straighter and even puffed his chest out proudly, responding with a meek “Will do, your Majesty”.

I didn’t turn around as I continued walking down the corridor to the parlor, but I laughed to myself imagining the young omega saluting and clicking his heels behind my back. Thinking so, made me smile wide. I liked to treat everyone well no matter their status. I was always taught to treat others how you want to be treated, so considering that I was the King of our Realm, I always treated those lessor than me with respect and care. So that in time, I may be treated the same as well.

Finally, reaching the door to the parlor I could hear some sniffles and small talk coming from within the room. Hating to interrupt, I opened the door slowly, making myself known to those within.