A Griffin's Voice

Chapter 5: Getting to know the Princes

Avalon’s P.o.V.

I hate how badly my mate, and her brother are treated. She might not be my true mate, but I am thrilled that I am choosing her as my mate. She is so sweet, kind, honest, and loyal. I am hoping that Fawn will allow us to mark and mate her in time. I just have to be patient.

I am currently sitting down on the larger sectional couch between Archer and Dean. Carter and Seth are sitting on the floor in front of us for some odd reason. I don’t understand why they aren’t sitting on the couch with us. We can all easily fit with extra room still. All five of us have questions for our precious mate that we want to ask to make our dates perfectly tailored to her.

Jackal and I have already planned our date out. We want to take her roller skating at the indoor track. We plan on renting the entire alley out for the date. We just have to figure out dinner for that night. It might seem like an odd thing to do for a first date, but I love roller skating and I regret not having told her that when I had the chance. I know that I need to start talking and opening up to her more.

Dean’s P.o.V.

I stare at my beautiful mate and when she finally looks at me, I wink at her as flirtatiously as possible. She rolls her eyes at me, and I simply smile back at her as I stare at her. She is currently sitting next to her brother on the smaller sectional. Thorn and I have a fool proof plan to win her over on this date that my mom set up. I will have to thank her later or at least at some point.

Thorn and I plan on taking her on a cliché first date. Dinner and a movie. A nice restaurant and a cold movie theater. Then we can talk during dinner and hopefully cuddle during the movie. Thorn loved the idea the minute I shared it with him. A chance to cuddle her, he was completely for it even if the date bored him. He is pushing for a horror movie. I wasn’t sure about that until I realized then I would really get to cuddle her since she would be terrified. A chance to show her that I would protect her. Perfect! Now, I really can’t wait for this!

Archer’s P.o.V.

A date for each of us alone with our tiny angel. This sounds absolutely perfect. I am also thinking that it would be a good idea to also maybe do a group date as well. Then we can all bond with her separately and together. It would really strength our bond with her and each other. I mean we weren’t planning on sharing a mate until recently.

Orion has given me a great idea for our date! A beach day with a picnic. I want it to be a private beach and preferably with a reef on it. I want to let her experience the world and it would be a fun first experience. I also want to show her a good time and spoil her. This will be a perfect chance to do all of it.

Seth’s P.o.V.

Carter and I are easily the most romantic guys out of the five of us princes. I will be making sure that I outdo him, though, for this date. I have to make sure I outdo him. Major and I have also already decided on what we wanted to do. I know that Dean will take a classic approach. I know that Avalon will probably take her roller skating. Archer and Carter, I am less certain about, but I am sure that they will take different approaches. Me? I am taking a classic approach with a twist.

My sweetheart of a mate has very little experience with music. She also has very little experience with the outside world. So, I decided to have a movie night with her, but outside. It will be a quiet, relaxing evening. I just wanted to have a movie night with her under the stars. I would have snacks. Popcorn. Candy. Pop. I would have it all set up for her. A tent. Blankets. Pillows. A projector. A screen. I am hopeful that my idea might even earn me the first kiss from her. I guy can dream!

Carter’s P.o.V.

My first date! Okay, I have been on dates before, but this is the first one that matters, and it is also the first one that I am putting effort into. I am so excited about this! Atlas is just as excited for this. I have been wanting to show her how romantic we can be and have a good time. Atlas wants this to be fun and outdoors. So, I have something in mind that will show her all four things. I mean two of them are basically the same thing but try telling Atlas that.

I was planning on taking her horseback riding and having a picnic, but I have a destination in mind. I want to take her to the Lost Ruins for the picnic and explore them a little bit with her. This is completely outdoors. Check one. It will hopefully be romantic, but how could it not be romantic? Check two. It was definitely going to be fun and an adventure at that. Check three and four. It is going to be a grand old time for me and her. Atlas is hoping that I will introduce her to him properly and let him spend a little bit of time with her whether in human form or fox form. Maybe she will even introduce me to her griffin spirit, Mystery. I can’t wait for this at all!

Fox’s P.o.V.

All five princes are just staring at us. Well more so my sister than me, but still. It is unnerving and ridiculous! My sister is not a piece of meat for them to drool over! Pretty much all of them are looking at her like they want to devour her whole. This is sickening.

I sigh and clear my throat instantly drawing their full attention to me. “Look……you all need to stop looking at my sister like this. Also, you five have dates that need to be planned, so save the major questions until those dates. For now, is there anything any of you need to ask to set them up? If so, this is your chance to ask as we won’t be around most of the day. Fawn wants to go shopping.” I scowl as I say the last part.

All five chuckle softly, but Seth quickly recovers and looks at my sister in excitement. “You like to shop, Sweetheart?”

“I love to shop. I usually drag Fox with me and make him suffer, but he is such a good sport about it. Normally, he convinces me to only do it online with him, but at least it is still shopping.” She looks up at me and pouts. I roll my eyes at her. Dramatic little sister! But I still love her so much.

“We would love to take you whenever you want to go, Angel, but right now your brother is right we do have questions that we need to ask so we can finish getting our dates planned and ready. My first question is the most important though. How would you feel about doing a group date after our individual dates,” Archer tentatively asked.

“I would love to do that, Archer, but I don’t want to take you all away from your duties. Would you all have time for that?” My sister is so considerate. She will make a great queen if they can win her allegiance as queen.

“We would make time for you, Angel. Any time you want to do something we would make sure to make time for it,” Archer immediately replied to ease her concern. “So, I am going to make it quick and easy. Is there anything in particular you would enjoy having for a picnic?”

“I mean I have never gone on a picnic, but I would think either sandwiches and chips or if we can have a fire hotdogs and chips. Maybe something sweet with the picnic. I am not picky at all. I will be happy with whatever you each plan,” my sister quietly said. I could tell these princes made her shy. So cute! “I am a very simple female you will come to find out, Archer.”

“Perfect! Thank you so much, Angel!”

Avalon leans forward with a small smile. “Darling, like Archer I don’t have much to ask you. Just one thing really. Okay maybe two. My first question is the most important though. Do you know how to roller skate?”

“No.”

“That is perfectly fine.” Avalon actually fully smiled and widely. It almost seemed kind and open. “My other question is just a somewhat random one. Are there any types of food you don’t like?”

“Not that I can think of no. I am always open to try new things no matter what they are. I also won’t complain even if I don’t like it. I will still eat it.”

“You don’t have to do that anymore, Darling. We want to know if you don’t like something, so we won’t make it anymore or do it anymore. You are very important to us. We want you to be happy.” I am starting to like Avalon a bit. It is small progress, and it will take time for him to open up to us. But at least I know he isn’t as bad as he likes to act.

“Is there any food that you really love to eat, Beautiful,” Dean asks to grab her attention.

“Ummm……probably seafood and pasta. But like I said I don’t really care what you all decide on. I am just happy that you are all trying.”

Dean smiles at her and winks. “It doesn’t matter to us either. We want to make these dates perfect for you, Beautiful. And those food sound perfect……just like you.” Yup. He is definitely a flirt.

My sister blushes as he finishes and looks down causing all six of us to chuckle at her. I am about to intervene when Seth beats me to it. “Ignore him, Sweetheart. Pay attention to me. I won’t embarrass you. Look at me, Sweetheart.”

Fawn looks up and over into the bright blue eyes of this blonde heart breaking panthera. At least I am sure he has broken many hearts. “How can I help you, Seth?”

“Are there any certain sweets that my sweetheart prefers?”

“I am not sure. I like the idea of sweets but have never gotten to try any.”

“That is perfectly fine, My Sweetheart. I can’t wait to spoil you on our date and every day after that. You are absolutely perfect for us and gorgeous if I might say.”

I thought he said he wasn’t a flirt and wouldn’t embarrass her? My sister’s blush says the opposite. Great Goddess! These princes are impossible. They were all saying just the right word to win both my sister and me over. Damn these princes!

Finally, Carter smiles at her while he chuckles. “So, Princess, I don’t sadly have any questions for you, but I am beyond excited for our date. I am super excited for this entire experience. Do you have any questions for us though?”

“A couple yes. Do you princes’ have an order in mind for the dates?”

“We do yes! Dean is going first. Then Archer. Seth in the middle. Then Avalon. And last but not least, me. Oh! I almost forgot! Our group date we plan to have the day after mine. Six days of dates to look forward to!”

“My only other question is simple. What should I wear for each date?”

“We will have something ready for you for each of our dates. We need to go and talk and get our dates ready, Princess. Thank you so much for answering our questions. Enjoy shopping with your brother. We will talk with you after dinner about the date tomorrow.” All five of the princes stand up together and quietly leave the livingroom with sad expressions. Apparently, they wanted more time with my sister.

Archer’s P.o.V.

We walk into my room. I am excited for her to see it on the day of our date. The walls are pale red. The floor is gray laminated wood. A black and red bed spread on the gray wooded king bed frame. I hope she likes it. Then a thought crossed my mind. How will sharing her work? We have never imagined sharing a mate and I wouldn’t want to be without her one night. Let alone four nights. How will this work? Do we all have to share a bed?

I collapse onto my bed as these thoughts circle in my head. I glance at my friends before looking back at the ceiling. “So, before we get started, I just thought of something. How will sharing a mate work?”

“I have been wondering that myself,” Avalon mutters.

Dean and Carter shrug uncertainly. Then Seth speaks. The lone voice of reason and thought in this. “I have thought about it since we agreed to take her as our chosen mate. I am thinking that we are going to have a build a house for ourselves and share a room between all six of us. None of us will want to be away from her for even a single night, let alone four. It is the only way to make this work. Otherwise only one of us, maybe two of us can mate and mark her, but we have all fallen in love with her. So, this is the only option that we have.”

We all nod in acceptance, realizing that he is in fact correct. We are going to have to grow up and share her. I sigh. “Alright. Let’s get down to business and get our dates sorted. I am assuming we all have them planned for the most part. I want to take her to a beach for a beach day. Have a picnic. I am planning to roast hotdogs over the fire and maybe bring stuff for smores. I want to make it special and memorable, so I was trying to think of a private beach with a reef but can’t think of a single idea. Any ideas?”

“Alright, so I got a few things to say before I get into my main thing. Mainly my side point is that we should keep these dates within the Castle of the Kings island. We can keep dates in our territories for when we show her our territories later on,” Carter said. “So, I know of a private beach, but it doesn’t have a reef. My thoughts on the reef are that Asmurg has a beautiful reef off the coast. When we show her Asmurg we can take her to the reef together. Now, back to your date. Long Lake has a beautiful private beach. Plus, it is only about thirty minutes from here.”

“Carter, you are a genius! It is a great idea. Thank you so much! And I do agree on the reef idea when we take her to Asmurg.” The other three nod their heads in agreement as they grin in excitement. “What do you have planned, Carter?”

“Well, I was thinking about taking her horseback riding though Lost Forest and taking her to Lost Ruins. I want to take her there for a picnic and to explore a bit. For the picnic I am thinking about making sandwiches, chips, and something else. Not sure what yet,” Carter murmurs. “I am going to speak to Kevin Hollis about borrowing horses for the day.”

“Dude, that sounds so romantic…….almost as romantic as the date I have planned. I want to get the first kiss from her, so I have to make sure I make it super romantic.” I roll my eyes at him. Stupid panthera is so competitive.

“Seth, don’t be cocky,” Avalon snapped with the beginnings of a snarl. “But I am curious though. What do you have planned?”

“I plan on taking her to Wildflower Valley, which is only about an hour from the castle. I want to give her a relaxing night. So, I plan on taking a tent, pillows, blankets, snacks, drinks, projector, screen, and generator out to the valley the night before likely and getting it all set up for a movie night under the stars. Look at the stars. Let her pick wildflowers. I been debating on bringing a telescope in case we look at stars.”

We all look at him with our mouths hanging open. Like what the hell? Who the hell thinks of something like this> Why does he always have to outdo us? He does it without even knowing our thoughts and plans. I don’t want to say it, but he is definitely getting the first kiss. f**k! Great Goddess, Seth!

“Well, you are going to ruin my date. I am glad I am going before you now,” Dean growled at Seth with a glower. “I planned on taking her to a movie after a romantic and expensive dinner. Now, what should I do?”

“Still do it, Dean. It will be vastly different from the date that I have planned myself. They are completely different experiences,” Seth told him gently. “What movie are you thinking?”

“The Exorcist is currently being reshown in theaters right now. I wanted a movie where she would want to cuddle me. So, why not a horror movie? Plus, Thorn begged for it to be that one. She will be needed to be held and protected is his thought process.” Dean is now grinning ear to ear as he explains what he and Thorn are thinking. f*****g brilliant! Why can I never think of something like this? Ugh!

“What are you thinking about doing for dinner?”

“I don’t know, Avalon. I was thinking about her favorite food and am thinking about maybe doing pasta.”

“Then I will plan on taking her to a seafood place. I wanted to take her for dinner and roller skating. I want to rent out the entire roller-skating rink. I need to start talking to her and it may help to take her to my favorite thing, especially since she will need my help. Besides, then my darling and I can have privacy.” Avalon smiled as he thought about his date. Avalon actually smiled. SMILED. AVALON. The world has to be ending for that to happen. He rarely ever smiles.

“You good, Avalon? You are smiling,” I jokingly say.

“Yeah. Jackal actually seems to like her and surprisingly so do I. At least I think I like her as well,” Avalon sighs as he thinks before continuing. “I never thought that I would actually like her. I never imagined that Jackal would accept someone, but especially her. I mean he barely accepts me, you guys, or your spirits. Yet here he is already in love with her.”

We all laughed at him. Seth even falls on the floor because he is laughing so hard. Eventually, Dean sobers up enough to talk. “Thorn is completely taken with her as well.” Dean smiled softly. “He even threatened me about her.”

“Atlas wanted nothing to do with her at first. Then we saw her, and everything changed. Plus, the more we learn about her the deeper in love we both are falling in love with her,” Carter chuckled.

“Major wants nothing more than to show her the world and to make her fall in love with us. All of us. He has accepted her as his mate and honestly so have I. We both want her as our mate, and we will stop at nothing to make sure it happens.” Seth looks down with a soft smile and excited eyes.

“Orion wants no one besides her at our side,” I simply add. Orion felt the same way as all of the others, so there is no point in adding anymore to it.

Avalon’s P.o.V.

That evening after spending all day preparing for our dates and planning the group date, we walked into the diningroom to the strangest sight ever. Fawn and Fox are on the floor doing push-ups and both look exhausted. To make it worse, their parents are sitting in their chairs watching them. “What the f**k is going on here,” I growl out.

“They are just doing push-ups since they pissed us off this morning,” King Sebastian casually replies like nothing is wrong at all.

“And how many have the done,” Dean snarls aggressively. A low growl was starting to come from Jackal. “You were told that there wasn’t to be any more punishments!”

“They have only done four thousand.” Jackal’s growl is starting to grow in strength. s**t! “They only have another six thousand to go. Stay out of this now.”

You promised me that this was going to stop, Avalon! Let me out! I will teach these parents a lesson!

Let me deal with this. Jackal. I promise that I will protect our mate better. And I plan to do exactly that. I step forward so that I am standing in front of the griffin king and queen. “I don’t care what you think that either of them has done or not. Or how many push-ups they still need to do. They are f*****g done with them. NOW!” I look down and see both trembling as they continue. “Fawn, Fox. Come with me and my friends please. We will order dinner upstairs for the night.” I walk out of the diningroom hoping that they will both follow. Thankfully, they do.

I lead them up to their room, let them both and my friends in, and then close the door behind me. Walking over to Fawn, I stop in front of her and tilt her head up to look at me. Goddess she is short! “Are you okay, My Darling?” She goes to nod her head, but I don’t let her. “Words.”

“Yes. We are both okay. Just exhausted.”

I nod my head at her before I look over at Fox. “I don’t want to know what happened or anything at this moment, that will come later. Right now, I just need to know if you two got to go shopping or not.”

“We did a little shopping online,” Fox quietly answers me. “We will finish either tonight or tomorrow morning before her date with Dean.”

I nod and go to speak, but Dean beats me to it. “I have ordered pizza up to this room for the seven of us tonight. But, Fawn, come to my room around 2pm tomorrow. Like we told you earlier, I will have an outfit ready for you. We need to be leaving by 4pm, so you will have roughly two hours to get ready.”

She nods her head and then I go to speak again. “Don’t leave this room until tomorrow when you go to Dean’s room. Shift and go for a flight or something but order your breakfast and lunch to be brought up here. Also, keep your door locked so your parents can’t come in.” I continue to hold her face gently as I keep it tilted towards me. I try to look at her with the softest and gentlest eyes possible. “Would you care to watch a movie with us tonight, Darling?”

“Sure, Avalon. Nothing scary tonight please. I don’t want another sleepless night. Plus, the movie last night terrified Fox. He hated it. Nothing ever terrifies my brother.” Fox instantly scowled at her before grabbing a pillow and starting to beat her with it. My darling mate giggled and fell to the floor.

After ten minutes of watching them beat each other and laughing, we all settled down onto the bed with the pizza. Archer wanted to pick the movie tonight, so we let him. He chooses IF. Ugh! A kid’s movie! But nonetheless, we all settled down together and quietly watch it.