His Rejected Queen

Chapter Eight: The Royal Family

The soft, rhythmic chords of music swelled as Carmichael stepped into the royal foyer, its grandeur a familiar backdrop to his life. Willa, his mother, the Queen, was already there, a picture of serene anticipation despite her visibly advanced pregnancy. She stood gracefully, her hand often drifting to the gentle curve of her belly, a soft smile gracing her lips. Beside her, his younger brother, Leo, leaned against a wall, his usual sardonic expression softened by a thoughtful air, his chin resting on a propped hand. Carmichael’s eyes found Leo’s, a silent acknowledgment passing between them.

Carmichael, eldest son of Queen Williamina and King Bruce William Macleoud, strode towards his mother. A fond, easy smile touched his lips as he leaned down, placing a tender kiss on her cheek. “Maw.”

Willa’s gaze softened with maternal affection. “Me wee bairn,” she cooed, her voice warm, a hint of her Scottish roots in the endearment.

Carmichael pulled back with a slight grimace, running a hand through his copper-red hair. “I’m not a baby,” he grumbled playfully. A playful glint entered his storm-lit steel eyes. “Especially when my banger says different, aye.”

Willa rolled her eyes, but a fond, knowing smile touched her lips. “Boys,” she muttered, shaking her head. Then, her gaze returned to Carmichael, brimming with affection. “To me, you will always be me, baby Carmichael. All four of me wee bairns.”

Carmichael offered a sheepish shrug, his eyes flicking to Leo, who chuckled softly at their mother’s words. Carmichael knew his mother, Willa, was the kindest, most humble being he’d ever known. She had stepped in countless times to save him and his wolf, Samael, from their own rash decisions. Without her, he was certain they'd both be feral. If the Moon Goddess hadn’t condemned him to a mateless existence, his maw was exactly how he would picture his mate to be.

He turned his attention back to Willa, a more serious note entering his voice. “So, how is the pregnancy coming along?”

Willa stretched, a tired sigh escaping her lips. “Tiring. It’s not easy carrying boy pups. And this little one is no different from you and Leo.”

“Do you need help with anything whilst I’m here?” Carmichael offered, his brow furrowing slightly with concern.

Willa’s smile widened. “Such a gentleman you are.”

A dry, sarcastic voice cut through the air. “Mummy’s boy, more like.” Leo’s gaze, usually so sharp, was laced with a familiar, teasing disapproval. Leonardo Daniel Macleoud – Leo for short – was Carmichael's younger brother, second in line to the throne. He was meant to carry on their bloodline, to find his mate and settle down, yet he was too engrossed in his playboy lifestyle to even acknowledge the woman fated for him. Their parents had been breathing down his neck for months, urging him to take his responsibilities seriously.

Willa silenced Leo with a gentle shush. “Hush, bairn. For that, you can get me another tub of my favourite strawberry ice cream.”

Leo offered a charming, flirtatious wink. “Sure, Maw.”

Carmichael rolled his eyes. “And that right there is what you call favoritism.”

Willa sighed dramatically, a knowing look passing between her and Leo that spoke volumes about their familiar antics. “I’m going to leave you two to it. Before I bang both of ya bloody heads together.” She walked towards the edge of the foyer, her voice carrying back to them. “Tea is in an hour, boys.”

As Willa departed, the subtle, shifty beat of the palace music seemed to underscore a brewing conversation. Carmichael pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with a practiced hand, the thin stream of smoke curling upwards.

“Okay, out with it,” Leo stated, his voice flat, his earlier teasing gone. He crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering. “And you can’t bullshit me that there’s f**k all wrong.” Carmichael took a slow drag from his cigarette, a cloud of worry clouding his features. “Maw might not have noticed. But you look like you haven’t slept in weeks. Overall, you look like shite, Carm.”

Carmichael exhaled a long plume of smoke, the words rough. “Aye, that’s because I feel like shite. But it’s nothing I can handle. Samael is just more agitated than usual.”

Leo’s expression turned thoughtful. “Have you thought about what Dad said about claiming a chosen mate?”

Carmichael let out a short, harsh laugh. “He won’t even tolerate the thought. He’s f*****g hellbent that we have a goddess-given mate.” He rolled his eyes, taking another drag.

“So, after all these years, the Beast is still in denial?” Leo observed, a knowing glint in his eye.

“Ya think,” Carmichael retorted, a sardonic edge to his voice.

Suddenly, a voice, sharp and distinct, cut through the air, emanating from beyond their immediate sight. “No smoking indoors! I mean it, Carm, do I have to take you outside by the scruff of the neck?”

Leo couldn’t help but giggle. Carmichael, though, quickly put out his cigarette, his expression one of annoyed resignation. He knew better than to provoke his mother, especially when she was close to her due date.

“It’s even gotten to the point where, I can’t even have a one-night stand without Samael threatening to rip the bonnie lass apart,” Carmichael grumbled, his earlier annoyance morphing into frustrated disbelief.

Leo’s eyes widened slightly. “Jesus, Carm, he’s f*****g lost it.”

Carmichael threw his hands up in exasperation. “f*****g tell me about it.” The brothers walked side-by-side, heading out of the foyer and transitioning to the tranquil royal garden, the palace sounds fading behind them.

The intimate royal garden offered a brief respite, a lush expanse of green under the gentle sunlight. Carmichael and Leo continued their conversation, Leo now scrolling on his phone. Carmichael lit another cigarette, the smoke a thin white plume against the vibrant greenery.

“We have had a voicemail left by Charles Clarke,” Leo announced, looking up from his phone.

Carmichael paused, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. “Oh aye, so what is his decision?”

Leo sighed, a note of worry in his voice. “He politely declined our offer, Carm.”

Carmichael scoffed, irritation creeping into his tone. “Did he give his reasons for declining to join the best football team in the United Kingdom?”

“Aye, and it seems pretty plausible,” Leo replied, a slight shrug accompanying his words.

“Plausible, you say?” Carmichael questioned, his brow furrowed.

“He would have to leave his family behind,” Leo explained.

“That’s all on his Alpha,” Carmichael dismissed, rolling his eyes. “If the old dog wasn’t so dead set on the old ways.”

“Even so,” Leo countered. “Charles has mentioned that he has a twin sister. And that she has just come out of hospital after years of undergoing serious treatment.”

Carmichael’s hand went to his chin, a thoughtful gesture. “Had he mentioned what she was in hospital for? Only you and I both know, it’s f*****g rare as rocking horse shite for werewolves to be sick.”

How f*****g weird? Carmichael mused internally. The very mention of Charles Clarke and his twin sister had Samael, his wolf, perking up, attentively listening to their conversation.

“Nope,” Leo replied. “But this is obviously what’s holding him back, aye.”

“So, Charlie boy is family orientated,” Carmichael summarized, a smirk playing on his lips.

“It would seem so, wouldn’t it?” Leo affirmed.

Carmichael’s smirk widened. “Then I think I may have a solution that may make him change his mind. But it will involve a full family background check.”

Leo’s eyes widened slightly. “Are ya thinking of letting his family join our pack?”

Samael, Carmichael’s wolf, pulsed with satisfaction at the thought. Carmichael felt a strange surge of amusement at how unusual his wolf's behaviour had gotten lately. I swear he’s losing the plot. f*****g numpty.

“Carm?” Leo prompted, noticing his brother’s distant expression.

Carmichael coughed, clearing his throat. “Aye.”

“I thought I lost you for a second there,” Leo chuckled.

“I was thinking. Charlie boy has some serious skills that I’m not willing to let go to waste.”

“Aye, I agree,” Leo readily conceded. “If you send the transferal for him and his family to join your pack ASAP, he may very well be signed up for this upcoming season.”

“Come on, let’s head back inside before Maw becomes irritable with us,” Carmichael said, a lighthearted tone in his voice. Leo giggled, and together they made their way back towards the palace, the soft sounds of the garden fading behind them.