The Prince's Mate

Chapter Sixteen

Callie

After spending all the time I could in the dress room, I decided on a light pink gown that has a sweetheart neckline. It flows around me with a shimmering train. I love it so much. Terry already arranged for the hair dresser and makeup artist to come up to my wing and do mine and Chelsea's makeup and hair for the ceremony. As soon as Chelsea gets there, I take her to our balcony and give her a teary smile. 

"Are you ready to be a God mother?" 

She pulls me into a hug and says, "Only if you are." I look at her in shock and she smiles, rubbing her belly.

 "That's right, best friends are having babies together!"

 I squeal and we jump up and down like we are kids again. My kids will have the very best cousins to grow up with and the only thing that would make it better was if I could see my parents again soon. I know they will be here for when the actual wedding takes place, but with the short notice, they couldn't make it today. I really want to tell them in person about the pups. 

Chelsea and I head inside, and I grab us the meat and cheese tray I made the night before as well as some waters. Chelsea's hair is curled in big, ringlet curls that hang down her back. She goes with a neutral look, but this girl could wear a potato sack and look gorgeous. 

I feel Mason come in the room before I see him and I turn around, giving me a big smile. "Hey baby! We are almost ready." 

He looks down at himself and gives me a quick kiss before running to the bedroom to get ready. And they say women are always the ones running behind. An hour later and we are heading down to the back patio where there is a beautiful set up.

Twinkly lights hang in the air and are entwined with the tree branches, giving them a magical look. At the front, there is a huge, flowered alter of sorts with two chairs underneath it, side by side. We head up to our seats and I begin feeling awkward, being around all these people that I don't know. 

Mason takes my hand and kisses my knuckles, reassuringly. The King and Queen stand up in front of a podium like thing and the Queen raises her hand , silencing the crowd.

 "Today is a very special day for our kingdom, today we welcome our future queen into our pack. We will welcome her with open arms. I want to say congratulations to the Prince for finding his mate. And now, your future rulers." 

Mason

The whole place looks absolutely amazing and I am so glad I spent all that time planning it. There are wolves from all over the world here to see this day. I made sure that Callie's parents would stay hidden around the corner from us. 

I blocked their scent with a necklace one of the ancient witches gave me. My mate is looking gorgeous and captures the attention of many males, making me tighter my hold on her. She smiles up at me and I could get lost in her eyes every day. 

We take our seats at the front of the crowd and await my parent's speech. I can feel how restless Callie is through the bond and if she doesn't calm down soon, I'm going to have an anxiety attack. I grab her hand and place a light kiss on her knuckles. 

My mother makes her speech and before I know it, it's our turn. I take a deep breath and grab Callie's hand, pulling her up. She wraps her hand on my arm and looks at the crowd, worried.

  Just pretend it is all friend's and family, dear. Her grip tightens on me as she receives my mind link. I take a deep breath and address the crowd before us. "

Thank you all for coming tonight. As many of you know, I have needed my mate for a long time and thank the Goddess, I finally found her." Callie blushes at my words and squares her shoulders, holding her head high like a true queen. When she addresses the crowd, everyone, including me, is captivated by her.

 "I want to thank you all for welcoming me into your pack, I am sure I will love it here.I am so excited to see what the future will bring. One thing I can promise you is no matter what, I will always do what is best for my people. I don't care about the power, I don't care about the money, I care about you." The crowd erupts around us and I look at my mate in admiration. 

"I also want to let you know that the prince and I would like to formally announce our engagement, as well as the news that I am carrying the next heirs."

Callie

The crowd is deafening. I just announced that I am engaged to the prince and am pregnant. I didn't realize how much these people love their royals. 

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I see a blur of blue running towards me. Before I can react, I am crushed in a hug. I finally let myself focus and can see my mother, tears streaming down her face, smiling at me. 

I am speechless. My father comes around the corner and engulfs us both in a hug. I have tears streaming down my face and can't even form a sentence.

 I look for Mason and see him standing there, smiling from ear to ear. Surprise, Princess.

I cannot believe he managed to pull this off. 

"When did you guys get here? How long are you staying? Why did no one call me?" My mom holds her hands up like she is surrendering and says, 

"Honey, I promise we will have time to talk but right now, you are the future queen and you need to interact with your people." All of a sudden, I became very aware of all of the people watching me. I wipe my eyes and straighten my posture, turning towards the crowd again. 

"Sorry everyone! Pregnancy hormones! Please, enjoy the food and entertainment!" Everyone begins to mingle and I feel less self conscious. 

I walk up to Mason and stand on my tiptoes, kissing him gently on the lips. "Thank you." 

He kisses me back and says, "Anything for you, princess. Now let's get this thing over with so I can get you out of that gown." I slap him on the chest playfully and take my place by his side. 

I think I have been introduced to 200 people tonight. I am so tired, Mason carries me up to our wing. He unlocks to door and carries me to the bedroom, bridal style. I want to go to sleep now but Mason insists on taking my hair out and washing off my make up.

 "Come on baby, it won't take that long, I don't want you falling asleep with all this in your hair." Grumbling, I agree. "I am only doing this because I am so tired, I don't even care anymore." He chuckles at me and leads me to the bathroom. 

Mason

My nerves are all over the place. I am used to these kinds of things, but Callie isn't I don't want to put too much stress on her, especially with her being pregnant. We talk to different royals from all over the world, and her parents never stray too far.

 While Callie is off using the restroom, her father finds me. "Your Majesty, may I speak freely?" 

I hesitate, worried about what is going to come out of his mouth, but nod anyways.

 "I want you to know that as a father, I am so proud of my baby girl with everything that has been thrown at her recently. I know it is not easy for her, being the more submissive one, but please, remember where she came from. She didn't grow up royal like you did." 

I nod, wanting to let him say everything he needs to. "And Mason? You hurt my daughter, and Prince or not, I will make you wish you had never been born." 

The size of the balls on this man astounds me. "I plan on worshiping your daughter and our children, every day for the rest of my life." 

Apparently he likes that answer because he pulls me into a hug and says, "Thank you for everything. I am so happy I can be with my baby girl and see my grand pups be born."

 I hug him back and smile, "You are always welcome. If you want to move into the palace, we can even arrange that." He shakes his head and puts his hands in his pockets. 

"No, no, you've done enough for us already." 

Callie returns to my side and smiles at her father, "You aren't giving him a hard time are you? You do remember he is the future King." I squeeze her hand and shake my head at her. 

"See Mr.Wood, you've got nothing to worry about. Your daughter can put the fear of the Goddess is anyone." She smacks my arm playfully and laughs, bringing music to my ears.

 By the time everyone is off, Callie is so exhausted, she can barely walk. I chuckle at the state of her and pick her up, carrying her to our wing. When I get her to the bedroom, I have to convince her to take out all her hair pins and her makeup. 

I remember always asking my mother why she took her hair pins and make up off even when she was dead tired and she said that every day should start clean. Callie eventually gives in and I lead her to the bathroom and sit her on the counter. 

She leans against my chest as I pull out all the hair pins and then comb the tangles out. I lean her head back so I can wipe the make up off her face. 

"You know you don't need all this right? The kingdom would be happy even if you wore leggings and one of my shirts. It's your inner beauty people are attracted to." She smiles at me with her eyes still closed.

"That's sweet honey, I am too tired to think of anything nice to say. Sorry." I laugh at her and carry her to bed, tucking her in and climbing in beside her.