The Alpha Princess
Chapter Thirty-Four

Celina

Chris stands up as that thought hits him. “Ouch,” I hiss when he pulls out too early. “Warn me next time,” I whimper as I sit up.

He still seems to be lost in thought, “Why does that make sense?”

“Because it’s the most likely option,” I answer while I try to figure out what he’s thinking. “There is no way that man takes orders from anyone.”

“So why attack the packs?”

I shrug. “Who knows. That’s what I was looking into during my spring break; before the claiming hell broke loose.” I pull my damp hair over my chest. “To me, the attacks always felt personal. If it was simply for territory, there would be survivors. There never was one. Each location had the distinct scent of lycan at the Alpha Packhouse. There was no honor in letting the alpha have a chance to defend his pack. They always went in with the intent to slaughter.”

He stands up, pulling me with him. “You think it was a death mission, instead of a territorial takeover?”

“If it was, where are the packs that took that land? That land is now unclaimed. Even if it was rogues, they would have left some sort of claim to that land to show it’s now theirs.” I step out of the tub. “No sweetness, this was personal.”

“And you think that your little stalker is the one behind it?”

I nod. “I see no reason why he wouldn’t. He’s strong enough to challenge for the throne and have a good shot at winning. There is no doubt he’s already started the groundwork to gather his allies.”

His eyes narrow, “That explains the number of the Councilman’s kids that end up being dead.”

“What?” I ask him, folding my arms.

“When we were attacked, we killed two children of the councilmen, one was on the Board of Relations, and two were reported missing. It’s not the first time this has happened.”

“When were you planning on telling me this?” I demand from him; irritation forcing my fists to clench. “I would have launched that investigation into the Council ages ago.”

“It’s not like we had time,” he yells after me as I stomp off to get dressed. I prefer not to argue naked.

“You should have made that a priority,” I shout from inside the closet. I poke my head out to glare at him. “Especially since the spawn of Satan’s father was the Grand Chancellor.”

He locks eyes with me in his confusion. “Do you think he’s working with Randaul?”

I purse my lips as I think about it. “No, I don’t see Randaul taking orders. He would have to be taking the orders from Randaul if that was the case.”

“That or working together.”

I raise my eyebrow, “Do you really picture those two working together?” I quickly pull on a pair of jeans and a dark green crop top. I start brushing my hair while I walk out of the closet; thinking about how eerily similar those two are. Maybe they are related.

“They could be if they have a common goal,” Chris points out, watching as I pull my hair into a high ponytail.

I think about that. “They both want the throne. In order to achieve that, they need a strong queen at their side. Randaul is already mated. If anything, it could be an understanding I suppose. Stalker gets the throne, but Randaul has free reign.”

Chris’s face folds as he turns that over. “That doesn’t make sense. Randaul tried so hard for Declan to be your mate, just to give it to a stranger?”

“Maybe he’s an affair baby,” I suggest. “It’s happened throughout history. We need to consider that as a possibility.”

Chris opens his mouth to respond, but a sharp knock cuts him off. He lets out a low growl as he comes to stand in front of me. “Come.”

“I thought I heard Celina’s voice,” Exzecial’s voice comes as I’m hit with his strong scent. I nearly cough. I don’t remember it being this strong before. “I wanted to see how my new daughter-in-law is doing.”

Daughter-in-law? My jaw drops while Chris’s back tightens, “She’s doing well, and I prefer no one be near my mate while she’s transitioning into her beast.”

Does the beast in question get a say? I remain silent while I fold my arms in annoyance. I don’t really want to talk to Exzecial, but I know I’m obligated. However, I might get away with it since my mate is his son.

Exzecial lets out a low chuckle. “Are you planning on keeping her locked up in your room until she’s out of her heat? Bring her out and show her around. You’ll meet your mother and me for dinner, and go over plans for her coronation.”

Chris strains to fight against his father’s alpha order, but he’s forced to bend his neck in submission; veins easily seen as he continues to fight. “Yes Father.”

I step out from behind Chris, locking my gaze with Exzecial’s and matching his hard expression with one of my own. “King Exzecial, I’m requesting that you cease preparations for my coronation. With my life in danger and the attacks on the beast kingdom, it would be tactless to invest any of our attention into it. Our energy should be focused on stopping the rogue attacks.” Plus I really don’t want to be forced to submit to him as my king. He’s a good leader, but I don’t trust how quickly he’s moving to put a crown on my head.

Exzecial pushes his aura to me. “Call me Exzecial, since you are my son’s mate.” He flashes me a smile to appear friendly, but I hear the harshness in his tone. It’s a sly way to remind me that he is now, technically, my alpha.

Ordinarily, yes, as a female I would move to my mate’s pack, and he would be my alpha. However, I still hold, and have, royal duties and a title since my father is the Alpha King. It gives me a unique ability to belong to two places, so it makes it so that I do not have to yield to Exzecial’s every order. This makes it so he cannot force me to agree to a coronation…It still could be considered offensive if I decline his planned coronation, and he could convince my father to strip me of my title as a consequence. If my father refuses his offer, it will cause bad blood between the royal families. I’m going to have to be careful since I don’t know Exzecial’s temper; or how far I can push him.

Once he’s satisfied he’s reminded me of my position, he continues. “And it would be prudent to have your title instated to try to discourage these tiresome rogues.”

“Tiresome,” I demand; appalled. That’s what he calls something that has caused dozens, if not hundreds, of deaths? “These rogue attacks are much more than a nuisance, Exzecial. Their actions are appalling and flat-out disgustingly disturbing. You’re dealing with a hostile takeover, not some simple unruly beasts. This requires our full attention. Especially considering so many of them are on, or related, to the Council and its members. Adding another royal is not going to stop this. The only thing that will, is brutally taking out the one controlling everything.”

Rage flashes in his eyes while his beast tries to emerge. “Celina, I am aware of the situation at hand. However, the effect it has on my family is more important to me. You are mated to my son. You are the future queen of the beasts. And you will gladly accept your title at your coronation next week. You will assume your royal duties as of today. You will oversee your coronation plans, and you will smile gracefully during the event the entire time. Do I make myself clear?”

Honestly, I cannot stop the laugh that comes when he tries to push his aura over me. It’s strong and rivals my own, but I still hold no obligation to bend to this man. The only thing keeping me from giving a nasty response is the fact that he is the Lycan King.

After regaining my composure, I speak with the glaring man. “I will gladly assume any duties I may have, but I refuse to be a joyful participant, and be happy, with the decisions you have made regarding my inauguration into your family. A decision that you have made without even discussing it with me. I understand your urgency to strengthen your line, and hold, over the beast kingdom right now. However, I would much rather focus my attention on what is happening to our citizens, than what is going on in the inner court.”

His face turns red as he begins to sputter. That was nowhere near as careful as I wanted that to come across, but it made sure he got the point. Boldly, I grab Chris’s hand. “Come on Cutie. I do agree with your father that you need to show me around.” I look at the still-sputtering king and offer a small smile. “Would you care to join us?”

In true royal fashion, Exzecial puts a complacent smile on his face, to mask the anger his clenched fists clearly show. “I would love to. I’ll also show you to the library where you can begin your research.”

I’d be surprised by his response if I couldn’t see a plan hatching behind his eyes. He’s still going to do whatever he can to get his way, and I wouldn’t expect anything else from a Lycan King. Lycans do not take no for an answer, in any way shape, or form. They are, undeniably, the spoiled brats of the beast world.

A dark smirk shows on his face right when Chris suddenly turns rigid. A slight scent of lavender and honey tickles my nose moments before a sultry voice comes. “Knock, knock.”

“Mia, how nice of you to join us,” Exzecial says, turning with a chuckle heard in his voice. I glance to see a fair-skinned beauty with platinum curls. Her pale pink lips twitch slightly while her butterscotch eyes sparkle in delight. Her face is angelic and her tall legs and curves are truly something to behold. I can see why Chris fell for her.

She’s enjoying Chris’s uncomfortable body language. She chuckles and slightly covers her mouth. “Goddess Chris, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

He glowers and pulls me closer to him. “Mia, may I ask what you are doing here? You know you’re not welcome in this wing.”

Mia rolls her eyes. “I simply wanted to meet your mate and make myself known to our future queen. She’s gorgeous by the way.” Her eyes roll over me and steps into the room, taking long strides toward me. She holds out her hand, “I’m Mia by the way. Chris’s ex.”

A flash of jealousy hits me, but it’s calmed by Chris’s reaction to her. If she wanted my mate, she could have had him years before we met. Besides, I truly don’t see her much of a threat. She’s weaker than me, and Chris is clearly done with her.

“Celina, the Alpha Princess,” I tell her, making her reach for my hand and to assert my rank over her, “and Chris’s mate.”

Amusement causes her lips to twitch. “Don’t take offense to this, but I hate you.”

I laugh out loud, surprising the men. “Same, but I’ll get over it.”

“Do you, perhaps, want to get a drink,” she asks, motioning toward the men. “They don’t play well together, and from what I overheard, neither do you. I rather like that.”

If it’ll get me away from Exzecial. “Sure,” I tell her, falling into step beside her and letting go of Chris’s hand as I follow her.