The Alpha Queen And Her Chosen Mate
Chapter 69

Several months later….

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Kelly

We did not in fact replace a cure the next day. Quite the opposite actually. I instead took several doses of my meds and continued with my week as if nothing ever happened. What more could I do? We spent years trying to come up with answers and this was the best we had. I didn’t have time to go seek out every type of medicine out there, I had a kingdom to run. That being said, I had to be way more careful about taking my meds. I couldn’t stop them, ever, even for tradition’s sake.

As long as we didn’t have any unmanageable battles, I shouldn’t need to let her out anyway. And that has to be good enough right now. I have too much on my plate right now to even care. We finally got the benches and landscaping done where we had our mass burial, making it more welcoming for those who wanted to visit the site. We are still undergoing construction at the palace, though most other homes and buildings have been fully repaired, thank goddess.

Thorin began training our new recruits. He has not gone easy on any of them, which I appreciate. We had many people sign up after they received the letter I sent. I was stunned silent by the turn out. I think Thorin was too. But he didn’t let it show, instead he became a perfect drill Sergeant. I was thankful he was never like that with me, but this is exactly what some of the recruits needed. Especially since most were men, a bit cocky and prideful given their ages. After only a week with Thorin, they already looked more beefy and were much more humble. After a couple of weeks of intense training, we had our numbers back and were better protected overall.

Jonas was doing a wonderful job as my Beta. He helped me with paperwork and reminded me to eat and made sure to check on Kelsey at least once a day. He even took it upon himself to spend time with Kelsey’s girls, giving Kylie and Jocelyn a break, and making sure they were getting the attention they so desperately needed. I wish I could be there for all of them, but there was just so much to do. I was finally beginning to understand why my father didn’t spend as much time with my mother, he didn’t have much of a choice. Not when everyone else is counting on you. That was another one of my missions, to make sure that I, eventually, make time for my family and friends again. It was excusable at the moment, especially given the circumstances, but with time I would need a break or I was going to break.

Emmett was doing great work at the hospital, having discharged all of the patients, except one, who was put in there because of the Chupacabra attack. He had big plans for renovating the hospital, adding a free clinic and expanding several of the departments that he felt were lacking. It was a massive undertaking, but he said he had it under control so long as I kept to my word of funding it. I would pay for anything he wanted if it meant one less thing on my plate.

“Hey…got a minute?” Jonas asked.

“Yeah, whats up?” I nodded, inviting him into my office.

“I noticed in the alliance contracts we have that they are considered void if someone else comes into rule.”

“Are you telling me that we technically currently have no allays?”

“Exactly.” He nodded.

“Shit.” I said, running my hands through my hair.

“With your permission, I would be happy to go visit the packs your father had agreements with and see if I can come up with a new contract with them.”

“Would you? Goddess, that would be so amazing.” I said with pleading eyes.

“I already have a flight booked first thing in the morning.” He nodded. “If I run into any problems, I’ll call you.”

“Of course! Thank you, this is such a relief! Thank goddess you caught that.” I said, still feeling a bit sick over the fact that we had no one to help us if we ran into real trouble.

“I am going to King Dereks’ kingdom first. He apparently had just fought some vampire to get his throne back, so I figured that would be a good start, considering he would need to do the same soon.” He shrugged.

“He fought a vampire? What? Nevermind, I don’t care.” I said, brushing it off.

“I’ll check on you in the morning before I head out.” He said, excusing himself.

“Thanks!” I yelled as he continued down the hallway.

That was one crisis averted. What would be next?

“Kelly?” Emmett asked, knocking on my door.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“Its been a few months since the Chupacabra attack, Mason has not shown any signs of improvement. In fact, he has only gotten worse with time.”

I closed my eyes and let out a long breath. “Kelsey has avoided all reasoning, I assume?”

“You assume correctly. He is a vegetable, there is nothing we can do.” Emmett shook his head. “He was brain dead when we found him.”

“Alright, I will come to the hospital tomorrow, in the afternoon sometime.” I nodded, hating that I was going to have to be the one to push my sister to unplug her mate.

I was even going to ask Emmett if he could try to craft the elixir for Mason, but then I saw the stump of a flower and knew it was pointless. And unfortunately, the trip to get the moonflower was something I wouldn’t do again. It was far too risky to begin with. I wish I had listened to my father and just stayed home and enjoyed my mother’s final days. Perhaps then my father would still be alive right now, and Mason might not be on life support.

The only upside to the mission was getting to spend so much time with all the guys, and finally gaining some clarity on who I might wish to pursue. I suppose I should have that conversation with him soon, though part of me worries that we will start dating and he will replace his mate along the way and it will all be for nothing. My track record with men is quite comical.

That, mixed with taking on so many new responsibilities, had me putting off any type of relationship at the moment. Plus, I had a few ideas for my pack that I wished to move forward with. Something my mother said to me years ago and it just always stuck. Before, I didn’t have the power to do it, but now I do. She said this kingdom needed a Luna, and I think she was right. A Luna is the mother figure of her pack. She is nurturing and graceful and warm and fuzzy. Now, I don’t think I am all of those things, I am an Alpha female after all, but I thought it would be nice to start up a few programs for my pack. I quickly began jotting down all of my ideas before anyone else came in with any more terrible news.

I would discuss my plans with my dream team in a few weeks or maybe even a month. I could wait a little longer but I really wanted to have these programs up and running by winter time. Maybe after that, then I could pursue a relationship.