The Broken Wolf
Chapter 160

It’s been a month since Lucas opened the mindlink with Seth, allowing him to finally reach out to speak with him. Seth didn’t tell me the full extent of their conversation, but Lucas did request to meet at the Palace for a conversation with us in a month. He gave assurances that no more attacks would happen and, so far, there haven’t been any.

We leave for the palace today and Seth seems quite nervous about traveling with the twins. Perhaps he’s correct and this is some kind of set up, but I’m choosing to believe that Prince Lucas will remain true to his word. Regardless, Seth has assembled an entire team to escort us back to the palace.

My family is waiting for us in front of the packhouse, along with Oliver. I pull him into a tight hug first as my parents spend our last few moments here with the pups.

“I guess I’ll see you fairly soon,” Oliver says and I beam at him.

“So you said yes?”

He nods and looks at me, looking up to see how close Robbie is. “I haven’t told him yet,” he says, a worried look on his face. “I told Michael it will take some time as I need to help replace a replacement. I didn’t want to tell Rob until you had left, though.”

I nod, understanding what he means. My brother and I have only gotten closer as we’ve gotten older. He’s also become very attached to the babies, especially Cora. Staying here was what was safest for all of us, but it made it even harder to leave.

Oliver hugs me again, and whispers in my ear. “See you soon.”

I walk over to Stella and pull her into a hug. “I’m going to miss you guys,” I tell her, but I notice that her scent is different. I pull back and look at her as she smiles at me, holding a finger up to her lips. “He hasn’t realized it yet. He told me yesterday that I smelled weird,” she says with a roll of her eyes.

Nodding, I smile at her, trying to contain my excitement. “Let me know how it goes,” I say and turn around to walk to my mom, but I turn back to Stella. “Just because my brother has to stay with the pack doesn’t mean that you can’t come visit without him.”

I walk to my mom who is holding Andrew, talking softly to him and crying. “I knew you would have to leave,” she says, looking up with a very uncharacteristic sniffle. “I didn’t think it would be this hard.”

“I know,” I tell her, trying to hold back my own tears. “I’m glad we were here, though. And Dad is retired. You guys can visit all the time.”

“It would be nice to see Audrey,” she says, running a finger down Andrew’s cheek. In the month the pups have been alive, it’s become more evident of their strong b***d lines. They’ve grown so much, but especially Andrew who lost the chubbiness in his cheeks in just the first week of his life. “We’ll come soon, just as soon as your dad is able.”

“We also have doctors at the palace,” I say quietly, knowing how worried she is about my dad. He had severely damaged his h*p joint in the battle. The injury was bad enough that a wolf who didn’t have the Alpha gene would not have made it, but he somehow did AND managed to be there for me and the twins, hiding his pain the entire time. He was in the hospital wing for quite a while and has been using a cane to walk, and staying out of the public as much as possible out of embarrassment, since she finally released him.

Mom gives me a quick hug, not willing to put down her grandson just yet, and walks over to Seth who is waiting at the car.

“Leaving me already, Kiddo?” Dad says from the bench he’s seated on with Cora in his large arms.

I nod and sit down next to him, laying my head on his arm. “Duty calls.”

“I hope you are able to work something out,” he says, looking down at his granddaughter who has been cooing at him with the occasional gurgle and spit bubble. “This little girl is going to give you hell.”

I laugh at that, looking at her. “I know,” I say, smiling. “Here’s hoping she’s a little less spirited than I was.”

We sit there a moment, watching Seth and my mom strap Andrew into his carseat, unsure who is actually doing it. They just keep adjusting and readjusting things, back and forth between them.

“Thank you,” I say to my dad and he looks at me, a sad look on his face. “I know it’s hard for you now. Thank you for risking it all for us.”

“Someday, Kiddo,” he says with a sad smile, “you’ll understand that it wasn’t even a choice. You love your kids so much that you’ll run into any danger, uncaring of the consequences. It’s just how love works. To be clear though, I’d do it again a thousand times over.”

“You want to carry her to the car?” I ask and mom and Seth both turn to look at us, indicating it’s time to leave. Thankfully, Robbie walks up to Seth, buying us a few more moments.

“You better take her,” he says, handing her to me after I stand. “I don’t trust myself and the steps, not with something this precious.”

Dad walks behind me to meet Seth at the other side of the car as he takes Cora to hook her into the carseat. I turn back, wrapping my arms around my dad tightly.

“Come visit,” I say into his chest. “All the time.”

“We will, Kiddo,” he says, leaning down to place a k**s on my cheek and he releases me into the arms of my brother.

“It’s been good having you here,” he tells me. “It’s going to be so quiet. The rooms are yours. Come visit any time.”

I squeeze him tightly, finally losing the battle as the tears flow into his chest.

“Let me know the date of the coronation as soon as you have it and we’ll be there,” he says, kissing the top of my head. “Nothing will keep us away.”

He releases me and I turn around, not looking up, and walk over to the car. Seth lifts a carseat out, allowing me to climb in and then places it back securely. We had previously agreed I would sit in the back between the pups and he would be upfront with Gus. I sob in the back as we drive away from Lunar Falls. Seth reaches back and gently places his hand on my knee, squeezing it gently.

Thankfully, we arrive back at the palace without incident, well, without an attack. As it turns out, neither of our pups particularly like being in their carseats, and I wasn’t the only one sobbing in the car. We had to stop a few times to calm, feed and change a wailing child before getting back on the road, and repeating the process. I thought Seth would lose his temper after the fourth time but to my surprise, Gus never once flinched at the sound of another crying pup.

We pull up to the palace to replace the stairs lined with many people who work there. The palace door opens as we stop to reveal a smiling Peter and Audrey, who promptly run out and start down the stairs before we have even stopped. Seth chuckles as he gets out, walking around the car and removing Cora’s seat so I can get out. He removes her from her seat and hands her to me.

“Don’t walk around yet,” he says with a grin on his face. “Make them wait and meet them at the same time.”

“Alright,” I agree as he walks over to remove Andrew. Once he shuts the door, I walk around and replace his parents waiting expectantly.

“You’d better hand me a baby right now, Seth,” Audrey says seriously, stepping forward. Seth laughs and hands her a now awake Andrew. She gushes as she takes him, absolutely elated to see him. I know it was so hard for them to not travel to meet them during their first few days, but it was too risky to leave the palace empty.

I look at Peter who is watching his wife and walk to him. “Would you like to hold your granddaughter?” I ask and he slowly nods, reaching out to take her into his arms.

“They’re beautiful,” Audrey says, looking over at Cora. “You guys did so well. Our sweet, surprise girl, and the future King.”

“Andrew looks like you, Molly,” Peter says, with a smile, looking up at me. “Just like you. And they both have your eyes. We could see it in the videos, but it’s so vibrant in person.”

“Let’s get you all inside,” Audrey says, turning and going up the stairs. Peter, however, turns and hands Cora to me to carry which makes me giggle a little as my Dad had just done the same.

When we reach our home, Audrey leads us straight to the nursery. “I hope you like it,” she says to me, completely ignoring the two men with us. “I tried to do what I thought you would do.”

She opens the door and we walk into a light green nursery with flowing white curtains on the windows and two light wood cribs and matching rocking chairs. There’s a changing table, and so many toys around. I do note a pile of boxes off to the corner.

“I know people sent stuff out to Lunar Falls for the twins,” she says, motioning to the piles of packages to the side. “But they also sent gifts here. I opened some of what came, but then I left some for you as well. There’s so much.”

“It’s beautiful, Audrey,” I say, looking around at the peaceful room. “It’s perfect.”

We have dinner together in our home, Audrey never without a baby in her arms. She insisted on giving them both baths and putting them down for the night herself, which was wonderful for us after a stressful trip home today.

We wake early, thanks to Cora, and after feeding the twins and getting them dressed, Seth and I both get ready. We have such an important meeting today with Lucas and I feel quite nervous thinking about it. Audrey is keeping the babies for us while we meet and Peter will be joining us, as long as Lucas is willing to meet with him as well.

We are waiting outside as a black car pulls up and stops. The back door opens to reveal Lucas and a woman steps out after him. Seth squeezes my hand and I know instantly that she is the one who was previously captured. Peter steps forward and offers his hand to his brother, who walks past him, not acknowledging him at all.

“Last time we met was not ideal,” Lucas said walking up to us. “I’m Prince Lucas and this is my mate, Allison.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Prince Lucas,” I say, shaking his hind. “Allison. I’m Princess Molly. I believe you both know Prince Seth.”

Allison takes my hand and shakes it, but she does not shake Seth’s. “It’s nice to meet you, Princess.”

There’s an awkward moment between all of us as we stand there, no one really saying anything. I know it’s been haunting Seth since the moment it happened, so I decided to just jump in head first.

“Allison, forgive my being so blunt,” I say, and she looks at me with a serious expression on her face. “Are you alright after you were captured? I know mistakes were made, and while Seth does feel terrible about them, I just want to be sure you are alright.”

“If you are asking of our pup,” she says, still no expression on her face. “He was fine. Born two days after your own.”

I can feel Seth’s relief through our bond and I smile at her. “I am glad to hear that. Congratulations, both of you.”

Peter walks up to us all. “It may be best to move the conversation inside,” he says, very formally and I nod in agreement with him. “I have the conference room ready for us.”

Seth offers me his arm and leads me inside, everyone else following. He leads me to a seat on the side of the conference table, taking a seat next to me as I had suggested. I was worried that having someone sit at the head of the table could cause more issues and I’m glad Seth took my suggestion to heart. Lucas and Allison sit across from us and Peter sits down on my other side.

“I am sorry for the attack that happened on you,” Lucas says, looking at me. “As my mate was also pregnant, I was not in attendance for the attack. It was never supposed to be focused on you.”

“I appreciate that,” I tell him kindly. I note that Allison looks rather uncomfortable, keeping her hands folded in her lap. “I think that we can all come to some kind of agreement, but there hasn’t been much communication. Perhaps if we understand you and your plan more, we can work something out.”

Lucas takes a breath, and leans back in his chair. “Do you plan to have more children, Molly?”

His question surprises me but before I can answer, Seth speaks up. “Our twins are just a month old. We have not made any decisions yet.”

“Seth, do you know WHY you were an only child?” Lucas asks him but before he can even say anything, he continues talking. “Your mother, I’m sure, read the journals. I was a spare, not truly wanted, just there in case anything happened to your father. Our mother tried to hide that truth from me, but I always knew. Father only ever spent time with Peter, he only cared about his lineage. It’s good that he’s dead. If he knew your daughter was born first he probably would have killed her. Your mother never had another child so that her second son would not know that pain.”

Peter sighs. “Our father was terrible,” he tells him. “We didn’t have more children because Audrey nearly died delivering Seth. I would not ever let her risk that as our father did.”

Lucas looks as if he wants to argue, but I see Allison place her hand on his leg. “My mate was concerned about the prophecy he heard and the implications that magic would have on the kingdom.”

“Werewolves were created by witches, as you know,” he says, but I very much did NOT know that and my face must reveal that because Lucas chuckles a little. “You didn’t tell her? Of course you didn’t.”

Seth looks at me and takes my hand. “My mate didn’t even know she had magic until just before I marked her. She doesn’t use it.”

Seth sighs, and pinches the bridge of his nose, but he doesn’t say anything more. “Molly, I know that you have been reading through some of the journals,” Peter tells me and I nod. “Far back, in some of the older ones, it was stated that witches had created werewolves as a punishment.”

“Oh,” I say, looking down and feeling uncomfortable. “Is this why you are afraid of magic?”

“I’m not afraid,” he says confidently, making me believe him. “I just don’t believe anyone with magic should be seated on the throne after creating us beasts.”

“I didn’t do it, though. It was, what, hundreds of years ago?” I say.

Peter shakes his head. “Probably thousands,” he corrects me. “Lucas, Molly is right. She isn’t who created werewolves.”

“It doesn’t matter,” he says, raising his voice and Seth instinctively pulls my chair closer to him, placing his arm across me in a protective manner. “I’m sorry,” he says upon seeing his nephews actions. “Her ancestors committed atrocities.”

“As did ours,” Seth says. “You read the books, same as I did. You know what they did.”

Lucas looks upset by this, but he doesn’t say anything against it. “I think we all come from people who made mistakes,” I say to him. “The only thing we can do is learn from them and try to make the next generation better.”

Lucas takes a deep breath, reminding me so much of my mate. “Your daughter was born first? Truly?”

Seth nods to him. “She was. I delivered her myself.”

Lucas looks at Peter, a smug smile on his face. “If the Princess’ article was correct, I believe you misinterpreted a prophecy once.”

“I did,” he tells him solemnly. “It has grown to be the greatest regret of my life.”

Lucas looks at me with a tilted head, like I’m some type of puzzle he’s trying to figure out. “How can you sit next to him? How can you just forgive him for having your brothers killed?”

“Peter regretted his actions,” I tell Lucas, but look at my mate’s father. “He realized the problems with what he had done, realized the pain he had caused and truly, deeply regretted it. It wasn’t that hard to forgive him, then.”

Seth takes my hand in his, squeezing it gently in support. “What are we going to do here, Lucas? What you have done can be considered treason.”

“You let Benjamin have his pack,” he says flatly. “Just form this as an official pack and let me have it.”

I shake my head as Seth contemplates his offer. “No. Benjamin did not receive his pack. We instituted a new Alpha. My father is allowed to live in his home that is on the property, but it is not his pack.”

“You kidnapped wolves and created a pack in an attempt to overthrow my line and take the throne,” Seth says, trying to control his anger. “That is not the same.”

“What do you plan to do then? Arrest me?” he asks and I can feel the anger coming from Peter next to me. “My pack would come for me quickly and we know they would certainly come after the Princess and the new little royal pups.”

I look up at Allison and a look passes between us. All we both want is to keep our pups safe. “The problem at hand is that you had many wolves involved in your kidnapping ring. And what of the shewolves that were taken there? Do they even want to remain there?”

“We needed to be able to sustain our pack,” she tells me. “Most of them grew to age and chose a mate. Does it help you to know we let the shewolves select their mates?”

“Not really,” I tell her. “It’s not like not choosing a mate and going back home was a choice available to them.”

“What if we offer to let anyone leave who would like to?” she asks and that sounds a bit better.

I nod at her. “That would be acceptable. There would have to be a new Alpha named. I think we could all agree to let you remain there, but we require a new Alpha who has not been involved in the attacks upon us.”

Lucas pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs before he stands up and begins to pace the floor just behind Allison. I can’t help but giggle a little and he turns to me in confusion.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “You and Seth are just so alike. It’s a shame that things have ended up this way.”

“To be clear, the offer on the table is that they will be named an official pack, letting any members return to their previous homes and a new Alpha that we all agree on will be named?” Lucas summarizes and I nod.

“Actually, I think it may be best for the Alpha to be agreed upon by our mates,” Seth speaks up. “Allison seems to care for the pack and I know Molly will remove her emotions and do what is best for the Kingdom.”

Lucas stops pacing and looks at Seth, surprise on his face. “I agree to this.” He pinches the bridge of his nose again, and looks at me. “I am truly sorry for the danger you were placed in. Your father was an absolute force and a wonderful Alpha. I have no doubt that the little prince will carry those genes well.”

“Thank you,” I tell him with a smile.

“Can you give me 6 months to get everything arranged? I will have Allison contact you with wolves we replace acceptable as Alpha,” he asks and I think for a moment.

“That seems like a reasonable amount of time for this big of a change,” I say, looking at my mate. “Is this acceptable for you?”

Seth nods and puts his arm around my shoulders. “I need assurances that there will be no more attacks on my family.”

“Certainly,” Lucas tells him. “But I want those who helped me pardoned.”

“I replace that agreeable,” Seth says but I shake my head.

“Absolutely not,” I say quickly. “We can not pardon Alex.”

Lucas sits back down at the table. “The attack upon you in the rogue land was not sanctioned by me. Go after Alex for treason. To be honest, I don’t care what happens to him. I just used him to get the shewolves without Benjamin’s knowledge.”

I nod, but that’s not enough. “I also want the wolf in your pack who worked with him and led the attack. I had to deliver my pups with no doctor while hundreds of wolves were fighting outside, trying to kill my pups. My dad was severely injured trying to protect us.”

“Done,” he says. “I will deliver him to B***d Moon tomorrow morning. He’s been locked in a cell since his return, anyway.”

I turn to Peter for approval as he is the king. “Is this agreeable to you, sir?”

Peter smiles at me. “Come now,” he says. “Everyone here knows that I’m just the King in name. But I do replace this to be an agreeable compromise.”

“Six months,” I say to Allison.

She looks back at me with a smile and offers me her hand. “Six months.”