The Fall Ball
Chapter 41

(Rose)

I watch my parents after I tell them the news. Their expressions were filled with confusion and shock at first. Then I saw their eyes glaze over as they mind-linked one another. Then I saw my dad’s jaw clinch. He reaches out for me and grabs my hand. He pulls me closer to him.

“No,” my father says. I look at him confused as I hear a low warning growl coming from Ash.

“What do you mean by no?” I ask my father.

“It’s simple, no. You cannot have a mate. What if he is just trying to use you as he found out that you are a royal?” He asks me.

I laugh. “You think that Ash is trying to use me? He has slept in my bed and he has never pushed me for anything. He has been nothing but a gentleman to me. And we all found out I was a royal at the same time. Ash was the one who decided we needed to keep it all a secret, so that I was safe. He even provided me with a palace guard to keep an eye on me so that I would not be alone.” I sat next to him, removing my hand from his.

I walk over to Ash and I grab his hand. “ I am old enough to make my own decisions. And after growing up thinking I had no wolf, with out any friends. I have now found out that I have the most powerful wolf ever created. I am extremely special and to top it all off I am the last royal. With all of that I found out that I had a true mate, blessed to me by the goddess herself. He is my other half, and he would never use me.” I say to my parents.

“Okay, if that is how you truly feel then so be it. But if he ever steps out of line, I’ll hunt him down myself.” My father says. I look to my mom who is teary eyed.

“Please be safe. Not all destined mates work out. But I will hope for the best for you two and will be happy for you.” She says walking up to Ash and I.

“Lets try this again shall we,” She says with a small giggle. “ I am Kat and that is Mac, we are Rose’s parents. We are happy that she has found you. And you better treat her like the queen she is.” Mom says to Ash.

He smiles at her. “I will cherish her. She is more special to me then you could ever imagine. After traveling over night, you must be hungry. Why don’t we continue into the kitchen for breakfast. And after that if you wish to join us in the king’s office for a meeting you may.” He says to her, while reaching out and shaking her hand.

My dad is mumbling under his breath. I step off to the side while the others all make their way to the kitchen. My dad walks up to me and gives me a small smile.

“I couldn’t help it. You are my baby, even though you are grown. I don’t think I will ever fully be ready for you to be an adult with a mate and your own family. But I will be happy for you, he replies before heading into the kitchen.

We all make our way to the kitchen. The staff shoos us out and tells us to sit at the table and they will bring the food out to us. So we head over and sit down. Everyone makes some small talk while we wait.

“So you said a lot back their. I’m so glad that you are my mate and willing to stand up to your parents for us.” I hear Ash in my head. He is smiling as I look at him. “Nice little ability you have unlocked there. Not only can my wolf reach out to you, but so can I.” He says to me while reaching for my hand and holding it under the table.

I look at him and I try to focus on the connection that he created.

“No problem, what are mates for?” I say to him and I smile. We join in the conversation taking place at the table. Within a few minutes the smells start to waft out of the kitchen. My stomach growls and Ash laughs at me.

“Your appetite and need for food has increased Rose.” Craig says to me with a smile. I ignore him, because just then the kitchen doors open and the servers are bringing out the food.

They pile plates full of food on the table. I watch it all get sat down. There is pancakes, french toast, eggs, hashbrowns, bacon and sausage. Last but not least, the server walks over and sets in front of me a large bowl of fresh fruit. It all looks so good.

“We just ate, but I feel like I am starving again.” I say to Ash.

“That is because your wolf is burning more calories and energy to come forward.” He tells me with a smile.

“This all looks delicious. Thank you so much.” I say to the staff as they head back into the kitchen.

They bow down to me and all say, “No problem my queen.” And then they rush back into the kitchen.

I look at Ash who is shaking his head. “They know that as my mate you will be queen one day. So they will be sure to respect that and make you happy.” He says to me as he starts eating.

“What if I don’t want to be queen though?” I mumble under my breath. The whole room got quiet and everyone is looking at me. I take a deep breath and start to explain, but before words can come out there is a voice behind me.

“You don’t really have a choice there my queen. As you where born a royal you will automatically become queen, with or without Ash as your mate.” Raymond says.

“When did you get in here and how?” I ask him.

He just smiles and says, “ I have a few tricks that I have learned as well.” He then walks around the table and sits down. I watch him.

“What are you doing in here? Vampires don’t eat like we do.” I ask him.

“That is true, but I have been asked to attend the meeting. So I figured I would join you all in here and then we can all go together to the office.” He tells me. I just nod in response to him.

The rest of the meal continues quietly. We finish and as we start to get up I pick up my plate and head to the kitchen. I open the door and I take my plate to the sink and clean it off.

The head of the kitchen staff walks over to me and tries to take it from me.

“My queen I can do that for you. There is no need for you to be doing the work of an omega.” She says while bowing her head.

“ I am a person just as you are. I am capable of cleaning up any mess that I make. I do not need nor want someone to become my servant. And please stop referring to me as your queen. You may just call me Rose.” I say to her.

Her eyes are wide as she looks at me. “But my que… that would not be respectful of your status in the kingdom.” She tells me.

“Showing me the same respect you show anyone else is fine with me. I am just a person like you. My title is the only thing that is different,” I say to her with a smile.

She just nods and walks away.

“You will make an excellent queen one day if you keep that mindset my dear Rose.” I turn and see the King walking into the kitchen.