The Last Royal Luna
Chapter 22

All the wolves left and my friends helped me pick up the house while mom and dad rested for a bit. I told them to rest for a few days and we can reschedule the dinner but they wouldn’t listen. Mom mentioned making a phone call and ran off before I could even try again to put off this dinner.

“Ryder just let her be. She will feel better after she has done some of her own damage control. She hated having to act weak and seeing you fight hit us both with several emotions. We love you and hate when you get hurt, you know that.” My dad put his arm around me and squeezed.

“I know dad. Remember when I got a few scratches from running in the woods and you guys can replace me for like 5 minutes. You both were a wreck and I was just laughing. It was worth it to see mom’s angry and stressed face for the rest of the evening.” I couldn’t help but laugh at my dads face. I don’t think he thought it was very funy so he hit me on the back of the head and shook his before heading off to answer the phone. I had a hunch it was going to be someone about the dinner party and I doubted it was to get me out of it.

“Hey Ryder it’s Andrew on the phone. He said his brother just got back into town and wanted to know if he could join us.” Dad yelled from the hallway. I didn’t even know that Andrew had a brother but I told my dad it was fine. My friends all gave me a hug and decided to go ahead and head home to get ready for the dinner.

Mom came back in with a smile on her face and she definitely looked more relaxed. “Mom is there anything I can do to help?” She looked at me and shook her head no. “Ok I will go get ready. What do you wear to a dinner you don’t want to go to but your mother is super excited for?” She glared at me so I ran upstairs before she hit me in the back of the head like dad did.

I chose a black dress with elbow length sleeves and just went barefoot since it was my house. I didn’t want to wear make-up so I kept my wet hair down and went with the natural look. I walked downstairs toward the smell of dinner and my mouth was watering. Mom made fajitas and I just couldn’t wait. She does some of the most amazing things with steak and she cooks it perfectly. I almost got the first taste of it but she shoved me away and told me to get ready for our guests. I snorted and went and sat down. I could feel my body starting to wear down from everything that day but I just had to fight through it. Blue was snoring in my head but it was the cutest snore. I figured I would wake her up later and we could talk it over so I can make sure that she was okay. Maybe I could even go for a run. My friends walked in and sat with me in the living room. They all had a look of stress and some relief on their faces so I could totally agree with how they were feeling. We talked over the things that happened that day and my friends were all a little freaked out but we’re grateful they were there for me.

“Granted we didn’t do much for you Ryder but I was ready to step in and kick some butt.” Parker smirked and did a few quick air jabs.

“I have no doubt that you totally would have parker. But let’s keep those soft hands to ourselves for a while.” I winked at him as the girls and I busted up laughing. He just glared at us and crossed his arms over his chest.

The doorbell rang and it was Andrew along with his beta, gamma and another guy that I didn’t know who he was. I’m assuming it’s his brother so I just let them in. My mother ran into the room so excited and gave each of them a hug and introduced herself to all of them.

“Ryder and everyone this is my brother Asher.” Andrew looked nervous and I couldn’t tell if it was because his brother was here or if it was over this dinner. We all smiled and introduced ourselves and it was time for dinner.

‘Andrew is everything ok? You seem nervous.’ I mind linked him as everyone was finishing introductions. He jumped a bit and tried to hide it. Tried is the best word to explain it because we all stared at him after that.

‘Sorry. I am a bit nervous about a few things but we can discuss it all later.’

I shook my head in agreement with him and headed toward the dining room. I prayed that it would be short and sweet so I can stuff my face and go for a run. Mom told everybody to have at it and she made plenty knowing there was going to be at least four werewolves.

“I’m glad you made all the extra mom or Asher would just have to starve.” I smiled before laughing. The table joined in and the ice had been broken. It didn’t take long for us to scarf down almost all the food mom made. The food was fantastic, but my stomach felt uneasy with the way mom was looking at me and the guys. Eventually I just couldn’t take it anymore and sat up straight.

“Mom why do you keep looking at me and then looking at the guys? What was the point of this dinner? You’re freaking me out a little bit and it’s making my skin itch.”

Mom rolled her eyes at me and told me to stop being so dramatic. “Ryder so another thing your parents asked us to do and asked us not to tell you until we thought you were ready was when we got the necklace spelled to hide your scent so that no one knew you’re a werewolf or a royal we also had it spelled so you wouldn’t replace your mate until you’re 18th birthday. As a royal you can replace your mate as early as 12 years old and coming from such a strong Royal bloodline usually you have more than one mate. Your mother actually had two mates but one was killed in the first attack of the vampire and witches. His name was Beau and he was one of the kindest men I had ever met. He was killed before you were conceived but I know he would have loved you just the same. I’m sorry that I’m just telling you now.” She had tears in her eyes with her head down in shame and all I can do was stare at her. They had told me all these great stories about my parents and it made me feel so close to them but why would they keep her psych mate for me?

“Mom why didn’t you ever tell me about him? I could have handled it and it would have just made me feel closer to my family.” I shook my head ready to bolt from the room but my dad grabbed my hand and held me in place.

“I am sorry I didn’t tell you baby. It goes along with the next thing I’m about to tell you. So the necklace was spelled not to replace your mate until you turned 18 and we woke up that morning it was burning you so it had to be taken off so I had assumed all of the enchantments and spells would break turning the necklace back into just a necklace but I was wrong. I could feel this energy around you and I realized that the spell to hide your scent from your mate and your mate sent from you had attached itself to your skin along with being on the necklace. So I called a witch friend and got the spell so that I couldn’t do it. I have a feeling that at least one of your mates is close by so I invited the guys to see if it was one of them. I know this is scary but your mate makes you stronger it’s one more person to have your back.” She tried to smile at me and had hope in her eyes. I was about to disappoint her.

“There is no way that one of these three stooges is my mate mom. I would love to hear more stories about Beau and I would love to get the spell off of me but if I mated to one of these three I’m going to stick this fork in my eyeball.” My hands grabbed my fork and held on tight.

My friends laughed and my parents just stared at me. The guys all kept looking between me and my mother with their mouths open. My friends hadn’t moved or said a word in a while, but they were just soaking it all in. I couldn’t even soak it in and I could feel blue awake and anger.

“Ryder I just need you to have an open mind about this okay. I’m going to go get the stuff for the spell and we’re going to get it done. There are other things in the works that need to happen so we can get you strong enough to take the strength back for your kind and their freedom.” She almost ran from the room and I knew she would be having a meltdown in her closet right now.