Warrior Princess
Chapter 41

Kasens POV

“We are just congratulating my sister on her pregnancy. She announced it this morning.” I tell him and he smiles a wicked smile.

“Another royal baby. What a wonderful surprise. This is big news.” I don’t like the way he says that. The double meaning behind his words. Sam grabs my hand and I instantly calm down.

“Will you be joining us for breakfast, Jenson?” She asks. He shakes his head.

“I’m afraid not. There are a few emergencies that have come up and we are needed back at the Council immediately. Thank you all so much for your hospitality. It has been enlightening being here with you all.” I’m sure it has fucker.

“Let me walk you out.” I say leaving no room for debate.

We get to the SUV that is taking them to the airport.

“If there is anything the council can do for you, you know how to reach us. I’m sure we’ll be meeting again real doon, King Kasen.” he says with an edge to his voice. I nod and shake his hand in a tight grip. They climb in the car and they’re gone.

‘Marcus I need you and your best warriors to check the castle for any planted bugs or devices. Also, run a sweep through our security systems and cameras. Make sure no viruses were planted.’ I link and he responds with a yes alpha. I prepare to do a pack wide link.

‘Mandatory pack meeting at 11AM. No excuses everyone must be there unless you have been specifically told not to by myself, your queen, Beta or Gamma.’ I shut my link off so I don’t get the numerous replies and join my mate back in the kitchen.

“What do you say we go do our rounds before the meeting?” She nods.

“Josh, make sure the meeting in the throne room is prepared. There is a USB drive on my desk for the projector that I want to use.” He bows his head. Showing respect infront of the others.

“Yes, alpha.”

“So where would you like to go first?” I ask her and she thinks.

“Let’s go to the child care facility first then we can make our rounds to the warrior barracks, training grounds and the border posts.” I smile and say.

“Alright, then let’s go!” I grab her hand and we walk to our destination.

The childcare facility is not far from the Castle. It’s a cute little building with a playground, side walk covered in chalk drawings, a flower and vegetable garden, and benches covered by the shade of trees. There are tons of children all ages 10 and under playing outside. It’s the first warm day in a while and they seem to be taking advantage of it. I usually come here every couple of days to play with the kids and meet with the care takers, but it has been a couple of weeks since my last visit due to everything going on. I’ve sent Josh in my place.

“ALPHA.” I hear a few kids squeal and run towards me. Atlas perks up. He loves playing with the children. A little boy about 5 years old jumps into my arms and I catch him and toss him up into the air.

“Mikey, it’s been a while how are you doing little man?” I ask and he frowns.

“Im not a little man. I’m a big man. My momma says so!” I smile. I make sure to say hi to all of them.

“Can you play with us today? We’ve missed you!” they all ask.

“Go on. Have fun, I’ll talk with the teachers,” Sam nudges me with a smile.

“Alright, let me use the bathroom real quick then ill come out.” I say. They jump, squeal and, shout their excitement. They are truly good kids.

Samanthas POV

Kasen had gone to the restroom and I met with the teachers that were huddled together watching over the kids while they played. Since it’s a weekend they’re only here while their parents work. I even learned that the orphanage we have here lets the kids play here as well. I make a mental note to check on them as well. I look at my watch and realize Kasen has been gone a while. I hear a shout and a horde of giggles.

“Don’t let him catch you!” they shout.

I look and sure enough a jet-black wolf with blue eyes is trotting after the children. I smile and I and the teachers look on in wonder chatting about how things are going here and for them personally. I look back over at my mate and see he’s giving 2 children a ride on his back while another clings to his tail. He’s got a big wolfy grin on his face and it makes my whole body hum with excitement. He is so good with the kids. He is going to be a great dad someday.

‘I agree, little one. Just look at that sight right there.’ Akira says practically drooling over her mate. I have an idea.

“Would you ladies mind if I joined them?” I ask.

“Not at all.” They say and I walk to the bathroom where Kasen had likely stored his clothes. Sure enough his suit is folded neatly on the shelf. I take my clothes off and fold them next to his. I make sure to prop the door open, so I won’t have to worry about trying to open them with paws. Opposable thumbs are kind of helpful when opening doors.

‘What if the kids don’t recognize us and get frightened?’ I ask Akira.

‘Calm down. They will recognize our scent. After fully mating with Kasen, we have attained part of his scent as well. And the aura we put off screams Luna and queen. They’ll recognize you. They’ll love you.’ She says and I smile. I shake out my nerves and shift. Landing on my paws I look at us in the mirror.

‘Our fur looks super fluffy and thick today!’ I say and Akira chuckles.

I walk towards the playground my nails clicking on the floor as I trot along. I sit in the doorway and watch for a second. Everyone seems to be playing except for a little boy sitting by himself under a tree. Looking at everyone with a sad far off look.

‘Him. Play with him.’ Akira commands.

‘Alright, alright, bossy. I was going to play with him anyways. He looks so lonely’ I look at the teachers and they all bow to me with a smile.

‘Who is the little boy by the tree?’ I link the lead teacher. Her name is Joy.

‘His name is Shawn. He is one of the orphans that comes to play with us. He is 5 years old today. His parents had died in a rogue attack when he was just an infant.’ She says.

‘He’s been at that orphanage since he was a babe.’ I whine to Akira.

‘Is he always this shy or closed off?’ I ask and she nods.

‘He has had a hard time making friends. He did have one friend at the orphanage, but she had gotten adopted about 6 months ago and he has been closed off ever since. We can’t get him to talk or play.’ She says with a frown.

I nod and I trot up to the tree. He’s facing away from me and doesn’t notice me. I sit and wrap my tail around my body. He’s staring at Kasen and his wolf playing with the others. He looks like he’s about to cry. I lean down and lick his cheek and nuzzle his face. He jumps, startled at first. He looks deep into my eyes and I can tell he isn’t afraid.

“I know you! Will you play with me?” he asks quietly. I nod my head and lick his cheek again and he closes his book. I look at it and see it’s ‘Horton hears a Who’ by Dr Seuss.

I nudge him with my snout trying to get him to stand up. He shakes his head. That’s okay. I take my paw and boop him on the forehead. He giggles. His smile is so cute. His ember eyes and his blonde hair. He is a cute kid.

‘I like him. I want to keep him.’ Akira says to me.

‘WHAT?’ I ask her.

‘I meant exactly what I said. I want to keep him. He is mine now.’ She says with certainty. Um, what just happened?

He reaches up and touches the side of my head and grips my fur lightly. “You’re a pretty wolf.” Shawn tells me. I yip at him. I gently grab his shirt between my teeth and pull him up. I lay down on my belly and look at him. He looks at me with his head tilted to the side.

“Want me to climb on?” he asks. I nod my head and he smiles. I could get used to seeing that kid smile. He climbs on and I stand up.

“Whoa!” he shouts and sways a bit. I nudge his foot with my snout and he leans forward gripping my fur.

“This is so cool!” he giggles out. I look to the teachers and they have a look of awe on their face, and Joy is crying.

I look towards the others and then turn my head slightly back to look at him. As if asking permission to join the others. He looks down and almost as if he wants to shut down again. I yip at him. He looks up at me and I yip again and point my nose towards the others.

Kasen is standing still watching me with him. The other kids running around underneath him hiding in between his legs and his fur. Shawn looks like he’s contemplating a major life decision. His nose is scrunching and his eyebrows are furrowed. He finally relaxes and nods his head. I give a low ‘Aroooo’ showing him my approval and excitement.

I trot over to my mate and he rubs his head against mine and under towards my neck sifting through my fur. I purr and I hear Shawn giggle.

“That tickles.” I says. I smile.

‘How did you get him to come play?’ Kasen asks.

‘I don’t know. Akira told me to go play with him. I sat next to him, spooked him a little. Kissed his head, booped him on the nose, and just sat with him. I didn’t really do anything. He just said he knew who I was and wanted to play with me.’ He looks from me to Shawn. Shawn is looking at him curiously. ‘I should mention one more thing…’ I say cautiously. He looks at me and I’m sure if he was in human form he would be arms crossed and eyebrow raised.

‘Go on.’ he said. Smug bastard.

‘Well, you see…’ I start to say.

‘Oh come on. Do it.’ Akira says to me. He boops me on my snout with his paw.

‘Well?’ he asks.

‘Akira wants to keep him.’ I say and she huffs.

‘You know you want to too.’ she says.

‘Her exact words were ‘I like him, he’s mine now.’ and well there’s no arguing with her. He doesn’t say anything. Just looks at me and I feel like I’ve crossed a line. I know he wants kids of his own, but I don’t know how he feels about a child that isn’t his.

A few minutes go by and I lower my head feeling sad and somehow empty. Akira whines at his lack of response. He nips at my ears and I look up with my head still lowered.

‘His name is Shawn. I knew his parents. They died when he was a month old. It was a rogue attack. I was still training under my father to become king. They were friends with me, Josh, and Marcus. He’s always been a bit reserved but has never had any trouble opening up to me, or the guys. That was until his best friend left the orphanage. He closed himself off. Never wanted to talk or play with anyone including me. I’ve been trying to hard to get him to come out of his shell, but I didn’t want to push him too hard. You managed to get him up, smiling, laughing, and playing in a matter of 15 minutes. He is smitten with you. When Akira said he was hers did she say anything else?’ he asked.

‘I had just shifted and came outside. We were sitting next to the teachers observing before I came out to play. I saw him sitting secluded and by himself. That was when she told me to go play with him. She wouldn’t take no for an answer, not that I was going to say no.’ I said. I felt Shawn playing with my ears and my fur. I smiled internally. ‘I know you want kids of your own one day, but I know what I feel and what my wolf feels. I’m sorry to spring this on you. But I feel connected to him. Even more whole than I did before. I don’t know how to explain it.’ I say and he touches his head to mine.

Shawn reaches over and pets Kasens head. sifting his fingers through his black fur. Kasen stills. Not wanting to spook Shawn off. I sidestep my body so that I am standing shoulder to shoulder with him. Taking my tail and swaying it with his and pressing my head to his neck. Shawn is still petting Kasen, rubbing his neck, scratching him behind the ears. His tongue flops out and to the side and he kicks his back leg.

‘Having fun there mister big bad alpha king?’ I ask and he nips at me. Before I know it a weight is off my back. I look to make sure Shawn didn’t fall only to see he has climbed onto Kasen. I sit and rub my head under his and on his neck.

‘Yes. He is definitely mine now. No, take backsies.’ Akira says. I project what she has been linking me to Kasen so he can hear her too.

‘Mine, mine, mine, mine, he is mine.’ She says on repeat. I feel Kasen’s chest rumbling from his own contentment.