Warrior Princess
Chapter 42

Samanthas POV

“Hey, that tickles!” he giggles out.

All of the other kids have come over to us and are sitting down. Panting and worn out. Well, at least they’ll all sleep good tonight. Akira is still chanting mine in my head and my projection to Kasen is still wide open. I can hear him chuckling in the link. His deep voice sending chills down to the tip of my tail.

I lay down and sit with a group of the girls and they stroke my fur and put flowers all over me. I look over to see Kasen has taken Shawn and trotted over and is laying down on the ground with him. He’s laying on his back rolling around and Shawn has the biggest smile on his face. I see Kasen lick Shawn’s cheek and he throws his arms around his neck and falls on his knees. I feel the love and happiness that Kasen feels through our bond and I smile internally.

‘We will talk later, love. I promise.’ he links me, and I don’t respond. He knows I am patient. I feel wonderful getting pampered by all of these lovely little ladies.

The boys are all hunkered down, playing card games and or relaxing. Kasen comes up with Shawn gripping his fur. Kasen nudges his back with his snout and Shawn walks over to the group of boys playing cards.

“Can I play with you?” he asked and they all looked ecstatic to have a new friend to play. Kasen comes over and lays down beside me with his head on my back. The girls switch from me to sticking flowers in his fur and brushing through the silky stands.

“You look so pretty Alpha!” one of the girls say and I chuckle in the link. He paws at the little girls but relents and lays down completely on his side and lets them give him a complete flower makeover.

“We need to get ready for the meeting. We have run out of time to visit the warriors and outposts. We can do that later or we can do it tomorrow.” He tells me. He’s right. We have spent a while here.

He lets them finish brushing his fur and the last little kid finally shuts their eyes. Completely exhausted. We stand up and shake our fur and the petals fall to the ground.

‘Dang I was really liking the whole hippie look, love.’ I linked him and he nipped at my ear catching it between his teeth. We walked up to the teachers. Joy still crying. No words were spoken. We knew she was thankful.

“Where are you going, alpha?” I heard a little voice ask. Shawn.

‘It’s his birthday today…’ I linked him.

‘Let me get changed ill be right back.’ he said. I sat next to Shawn and licked all over his face causing him to erupt in giggles.

“He has bonded with you.” Joy says.

‘My wolf wants to keep him.’ I tell her and she smiles. Kasen came back fully dressed again and knelt next to him.

“Want to come with us today? We’ve got some meetings to go to and I could use a big man to help me out.” He asked and Shawn just smiled and nodded his head so fast I was sure he was going to get whiplash. I went to go get shifted and changed and came back to see Shawn sitting on Kasen’s shoulders.

Yup. He’s mine.’ Akira said.

We got back to the Castle and josh exited the throne room to see us coming in.

“UNCLE JOSH!” Shawn shouted. Josh looked startled but smiled so big.

“Hey, buddy I’ve missed you!” He said giving him a big hug.

“Hey Shawn, why don’t you help Josh finish setting up for the meeting while Mrs Samantha and I finish getting ready?” Kasen said and Shawn nodded taking Josh’s hand back into the throne room.

We hurry to the office to grab our crowns and whatever files we may need. He pulls me in for a hug and I take in his spicy big red cinnamon scent. It brings me warmth and calmness.

“I love you.” I say. He squeezes me tighter.

“He is ours. I have loved that boy since he was born and seeing you with him today and getting him out of his shell only confirmed it. He is ours. Atlas has been saying it since we saw you sitting with him under the tree. The minute Shawn smiled Atlas went crazy in my head. He won’t shut up about it much like Akira is right now. He is ours.” He reassures me.

I k**s him and he straightens my crown, grabs my hand and says. “Alright. Let’s go plan a war.”

Kasens POV

We walk hand in hand towards the throne room. Well over 700 people, my pack, and visiting allies combined, are waiting beyond these walls.

“Are you ready?” I ask her.

“As ready as ill ever be. I just want this war to be over.” I agree. She assessed my crown on my head, straightens out my suit. I cup her cheek and brush my thumb over her skin.

Without wasting another second, we go through the doors. Everyone stands still and quiet. My parents are on the stage standing behind my throne. Josh standing next to it. Jake and Gemma standing next to Samantha’s throne with her parents standing behind hers. Shawn is holding Josh’s hand.

‘He is mine.’ Atlas chants in my head.

‘he is ours.’ I correct him.

‘But tell me how is it you didn’t claim him the minute he became an orphan?’ I ask him.

‘The time was not right. I have always felt a connection with the pup. But seeing our mate with him grew that bond. He is ours.’ He stated.

We get to our thrones and We both sit at the same time. Shawn surprised me and runs to Samantha and whispers in her ear. She smiles and nods. Picks him up and sets him in her lap.

“Everyone, please be seated.” I say and on command they all sit.

“I’m sure you’re all wondering why I have called everyone here. I’m afraid it is not good news that brings us all together. While the Council was supposedly here for the Mating Ceremony and Coronation, they had other priorities. The war that is transpiring between the supernatural realm and the bear kingdom seems to be bigger than everyone could have imagined. I know some of you are aware of the Council aligning with them, but as of today, we have all of the proof we need. Jenson, one of the Werewolves on the Council has been feeding the bear king intel about our pack, our kingdom, and specific information about strategies, warriors, layouts, you name it he had it and sold it. In result of all the information that was given, We received notification that instead of in spring which would have given us a few months to prepare and train, the war has been moved up.” I say. Pausing to let them gather their thoughts and take in what I’ve said. Alpha Aaron steps forward and bows in respect.

“My king, how long do we have to prepare?” he asks.

“We have 7 days.” I say. There are whispers, gasps, sounds of fear.

“Everyone please remain calm. We have always been prepared for battles and war. This will be no different. We will take the week to prepare more, train harder, and most importantly I want you to spend your time with your loved ones. Family is the most important thing and that is what we are trying to protect here. The bear king is looking to take control of the world. Not just the supernatural kingdom. We would all turn slaves to them if we were to lose. We won’t. We have too much at stake. Each and every one of you plays an important part in this war. Our leaders will be meeting separately today to discuss strategy in further detail. But for now, everyone deserved to have notice.” I say. The Alphas in the room all nod. My pack members look scared, but who isn’t?

“Remember, we are all in this together. We are more than a pack, more than a kingdom. We are all family. We are only as strong as our weakest link. No one is truly weak. Everyone matters, everyone is just as important as my mate or myself. The only way to win this war is together. We value each other, respect, family and most importantly, love. That is something the bear king doesn’t have. He fights with greed, lies, anger, and hunger. He is so blinded by his greed and thirst for power he is blinded by the true power. Love, and trust. We all need to trust one another.” Samantha says.

I grab her hand and rub circles on her palm and ruffle Shawn’s hair with my other hand. He looks deep in thought but doesn’t speak. We will get there.

“We will stand with you. We will fight with you.” The witches said in unison. The vampires here all agreed and knelt, the wolves here bowed.

“Thank you all. We won’t keep you all day. Alphas, Meeting after dinner this evening. 8PM. Gammas and Lunas are welcome to join as well. But it is mandatory for all alphas,” I say letting every ounce of my Alpha aura show through.

While everyone is filing out, I look to my family. Not everyone here is b***d, but they are family none the less. I will protect my family. At all costs.

“How did you guys get Shawn to come out of his shell?” Josh asked.

“You need to ask her.” I said inclining my chin to my mate with a smile.

“You did get a wonderful mate. She has been a fantastic friend to me and has proven that she is perfect for you and this kingdom” he says. I look at Sam and Shawn and I feel the warmth spread over my body.

“It’s good to see him smiling again.” Gemma said. Mom and dad came over too.

“Can we go play now?” Shawn asks while tugging on my pants leg.

“Yeah, buddy. We can go play.” I say and pick him up.

“We will talk before the meeting.” I say to everyone and grab Sam’s hand and we go to our apartment.

“How do you feel about coloring? I have some paints and crayons?” Samantha asks. He smiles big and nods. We get to the apartment and Sam gets everything set up for him. We sit on the sofa while he colors.

“So, I know both our wolves are claiming him. But what do you think?” I ask her quietly so Shawn cannot hear.

“He’s all alone. To hear he hadn’t smiles, laughed, or played with anyone in over 6 months broke my heart, Kasen. I felt drawn to him the moment I laid eyes on him. I feel so protective over him, and I feel even more whole with him here with us. I don’t know how to explain it.” I drape my arm over her shoulder and rub circles with my fingertips.

“I feel the same. I always had. When I asked Atlas about why he didn’t claim him before he said the time was not right. Atlas was waiting for his mate. He was waiting for you. And him seeing you with him kicked him into overdrive.” I say and she leans her head on me.

“So does that mean what I think it means? I know we haven’t been together but a couple of months, but we are soulmates. This is how our kind works. I was in love with you the minute I laid eyes on you. We move fast, and we love hard.”

I smile. “What do you think it is that I’m saying?” I ask. I want her to tell me.

“I want to adopt him. Make him an Edwards.” Almost as if he knows we’re talking about him, he looks up at us.

“Hey Shawn, come here for a sec.” I ask. He walks over and sits between us.

“Tell me about your day.” I ask.

“Well, I was pretty lonely at first. But then Mrs Sam came over and played with me. Her wolf is very pretty and soft

I chuckle. “Yes, she is. Her wolf’s name is Akira!” he looks so starstruck.

“I have a wolf. His name is Sampson.” he says. I look to sam and she looks at me.

“You have a wolf already?” she asks.

“Yeah, I’ve had him for as long as I can remember. He is my only friend. He likes to talk to me all day.” He says. He’s only 5. He shouldn’t have his wolf for another 10 years or so. Sam sees where my thoughts are going.

“Have you shifted yet?” she asks.

“What does shifting mean?” She rubs his head. Pushing his blonde hair back. His ember eyes looking at her quizzically.

“It means turning into your wolf form. Like what I was when I played with you. I was shifted into Akira.” she said.

His mouth forms an ‘O’. He shakes his head no. “Does that mean something is wrong with me?”

She hugs him tight. “No, of course not. You’re perfect just the way you are. But let’s keep this to ourselves for now. It can be our little secret right?” he smiles and nods his head.

“So, are you really the queen of us all? Sampson says that you are. He says that we should always protect and listen to you the same way we do to mister Kasen.”

I think for a minute. ‘Atlas, did you know he had his wolf yet?’ I can feel him thinking through scenarios.

‘No. But I never thought to try and sense him. He is too young to have him.’ What could have made him gain his wolf early?