Warrior Princess
Chapter 48

4 Days until the war

Samanthas POV

It has been 24 hours since the battle. The sun is setting and we are at the funeral for the fallen warriors. Their mates and families are all in the front row. The Funeral Pyre has just been lit and it goes up in flames. I’ve been to funerals for fallen warriors before when I was younger but this one hits differently. I’ve never cried at them before but I’m crying now. I don’t understand why I’m feeling so overwhelmed.

“It’s because you are their queen. You feel the loss of your pack members, your kingdoms hurt, you mourn with them. I feel it too darlin’ it will pass. I promise. For now, we mourn, send their souls to Selene, and comfort the family. We came through on top for this battle and we will do the same with the war. They sacrificed their lives for the good of the cause and I am forever grateful. Their families will always be taken care of. But you are feeling like this because you share a bond with every wolf in this kingdom. It will pass my love.” Kasen says coming up to me and wrapping his arms around me.

“Will it feel like this every time we loose someone?” I ask. I don’t know if I could deal with that.

“You’re new to this. Yes, you will always feel something but with time you learn to compartmentalize all of the feelings. I know that sounds awful. You will still feel emotion but it will feel like a tug on a string versus a snap of a rope. Does that make sense?” he says and I nod my head. It does. I can deal with a tug. I can’t deal with a snap every time.

“Close your eyes and relax for me.” I do as instructed and his hands are placed on my temple. He puts his forehead against mine and I feel instantly better. I feel rejuvenated. I feel like I just got a week’s worth of rest. He lets me go and cups my cheeks.

“Better?” I smile at him.

“Yes, what just happened?”

He k!sses my nose and says. “I gave you some of my strength. It’s tricky to do. I’ve never done it before but I’ve watched my dad and mom do it several times during their reign of the kingdom.” He has been wonderful.

“Daddy, can we go home?” Shawn says and tugs on Kasen’s pants.

“Soon.” He says, picking him up. “We have to pay our respects. We are sending the warriors up to Selene to help guard her in her realm.” It is important for our kind to pass down the legends and traditions we hold near and dear to our hearts.

Shawn smiles and Kasen k!sses his cheek. I look at my boys and my heart warms. Kasen is dressed in black trousers, and a black button up with a blue tie. It makes his already icy eyes shine bright. Shawn is dressed in black dress pants, a white button up with a black bowtie. His thick, blond hair combed back like Kasen’s undercut. I rub Shawn’s back and grab Kasen’s hand.

“What do you say we go visit with the families and see if they need anything yeah?” I suggest and my boys nod.

The families haven’t left their place at the funeral pyre since it was lit. I grab the mate of one of the soldiers and squeeze her hand.

“I know I can’t say much that will make this any better but we are here for you. Here for your family. He was very brave.” She nods with tears in her eyes and I look down to see she is sporting a small bump. This pup is going to grow up without a father. This war has taken so much from this pup and he hasn’t even been born yet.

“Has the person who killed him been caught?” I nod.

“He is already rotting in hell, darling. He won’t be able to hurt anyone else.” Kasen says. “I’m sorry, miss.”

Shawn says and she looks at him and smiles.

“Thank you, young prince.” and she looks to me and Kasen and bows and goes back to watching her mate’s pyre. We go talk to the other families and then head inside. Both of our parents are in the kitchen holding glasses of wine and eating at the island. Kasen is still holding Shawn tight. No doubt wanting to keep him close. Rosaline comes up to me and takes my hands.

“How are you feeling, this is a lot to take in your first week being queen.” I nod and smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes.

“It is. How did you deal with it?” I ask.

“Time. I know everyone says it, but it’s the truth. You just need time.”

I hug Gemma, Andrew, my mom and dad and Jake. Josh and Marcus walk in the room and I pour them a glass of wine.

“Has anyone been down to see Jenson yet?” I ask.

“No. I want him to stir a little bit. I want him to think long and hard about what we’re going to do to him. Let him stew on his own thoughts.”

I nod. “I’m glad everyone here is okay. How are Anna and Elena doing?” Josh says Anna is doing well. That she is adjusting to life here as best as she can. A few of the bear shifters have started talking with the counselors that I had Doc help set up. They went through so much at the hands of that mad man. I felt Akira bristle at the thought of that king and his awful sons. I don’t know how Theo got so kind and gentle. Speaking of Theo, he and duke walk in carrying a sleepy Rosie. Shawn gets excited and hops out of Kasen’s arms.

“Let’s go play!” he says and Rosie giggles. But otherwise goes to play.

“How ironic would it be if they were mates?” I say and Duke growls.

“She’s not allowed to have a boyfriend or a mate. Not until she’s 50.” Kasen growls in return. Oh, the brotherly love.

“Shawn’s a sweet kid. Any lady would be lucky to have him as a mate.” Andrew cuts in.

“Speaking of, we wanted to talk with you all about something. We need Doc here too. But it’s something that needs to stay between us. No one can know.”

Kasen knows what we wanted to talk about. We wanted to know if it’s ever happened before. He grabs my hand and says.“Let’s go to my office. Shawn, you and Rosie come along.” Kasen orders out. He and Rosie skip side by side up the stairs and we all follow behind.

“What if this is something that has never happened before? I’m worried, Kasen.” I say and he k!sses my temple.

“It will all be fine, love.”

We get to the office and everyone is sitting down. A knock at the door signals that Doc is here. He comes in and looks at all of us.

“I guess I’m not here for an injury?” he asks and we shake our heads.

“Kasen and I would like to talk with you all about something. Something we discovered and are curious about.” He looks at me with a raised brow.

“Well, ill do the best I can to be of assistance, my queen.”

I smile. “Shawn sweetie. Come here, please.”

He looks up at me. “Yes, mommy.” he climbs on my lap and I whisper in his ear quietly so no one can hear me.

“Don’t be frightened, love. Everyone here loves you. But we want to show them, Sampson. Do you think you can call him out to talk to everyone?”

Shawn looks nervous. “But you said it was supposed to be our secret?”

Kasen takes over. “Oh buddy, it is. But everyone here is your family. Even Doc. I love you and so does everyone else here. It’s okay.” he says gently. Shawn nods and everyone looks at us confused.

Shawn gets off my lap and I k!ss his little forehead. He walks to the middle of the room and shuts his eyes. Kasen grabs my hand and squeezes it. I link him.

‘Shawn, Sampson? It is okay. Do you trust me?’ I feel his reply through the bond immediately.

‘Yes, momma.’ Shawn and Sampson say in unison.

‘Open your link. Let sampson take control. Then open your eyes.’ he nods his head and opens those bright ember eyes. Only they aren’t ember. They’re as black as night. Everyone gasps. Shawn, or should I say Sampson cowers for a second and runs to Kasen. Seeking shelter, comfort, and safety.

“It’s okay, son. No one will hurt you.” Then he speaks and it’s such a deep voice it’s hard to hear it come out of a 5-year-old.

“They won’t hurt me?”

My dad comes up to him slowly. “Of course not. We love you and Shawn. What is your name, little one?” he says, Sampson and Jake look to me confused and Andrew, Josh, Marcus and Doc look towards Kasen.

“How is this possible?” Jake asks. Gemma, Anna, Elena, my mom, and Rosaline are silent. Theo and Duke haven’t said anything. Just looking on curiously.

“When his family was attacked. The night his parents died. The rogues went after him. That caused his wolf to bond early. He has not shifted though.”

Andrew squats down next to Shawn. “Is this true little one?” Sampson nods his head. He rubs his head. “Doc, have you ever seen this before?”

He shakes his head. “No, I haven’t. I don’t want to consult with anyone either. Who knows what they would want to do, whether it be take him away, run tests on him.”

Kasen lets out a loud, threatening growl. “No one is taking him. He is mine.” I see his eyes are black. Atlas is in control.

“He’s ours.” I say and grab his hand and he sticks his face in my neck inhaling my scent then picks Shawn up and takes in his. Shawn smells like pine and sage.

“You are mine.” Atlas growls out to Shawn and Sampson. “No one will take you from me.”

Shawn snuggles his face into his chest and I can hear Atlas purring. I place my hand on his shoulder and the address the room.

“You can see why we would call you all here. We discovered this the other day. He hasn’t shifted yet. I don’t even know if he can shift right now. But we don’t know how to go about this.”

Andrew steps forward. “Have you tried contacting Selene?” I nod my head. “With no luck.” he furrows his brows.

“Everything happens for a reason. He was set in your path for a reason. He was meant to be yours. He was meant to gain his wolf early. Nothing happens without reason.” he says. But I can’t help but think, what is the reason?

We said goodnight to everyone and we were tucking Shawn into his bed. All of the things he picked out had finally arrived. With his black wolf plushie in his arms he pulled the blankets up to his chin.

“I love you.” I tell him and k!ss his cheek. Running my fingers through his hair.

“I love you too, momma. I love you, daddy!” he says and I see Kasen swell with pride.

“I love you too.” after tucking him in we go into the living room.

“So what now?” I ask.

“We keep moving forward. We have Jenson in custody. I plan on talking to him in the morning. I would like you there with me. We need to extract as much information as possible.” I nod.

“That battle was fought and won, but I won’t allow us to get too c0cky with it. The fight was still difficult. We will continue training.” I nod again. We go to the room and get ready for bed. I slip his shirt on and it comes to my mid-th!gh. Stepping out on the balcony I lean on the railing. I feel sparks on my skin as Kasen stands behind me and wraps his arms around me.

“Do you trust me love?” he says and I nod.

“You know I do.” He hums as he trails his hands up my th!gh and over the curve of my a*s. He leans in close and n!ps at my ear lobe.

“I want the world to hear me claim you. I want them to hear you scream out my name.” His words send a jolt of pleasure to my toes.

“What are you waiting for?” I counter and he swats at my butt. The stinging sensation driving me further into want and need. I hear the zipper of his pants lower and him positioning himself behind me. Rubbing his hand up my spine. I need him. I need him in me, on me, surrounding me, I need all of him.

“So we.t for me, love.” he says dragging his finger through my slit. A soft m0an leaves my l!ps and he positions himself at my entrance. Without waiting he plunges into me from behind. Gripping my h!ps tightly with me leaning over the railing. I scream out at the sudden intrusion.

“f**k you feel so good, baby girl.”

I start moving my h!ps encouraging him to move with me. He pulls out and thrusts in again. He leans down and k!sses me between my shoulder blades, n!pping at the skin. The sound of our bodies slapping together and the m0ans and gr0ans coming from both of us is the only thing I hear. I turn my head and look back at him. His head is thrown back and his eyes closed and his bottom l!p drawn in between his teeth. A sheer film of sweat covers his body and glistens in the light of the moon.

“That’s it baby.” he says and I feel my org*asm drawing near.

He reaches around and thumbs my cl!t while thrusting into me. Giving me all of him. He applies enough pressure that sends me over the edge and I c*m with his name on my l!ps.

“Oh my god, Kasen!” I shout out and he stiffens as he reaches his climax. Leaning down and resting his head on my back, leaving gentle k!sses over my skin.

“I love you.” he says and I don’t respond. He knows I love him. I let everything I feel for him flow through the bond. I needed that. As much as I hate to say I needed s*x, I really did need it. I needed the release it brought me, I needed the intimacy from my mate. I needed the love I felt from him. I needed him. This war will be won not from strength but from the love we all share together. We will pull through. All of us will.

We climb into bed and I fall asleep with his arms wrapped around me. In the morning, we will be refreshed. In the morning, we are back to work. In the morning, we will take care of one traitor and begin our plan of attack. In the morning, this war will take a turn, and you can count on it being in our favor.