First Time
Dallas‘ p.o.v.
Quinlan and I listen to the conversation in the living room. One of Larissa’s Shadows linked us to keep us in the loop and we slowly made our way to the living room.
We don’t fear for Larissa’s safety. She has her Shadows nearby and as an Alpha’s daughter, she can handle most situations herself. Which she does from everything we can hear, but not see at the moment.
Quinlan stops on the landing of the last flight of stairs down and sits down to look toward the living room. We have a clear view of the room and I hear Brogan growl when Regina gets in her face.
“She will be fine. Larissa can take care of herself.” I reassure him as we watch and listen to the exchange between Larissa and Regina.
I am grateful for Charna’s eyesight or I would have missed Regina’s movement. Not that I can tell you what she is trying to do, but by Larissa’s response, I know it isn’t anything good.
The first sound of a breaking bone comes a second later and I see Larissa dropping Regina’s hand or better said, claw. The second snapping bone means the end of Regina. Justified if you ask me and I will have Larissa’s back no matter what.
Quinlan wraps his arms around her waist and we can see her relaxing as she inhales his scent.
“Joshua, deal with those women. I will ensure that the Kingdom knows the truth about Regina’s death and put a warning out there never to piss off their future Queen.” I say before I gesture to Quinlan to head back to our wing.
Today was supposed to be a day to catch up with the Elders and any cases we needed to review. Instead, we have a death on our hands and a threat aimed at our future Queen.
The look on Uncle Vaugh’s face tells me that he didn’t just hear everything, but also watch everything on the cameras in the main living room.
“Why is it so damn difficult for some to wait for their connection? Why do some Shifters believe that they are entitled to something that doesn’t belong to them?” Aunt Eliza asks.
“Aunt Eliza, do you really want an answer to those questions?” I ask, but she is already shaking her head.
These questions are impossible to answer because everyone might have a different reason for wanting something they have no right to, assuming anyone would be willing to admit to it and answer the questions honestly.
Kate and her friends get banned from the Palace the following day and the story of what happened to Regina spreads like wildfire within a day.
First Time
+15 BONUS
We are getting back to business as the days pass. We are reviewing our laws to determine if further changes are needed or if we can find existing laws that have been overlooked for years.
Uncle Vaughn and Aunt Eliza visit a Pack every two weeks, but never on a set schedule. Quinlan helps me handle Kingdom business while they’re away, and I occasionally tag along to see firsthand how the Packs are adapting to the changes we have made.
Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months. Everett’s seventeenth birthday is approaching and I am really hoping that he will shift into a Lycan.
Not because I want Uncle Vaughn to step down. Everett will make an excellent Royal Gamma with all he has done in the past few months. He has been joining his parents on their travels and helps Joshua with the protection of the King and Queen while they are in a territory.
Dave has started his accountancy classes and is putting into practice what he has learned. Benton is studying hard to help with our laws and he drives his tutor crazy with all the questions he has.
“Dallas, I need some help with planning Everett’s party.” Aunt Eliza says and I see my Mates sneaking out of the living room.
I gesture for Aunt Eliza to sit down next to me on the couch, while I stare out the window. It is a bit cloudy outside and I love watching the clouds drift across the sky, occasionally covering the sun. I listen as Aunt Eliza tells me what she has planned so far, my eyes still on the sky.
“I know it is customary to invite Alphas and Lunas for a Royal’s birthday party, but I believe that every
seventeenth birthday should be celebrated with only family present. Why does everyone have to witness
that first shift?” I ask.
History shows us that it was made public by an Alpha who doubted his Mate and wanted to expose her in
front of the entire Pack. He accused her of infidelity and announced that her Son’s first shift would prove
- it.
Instead of confirming his allegations, the first shift revealed that the boy was an Alpha and had a huge Wolf. It got even worse for the Alpha when his Mate rejected him and his Son refused to take over the
Pack. It no longer exists and the territory has been abandoned ever since.
“I was thinking along those lines myself, but I am not sure how the Alphas and Lunas would react to not
getting an invitation.” Aunt Elize mumbles.
“You are the Queen and Everett is your Son. I think you have every right to make that decision and if
anyone objects, I will deal with them.” I reassure her.
As the Queen, Aunt Eliza outranks everyone but Uncle Vaughn. I doubt anyone would dare to argue
her about the invitations or the lack of them.
with
“You asked to see me, Sis.” Benton says as he walks into the living room. He has a book in his hand and I
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First Time
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+15 BONUS
can tell that he has already found what I am looking for.
“Is anyone obligated to shift in public?” I ask him. “By law, I mean.”
Benton shakes his head as he reads through the page and he even rereads it, before he finally looks up at
- me.
“No. Shifting is a personal event and only for the family. If anyone has doubts about someone’s Shifter or
identity, they can ask the Elders to send a witness.” Benton answers. He shows us the page on first shifts
in his law book and it is right there in front of us, written out in detail.
“Good. That saves me a lot of headaches. It will be a family–only party and at midnight, the garden will
have been cleared by the Guardians.” Aunt Eliza says.
Everett will enjoy this party a lot more than his Brother did, because he doesn’t have to deal with
unfamiliar Shifters watching him shift for the first time.
