Lewana POV
We stand in the compound in this tense standoff unsure of what to do with this information with everyone still looking at me for a solution.
I turn and look at Queen Ember. “What are you proposing“.
“We reform the alliance. We call on each other if we need aid and fight alongside each other against the shadows to make
sure this Light continues to live“.
“Agreed“. I turn in surprise to see Conrad agreeing so easily.
I’m worried about this. More people putting themselves at risk for me. “Are you sure“.
“They had me at, keep you alive. You know nothing else matters to me“.
I just hold him tight. King Florian is next to agree. Followed by King River.
Queen Ember smiles. “Then it is settled. We will all keep monitoring the shadows and agree to send aid to each other if
there is an attack“.
Something clicks in my mind. “There have already been three attacks. One at my old home and two here on the territory.
All within the last six weeks“.
Everyone stops and looks at me shocked. Conrad just holds me tighter the fear running through him of all three times he
almost lost me.
Queen Ember looks directly at the sun and closes her eyes as if breathing in the sunlight. “It seems you are more powerful than we thought. Each of us will leave one of our kind here on rotation. They are being drawn to this spot so we need to be ready“.
Princess Rose is the first to step forward. “I have been in the forest territory for the last month. I will continue to stay“.
Prince Aalto chimes in next. “We can make it like old times little Orca. I can stay in the current accommodations“. Conrad just shot daggers at him and put his hands up.
“Well, I guess the next generation is on watch. I will need a room though. I may be a bird but I prefer the indoors at night“. Prince Eli joins the team.
“Well, I guess we will get everyone settled in then“.
Conrad just pulled me close and whispered so no one else could hear, “I’m glad you moved in with me this morning“.
The next few hours are a flurry of activity. We had to set Prince Eli up with a room that had his heating as he wanted to room as hot as possible. Princess Rose returned to the forest and Prince Aalto went to say goodbye to his parents at the lake before going to the pool.
We are exhausted by the time we get to dinner with Mary at 7 pm. Everyone waited for us as they knew we had a rough week ahead. As per the ceremony rule, Conrad has to spend 24 hours with Cordelia starting at noon tomorrow and coming back at mid–day the following day. Right now, he wants to be close to his family.
1/3
We discuss everything that has happened over the last few hours and what the plans are going to be for when Conrad is away with Cordelia and then when we are both away. I assure them all that my trip will be fully protected so not to worry but I am still trying to keep it a surprise.
“Come on tell me. You can’t let me spend 24 hours suffering with Cordelia without giving me something to look forward to“, Conrad whines.
“The surprise is what you have to look forward to. You’re only the second person who has ever been there so it is special to me. Rose is the other person“.
Liam gets and wicked grin on her face, “So tomorrow morning we need to interrogate Rose“.
“You can try but she won’t tell you anything“.
Conrad just nuzzles me needing to be close. “We unfortunately can’t interrogate Rose tomorrow. We need to interrogate Donovan and Alpha Leroy before I leave tomorrow“.
“Why those two first“. I ask.
“Alpha Leroy seems to of become aware of his father’s misdoings and is trying to make amends but helping us in the investigation with the others. He also technically isn’t a council member so he only crime in being in the interview with you and saying nothing. Hoping to clear him as we will need to have an election in the North anyway because Alpha Angus died. Donovan because he is a kiss–ass who has been trying to make it up to you. Don’t think he is capable of independent thought so likely was just following instructions“.
“And that way you have two down out of five. What about the other“.
“I deal with the West the night I get back as they did vote for you and seem to be dealing with their difference. I am more likely to get evidence from those three before dealing with the South who I am undecided on and finally, Alpha Anthony who needs to go“.
I can feel him getting sad again and send a proud feeling down the mate bond so he knows he is not alone.
Conrad just smiles at the feeling. “What about everyone else. What will you be doing“.
Kimberly talks about school prep and Michelle about designs. Liam doing some training and considering inviting other magical creatures to see how they fight. Willow says she intends to put a lot of hours in the library as she feels she is on to something.
Arthur is very quiet.
I turn to him in a teasing tone. “I’m assuming you will just continue with your planning meetings“. He looks at me confused. “The ones where you discuss plans in the gazebo“.
He freezes and looks at me nervously. “You’re OK with the planning meeting“.
…..
“Yep. You are my beta and I just want you to feel secure in knowing what is coming up next“.
Conrad looks at me suspiciously. “What the hell are you talking about“.
I look at Arthur who just shrugs. “I was honestly worried about how you would react. Don’t care what they think. Would be nice to be more open about it“.
2/3
Chapter 110
I just start gleefully smiling and singing a song from my childhood. “Arthur and Mary underneath the tree. K–I–S–S–I–N–G“.
Liam turns red immediately and his rage rushes to the surface. “YOU’RE A DEAD MAN ARTHUR“.
Arthur leps up laughing and instantly runs behind Mary you start trying to calm down Liam while we all laugh.
Michelle decided to join in on teasing Liam. “We can take you lingerie shopping. I have been trying to convince Lewana and we can make it a big girls‘ day out“.
“SHUT UP MICHELLE“. This just makes her laugh even louder and Mary goes red and hides her face against Arthur. He kisses her on the head which sets Liam off again with an Oscar–winning performance about being betrayed.
We just enjoy this time with our weird family knowing it can all change in the next few days.
