CHAPTER13  THE GRANDPARENTS

RICHARD'S POV

Grandpa I link to him. Are you and Grandma at the airport picking up Bahbooshka (BAH-boo-shka Russian for formal form of  Grandmother) and Dzyedoosk (DZYE-doo-ska formal form of Russian Grandfather)?

Yes Dick we are. Why do you ask? I heard my Grandfather ask.

Wait on me. I will be there in a few minutes and I need to speak with all four of you.

Dick what is the matter? Grandma chimes in.

There has been an incident and it concerns Caitlin. She is physically fine now but I need to speak with all of you as soon as possible.  I tell them. I will explain everything as soon as I get there.

Son we will wait. Do you want us to tell her grandparents anything before you get here or would you prefer us to wait? It is nice to see you stepping up to your role as Royal Beta. I can hear the pride in her even now.

Grandma, I will never be the Royal Beta of the North American Kingdom. Tony took that official title last night. It's okay Grandma. The moon goddess has something better in store for me. I link both my grandma and my grandpa.  I will explain when I get there.

A few minutes later I arrive at the airport and quickly change into my clothes before going over to the limo that I know has both my grandparents and Caitlin's in it. I can see Dzyedooska and Grandpa standing outside the Limo waiting on me.

" Good morning Grandpa and Dzyedooska" I greet them as soon as I am close enough and see both of the former kings looking my way.

"Dicky what is going on?" My grandmother says from inside the limo.

"Can we discuss this inside the limo so no one can hear us?" I tell them.

"Vnuk (V-nook grandson) What is the meaning of all the secrecy and since when do you call me anything other than Dzed (slang or affectionate Grandpa) when we are in private?"

"Dzyed and Bahba" I say with more love this time. "the situation has been taken care of but Caitlin was kidnapped last night by her mate who then not realizing she was the Crown Princess of the Russian Kingdom, was about to rape her before selling her to rouges. Tony was headed back to his plane when he heard them. He was able to rescue her and the traitors have met their death.

"Tony preceded to  link me and I arranged to have all her things transferred to mother's old room before meeting her at the entrance to the private gardens  where Tony had sent her."

"Caitlin has been tucked safely into bed and mother's personal maid is with her now.  Outside of her room only Mom, John,Tony, me and now y'all know of this. However, because her older mate planned on forcing my mother into being his mate and using her powerto overthrow John, Tony issued a Royal Order for all rouges who took part in the kidnapping and every traitor who was in on their plan tobe branded with with traitor's mark and for their hearts to stop. At The moment we know of at least 20 deaths inside the castle, but the number of deaths that were felt is much more."

"Thank you Vnuk for coming and telling us. It seems that we will be stepping into a mess but we want to see Caitlin as soon as we arrive at the castle." Bahba said.

" I am sorry Bahba but that will not be possible. With the help of Emily I saw that she was put to bed and gave an order that she would not be woken up until 11. Only a Royal Order from John, Tonya, Tony or myself will change the orders that I have already given. I am to be notified immediately if anyone comes to her door." I tell them.

"Vnuk you will let us see her as soon as we get to the castle. Until she meets her other mate we are all she has and no one will keep her from us." Dzed put his authority behind his voice expecting me to cower to his wishes. He thinks he outranks me as a former king but his voice has no effect on me.

When I do not concede to his demands but rather tell him that he is not my king and as of this morning I am in charge of her security he proceeds to tell me she is the Russian Crown Princess andas such falls under his authority not the North American Kingdom's.

"Dzyedooska you will stand down. My wolf does not like the disrespect you are showing me and I would hate to start things off on the wrong foot. I know you have a special relationship with Caitlin and she is who you are thinking of right now but you will not make demands of me concerning her safety." I say with more authority and power than I have ever had.

With my anger just barely under control I see the shock on everyone's faces. Then I see both grandmothers look at one another and smile.

"Lyubov moya (My love) I think you need to back down and apologize to your new King." I hear Bahba say.

"What? What are you talking about Moya sedtsa (My Heart)?"

"Vnuk you will make my vnuchka (V-nooch-ka) a wonderful king. I remember her mother praying for this as have both I and your grandmother."

"What are you talking about Moya sedtsa?"

"Do You not feel his power? He actually took your power lyabov moya. It is coming off of him in waves. Actually it is stronger than yours ever was which is saying something. He is Vnuchka's true mate, the younger one.

"Vnuk welcome to the family. I have always thought of you as another one of my grandchildren because our families have always been close. Not to mention the time you have spent on our estate with Robert. I could not ask for a better young man for my Caitlin," Bahba says.

"Now Richard, when can this old grandmother see her beloved grandchild?"

"I have already set up a meeting with Mom, John and Tony for 11:45 in their apartment. I will be taking Caitlin through the secret passage to get there. She told me she does not trust her father or brothers. She told me other than Uncle Tony and Robert, the two of you and Ivan she can't trust the rest of her immediate family. Mom said to invite both sets of grandparents to this meeting but as far as everyone else knows this is just the former kings and queens greeting the new Royal Couple.

"Oh and until we know it is safe do not speak of this to anyone. Not even Ivan. If her father and brothers had anything to do with her disappearance we do not want them to be warned. If Ivan ask then until I say otherwise just tell him she is safe, to trust his bond with her.  Tell him she is probably just sleeping after the ball last night." I tell everyone.

"My king I am sorry for my demands. I was just too afraid for my vnuchka to realize who you are," Dzed says.

"Dzed I am not your king yet. We have yet to even talk of everything. She was traumatized by her other mate and in sore need of rest. I plan on testing the waters when she wakes up however I would like your blessing on marking her as soon as she agrees. I feel that for her safety it would be better to go ahead and do this.

"And yes I have loved her for as long as I can remember. No one else has ever caught eye because no one else can compare. I just never dreamed I would find out so soon that she was mine, but she is all that I have dreamed of." I tell them.

"Richard something that you need to understand is that the Russian Royal Wolves are different and though you should ask Dzed for his granddaughter it is I who must give the Royal Blessing. In The Russian Kingdom the ruling authority is passed through the female line not the male line. Are you willing to rule by her side? To yield to her authority when it comes to the kingdom? Do you understand that it will be your name that will change not hers? Well I guess in truth your name really won't change because it is already the same only hers is the Russian form of Wolf, Volkov. It will be your daughter who inherits the monarch not your son. This is the problem she is facing now because her father wants her oldest brother to rule not her, though he really has no say. Do you understand all this and can you accept it?" Bahba asks.

" Yes I do and I have no problem with any of it. As long as I have her love I see no problem because she has mine." I tell everyone.

"I have a lot to do this morning while Caitlin is sleeping so I will see everyone at 11:45." I tell everyone as we reach the castle.