Jess:

Skyler quickly closes the door and turns towards us. "Here they come!"

We all stand together. The excitement filling the air with a tense energy. Our bodies all a little jittery. Among other things.

Gutter mind Jess.

I shake my head free from the inappropriate thoughts fluttering around as I wait for Ember.

Jennikah holds my hand and looks down at me. She gives it a little squeeze distracting me for a moment. I can feel that warm glow begin to fill up my veins as I get more excited.

Wait? Is that a good thing?

I don't have time to think about it because the doors are thrust open and the first to run in is Vik. His wild red hair and bright gold eyes make him look like a wild animal. He looks just like he always does, only slightly taller and more disheveled.I didn't think it was possible for his hair to look anymore wild. Looks like it can.

He rushes Rosette as she giggles. He buries his face in her neck, wrapping her legs around him landing on the couch behind us. My eyes continue to watch with complete curiosity while Vik holds her close. He seems like Sean, only more high energy. Soon Vik's eyes meet mine and he furrows his brow.

What? Do I have something on my face?

I began to wipe my face, sliding my free hand across my cheeks, hoping that any leftover cake is gone.

"MATE!" I hear Beckett's husky voice echo off the walls. He quickly grabs Sky swings him around. I break my eye contact with Vik as I anxiously try to wipe off my face.

Bowmani growls and swings Jennikah over his shoulder as she quickly let go of my hand. All three boys have taken over the couches with their mates in a huge growling cuddle fest which leaves me feeling lonely.

Where's Ember? I miss him.

All the boys stop suddenly and stare at me. I cross my arms over my chest and huff. "Jeez guys! What it is? Do I have something on me? Can someone just tell me before Ember gets here and I look crazy." I begin looking down at myself. Starting from my bare feet, looking up and down my legs. I can't figure out what might have all eyes on me.

"Why you smell like royal magic?" Bowmani spoke up first as Jen looked up at him confused. His canines dropped down slightly.

Royal Magic?

I scrunch my nose trying to remember what the textbooks said about Royal Magic.

"Yeah, you smell like a powerful wolf, but not a wolf..." Vik replies, setting down Rosette and standing up. I start to get a little nervous. Biting my bottom lip. His canines fall over his lip as he moves closer towards me.

"Cousin is powerful..." Beckett quickly walked up to me. He is suddenly so close. He smelled like fresh cut grass. Not a bad smell, just not a smell I wanted so close. Actually Vik and Bowmani were suddenly very close as well. All their scents blending together made me back up quickly. "Beckett drawn to you." Suddenly my heart rate speeds up. I noticed Beckett's canines drop as well.

What's going on?

Royal Magic! I remember! The magic that flows through all those in royal positions, bestowed upon them by the moon goddess herself.

I can feel that warm flicker grow a little stronger inside me. No. Not know.

Ember!

I reach out mentally. I don't know why, but I feel this sudden need to have him close. Somehow I know he can help me.

"Beckett! Come back! Don't worry about Jess. She's just waiting for Ember." Sky was yelling at him from the couch as I saw him bite his lip nervously. I can tell he wasn't familiar with this type of reaction from Beckett.

"Beckett want to hug cousin!" he quickly snatched me up into a huge hug. Spinning me around.

I'm confused. What is happening?

I stiffen in his arms at first. I would never expect him to behave this way. A big smile forms across my face as Sky winks at me. I feel the flicker begin to fade as I laugh.

He's so huge and I feel like a child in his arms. I swear his Biceps are the size of my head, and he's at least a foot and a half taller than me. He also feels so warm. I could easily snuggle into this guy on a super cold day.

I wonder if Ember will feel this warm?

"Whoa! Beckett. Hey. Nice to meet you too." Beckett finally stops spinning and I see a huge smile spread across his face. I try to settle myself from all the spinning as Beckett carefully places me on the ground. He's more gentle than I expected.

His eyes light up suddenly. "Beckett help train Cousin! You be very strong if I train you." Before I can respond I hear someone yelling behind me.

"My TURN! My TURN!" Vik yells as he snatched me away from Beckett. He pulls me into a giant hug and spins me around. He's not nearly as large. Still just as warm. He's faster, more nimble.

"ME! ME! ME!" Bowmani yells as he pulls me from Vik's arms and holds me bridal style. He sprints across the room running and jumping over things. He was incredibly fast for someone so large. He wasn't as large as Beckett, but close.

Everyone was laughing as they watched me screech and bury my face in Bowmani's chest.

As soon as my feet were planted firmly on the ground again, I heard a loud roar from behind me. The loud, guttural sound made everyone freeze and look towards the door. I could feel everyone's fear.

That sound did nothing but make me smile. I knew exactly who it was.

Ember!

"MINE!" I hear as I spin around just in time to see Ember tower over me. His eyes are glowing bright. His body tense and rigid.

How could his eyes be so beautiful? I want to be lost in them forever...

Sky was right, although the bright golden glow was something everyone seemed to have, his eyes had these crystal blue specks hidden within the gold. It almost looks like glitter. I watch his rock solid chest heave as I place my hand over his heart.

"Ember?" I whisper.

He relaxes immediately, his beautiful eyes staring down at me. "Mate ok? You call for me?" He runs a hand down the side of my face as everyone else slowly goes back to their snuggling. The tension in the air leaving the moment He smiled at me.

"I'm ok Ember. I, um, I was nervous, waiting for you. That's all." I fell over my words. I'm not sure why.  

Probably because this giant perfect man was standing in front of me and I'm not sure what to do with myself.

"Mate?" He asks.

I instantly blush at the term.

"Yes Em?" I respond running my hand up his arm. I can't help but touch him. It just feels so good to be connected to him in some way. His arms are stronger, thicker. I can feel his muscles flex under my touch.

He stands back proudly, opening up his arms. "Mate want hugs?" He's wearing a goofy smile making me laugh.

"Of course Ember! I love hugs!" I quickly rush into his arms. I pull him in tight, feeling our connection build inside me. I moved my arms around his neck and hoped into his arms. I wrap my legs around him, pulling him in for a big hug.

Ember begins to chuckle as he spins me around. "Mate hugs are the best." He whispered in my ear.

"YAY! GO EMBER! MATE HUGS!" Vik yells out from the far side the couch. Rosette still sitting his lap while he plays with her hair. She laughs as he claps excitedly.

Beckett laughs a loud low husky laugh. It instantly makes me giggle. "Ember gets mate hugs. She gives good hugs Ember..." As soon as he said it Ember went stiff.

He didn't let go of me as he quickly stomps towards Beckett.

Beckett was in his face instantly. I felt Sky try to move in front of Beckett. Running his hand up his chest.

"Beckett put hands on mine?" Ember was growling and I try to wiggle from his arms. It's no use. I left out a puff of frustration.

"She Cousin, my family, I greet her too, Prince." Beckett spat the last word out like it left a bad taste in his mouth.

I whisper in Ember's ear. "Hey Em, Beckett was just excited to meet me okay?" 

The silence was scary. I could sense the power between these two and if they started a fight, I can't imagine what would happen.

"Beckett..." Sky says firmly. "Come on Boo. Want me to sing for you?"

Beckett doesn't move. A low threatening growl escapes his chest. Sky squints his eyes. As he tries to force Beckett's face to his. I take it this isn't Beckett's norm.

I start to feel my flame grow. I was nervous, scared. Two giant beast men staring each other down like they could attack at each any moment--

Vik yells out from behind me. "CAKE!"

Beckett and Ember snap their heads Vik. Their eyes looking over at the bar curiously.

Bowmani carefully sets Jennikah down next to him on the couch and looks at me with wild eyes. "Where's cake?!"

Jennikah places a hand on either side of his face. He reacts immediately to her touch. His eyes flickering as she runs her fingers down his cheeks and over his lips.

Is it getting warm in here?

"It's over there Bowmani, on the bar." He hops over the couch, Vik following right after him.

Ember snuggles into my neck some more. Beckett pulls Skyler back on the couch. Sitting at Skyler's feet with his head in his lap.

Seems to be his favorite place.

I took a few deep breaths calming myself.

Ok, lesson learned. They can be easily distracted.

"Mate hugs are the best hugs." He squeezes me tighter.

I'm nearly out of breath from all the hugging. "Ok Ember, I can't breath." I laugh.

Vik yells out. "BECKETT! EMBER! CAKE!" His face is covered in dark chocolate frosting as Rosette is trying to give them individual slices which isn't working out too well. Both Bowmani and Vik were too excited to grab the plates Rosette had set out for them. Instead as she sliced around the cakes, Bowmani and Vik would just grab a slice with their hands and start eating.

They weren't joking about the toddler thing.

Beckett grunts and chuckles in response to Skyler's whispering. His head in his lap. Skyler was rubbing his head and smiling.

Adorable.

I try to get down out of Ember's arms but he keeps my legs wrapped around him. "No. Mate come with me." He smirks at me.

I laugh. "Ember. I think you can go, grab your cake, and I'll wait for you."

He's already at the bar as he sets me down on top. Standing in between my legs he reaches over and grabs a slice. "No."

I roll my eyes and smirk. "Well. What if I just hop down?" I raise an eyebrow challenging him.

Ember shoves the last bit of cake in his mouth.

Did he seriously just demolish an entire slice of cake right now?

"Then Ember will catch Mate."

I hear Vik chuckle in the background. "Ember fast. You can't get away from him."

Ember chuckles too. I giggle at how cute they are.

"That sounds like a challenge Ember..." I watch his face go from silly to serious. I smile innocently at him.

"Mate can never beat Ember." He cocks his head to the side, looking down at me confused.

I chuckle and shrug. "Ok Ember, whatever you say."

He narrows his eyes at me as he reaches around me, slowly, to shove more cake in his face. He's watching me carefully.

Why does he have to be so good looking all the time? His hair is so vibrant. His muscles so perfect.

Mind of the gutter Jess.

I'm lost in watching Ember happily enjoy all the cake I made when I suddenly feel Rosette next to me. Vik had picked her up and set her down next to me on the bar. I notice these boys seem to feel the need to keep us from walking much or leaving their side. I wonder if the recent attack had made them more protective than usual or if this is just the norm.

She smiles big at me and winks. I look at her confused.

Oh crap. Did I miss something?

She grabs my arm and looks up at Vik and Ember. "Hey Vik?" She says in her sweetest voice. He immediately stops shoveling cookies into his mouth and looks over at her. "Do you think you and Ember could grab us some waters from the mini fridge?"

Ember and Vik quickly rush to the mini fridge as Rosette pulls me down off the bar. "To the door! Down the hallway!" She yells out as I follow her.

Ember and Vik both growl as they race after us.

My heart rate picks up speed. Rosette is pulling me down hallways, through tiny doorways. From my tour I remember these were the doorways that lead to the safe room. They were made 'Small' to keep werewolves out and allow the female mates to pass through easily.

When I say 'small' I mean slightly smaller than a regular door. The more I learn about the castle the more I understand the great care and effort that went into building this magnificent place. It's truly built just for Werewolves and their families.

"That will slow them down." Rosette whispers as we round a corner and hop into a small doorway. She forces me to crouch down.

Rosette finally catches her breath. "Okay, the boys will find us soon, be prepared."

Prepared?

"What do you mean?" I laugh as I hear Ember's familiar roar.

She only chuckles in response.

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A huge thanks to everyone for your patience as I continue to get back into the swing of things. I love you all for all your well wishes and support. ❤️