Jess:

Deep breath in, and, out.

I stood staring at the outfit hanging on the back of my bathroom room door for about five minutes now. I was washed, exfoliated, waxed, nails done, hair and makeup done.

But this dress...

It was the final piece.

I could already hear the DJ playing music downstairs. I could hear the excited chatter of guests, leaving their cars as the parked on the castle lawn.

My emotions were all over the place today. My mom informed me that this is normal for females in the werewolf community. It's probably worse, for someone more powerful like me.

I miss him... EMBER! I called out mentally for him again.

Rosette said she was a wreck the day of her birthday as well. She fought her body constantly knowing she couldn't tell Sean right away about their mating.

Knock Knock

"Jess? You okay?.." Jennikah's voice filled my ears. "There's another gift for you. It's from Prince Eli, again." I smiled big.

Throughout the day I've had gifts delivered to me. The first was a gift card to the ice cream shoppe we went to on our "Not date". I drooled over all the flavors and toppings. It's honestly one of my new favorite places.

The next gift was a pair of earrings, white gold studs in the shape of a wolf head with diamond for eyes. Perfect compliment to my outfit I planned to wear for tonight.

The next was dozens of flowers sent to my bedroom.

After spending my morning training to be a princess, I ran upstairs and swung open my door to find vases everywhere filled with flowers. Pretty pinks, purples, yellows, and whites. My whole room smelled so fresh, crisp and alive.

I must get some indoor plants for our new place.

I quickly finished putting on my dress and rushing out the door to see my next gift. It was a tiny box, with a simple white bow.

I ignored the gasps from everyone in the room while I slowly opened the lid. It was a necklace. White gold, it had a pendant. A wolf howling at the moon, It went well with the earrings.

"Whoa, Jess, Prince Eli really went all out." Skyler moved behind me to help me put it on. "I'm just saying, I did not get 4 gifts from Ryan on my 18th birthday."

We all chuckled.

Eli:

Deep breath in, and, out.

I stood staring at the set up I had in place for our first night together in our new home. All the furniture we picked out in town had been delivered today and I spent most of the morning making sure Marcus and Desmond had everything set up just right.

"Thank you for your help Marcus and Desmond. " I smiled warmly at them.

"Of course my Prince. I believe she's going to love it." His eyes glossed over as Desmond spoke up.

"Our Princess is going to be a very happy one Prince Eli. Will you be introducing her to the pack soon? I know many are eager to meet our new Luna." He was smiling ear to ear.

My heart filled with pride seeing his excitement about his new Luna and soon to be Princess. My pack and Kingdom is filled with such amazing people.

"I plan to formally introduce her at the end of the week." I pat him on the back. He nods his head excitedly.

"Excuse us Prince Eli but we are needed." Marcus and Desmond both give a small bow and quickly head out the door.

"ELI! MATE!" Ember yelled in my mind again.

"Shush Em. You already know the answer."

I went through the checklist in my mind, food, bathroom supplies, water, Internet, art supplies, flowers. Anything else? Although the walls looked bare through out most of the house, we did pick a color for our room. An accent wall behind our bed, as Rosette suggested, really did make this room look that much better.

My phone vibrated again. I smiled immediately seeing her nickname flash across my screen.

My Princess:

OMG! Eli! Another Gift?! This necklace is so pretty. Thank you so much. :*

Can't wait to see you later. :* :* :)

Knock Knock

"Hello Son, You ready for your big night?" My father came waltzing in smiling a big smile. He was wearing his typical formal attire. Slacks, button down white shirt, he tossed his jacket on the bed and sat down. Ushering me forward, I sat next to him and he pulled me into a hug.

"I think I'm ready Father." I gave him a half smile. My father and I always got a long great but these last 6 months have been hard on both of us. Adjusting to these new roles, hasn't been easy for either of us.

He patted me on the back before smirking at me. "Just don't forget to Bite first." He raised an eyebrow at me.

I nodded my head, "Yes. I know." Everyone knows. Bite first if you want your mate to enjoy your first time together.

"Do you have a plan for the first week after marking? You know the females get so emotional afterward. Same for you too, Eli. I'm giving you three days off. Make the most of it." My father stood slowly looking around. "You going to show me around?"

I shook my head and smiled. "Sure, there's not much to see, Jess and Rosette plan to fix it up this summer. I think Jess wants it all spruced up by the Coronation." 

My father hummed in response as he moved about the space. Nodding his head in approval as we visited each room.

We made it back to the living room where my father seemed to linger.

"What does my father want Em?"

"Titan need to tell Eli important things." Ember responds blandly.

I sigh internally. Ember is mad at me because we haven't seen Jessica all day.

"Father? Is everything okay?" I asked him directly, staring him down. My father won't talk unless he feels compelled to do so.

He cleared his throat. "Tomorrow night, once you get Jessica in bed, Meet Titan and I at the edge of the training field. Be there by Midnight. I have some things I need to show you. I should have showed you after your 18th birthday, but, all this mate business got in the way..." He trailed off at the end.

I furrowed my brows at him, completely confused. "What is this? A place? For wolves only?" I chuckled at the thought of some hidden temple sitting in the middle of the forest somewhere.

My father stared at me for a moment, completely serious. "Yes. That's exactly it." He smirked at me again, grabbing his jacket and heading towards the door. "I heard Jessica has a little song she's going to sing for you tonight..."

I cleared my throat, stifling the growl threatening to escape. Jeez Ember is so on edge right now.

"...I hope you can stay strong until Midnight." He pulled me into a big hug and opened the door quickly to reveal Ryan and Sean standing at my door, huge grins plastered across their faces.

"I hope he can stay strong too King Christopher!" Sean laughed with my dad as he and Ryan walked by them.

My father turned around. "You boys stay out of trouble. Don't drink too much. Be careful, And..." He pointed a finger at Sean and again at Ryan. "...keep an eye on my son. Make sure he doesn't destroy anything. The Queen is still upset from all the damage you two caused on your birthdays."

Ryan and Sean both shifted on their feet nervously.

"Oh come on Father. It's not like they could help it." I shook my head side to side as my father glared at each of us before walking down the hallway.

Jess:

"Okay girl. Time to give you the REAL sex talk." Jennikah took my hands in hers and sat us on the bed. I looked at her confused.

"Jenn, I read everything from the textbook, AND my mom gave me-"

Skyler cut me off and sat down on the other side of me. "No. Not that kind of sex talk. Not the mechanics of it all. Obviously." He tossed his hair to the side like he was some kind of Pro.

Well he probably is...

I smirked at him. "Okay fine. Give me all your knowledge." I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest. Even though I felt weird talking to them about tips for my first time, ever, with anyone, I figured I should probably listen.

Jennikah cleared her throat. "Okay. First things first. Make sure he marks you BEFORE he tries to drill you."

I scrunched up my nose. "Ack. Jeez Jenn! You don't have to say it like that!" Sky and Rosette laughed.

Rosette's tiny voice broke through the laughter. "It's true Jessica. It will not be enjoyable without that bite first. BELIEVE me." Her face turned pink.

"It will really not be as fun. So remember, BITE FIRST!" Jennikah stared into my eyes to make sure I was listening.

"Okay okay! Bite first. Anything else I should know?"

Skyler pulled out something from his pocket. "Here, take this. You can still get pregnant, even if you aren't in heat." I looked at the small condom package and stuck it in my tiny clutch purse.

I should be safe. No babies. Not now.

Jennikah and Rosette fished in their bags and pulled out two more for me.

I frowned. "How many do you think I'll need?!" my eyes went wide.

I looked at the faces staring back at me. Each of them smirking.

Sky rolled his eyes. "Do you honestly think. In that outfit..." He gestured to my skirt and top combo. "...Prince Eli is only going to take you only ONCE?" He lifted an eyebrow at me while Jennikah and Rosette giggled.

I couldn't help but giggle myself. I'll admit. My body has been aching for more than just a kiss here or there.

"Okay. I have three condoms and make sure he marks me first. Anything else?"

Skyler looked to Jennikah and Rosette and then back to me. "So, sex with a Werewolf, especially the first time can be a little, um-"

Jennikah finished for him, "-Intimating."

Skyler nodded and snapped his fingers. "Yes! Intimating."

Rosette piped up to clarify since I still had a look of confusion and concern all over my face. "Eli is still a virgin but it won't seem like it when you guys have sex, because they have their wolves, and their animal instincts let them know exactly what you need and when you need it."

I hummed in response. Then I raised an eyebrow. "So you're saying we're basically the luckiest people alive because we're got werewolf mates who will always know how to please us Sexually?"

Everyone nodded their heads excitedly and laughed.

Eli:

"OKAY BRO! You ready?!" Sean pulled me into a hug like he did when we were kids. Sean was always a hugger.

"I guess so. I'm afraid I won't last the whole night though. Ember is already mad at me."

Ryan and Sean laughed. I glared at them. How was this funny?

"Don't worry Prince Eli." Ryan started. "Ember will be very happy soon. Then even more annoying." Sean and Ryan laughed again.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked them both.

Sean answered first. "Vik loves Rosette more than he even cares about me." He shook his head side to side. "If I'm not near Rosette he's feisty."

Ryan nodded his head in agreement. "Yes. This is true. If I do something to make Sky mad, Beckett will go off on me."

I chuckled at the thought of Beckett going off on Ryan in his head.

"Hum, I guess I never thought about how our mating would effect Ember long term." I sighed as I ushered them to the bedroom.

"Holy crap! Prince Eli! This looks amazing!" Sean was walking around the room marveling at the furniture, and the huge bathroom. "I need to petition to get a room like this for Rosette..." He mumbled out. Although I get a room like this in the Royal Wing of the castle, Ryan and Sean have to wait until their titles are officially switched over, and even then, it depends on the space we have in the castle and money to renovate. Although with Rosette's skills I bet she will make sure they have a space better than anyone in this castle.

I chuckled. "This was all Rosette you know. She's so good with this stuff."

Sean's face beamed with Pride. I knew Rosette has worked hard to become one of our design team members and once Sean takes on his role, she will too.

Ryan leaned up against the dresser. "Do you got everything you need for tonight?"

I looked at him confused. "I think so. I had food delivered today. I had Sky tell me what girly bath stuff she likes."

Sean snorted from the bathroom. "No bro. He means like condoms, lube, that kind of stuff."

Crap.

I could feel the heat rise to my face. Sean was chuckling while Ryan hung his head low.

"What? No one told me this stuff! I didn't think about it." I sighed.

I ran my hands through my hair in frustration. I didn't want to go back into town and I didn't want to go asking around either.

Sean threw his arm around me, grabbing his wallet from his pocket. "Here, take this one. I'm sure Rosette has some in her bag anyway."

Ryan walked up and handed me one too. "Here." Sean and I both looked at his package with the big XL printed on the label. Then looked back at him.

Sean scrunched his nose. "Awe COME ON RYAN!"

I started laughing while Ryan shrugged. "Stop acting like we haven't seen each other naked before."

Sean glared at him. While I continued to laugh. "Nah Bro! It wasn't like I was checking you out or anything!" Sean shakes his head side to side.

Still holding my stomach and laughing they continue on. Ryan smirks at him. "It's kinda hard to miss Sean. Let's be honest..." He adjusts himself inside his pants.

Sean and I both groan.

I finish chuckling and check the time. 10:10 pm. Marcus must have escorted Jessica and her little squad down to The King's Ballroom by now. It's reserved only for Royal Events, but, my parents would do anything for Jess.

"Our Mate..." Ember whimpered in my brain.

"Soon Em. SO soon." I pleaded with him.

"Please Eli. We need mate... Mate will need us soon. Ember feel mate reaching for us all day."

He voice was so sad. It broke my heart a little.

"Okay Em, let's go find her."

I couldn't deny him any longer. I needed her lips, her little arms pulling me in close.

I took a deep breath and stood up. "OK guys. Let's go."

Ryan stood in front of me. "Wait..." He winked at Sean who was suddenly all giddy.

I looked from Ryan to Sean and Ryan again. "What? You guys have more bedroom tips?" I said, dripping with sarcasm.

We all laughed knowing full well, that's something no werewolf ever needs.

Ryan pulled a flask from his jacket pocket and handed it to me. "To help keep Ember calm for the next couple hours."

I smiled wide. "You guys are the best..." I downed about half the flask in one go. The burning sensation only lasted for a moment. Vodka. Perfect. "...Really. I mean that." I handed the flask back to Ryan who looked at me concerned.

"What?" I shrugged. "My body will burn through that much vodka within the next hour."

Sean started chuckling. "No bro." He shook his head side to side. "That was for us TO SHARE! We got it from Bowmani. It's enchanted. It will work more like regular alcohol." He sighed and slapped me on my back.

"Are you kidding ME?" I punched Ryan in the arm. I shook out my hand, annoyed at Ryan's super human strength.

Ryan smirked at me before taking a swig and handing it to Sean so he could finish the rest. "Prince Eli. I think we need to get you to your mate. I get the feeling you're going to be ready to dance soon."

Sean laughed. He's knows when I drink, I give Ember the reins a bit more and I dance, a lot. "LET'S GO GET OUR ALPHA LAID!!!"

He leads us out the door while Ryan rolled his eyes.

"Ready Em?"

"Always Eli. Always ready for Mate."

Jess:

We were in the final stages of getting ready. It was 10:10PM and everyone looked like they could stop traffic in their outfits.

Knock knock

I took my deep breath knowing full well who it was.

I opened the door, looked behind me. Everyone was smiling big, giving me the thumbs up.

"Hey Marcus!" I pulled him into an awkward hug. I frowned up at him. "What is going on with you today Marcus? Usually you enjoy my hugs." I backed away, patting his chest, which made him back up further.

He cleared his throat. "Of course, Pri- uh- Ms. Jessica, I do enjoy your greetings, but I also enjoy having all my limbs attached to me." He chuckled awkwardly avoiding my eyes.

Skyler pushed me into the hallway. I whispered to him, "What is that supposed to mean?"

Jennikah and Rosette chuckled behind me, before Skyler responded. "It means Prince Eli has made it known that you are his." He smirked down at me.

On the outside I gave a small smile but on the inside I felt a flutter in my stomach and an ache in my heart.

"I miss him..." I muttered out as we continued to follow Marcus down the hallway towards the Party that I knew I'd never forget.

*******************************************

Below are the boys outfits. 🥰