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Alpha Queen Amory's POV
1 1/2 Years Later
With a quickened breath, Amory had managed her way through the endless halls of the castle—Chiding herself for not making the plans or the efforts to stay in the Summer manor sooner.
The Queen's mood was steadly declining by the hour, and it was all due to the fact that the damned castle she was now residing in permanently was far too large for any one person to manage. And with that, meant that her devoted King was off in the surrounding Packs to speak with the Alpha's after inquiring a fair bit of information from the council.
A new and improved council, as a matter of fact, one that holds a spot for each Pack to have as representatives. This allowed Amory to speak with and direct her attention to those who vocally brought their issues or complaints forward—Whether it be during a meeting or in private, the Queen felt that things were starting to get better.
Until they weren't.
Until the leads that were hopefully turning into a dead end had given the roundabout for more damning mentions. It seems the Rogues were still heavily involved with the movement of humans.
Granted, their goals had changed, and with the help of the neighboring King—King Thaddeus of the Creasan Kingdom—Amory was able to get farther in terms of making sense of the madness.
It astounded her that all that needed to be done was invite the Creasan Royal court to instigate a fair bit of support in either direction.
But Amory had started to wonder what else was going on in those borders, and felt rather ashamed that she had asked Markus to go in and investigate—Undercover, of course.
With another male down from her arsenal, it left only a handful to remain beside her. Though, not counting Clive as he was busy with his studies—Or Dane, who was gifted his former position from both Romulus and Drex combined.
Though, this time with a promotion to Head of the Royal Guard. So hearing his armor buckle as he attempted to follow her back down to the throne room caused another smile to appear on her face.
It was far too easy to tease.
"Why didn't you ask Hawes to get your case for you?" He questioned, just as out of breath as she was. But upon looking back, Dane was falling behind.
No, Amory had never told another soul about the visit from Demon King just before her wedding. It was just another to add to the list of secrets she was keeping at the moment.
But for the rest of the Kingdom, they had taken it as good faith of accepting a fated Mated pair. Gifting Amory the ability to heal properly now that she was bound to Romulus.
As he was to her.
"Hawes is meeting with the architect. I want him to be able to get an apprenticeship."
"My Queen, a simple wave of your hand will do that for him." Amory scoffed, but she didn't deny the comment outright. Her title—Or as Dane had teased, could manage much more than simply get Hawes a job, it could also wage war.
A beautiful yet dangerous allocation of power to behold in one small female, and the female had a mission in mind at the moment.
"Goddess, my Queen! Please, slow down!"
"I can't afford that, Dane. When Rom returns were headed to the Summer Manor. I have many a things to do!" It wasn't set in stone just yet, but there wasn't too much that Romulus wouldn't say nor to.
And an escape to their Summer home was one of the easiest excuses to be alone.
As Amory wanted to knock down her list of secrets—Though she had her own suspicion that Romulus knew where Markus went. He simply didn't voice it, just as Amory pretended to know that his visit to Red Moon wasn't just to brag to Alpha Stephan, but to visit the survivors from the Rogue King.
Those survivors still found themselves living on Amory's former plot of land and they all remained loyal to the Red Moon pack, though some chose to find their path—Amory had made it her duty to try and follow the news regarding the survivors.
Gilroy made it easier for his Queen to manage, with a set of monthly updates, unless something grew for concern and shot forward to her attention outright.
A partial reason why Romulus had gone forward to the Red Moon pack and the rest, to go in her stead.
Amory knew, without a doubt, that Romulus lived for the possibility of a break from his duties in the Castle. To allow his beast a chance to run free, and which was nearly impossible with so much cobblestone and tall apartments covering the area surrounding the castle.
Her mother's garden could only do so much, so as an offering, she decided that heading to the Summer Manor would be a sort of thank you to her husband and mate.
In addition to the secret nestled in her womb.
But of course, Romulus had already been on his way to his three-week-long expedition to the Packs when the news arrived. It was painful to say goodbye, but even worse when she found out the second night—Alone in their bed, that is when the fluttery sensation she had only dreamed about had come true.
That a pup, their pup, was expected to arrive within the coming months. Amory hoped that she would have time to explain to her mate before others managed to catch sight, or whiff, of her secret.
That the heir that neither of them were prepared for was here, waiting for their father to arrive and announce the news. However, Amory was considerably aware that wolves and their heightened senses would make spotting her pregnant easier to notice, but she had fooled a wolf's nose before.
It was her males she needed to be careful of, how they seemed to have a sixth sense when something was wrong. And goodness, she was already avoiding Ray as if it were her second job—Soon, it would be all over, as she prided herself in wanting Romulus to be the first to know.
Though her dizzy spells were starting to become more frequent and unpredictable—Which lead Amory to rest against the wall of an intersecting hall.
Allowing Dane to catch up to her, a grunt to alert her that he was indeed just at her side. If his armor hadn't done the task for him.
"You're Majesty?" The question had been left ignored as Amory closed her eyes and rested her temple against the cool castle wall. It was unnerving how much her body was changing to create new life.
But it fascinated her to no end as well.
To know that her breast ached in preparation to feed—That her hips were widening to make way for the fetus to grow properly.
Yet going over the positives was not making it any easier to catch her breath. Not when she turned so focused on her inner thoughts that she had missed Dane speaking. Again.
"...Amory?" He whispered, a hand resting on her shoulder as she turned towards him. Exhaustion completely took over her entire figure now as she nodded. "I think I've been running off fumes these last few days, Dane."
"Hm, I was wondering when it would hit you. There isn't enough coffee in this Kingdom to fuel your endeavors. Now come, let me bring you to your room to rest. Wilhelm will handle the rest of the complaints for today." Amory wanted to argue, but there was no point when Dane himself had been present for the Advisor trying to shoo Amory away.
And the idea of laying down felt amazing at the moment, so perhaps she could humor Dane and enjoy the relaxing moment.
"Really? You're listening to—Are you alright?" Damnit, she knew one of them was bound to catch on. "I miss Romulus. We haven't been apart for this long before."
"Ah, it's the mating bond then. Curious thing...Can you Link him?" She shook her head, allowing Dane to lead the way back to the Alpha's suite.
Truly, Amory was thankful that she had agreed, the aches were getting monumentally worse as the moments passed.
"The King did mention that he would be home in a few days, and I'm sure the Summer Manor will be the perfect escape...Shall I send word for him to pick up the pace?" It elected a bit of laughter from Amory, smiling at how Dane managed to twist things for the better.
If she called upon Romulus, he would assume something is wrong—But instead, maybe it would be best to send word to meet her at the manor.
"Perhaps that is a good idea...I am getting restless in these walls. Is there a runner available?" Dane frowned to himself, his brows narrowing as he tried not to make it too obvious that this was not regular Queen behavior.
So instead, he escorted her to the Royal Alpha suite and waved over the combined Enforcer and human guard Unit. Abiding by what would make Amory comfortable to have her own kind, but the backup of a wolf that would aid if need be—Especially considering that the King was not present at this time.
Since renewing his promise to the crown, Dane hadn't stepped over the threshold of her rooms. Not as he had prior. So upon seeing him enter the lavish double doors had shocked Amory just as he had been shocked by her abiding heavier.
"I will get Irene and find a Runner. You rest and prepare a letter." She hummed, rubbing the center of her temples as she watched Dane exit and reenter with her Lady in Waiting.
After brewing a large kettle, and asking if a bath was in order, Amory found it suspicious to take a bath in the middle of the day, so she denied it.
Even though she wanted nothing more than to soak in the tub and fall asleep.
No, Dane was already acting cautious about her change in behavior. A bath and an early night would have him send a letter of his own with the Runner.
Amory was determined to keep this a surprise and instead asked for a light lunch, blaming it on an empty stomach and a building headache. One that Irene had chided was for having so much caffeine in the first place without anything to settle her stomach.
But the fruits of her labor had come in many forms, and having freshly ground coffee imported straight from Vyvatn was an addiction that Amory would not admit to anyone. It had been a very kind gift from Maldri Ryzor of House Oalri, the winged male who aided during the combined wedding and coronation.
Gods, it felt like an absolute lifetime ago to when she had returned to the throne—So much has happened since that it felt impossible to even think of how she survived as a Healer—How she felt happy simply helping a small network within the Red Moon Pack.
It was selfish, wanting to keep a low profile, and perhaps a little self-serving on her own part in not wanting to return to the throne knowing how much work would be in store for her.
But even now, she caught sight of the remains of her work from the previous night—Regarding her third Healer's manual, wanting to focus on both Humans and Wolves separately.
Which maintained its own bindings, though all were a mandatory reading and a part of the lessons within not only the Royal Infirmary, but the dozens of smaller facilities across the Kingdom and packs.
Even if it pained Amory to say that she hadn't stepped foot in the Infirmary without an underlining medical issue. Or by the word of Romulus, who demanded that she be checked over and cared for.
Reclaiming the throne, and accepting Romulus as her husband and mate had meant that she would need to sacrifice a part of her. But she knew, deep down, being a Healer wasn't what she was meant to be.
Even though she has received praise in the hundreds, her title as Alpha Queen was spread for hundreds of miles in every direction.
The Immortal Alpha Queen.
Damn Clive for making it stick and spread, but Romulus had only smiled—A teasing one. One that usually promised a sleepless night, as there was a hint of pride that coursed through his darkened iris'.
Amory had found the courage to ask him, and his only reply had made her heart flutter in just remembering— "It gives me great pleasure knowing that the rest of the Kingdom sees what I see. A brave female who risked everything to survive, live, and return."
Goddess, he was such a sweet talker—Even the messages he's sent for her were all updates until she caught just how lonely he was feeling.
And that was certainly mutual.
The distraction of their duties was starting to become apparent in their shared letters. But it wasn't the same as having him beside her in their bed, but leaving Wilhelm alone wasn't an option Amory wanted.
Not without warning, at the very least. So when Dane had returned, she had voiced the message to be passed along with an individual letter addressed to the Advisor.
Who was more than happy to take on the duties for a week. Though there were certainly other reasons as to why Wilhelm would want his King and Queen away—The council hadn't outright questioned Amory's fertility, but there were whispers throughout the castle. Even throughout the Kingdom, when a pup would bless their union in combining two families.
And here they were, just a few months away from joining them.
After staying the rest of the day in the confinements of the room, Amory was rewarded with the news that the Runner had managed to deliver the message and return.
Meaning that she had given the order to Irene to prepare a trunk of belongings so that Amory could travel the next day.
Allowing Dane the chance to put together a small team, but the damned male had already claimed that Delta Lyall would be joining them, to escort the Queen and stay until he was relieved by the King.
It made sense, given the relationship between Amory's title and him being Delta. He was the best combination of happy-go-lucky and overly protective that Romulus would have no trouble with going ahead to change the plans.
Granted, even Amory hadn't taken much time in preparing for the ride, and damn it all—Riding in the same carriage as Delta Lyall was simply asking for her secret to be outed.
"The King should arrive by late evening..." He replied, and Amory looked up from her notepad as she sighed. "Can you hear him?"
"The Link is between another Enforcer, I'm sorry, my Queen." She shook her head and smiled, his kindness was more than enough and so she simply finished dotting down her next thought before turning back up to the Delta.
Who narrowed his gaze, having taken Dane's warning to heart.
"Is the mate pull supposed to be...Tugging on my heart this much?"
"It isn't meant to be comfortable, but that is a good sign that he is feeling it as well. Take pity on the wolf, Amory. I heard from the Enforcer that he caught the King sniffing your letter." Behind her hand, she had snorted and laughed lightly at the tease he had made.
"He'll be here soon," Amory whispered, leaning her head against the pillow as she gazed out into the scenic view she had been obsessed with as a child. "I thought it'd be best that he's the one to go and visit the Packs."
"And the wolves had taken joy in that, but they miss seeing their Queen...Romulus knows that you have too many duties here to take with you." It had been a while since she had taken a venture, and there wouldn't be any more considering her condition.
So promising something now was fruitless, even if Lyall was expecting it.
"There's always time to visit my old home and the packs surrounding it. I feel guilty about leaving Wilhelm for the next few days."
"He'll manage. He lives for that sort of chaos, and he's quick-witted to manage wolves and humans alike. What I am curious about is why the sudden trip?" She swallowed, gritting her teeth as she had made it this far, weeks, without managing to say anything.
There was no point in lying, as her relationship with Lyall was better than that. But saying nothing was as good as spitting out that she was pregnant, so she shrugged.
"I miss my husband, isn't it normal to want a bit of peace and quiet to rutt in the woods?" Best to make him embarrassed, that way he wouldn't ask any more questions by— "He was telling the truth?"
Amory gawked at the fact that Romulus had outed their Honeymoon activities, but hadn't she just done the same?
With a groan, she covered her face once more as she made direct eye contact with not only Dane, but Ray as well.
"Goddess have mercy on my soul," Amory grumbled, but Lyall could only chuckle further. "It isn't to brag, my Queen. But it was a case of bravery—To be human and run from their very dominant mate is asking for trouble."
I was certainly asking for trouble, wasn't I?
Amory thought, laughing at herself in the safety of her mind. But the interjection of another voice had nearly made her gasp.
Oh?... Are you in trouble, lovely mate of mine?
Amory's expression perked up as she smiled down to the ground in relief for his Link, their bond, to reconnect at the smallest fraction to what she craved.
"That must be the King...I didn't say anything about—" Amory waved as she closed her eyes and tried to reach for him internally once more. Not knowing how far he was at all.
Not in trouble, just miss you terribly. Exchanging letters doesn't make up for a cold bed, Rom.
No. And I plan to make haste to the Summer Manor, but not until later tonight. My love, do not wait for me tonight.
Promises, promises. Go do your Kingly duties, I have a Summer Manor to put back in order.
______
Date: 07/27/23
Time: 9:31
Words: 3029
Author's Note:
Amory and Romulus deserve a happy ending🫶
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