2-109 I roll my eyes at him. “We are due for a meeting with Alpha Reggie, Luna Anne and Mina. Sorry, have to run, a kingdom to take care of and all.” We start to turn and they both begin to protest when Mina comes around the corner making the same assessment that I did.
“I have been looking for you two everywhere. Ladies,” She gives the girls the briefest look, then turns back to us. “We need to get to Luna Queen Anne’s office immediately.” Then turning toward the dumbstruck girls. “Make sure you find your way back down to the common areas where guests are allowed. We wouldn’t want you to get in trouble again and be banned from another royal function.” She takes Xander’s other arm and we all walk off.
I could barely contain my laughter and I for sure could not look at Mina. It is far too much fun to mess with those girls, but damn, they were exhausting sometimes.
We make it to Luna Anne’s office and all collapse in chairs.
I let my head fall back on the comfy low-backed chair. “We need to find your female mate. I am so tired of being called a sl*t and a wh*re by girls who are just mad that I can hold a conversation with you and keep your attention for longer than thirty seconds. They don’t attack Mina like that.”
“What did you say?” My eyes fly open, I didn’t even realize Luna Anne was in here. I thought we just came in for an escape.
“I am so sorry, I did not mean to talk like that in front of you.” My eyes went wider when I noticed Alpha Reggie was there too. I look down at my hands, really not wanting to repeat my comment. “Charlene and Olympia cornered me on my way up to get Midge from her lesson with Elana. They had some choice words to say about her.” Xander tried to smooth over for me.
“Alexander, explain, now! I want to know what those two are up to. They are not allowed up here, and I will not have them spreading rumors or bad mouthing anyone inside this castle. If they cannot maintain a certain level of decency I will remove them myself.”
I don’t think I have ever heard her use his full name before, outside formal events. She’s just as scary as Alpha Reggie when she needs to be.
Between the two of us, we explain the situation with the girls and let Mina tell her addition to the story. I noticed while Mina was talking that she kept scratching at her arm. After we were done talking I could tell that the Alpha and Luna were having a discussion over their mindlink, so I took the opportunity to ask about Mina’s arm.
“What’s wrong with your brand? You keep scratching at it, like you’re allergic to something.”
“Not sure, but it has been like this since I woke up this morning. I have felt kind of off all day too, like I am getting sick or have a fever.”
“Do you think someone put something in your drink or food?”
“No idea.”
“Mina, can I borrow you for a moment?” Luna Anne interrupted our conversation. “We’ll be right back.” She was clearly still angry about what happened with Chalrene and Olympia. But I’m not sure if the anger was directed at them or me.
Once they left Alpha Reggie looked at both of us. “Your Luna Queen doesn’t take kindly to her family being insulted and she is fed up with the behavior of our elders as much as the rest of us. As soon as Xander can take the throne we can actually start to replace some of our older or unhelpful Elders with those who will actually take the job seriously, until then we are stuck.”
“Can Midge here be on the council? She’s the only other person I will trust outside you and my mates at this point.”
“Once you are king you can set up your council how you see fit, but I would not disband them all, you will need the experience on your side as well.”
“Honestly, there’s only two who don’t seem to pull their weight and yet have the most opinions on everything.”
I have no idea what happened with Luna Anne, Mina and whoever they went to see, but Olympia and Charlene have not bothered us for several weeks now. It doesn’t mean that we let our guard down at royal functions, but it has made them more pleasurable.
One of the mid-summer meetings the Alpha King hosts the Alpha Games. The current Alphas are paired up with an Elite warrior and they have to find a designated hidden item in the forest. They have to search over a hundred acres of forest and are given minimal clues. It’s all good fun and for bragging rights, but something that I’ve heard talked about a lot since I have been here. I guess it’s an honor to be chosen as a warrior partner.
Mina and I are actually on guard duty tonight. We aren’t with Luna Anne, Alpha Reggie or Xander. But, we really weren’t needed since this is an exclusive event for the Royal family, the Alphas participating and their Lunas and the warriors participating. It’s something where they can let their hair down and have fun. Apparently the sh*t talking is epic and noteworthy. So we are watching the elevator to the Royals floor since many of the castle guards are chosen to participate in the event.
Mina is still itching while we are standing here. “Sky, it really burns now. I don’t know what is happening, nothing seems to help. She is doing her best to not draw attention to herself, but looks like she is really in pain. I have not had any issues with my brand.
“Doc Sylvia? I need you, something is wrong with Mina. Her warrior brand has been itching for a few weeks and she says it’s burning her now. She’s in a lot of pain. We are in the castle, guarding the main elevator.”
“We’re coming. Keep her calm.”
