Royal Puppy Love

CHAPTER 9

JIMIN POV

I was planning on spending a little time in the garden before the sun set, Skye happily padded along beside me. His presence always a great sense of comfort. Skye stopped short noticing a figure sitting alone on the bench under the great willow. I had often seen that little bench and wondered who would put a seat that faced the hedge. What was the point?

We approached and the figure turned. It was Queen Charlotte. She gave us one of her sweet smiles and patted the seat next to her. I sat down and Skye settled at my feet. She bent and looked at the slightly hazy wolf closer.

Queen: 'Being able to do that is just fascinating.'

I nod. 'I am still not sure how I do it, but I am happy I can.'

Queen: 'I would assume it is something you inherited from your mother.'

I looked to her in surprise. 'My mother? She is a werewolf?'

Queen: 'Not your adopted mother, your real mother. She had magical abilities, which I assume where passed down to you – one being projection.'

'You knew her?'

Queen Charlotte nodded. 'Your mother was a close friend of my family. She was a rogue wolf and greatly desired for her beauty and abilities. My grandmother saved her from a vicious pack, covering her scent and giving her refuge when she was injured.'

I stared at her in wonder.

The Queen continued while staring at the huge hedge. I wasn't sure exactly what she was seeing, staring at the wall of leaves so I concentrated on her face. 'She visited our pack for years, coming and going every so often. She realized that the King was my mate and convinced my family to allow me to meet him, so I was greatly indebted to her.'

'I can imagine.' I had heard that some wolves would search their entire lives and not meet their mates, so if someone could determine that, it was quite the gift.

Queen: 'So when I heard she had birthed two pups and disappeared, I made it my mission to find them and be sure they were okay. After all, I was a Queen so was able to help if needed.'

I nodded. She had a kind heart and I was happy Queen Charlotte was part of my life.

Queen: 'You know... 'Black Swan' in the negotiating world is the term for an unknown, unforeseen factor at work behind the scenes. It can radically change the outcomes. People have black swans too – it might be their secret burning desire or a trauma that is driving them. Understanding someone's black swan can give you insight into why they do things and lets you predict what they will do next.'

She was silent a moment.

'I wish I knew your mother's 'black swan'. Why would she leave you at the door of a rich family but leave your brother in the wilds to fend for himself? Why? When I saw how they were treating you, I had to intervene.'

She turned and grabbed my hands, holding them in her delicate and warm grasp.

Queen: 'The only thing I could think of was an arranged marriage, which actually turned out to be better than I could ever imagine with you being Kookie's mate and everything!'

Again I nodded. 'But about my brother?'

She hung her head. 'He is out there. I think he senses you now that you are connected to us and Skye. I just hope he knows he is welcome. I come here every so often and wait for him. He did not come here today.'

'How will we know him? Is he part of the rogue attacks?' I was unsure of the security aspect of the pack.

Queen: 'That is the thing...we won't know until we capture them and interrogate them. It is getting late though, sweetie.'