Forever Yours

TWENTY ONE

Roxy's heartbeat was still thrumming throughout her entire body when the vehicle came to a halt in front of the grand entryway. She wondered if Cleo's was doing the same. Instead of her family waiting by the large wooden doors, was a lone man. By the white gloves, purple velvet tuxedo with gold trim he wore, he was some sort of butler. The driver moved to the back door on the other side of the window and Roxy scolded herself for jumping when the door popped open. It took a while for her to move, staring at the wooden doors while remaining rooted to her seat. It wasn't until Isaac came around the car, giving her a small smile of support and extending his hand out to her that she found the strength to scramble out on wobbly legs. Cleo was climbing out of the car behind her, looking like a confident figure of strength, smoothing down her dress and holding her chin high as Trent carried Cree.

It was then that Roxy's nerves intensified. Cleo had always been the elegant one, the mature one, the respectable one. After just being here for five seconds she already looked like she belonged amongst the wealthy scenery in a white dress and cardigan without a single stain despite having to change her baby along the way. Unlike Roxy who couldn't help but admit she stuck out like a sore thumb wearing her cowgirl boots, skinny jeans and jumper. She swallowed roughly. She might belong to Moonlight Ridge, or Saltwater Woods, but she had a feeling that despite her real family being behind those walls that she was never going to fit in here.

'That's what you're wearing to meet the royal family?' said Cleo quietly as she sidled up to her.

Roxy fiddled with the hem of her jumper self-consciously. 'Isaac said it was going to be cold.' She chewed at her lip. 'Otherwise I would've worn a nice dress.'

Cleo sighed. 'Isaac lives in his boots no matter the weather.' She peaked past Roxy to give him a smirk, earning a quiet growl in response. 'Seriously. I have a spare dress in the back. You can't go in looking like a rancher.'

Isaac's lips pulled into a thin line. 'Maybe I like her that way.'

'They're probably already watching us through those giant arse windows, Cleo,' murmured Trent, sidling up to them with Cree on his hip who was dressed the same as his father in a blue button down shirt and beige chino pants. Roxy didn't know if it was strange or adorable.

Cleo gave a huff and threw her hands into the air. 'Fine. Wear what you want. But we aren't the same werewolves anymore, Roxy. If we're royal we're going to have to play the part.'

She forced herself not to be affected by her sister's words, instead following her up to the butler who continued to wear a warm smile on his face.

'Welcome Princess Cleo and Alpha Waters.' He bowed his head to them. 'Princess Roxanne and Alpha Winters. The royal family are awaiting your presence in the sitting room. Please, follow me.'

Roxy's stomach twisted. Princess Roxanne. Despite being born with the name, she couldn't remember a time when she wasn't called the abbreviated version, and as for princess... well she'd never been called that before either. It made her feel like an outsider looking in, another version of herself watching on as her life was thrown into turmoil. There was Roxy Thorn, a simple Omega who grew up in a small seaside pack and then there was Princess Roxanne, a she-wolf feeling in over her head. Different versions of herself. Different lives. But they were both her – the same she-wolf, making her feel like she was stuck in the middle of a horrible parallel universe.

The butler heaved open the solid doors, revealing a grand room that once again made Roxy's jaw drop. The floorboards were dark and polished without a scuff mark in sight. The ceiling was high with exposed beams. The mahogany walls were decorated with oil paintings in golden frames, reminding her of the artwork which adorned the house of Moonlight Ridge. How she suddenly craved to be back on the territory she felt at home. In the centre of the room was a large vase of lilies, their white flowers in full bloom the biggest Roxy had ever seen. From the edges of the room, hallways sprouted off in all different directions, much like tunnels of a rabbit warren. She wondered how no one got lost. Maybe they did. She knew she would.