Royal Rogue [Book 2: Royal Series]

Chapter 26

"Ian, eat with your mouth closed." I say. "Listen to your sister." Mum adds. I grin while Ian gives me a mocking glare. I respond by sticking my tongue out. I sat on the dining table with the usual family. We ate breakfast together after a long time. I missed our meals together. It always had me smiling.

"How immature." Logan says. Before I can reply with a retort, Sierra does. "You do the exact same thing." She says, rolling her eyes. "Babe." He whines, "your supposed to be on my team." I snort. "She clearly likes us better." Anastasia says.

Ian gasps, gaining all of our attention. "My tooth just fell out." He exclaims. "Were you playing with it?" My mum asks in her 'mum tone'. I think we all know the tone. Ian gives her a sheepish look. "Maybe." He says quietly. My mother sighs. "Are you bleeding?" She asks, referring to his gums. It takes a second for him to respond.

"Yes."

"Come on, Ian. I'll help you wash out your mouth." Megan says. The pair get up, Ian retrieving his tooth. We watch as they leave, taking the light atmosphere with them. I knew that by Gabriel's face, he wanted to talk business.

"Cameron. Arianna." He addresses us. His grave expression didn't change when his mate put her arm on his. "Have you made a decision on what is going on with the young wolf?" He asks. I noticed how he didn't use Sky's name. We nod. I had told Cameron what I thought and he agreed with me.

"Skylar is going to stay in this pack along with her sister, Leah." Cameron says. The rest of the table just silently listened to the conversation. It continued to be quiet as Gabriel and Sofia took in the news of my decision. I knew they were talking with each other through the mate bond. After a tense silence, I could see resolve in Gabriel's eyes. "If that is what you want." He says.

Before either of us can respond, the sound of footsteps is heard.

All of our heads turn in unison as Joseph enters the dining room. He looked stressed. That was never a good sign. He nods at the whole table, bowing his head slightly. His next words wasn't a surprise. Something was bound to happen sooner or later. Unfortunately for all of us, it was sooner.

"We've received word from patrollers and nearby packs that a pack of rogues is being formed. They are planning a war."

And just like that, whatever warmness was left in the room, it quickly dissipated. Gabriel and Cameron, the two alphas, quickly stand and leave the room with Joseph. I didn't even have time to think, let alone say or do anything.

An army of rogues was being formed. Great. My peace barely lasted.

I don't let my stress show or let out a growl that was threatening to be let out.

"We've been gone for like five minutes. What in the world happened?"

I look up to see Megan and Ian back in the room. Megan who was older quickly knew that something was up, but she kept on a smile for the sake of Ian. We all did. Ian wore a megawatt smile with a gap in his row of bottom teeth. "Where'd your tooth go?" Victoria asks, leaning into her mate, Damien. "It's under my pillow." He says excitedly. I let out a forced laugh, really wishing my mate was with me.

"Make sure you don't lose it, otherwise the tooth fairy won't visit you." Luke warns and Ian takes the warning seriously, nodding his head.

<><><>

I dry myself with the towel, throwing on the first clothes I see. They happen to be a pair of black leggings and a dull pink sweatshirt. I pull the sleeves up and run a comb through my hair and just leave it to air dry. It was late in the afternoon and I still haven't seen my mate. He was too busy holed up in his fathers office.

After breakfast, I hung out with Sierra, Victoria and my twin for a while. We didn't speak of the rogues and for that, I was grateful. I had forgotten for a fraction of time how messed up my life was. I swear, with all this stress, my hair was going to turn white.

Back to reality.

All the girls had gone back to their mates while I couldn't do the same. I exit my room and make my way to the kitchen.

Time for some hot chocolate.

I proceed to make my drink. When I'm done, I wrap my fingers around the now warm mug. I take a sip of the chocolaty goodness when a pack member walks in. He was possibly a bit older than me. With dirty blond hair and dazzling green eyes, he would be considered attractive. I wasn't attracted though. I had my own sexy mate and no one could compare to him.

"Good evening, Luna." He greets with a charming smile. I knew instantly that a lot of females swooned over him.

I wanted to respond with "what's so good about it?" but I knew that really wouldn't be a great response for a Luna. So I gave him a smile, "evening." He then leans against the wall and I lean against the counter, opposite him. It would be rude to just walk out especially when he clearly wanted to converse.

Maybe he needed something.

"I'm Nicolas but you can call me Nick." He says, his smile never leaving. "Nice to meet you." I say, taking a sip of my drink. I then go to politely excuse myself, but my mate enters the room.

About time you show up.

I expected him to walk over to me, but to my surprise, his eyes zero in on Nicolas. They narrow on him and Nick straightens up, clearly intimidated.

I was ashamed to say that I was amused.

"Who are you?" Cameron barks at him. "Nicolas, Alpha. Nicolas Dowen." He responds, his smile long gone. Cameron gives him a warning growl and that's when I decide to step in. I walk over to my mate, wrapping my arm around his waist. He squeezes me to his side, his eyes never leaving Nick's.

"Come on." I say, taking a step towards the exit. That's as far as I get because Cameron's arm doesn't let me go any further. He had not moved an inch. I tug on his arm, losing a bit of my patience. He finally relents and gives Nick one last warning growl before leaving.

I was highly amused with the whole situation and Cameron knew it. We enter our room and he shuts the door behind us. I casually take a seat on the bed, unable to hide my small grin. "You think this is funny?" He asks, crossing his arms. His stare was intense and if I were anyone else, I would of been just as intimidated as Nick.

I let out a small chuckle. "It's refreshing to see you jealous. I don't see your jealous side often." I say, standing up and walking over to him. He stood in front of the door with a tense stance.

Cameron slightly growls at my words and I roll my eyes. With inhuman speed, he pins me to the door, taking me completely by surprise. He rests his forehead against mine, slightly murmuring his next words.

"I'm not jealous, princess. Jealousy is when you want something that's not yours. I'm territorial. I'm protecting what's already mine."