Simply Mates

TEN

"Andromeda!" My father's voice yells, snapping me awake. I must have fallen asleep on the plane. I shake my head, turning towards him. He smiles slightly before fixing my hair a little - just like he did when I was a child. 

"Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"It's fine, Andy. The plane has landed. We must go get into the car that's waiting for us. Our luggage is already in the trunk." He says, offering me a hand that I gladly accept. He pulls me from my seat and leads me out of my plane. 

"How far is the King's mansion from here?" I ask, a yawn escaping my lips midway. 

Dad shoots me a playful glare before replying. "About fifteen minutes. Not far until you can get a bed. Let's go." 

He walks towards a black GMC Terrain and opens the back door for me. David is already seated inside and shoots me a quick smile before his eyes snap back to the male wolf in the driver seat. The scent of the King is evident, indicating that the man works for him and probably lives within the castle. 

Father slips in beside me, the three of us squishing together. Another male wolf opens the passenger door and enters the SUV. 

"I apologize for the lack of space, Alpha. We didn't realize you were bringing your daughter with you this year." The man says, turning towards me. 

"It was a last minute decision, Edward, but she is to be the Alpha Female of Moon Fire. She should be here." He responds, before turning towards the window.

"Very well. I am Edward Mason. I am the King's Secondhand." The man, Edward, says to me. He gives me a small smile before turning to the driver. "Go, Phillips."

The driver nods and starts the car - beginning our silent journey to the King's Mansion.

"This is your room, Miss." A petite she wolf says, gesturing towards a grand oak door. "If you need anything, feel free to press the call button inside."

"Thank you." I reply, allowing my fingers to run over the intricate carvings that decorate the door. 

"Your key, Miss." She says and I look at her again. Her hand holds out a single gold key and I gladly take it. The woman scurries off before I can say anything more to her. 

"Odd girl." I whisper to myself before inserting the gold key into the door and turning it. A barely audible click is heard, allowing me push the door open to reveal a grand, yet simple apartment-like room. 

I take a few steps inside, running my fingertips along the crisp white walls as I do so. My eyes flicker from the stark white crown mouldings to the contrasting black furniture that occupies the room. A painting of a wolf - presumably the King or one of his ancestors - hangs over the bed and a grand chandelier with twenty twinkling lights hangs in the center of the room. 

"This is pretty nice." A familiar voice says behind me and I turn around in a flash, my heart jumping out of my chest. 

Callum stands behind me, his eyes crinkled as he holds back his laughter and his mouth taut as he attempts to show his disdain for me in front of his father who stands behind him. 

"I suppose." I reply, unable to remove my eyes from his. I fling my hand out to him, needing to touch him in some way. "Andromeda Stidolph, daughter of Alpha Jeff Stidolph of Moon Fire. It's nice to meet you."

Callum raises an eyebrow, but doesn't hesitate to take my hand his - filling my entire being with warmth as the sparks shoot through me. I have to fight back the moan that wants to escape my lips. Callum is quick to release my hand, though. Probably to not seem suspicious to his father, I don't know. "Callum Denvers. This is my father, Alpha Jonathan Denvers of Redwood Pack." He states, gesturing to his father. 

"Andromeda Stidolph." Alpha Jon says slowly as he steps out of his son's shadow - his eyes looking over me. "Tales of your beauty do not do you justice, my dear." 

"You are too kind, Alpha." I say, forcing a smile to grace my lips. 

He offers me his hand, which I take. His handshake is stronger than Callum's, but not as fierce as I was expecting. He looks me dead in the eye and doesn't let go as he says, "It's unfortunate that you are a spawn of that satan."

"Father! That will be enough! You promised to be on your best behaviour while we were here." Callum is quick to say, pulling his father by his shoulders away from me. 

"You aren't Alpha yet, Son. You cannot order me around."

"But I can." A deep and authoritative voice booms from behind them. All three of us snap our heads in it's direction, our eyes landing on none other than the King.

All three of us quickly bow our head in respect and the King says, "At ease."

"King Reyes, it's nice to see you again." Callum says with a huge grin that King Zane is quick to return. 

"Getting into trouble again, Callum. And you're bringing this beautiful girl down with you, I see." He says as he shoots me a smirk. "Andromeda Stidolph, I presume." 

"Of course, my manners." I state. "You can call me Andy, everyone does."

"I rather like the name Andromeda. Means leader of men, I believe."

"Aye, you are right about that." The Queen chuckles as she scurries on up to us. "I have been dying to meet you. You are one of two Alpha Females! That's so exciting!" She throws her arms around me in a tight hug.

"She likes to hug." The King says with a chuckle.

She quickly pulls away and smacks his chest. "Fuck off, Zane, or I will tell everyone about-"

He quickly puts his hand over her mouth, stopping what she's saying.

"Enough Lynda." He growls, but there is a playful spark in his eye. He turns his attention back on the three of us. "I hope that you all can behave during this meeting."

"Definitely." I say as Alpha Jon nods and Callum smirks, his eyes looking at me. 

"Great! I will see you all in the Grand Hall after breakfast tomorrow." King Zane states as he drags his mate away with him. 

"I will be talking to you later, Andromeda!" She shouts over her shoulder before turning back to her mate. "I don't know why you had to be like that. I really wanted to meet her."

"You were going to scare her away."

"If she got scared from a hug, she wouldn't be an Alpha Female." She scoffs.

"Yes, my love." The King says as he turns the corner, disappearing from our sights. 

That's how mates are supposed to be. My wolf whimpers. 

I sigh and I can feel Callum's eyes on me again. 

"We will leave you alone." He says softly before he clears his voice. "We will see you in the morning."

"Pleasant dreams, Andromeda Stidolph." Alpha Jon says as he heads down the hall and enters a room that I guess to be his. Callum gives me one more look before he enters his own room, leaving me alone in the hallway.