The Return of the Hybrid Princess

Chapter 21: Catching Up

It took a while for me to catch my family up on everything that has happened. They were angry to say the least but at least now I had them back. I only had one problem that I could think of. My family would want me to go home with them and Jace would definitely be there waiting if he heard about my return. My thinking time was spent sitting in the tallest tree that I could find in the woods. I've seen a few people come and go but none of them noticed me at all which I was grateful for. It was hard to try and make the best decision for not just myself but my family and possibly the whole werewolf kind. My heart yearned to go home with my family yet my mind was there to tell it the possible outcomes. I let out an annoyed sigh. I'm not sure what was torturing me at this point. It could be the moon goddess, Jace, life, or most possibly myself. I finally left my sacred spot to find my family so we could have a much needed chat over my problem.

    I found my family sitting at a table in the dining room of the pack house. There was no one else around since they were all trying to make the whole conference go on without a hitch. To my surprise they weren't eating formally. Instead I got to witness my brother fling a spoonful of food across the table at my dad. Dad looked in shock for a moment before leaping across the table and putting Caleb in a choke hold but due to his force the chair fell back and they were rolling around on the floor while Caroline and Maria just laughed at their mates.
"Can't say I've seen to men as high as they are in rank rollicking around on a dining room floor like children during an argument," I stated jokingly.
"Well I think I'd much rather this than them sitting at a table refusing to eat," Maria informed me honestly.
"I started to think Caleb was a dead man walking," Caroline added.
"Oh. I'm very sorry for causing that kind of stress on them," I apologized.
"Well we're all here now so how about we just forget about and move on?" dad asked once he finally finished his friendly fight with Caleb.
"Agreed!" Caleb shouted from the floor since he was still there panting.
"As much as I'd love to there's still a problem. Jace is alive and after me. We can't just go home. I'm sure the whole supernatural world is aware that I'm alive now and with you so he'll be waiting there for us. I'm not exactly sure how to beat him yet," I explained.
"I should've known this dreadful conversation would come up," dad groaned.
"You're going to be queen someday soon. Seeing as you've been with Jace a while I think you know him the best therefore I'd like you to take CO tool of this case and lead us to victory over him," dad continued.
"Ok. I need to brainstorm ideas. I'll be around. Do you need me at the conference tomorrow?" I questioned.
"No. I think we're gonna cut it short so we can beat Jace instead," Dad stated sternly. I nodded before taking my leave. My mind wondered off to other subjects. Like for one I was wondering about my mate that I no longer felt anything for. Even the bond seemed no existent as I'd I had actually died. Maybe he had moved on and found a second chance mate. For all I know he could have moved his pack back on his old pack grounds or he could be one of the many alphas that stay near the kingdom. I mentally slapped myself for thinking about something that I couldn't do anything about and forced my thoughts back to my main priority. At least I tried but my favorite redhead came bounding up to me.
"Fill me in," she demanded.
"Fill you in on what exactly?," I asked.
She picked at her pink tank top before forcing out her words.
"On your plan and how it is be in NH with your family. You know everything I wasn't there for," she blurted out. I let out a heavy sigh.
"I'm happy to be with them again. I long to be with them again but I still have a right mind that reminds me of Jace. I know he'll be there. He's probably already waiting and his only decision to make right now is how to kill me. I can't let that happen. I can't let my kingdom down like that. He could probably find a way to hurt my mom and sister. I'm so worried yet my mind wonders off to my mate. I don't think I should even call him that since I can no longer feel him or the bond. I don't know what to feel but it's not important how I feel right now. I need to think. Like really really think right now about how to win this battle," I stated truthfully.
"I understand what you mean. I don't know the magnitude of your worry and risks because I've never had a risk like that before. I may not be a princess like you or a hybrid like you but I am a person like you. I know you'll figure it out in time," Cheyenne said encouragingly. A small smile that I didn't know exist found its way to my lips at her inspiring words. I believe this is just one of the many perks of having her as a close friend. Maybe even a best friend.
"Thank you my love," I thanked while pulling her in for a hug. She giggled at the nickname which I came up with in that moment.
"Besides if not you could always lead your kingdom away never to be seen again," she lightly joked.
Her words just sparked an idea.