Alpha Queen: First of Her Name

Chapter Two

King Alpha Maxims and Queen Luna Ana, of the Western Eclipse Pack, incline their heads in our direction once exiting the biggest carriage. Several Western knights flank them on all sides.

Our Dad smiles, not showing teeth, deliberately taking slow steps down the marble stairs to reach the royal pair. "King Maxims!" The two kings grab each other by the elbow and hug.

I watch as our Mom and Queen Ana each kiss each other's cheeks, smiling brightly at one another. Beside me, Jackson places a hand on the small of my back, and together we descend the stairs toward the Western King and Queen.

"Oh my!" Queen Ana gushes happily when she notices our approach. "How they've grown in a year."

I perform a flawless curtsey while Jackson bows low in return. "Welcome to Summerland again Queen Ana." Jackson and I rise as one, in perfect sync from years of practice.

Both Kings join our group when they notice their wives gushing about how fast children grow. "Ana, where is Leo?" King Maxims glances around before looking back at the carriage they exited.

Suddenly a pair of wide blue eyes peeks out from behind one of the Western knights. Blonde bangs fall in front of the angelic face, and a button-nose twitches in curiosity.

"Leo, come here darling." Queen Ana beckons the small child over. He darts behind the queen, hiding behind her legs. "You remember our son, Prince Leo."

Sending the boy a kind smile and a wink, I curtsy. "Pleasure to see you again, Prince Leo," Jackson repeats the sentence after me with his patented mischievous grin. The two of us remember being that young and having to be introduced to everyone. It takes a toll on you, especially if you're shy, like Prince Leo.

"Has Evergreen Pack arrived?" King Maxims asks while he and our Dad walk up the steps together. The two Queens continue after their mates, leaving the royal princes and princess alone surrounded by pack knights.

Jackson turns to our pack Beta, James, and gestures toward the carriages. "I'll help you welcome the guests and move the horses to the stables." Jackson and James walk off leaving me and Leo alone.

The younger prince stares down at his polished shoes with a quivering lip. I glance behind him to see two Western knights that I suppose are his guards. Smiling, I crouch down to his height.

"Hello, little prince." Watery blue eyes meet my own wide brown ones. "Do you like sweets?" At his hesitant nod, I clap my hands happily. "Great! Do you want to get some sweets with me?" Again he nods, the small boy takes my outstretched hand and together we enter the palace.

Inside the royal kitchen, several pack members bustle around putting the final touches on the feast. Leo's eyes go comically wide when he sees the vast amount of sweets in the kitchen. "I like chocolate, do you like chocolate?" I grab a strawberry from a bowl and dip it into the chocolate fountain.

Leo whips his head up and down, "Yes."

I laugh and hand him a strawberry. "Go ahead and dip it into the fountain." His eyes shine with glee at the notion of getting to make a chocolate-covered strawberry.

"Do you gentlemen want anything?" The Western knights that followed us blush at my question. I gesture wide at the expanse of the kitchen. "Take whatever you like."

Together Leo and I build a small plate of sweets, cakes, and fruits. "Let's go to the garden." Leo holds my hand as we walk, his head whipping in every direction as he takes in the palace decorations.

Outside in the gardens, we sit at a table at the gazebo near the lake. The blue waters shimmer under the afternoon sunlight. "Prince Leo," I dab at my lips with a napkin. The boy immediately looks at me when I call his name. "Are you having a nice time?"