After talking to Lord Demetrius about Odett's aging process and mating situation, I think Zion and I both felt better about everything. But at the same time, it makes me sad that I would only have a few years with her as my baby girl before she becomes an adult. She'll always be my baby, but I won't be able to hold her like I do now. As if sensing my discomfort with my thoughts, Zion kisses my cheek, pulling me from my thoughts and back to reality.
"Are you okay, my love?" Zion asks me.
"Yea, just thinking about the future with Odett," I answer.
"And it made you sad?" He asks, confused.
"The thought that I just found my baby girl and only have a few more years with her as my baby girl makes me sad," I say.
"Everything will be okay. Odett will always be our baby girl, no matter what." He says with a smile as he runs his fingers through my hair, and my anxiety instantly melts away.
"You're right. I think I'm overreacting." I tell him.
"It's okay, my love. There's no need for you to explain. You are entitled to your own emotions." He says, making me smile. "Especially right now."
"Thank you," I say with a smile before looking at Jess, "You need to pack for your trip back to the Blue River Pack. I can handle the rest of the plans for the orphanage. All we have left is to look over and sign off on the plans anyway."
"Are you sure? I can help look over everything real quick." Jess says, but I shake my head. She had more important things to worry about at the moment.
"I can take care of it. You worry about your mission." I say with a smile, and she nods in acceptance. We stand up and walk out of the room.
"I'll help you look over everything if you want," Zion tells me, and I nod.
"Thank you, my King," I say while smiling at him before looking at Jess and Orian. "Y'all go get packed, and we'll see you before y'all leave."
"Yes, my Queen." They say in unison before turning around and walking up the stairs to their suite.
"Thank you, Mathew, for staying for the council meeting," Zion says, and Mathew smiles.
"You are my cousin, and I'll do anything you need." He replies as he places his hand on Zion's shoulder.
"You two are welcome to join us in the Queen's office if that's okay with her," Zion says while looking at me. I nod.
"Of course, they are always welcome. Oh, and I want to make sure Jess and Orian see Odett before they leave," I tell Zion, and he nods. "She would be heartbroken if she was to find out they left without saying goodbye to her."
"I'll make it happen." He tells me. I turn to Christian and notice he's smiling at us. I raise my eyebrow, looking at him questionably.
"Y'all make the perfect power couple and work so well together. I remember Max and Misty arguing all of the time, and they never worked together on anything. Though, that didn't stop her from abusing anyone that crossed her, including the slaves they kept." He says, feeling guilty for not being able to do anything for them.
"Well, things are about to change now that they are gone. We will find a great and kind Alpha for your pack. But I must ask you for a favor." I say, and he, Mathew, and Zion look at me curiously.
"Anything, my Queen." He says without hesitation.
"Bring the orphanage mother, Ms.Leana, to me when you return and keep her in the pack cells and far away from the kids and my sister until then," I say. He looks shocked at my request but nods in understanding.
"Are you sure you want her brought here, my love?" Zion asks.
"Absolutely, I want her tried in court for her actions against us. I won't execute her unfairly." I say with determination as I meet and hold his gaze confidently.
"Spoken like a true Queen," Zion replies with a smile of approval, making me giggle as we make our way to my office. I'm slowly wrapping my head around the knowledge that I have my own office in such a beautiful castle that is now my home.
"Like I said, we were made for this. And you deserve every good thing that's happened to you after what you went through when I wasn't able to reach you." Dosha says, slightly upset about that situation.
"Please don't feel upset or guilty. It wasn't your fault, and I could never hold that against you. You're the best wolf I could ever ask for, and you believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself!" I tell her, and she lets out a low pur at my honesty and kindness.
When we arrive at my office, Zion and I walk around my desk. I let him sit in my chair while I sit in his lap, while Mathew and Christian sit on the couch. We quickly read through the orphanage plans, making sure everything is correct before signing off on it and making it all final. Soon after, Sam approaches my door, and I'm up and opening the door, motioning for him to come in before he can even knock.
"I'm not sure I could ever get used to that," Sam says with a laugh as he walks in, handing a piece of paper to Zion.
"What's this?" I ask as I return to my seat on Zion's lap.
"It's a list of candidates for the Alpha position at the Blue River Pack." He says as he shows it to me after looking at it himself before looking at Mathew and laughing. "It looks like your brother is at the top of the list."
"That doesn't surprise me. I was going to suggest Eithan as well." Mathew says with a laugh. "He is a talented warrior and has taken the place as my Beta, but he would be a great Alpha. And his mate Morgan would be a great Luna."
"Well, why don't you give him a call and see if they would like to come to the castle for a meeting? Let's not tell him what it's for just yet. It will be a nice little surprise." Zion says with a smile on his face. He really seems to enjoy catching people off guard, I think to myself.
"I'm sure he would enjoy the trip away from the pack," Mathew says while laughing as he pulls out his cell phone to call his brother.
"Eithan is three years younger than Mathew and I. He was one of the lucky ones to find his mate on his seventeenth birthday." Zion says, and I nod in understanding. He then turns his attention to Christian. "If we decide he will be a good fit for the position, we will travel to your pack for a meeting with you and Nick."
"Of course, my King. The sooner we have a strong Alpha and Luna, the better the pack will be." Christian says with a smile, and I can tell he genuinely cares for his pack and their well-being. It makes me proud to know that there are so many people in high positions that truly care so much for their people. Growing up in the Blue River Packs orphanage, I always believed that people in higher positions were always power-hungry and cruel.
"I agree," Zion says.
"They'll be here tomorrow afternoon," Mathew says with a smile.
"Good. I hope it doesn't put you in a compromising position to take away your Beta." Zion says.
"Not at all. I have a Beta in mind to take the position. After Father gave the title of Alpha to me, I chose Eithan as my Beta to train him in case he ever needed to take over my pack." Mathew says, and Zion nods in understanding.
"I wonder if Nick told Mia that he has to return to his pack today?" I say out loud, feeling bad that she has found her second chance mate but will be separated from him so soon afterward.
"He has, my Queen. I don't think she took it well, though." Christian says.
"We will get her transfer paperwork done and bring her with us when we visit with Eithan. She has been a great asset around the castle, so I'm sure she will be invaluable to your pack." Zion says, making me smile as he speaks so highly of her.
"That would be great, and I'm sure it would make him very happy to hear," Christian says with a smile.
"Looks like the Betas are packed and ready to go. And Odett is on her way home." Zion says while looking at me. I nod and stand up, but my head goes fuzzy, and I begin to fall. Luckily for me, Zion catches me before I can reach the floor as Sam, Christian, and Mathew jump to their feet in fear of me hurting myself. "Are you okay, my love?"