Chapter 72: The Next Generation

Bea spent most of her time with Barb, but she spent her nights cuddling with Tanner. He loved to hold her in his arms while he slept soundly. The family gathered around her and brought her gifts the first day she arrived. Everyone showed her appreciation, especially Tanner Step-'s grandfather and his grandmother, who was also Bea's great-aunt. She told Bea to come to her chamber as she had something to show her. Bea arrived later that afternoon to see her. The queen gave her a beautiful dress for dinner and another for her sister. They dressed formally for dinner in this castle. She opened a drawer and told her to choose a tiara. She will need one for her wedding. Bea blushed, and the Queen watched her as her eyes twinkled. She told her it was not too early to choose such a gift. She gave her a blue sapphire set with the Tiara to match, which would be her engagement gift. Then she asked Bea if she and Tanner set a date for the engagement. She told Bea they could be engaged as long as they wanted and marry after university. And that she would keep these engagement gifts until the appropriate time. She gave her a diamond necklace and matching chain and told her she would wear those that night. She gave her a pearl set for Barb to wear.

That night, Bea sang while Barb played the piano, and the boys goofed around while they were dancing. Tanner looked at the happy family and grinned. He was glad to be in such a family because he was the only male heir to the throne. He had to go to Poland if he wanted male company his age to goof around with, He had many friends, but none he felt close to except Leon and his brothers. They spent the whole day going to different places. He felt pretty jealous when he had to share Bea with her siblings. They would leave the others and do a little disappearing act so they could steal a kiss here and there. He loved it when she was sitting on his lap, but she was shy when they were with her family. She would hook her hands through his arms or hold his hand. He wished they could move their relationship to a deeper level. Since they had all the parental consent, it was only a matter of time before they consummated their mate Bond. It felt like it was taking too long, though. The day ended and they were having dinner when the girls descended the stairs. Tanner was breathless as he watched his princess coming to him. She was so beautiful, and those dimples on her cheeks were to die for. He was going to bed that night when he heard a soft tap on his door. He went breathlessly to the door, and Bea stood there in her pajamas. He opened the door for her to enter. They never made out beyond the agreed place of no sex and marking. They could do everything else. She had a shower, and as he opened his arms, she went into it and took her fill of long, lazy kisses that had no end. Whenever they felt overwhelmed, they shared butterfly kisses. She sat on the bed next to Tanner as they discussed what his grandmother told her. She asked him if he wanted to be engaged, and he told her he would talk to her parents when they returned from their trip the next day. As they were chatting, she fell asleep. He kissed her on the forehead and tucked her in.

The following day was a challenge as usual for Tanner. he opened his eyes and looked at his beautiful Mate. He could smell her for all eternity. His morning wood stuck out behind her, pressing into her back. As he moved behind her, she opened her eyes and asked if he wanted her to relieve him of the pressure, but he said no, as usual. He knew he would have to wait. He made out with Mrs. Palmer and her five daughters. They never disappointed him as he masturbated until he was relieved. Bea could hear him in the bathroom, and she was tempted to help him.

When her parents returned, she begged them to stay with Tanner so she could meet them later in New York. Her mom told her she had a whole life ahead with Tanner, and this was her family time. She said that time would fly fast, and she and Tanner would be together forever. Bea conceded, and they left for Poland and then to New York. This time, they felt that life had come full circle. Both twins would be close to each other, and the parents would visit them as often as possible. Tanner asked them about the engagement, and they said they would correspond with his parents and set a date for it. Next, Brandon asked his dad if he could stay with Leon, but having no idea that Brandon had met his mate, his dad said no. The real reason for wanting to stay back in Poland was because his mate was in Poland. Alpha Brian told him when he completed high school, he could go to university in Poland if he wished to do so.

Returning to New York that Monday morning, they all went straight to bed.

Bea was still concerned about her cousin. Something was not right with her. She looked pleased when she was in Poland and Norway, but as she returned to New York, she seemed depressed. She met with Audrey and asked her what was bothering her. She opened up to her cousin and told her she did not feel she would ever shift and would be the only Walters who never went. Bea hugged and told her that she needed to talk with her parents about this and that it would be fine if she never shifted. Bea explained that her mom was already eighteen before she shifted and that sometimes it took some wolves longer to shift, and it was okay because wolves shifted at different ages. Audrey told her that all her siblings had gifts and talents, and she was sure she would never have any talent. Bea looked at her and said what about the pink bubble you were blowing at birth. Why don't you call Grandma Alyssa and ask her to guide you? She will be more than willing to find your gifts and talents. She asked her if she knew that she was a robust hybrid. She had powerful witch abilities. She should concentrate on what she has and wait for what she wants. She said what if I could never find my mate because I didn't have a wolf. As she said those words, she heard who said you have no wolf? She said Bea, I am telling you that I don't. Then she realised that Bea did not open her mouth. Where was that voice coming from? Bea pointed to her, laughed, and asked her what her name was. She shouted what is your name? The voice returned louder: my name is Assis. They both started laughing, and Audrey said Bea, you are the best big sister. She knew that she was never alone and had four other siblings. Oh wait, it is five now. But she had the best person now her wold Assis. Bea began communicating with her wolf, and they spoke with Assis, pronounced Azee.

Barb came in, and the girls' conversation turned to boys. The two younger ones wanted to know how Bea recognised her fated mate and how she could control her powers. Then Audrey told them she thought she had met her fated mate in her dreams. He was a mighty dragon king; she would dream of riding on his back as he took her to his home. Bea asked her how often this happened, and she said it happened most nights. Bea told her that it was no dream. He was taking her to his alternate paradigm. She said that is another piece of information Granda Alyssa needed to know. It could have hidden dangers for Audrey because some beings will not understand, and they could probably harm her. She asked Audrey how old the dragon was, and Audrey told them he was perhaps in his thirties. Bea said Audrey, he is too old for you. I am sure your daddy and mommy will not agree to such a ridiculous mating. Audrey insisted that he was her Fated Mate. Bea asked if they were intimate, and she told her they were. He would only change to his human form while he hugged and caressed her. She said she felt safe with him. Bea told her she still needed to discuss this with her parents if she did not return one day.

Barbara chimed in. Since she was given the gift of love and marriage, she supposed she could help her cousin, but they still needed to talk to family. Audrey was getting ready for college and needed to shift before this happened. Audrey decided she would speak to her parents, the Alpha, and her grandparents about what she was experiencing only if Bea and Barb were there. Bea said she was leaving the next day because she had filming the next day. Audrey sent a broadcast to the concerned family members, who planned to be there.

The boys were allowed to sleep over at their friend Connor's house while the family met that night. Bea opened up the conversation, and now that everyone has come, we will first talk about an engagement party for me and my Mate. She asked everyone's opinion on the date they would be available, and they all synchronised a date; she said she would get back to them when Tanner's family also gave their availability. Then she said we are not gathered for me but for Audrey. Audrey looked up, and her lips began to tremble. Her mother came over and hugged her. She felt a warm bubble surrounding her, and she knew her grandmother had sent her peace. She looked up and said I think I found my Mate. Her dad stood up and paced the room. Alpha went over and threw his arm around his brother's shoulders. That one gesture calmed him down.

My Beloved Readers,

We are ending this book; finally, this family has some peace. Will peace be destroyed by what Audrey is about to reveal? Read on as this book ends, and the next-generation romance is blossoming.

Love always

Your author.