Chapter 17 - The Princess

Chapter 17 - The Princess
Lilly's P.O.V.

I can't believe Dominick is my mate. I heard him tell Justin that he's a prince. How can I be the mate of a prince? I know Misty told me to stop thinking of myself as an omega, but that's all I've ever been known as. I don't even know where I came from.  

"Lilly is a beautiful name. Are you from Platinum Moon?" Dominick asks.  I don't know what to say.  Misty walks over and puts her arm around me.

"She is now. Lilly was at Golden Moon but has decided to join us here. I'm Misty. Vaughn and Ivan are my mates." Misty holds her hand out to Dominick, and once again, I admire her. She's only a few months older than me, but she's strong and self-assured. I'm neither of those things. Dominick is holding my hand and seems happy, but I wonder if that will change when he realizes I'm not pure.

"It's nice to meet you, Misty. Mom and Dad told me a little about what happened. I'm glad you got my mate out of there. Lilly, would you mind if we talked a little before dinner?" I want to say yes, but I'm scared.              

"Don't worry, I've got your back. If he treats you badly, then I'll bite him."  My wolf Cami mindlinks me. She's what got me through the pain-filled, lonely days. I smile at Dominick.

"Sure." He leads me to what looks like a sitting room off the dining hall. We sit on a small couch after he shuts the door.

"You looked scared out there. Is everything okay?" He rubs his thumb over the back of my hand, sending little sparks of pleasure through my body.  

"I'm an orphaned omega. My parents were killed when I was a pup, or at least that's what I was told. I've been passed from one pack to another for years. I was beaten, starved, and treated like dirt. I didn't even have a name until today, when Misty brought me here. A few days ago, Steven, the alpha of Golden Moon, took the one thing I had been able to hold on to. He took my virginity when he raped me in the forest." I wrap my arms around myself as I cry. I can't look at Dominick. I don't want to see the disgust on his face. I gasp when I feel his arms around me as he pulls me across his lap. I cry on his shoulder as he rubs my back.  

"I'm so sorry that happened to you. Not just what Steven did, but what you've been through your entire life. I promise no one is ever going to hurt you again." He whispers against my head. I look up and see tears in his eyes.  

"Are you going to reject me?" I ask as he wipes my tears away with his thumb.

"Why would I reject you?" He kisses my forehead, and I want to close my eyes and stay here with him forever.

"I wasn't able to save myself for you, and I'm an omega." Dominick smiles and kisses my forehead again.

"You didn't ask to have your virginity stolen from you in such a brutal way. I don't care about titles. We don't believe in titles here. Of course, if you accept me, you'll have a title. Everyone will call you Princess Lilly, and eventually, when we take over from my parents, you will be queen." I put my hand over my mouth and shake my head.

"How can I be a princess or a queen? I'm nobody." The anxiety is almost too much, as I start shaking. Dominick puts his lips to mine in a quick, gentle kiss that calms me immediately.

"Don't ever say you're a nobody. You're Lilly. The most beautiful woman I have ever met. Will you accept me, your humble servant, as your mate?" I can't help giggling at him, calling himself my servant. How could I reject him? He's a real-life Prince Charming.  

"Yes, I will accept you," I answer him. His face lights up when he smiles, and my heart feels like it's going to burst.  

"Are you ready to eat? I think everyone is waiting for us, and now I get to announce that I have my princess." The old me would have shied away from being the center of attention, but with Dominick next to me, I will face all my fears because I know I no longer have to do it alone.

"I'm ready."

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Misty's P.O.V.

When Lilly and Dominick return to the dining hall, looking at each other like a couple in love, I want to cry with happiness. He is exactly what she needed.  After talking with Victoria and Gerald, I found out that he travels all over the world helping packs with disputes and looking into complaints from pack members who report abuse or other crimes.  He's only twenty-five and has a heart of gold. He and Lilly make a beautiful couple.  

"Hello, everyone. I have an announcement to make. Thank you all for giving me this warm welcome after being away for so long. It appears I came back just in time to meet my mate. Please welcome Princess Lilly." I smile as Lilly's face turns bright red. When her eyes meet mine, she smiles. I can see how much stronger she is already.  

"She's going to be an excellent queen," Victoria says next to me as everyone cheers.  

"Yes, she will." I wipe my tears away as I watch Dominick lead Lilly around the room, introducing her to everyone. She is so humble and has so much grace, I can already see everyone falling in love with her.

"She's going to be the queen?" Justin asks next to me.

"Yes, eventually. Why?" I look down at him, and he smiles.  

"Do you think she'll let me be a royal guard? I like guarding our house, but I think it would be better to guard the palace." I chuckle as I lean down to kiss his head.  

"I think you'll make an excellent palace guard. What do you think, queen?" I ask Victoria. She pretends to consider it for a minute. Justin stands up straighter and looks serious.  

"It's hard work training to be a royal guard. Are you up for the challenge?" She asks him.  

"Yes, ma'am." He answers with a straight face. We are all trying not to laugh at how serious he is.  

"Okay, well, I'll talk with the lead guard and tell him we have a new recruit," Victoria says, winking at Gerald. He smiles and nods, holding his hand out to Justin.

"Welcome to the palace, young man." Justin shakes his hand.

"Thank you, sir." He says, and then turns to me.

"I'm going to be a royal guard now, but I'll still keep you safe too." He smiles at me as I kiss his cheek. One day, this pup is going to be breaking hearts.

"Thank you, sir," I reply.  

We all take a seat when dinner is announced. I'm sitting across from Lilly, and her face is glowing.  I look at my two mates seated on either side of me and figure my face is glowing, too.  Love will do that to you. Something is nagging me, though. Athena sent me here for a battle. What happened with Steven didn't require our abilities, so what else is coming? I look at the people around the table and know that whatever is headed our way, we will take it head-on.  

The End