Chapter 112

Emma

I squirm in my seat, the uncomfortable silence getting the best of me by the moment we get closer and closer to the border of the Royal Pack.

In front of my inner eye, I can already see the warriors standing in line, waiting for us, ready to escort us through the territory.

Pushing out a long breath, I squeeze back Kai’s hand and look at him, finding him staring out of the window.

I know that it is hard, and he must be struggling with my emotions clashing with his while he and Ace put up a wall, wanting to shield me from anything that could bring me harm.

And also to protect the pup from any more distress.

Caressing my belly with circular movements, I feel my heartbeat slow down while I try to concentrate on their scent lulling me into a comfortable state.

Serena and Junior are sleeping peacefully, leaning against the car doors, with Ryder sitting in the middle between them. He looks uncomfortable, his posture stiff and his hands clasped between his knees. I smile to myself sadly as I observe him looking into the void, probably fearing his first field work.

Squeezing Kai’s hand again, I shake it lightly, getting him to look at me with a questioning look.

“What about Ivar?” I ask in a whisper, and even if I feel Ace’s eyes burning into the back of my head, I force myself to keep looking at Kai to spot every single one of his reactions.

His eyes jump back and forth between me and our surroundings, the thought brightening his mood before he is able to accept it and think about my suggestion. “My grandfather?”

I nod, loving to observe his expressions. “Hm-mhm. What do you think?”

I’m able to watch my words straying in his mind before he beams at me. “I love it.”

“Perfect,” I celebrate, still whispering while drinking in his eyes sparkling with happiness.

Fighting to hold my smile upright when my heart drops to my stomach at not feeling Ace’s gaze anymore, I feel my eyes turn glassy.

I gulp, Ryder’s shouting releasing me from my suffering. “Yay! Did you just decide on the name for the baby? That’s amazing!”

“Just let us tell our dads and mom. Can you keep it a secret?” Kai asks, and while Ryder nods over and over again, he lifts his finger towards Serena.

She groans, rolling her eyes as she has been ripped out of her sleep by Ryder's loud voice. “Yeah, yeah. I won’t tell anyone.”

With a ‘humph’, she drops her head onto her palm, her elbow propped up on the car door.

We laugh, and for a moment, relief streams through us collectively, our souls not feeling distressed for just a moment. The car slows down, and we peek outside, spotting the royal warriors observing our car crossing the border to their territory.

“Looks like we are nearly there,” Ace breathes out, and I grab his hand, squeezing it.

“It’s going to be alright as long as everybody acts according to our plan, and we don’t get carried away by our emotions,” I try to encourage them, lifting my chin. “They will do everything to provoke us into acting right into their hands.”

I straighten my spine, smiling at Serena, who is looking at me defiantly, but I can clearly recognize the worry in her eyes. “They will force us into a trial, and every one of our wrong moves will be brought up in order to hurt our pack. But whatever happens, we won’t go home without you, Sese.”

Ace and Kai have their eyes still on the patrols now escorting us into the territory and to the royal court, while I watch Ryder gulp, his and Serena’s eyes still on me.

“We got this. Think about how we need to get our Alpha back.”

‘Well said, my Luna,’ Kai praises me, and a sensation of pride wafts through me.

We got this, I tell myself over and over again, even feeling my wolf pacing in my mind as we remain silent, getting closer to the royal palace where the high court has temporarily relocated to while they are electing the new judges and forming a new chamber.

I stare in awe when the palace comes into our view, my jaw dropping for as long as it takes the car to halt and a guard to rip open my door.

Rolling back my shoulders, I get out of the car after Kai, holding my arm out to Serena to hug her to my side. I start walking up the court and the ridiculously wide stairs, and hold my head high, my eyes directed at the back of Kai’s head while I concentrate on not squashing Serena’s arm.

There is an elder man waiting for us at the top of the stairs, and he lifts his arms like a long-lost relative while the she-wolves standing next to him bow respectfully.

“The future Alpha of the Blood Fang Pack, we are honored by your visit. Welcome to the Royal Pack, Future Alpha Blackwood.” His voice booms over our heads, even attracting the prying eyes of the warriors training on the field. “And I see you brought two of our warriors back.” He bends down, putting his hands on his knees, and looks around Kai, tilting his head at Serena. I hug her tighter, careful not to lose my poker face while my wolf scratches at the walls of my mind, inciting me to stay calm.

Even if I’m not convinced she is really talking to herself.

“I thank you for your hospitality. But if it doesn’t trouble you too much, Elder, I would like to see my father,” Kai retorts with a controlled tone, and I guess he raised his walls to keep me from feeling his raging emotions.

“Of course,” the judge shouts happily, bringing his spread hands over his head before he lowers them to his chest. He claps once, and the she-wolves around him swarm out to stand around us. “The maids will help your future Luna and your other guests to their quarters. You can follow me. This way, future Alpha Blackwood, if you will.”

He bows slightly before he starts walking through the massive doors, which seem to open by themselves.

My widened eyes search his gaze, and my heart jumps in my chest as he turns around, taking a few steps to squeeze my hands. “I love you. It won’t take me long,” he says, over his mind link.

“I love you, too,” I answer, fighting to keep my voice from shaking.

Letting go of him, I watch him walk into the palace until I can’t see him anymore. The doors close slowly, and the maids of the palace gesture for us to follow them to one of the wings.

I tear my gaze, still frozen on the doors, from them and increase my grip around Serena.

‘Ace will try to stay at your side as long as it is possible.’

‘Don’t make a scene when they give us separate rooms again. I’ll take care of that.’

‘Ryder will stay with Ace. Don’t let go of Serena. Watch out when it comes to Junior.’

Taking a deep breath, I blink the tears that risk welling up in my eyes and caress Serena’s arm. “I hope they prepared a fancy dinner for us. I’m hungry.”

She looks up at me with a wide smile, giggling. “Me too.”