**3rd Person POV**
Dagen looked at his friend’s face, slightly worried about what he wanted to tell him. Whenever Edvin had this look on his face coupled with the tone of his voice, it meant something of great importance had happened.
“I'm listening, Edvin,” said Dagen.
“I am expecting a child,” he said. Dagen cocked his head to the side. The way Edvin had delivered the news told him there was more to this news.
“The mother was a servant of yours,” said Edvin.
“Edvin. That is wonderful news. Why do you sound worried?” Dagen was beyond ecstatic for his friend. He was concerned about Edvin. In spite of all Edvin had done to ensure that his twins were protected even when he had not known about them, he had remained childless. Dagen suspected something was up but he had never asked because he did not want to pry. He knew how much Edvin valued his privacy.
“It's Diane. She is a servant with no connections except to a poor background. I do not mind that but a lot of people will and it would hurt the image of my child,” returned Lord Edvin. Even though he had preached to Diane about ignoring what others would say he was worried. He could not forget how Regina had been treated when she had been here as a woman with no means. Dagen had even wanted to end her life so he could marry Nydia. Should anything happen to him, he wanted to ensure the safety of Diane and their unborn child.
“I see. You want me to extend your title to hers,” said Dagen. He sank back in his chair. There were reasons why things were not done that way. A long time ago, some people had decided to marry up only to kill off their spouses and inherit their wealth and title. So, for anyone to enjoy the title of their spouse, the Alpha would have to vet such a person.
“I understand it is a lot to ask,” said Edvin.
“Nonsense! If you can assure me that she is a good woman who wishes you no ill then I would permit it,” returned Dagen.
“She is.”
“Consider it done. When will you host the wedding?” asked Dagen. If there was one thing he was looking forward to, it was the wedding of his best friend.
“We have settled on a quiet ceremony in our home. It will be just us, you are invited, of course.”
“Are you sure? The palace is at your disposal,” said Dagen. He had been hoping for a loud wedding.
“Considering the situation, it should be a quiet ceremony. There is one more thing though,” Edvin said.
“What is it?”
“She wants Princess Regina to witness the ceremony. Do you think you can make that possible?” Edvin asked. Dagen sighed heavily. Since Regina had walked out of the palace fifteen years ago, she had never once stepped foot in the Shadowclaw pack again. She had not refused him from seeing his children but she had made it abundantly clear that she wanted nothing to do with him again.
“You know I have no control over Regina. She doesn't want to come here and why would your fiancé want her at your wedding, anyway?”
“My fiance happens to be Diane. She was Princess Regina's personal maid when she stayed here. Diane would not marry me otherwise,” there was a plea in Edvin's tone. Dagen had given up on trying to talk to Regina but for Edvin's sake,, he would write a letter hoping she would respond positively to it.
“I’ll see what I can do. I will let Charlotte know about it too,” replied Dagen.
“I appreciate your help, Dagen. I must return home now. It's going to be a long night.”
****
If there was one person Dagen did not have an iota of trust in, it was his daughter, Charlotte. He had expressly warned her against leaving the palace tonight so she would not end up as vampire dinner but he knew his daughter better. The more you forbade her from doing something, the more appeal that thing held to her.
“How do you intend to get Thunder over the wall?” quizzed Dagen as Charlotte held onto the ivy in the East garden hoping to get on the other side. Her father's voice had her rolling her eyes. She gave up her attempt to climb the wall and faced her father with her hands, akimbo.
“Are you stalking me?” she asked, there was no smile on her face.
“Young lady, that is not going to work on me. I remember telling you that you are my prisoner tonight. You are not leaving this palace until the crack of dawn,” returned Dagen. He had anticipated her escape so he had ordered his most trusted servants to watch her closely and report to him at once when she was on the move.
“We both know that no harm would come to me. I can fight any vampire that dares to attack me,” said Charlotte. She gave up trying to escape the palace. She could not leave when her father was in full hawk mode. She was sincerely looking forward to her trip to the Blood Moon pack. There she could push Harlin to go on daring adventures with her with nobody the wiser.
“It is not your fighting skills I doubt but I am your father. It is my duty to worry and be overprotective,” returned Dagen.
“Whatever”
“Have you spoken to your mother recently?” asked Dagen.
“Mother? Well, we write to each other. I think she is returning home soon. Although, I'm not sure how long she'll stay before she takes off again,” said Charlotte.
“When you write to her again, can you mention that Diane is getting married and would like for her to be there?”
“Diane? Who is Diane?” asked Charlotte.
“She is very special to your mother. She will understand, you just deliver the message, okay?”