"Adrian" Crystal exclaims as the door of her room is bursts opens and he marches in anger written all over his face.

"A coronation?" he shouts making her wince.

"How have you been?" she tries to calm him.

"Gone for few weeks..."

"Three months" she reminds and he breathes harshly.

"Gone for three months, I come back to find not just a woman being part of the ministers, but you happily pissing every man in it while demanding a coronation be held for you?

Have you completely lost you bloody goddamn mind!" he scolds and she sighs.

"I can..."

"You cannot just demand it, we have people that needs to be informed, involved and agree on it for it to happen"

"I agree with people that needs to be informed and involved. But I don't understand whose agreement do we need to seek when the crown is mine to have?" she asks him and Adrian closes his eye to take deep breaths before he once again continues to glare at her.

"This is why! This is why you are not ready for the crown. It's not just a fancy little thing to be held in your head, Cry"

"Of course, I will not dare put it on my ankles, Ad" she jokes but he is not in the mood.

"Once you sit on that throne, declared a queen, you will not just be ruling this palace but our entire kind"

"I know that" she frowns.

"But do you know that, there are men in and out of this palace who does not like the idea of being ruled especially by a woman"

"I would not even imagine some one like the idea of being ruled by a woman especially after they have run a trial test of being in a woman's belly for nine months and then kicking her in from inside, trying to tear her apart before getting out of her body...

Well of course, no man or woman really likes to be ruled by a woman when that very woman is the reason, they are walking all over her, talking shit about her" she snaps having had enough of the debate about what man really does likes and not.

"Your father had high hopes that..."

"Well, he has long been dead so is my mother and this palace has no king left to be crowned, killed or rule. So, deal with it, move on, living in what ifs and maybes is no longer my forte"

*******

"No one will give a damn about your forte, Princess. Not when you have not thought about them! There are packs of wolves to be dealt with, clans of vampires to talk with, covens of witches to visit and..."

"Then do so, of course none of them think I will walk to where they live, do they? Because, being a crown princess it's high time they send their regards to me, just like no one gets to chose their parents, no one gets to chose a Queen because some of us are born to be one...

Now, if you will excuse us" Crystal states before she goes back to what she was doing before Adrian barged in.

"We will talk..."

"When you are calmed down enough to listen to me and not of the men that holds no value to me, but you value Ad, so we will definitely be talking later" she finishes for him and Adrian stares at her with gritted teeth.

"Very well then, Princess" he grumbles as he walks out of the room in anger.

*******

Marisa stands outside of the door to Giovani's office, sensing her he stops his work and glances her way asking her to come in but she shakes her head no asking him to take a walk with her.

Putting his work aside, he follows his mate out of the room.

"What was wrong with us talking in my workplace?" Giovani asks her.

"Your workplace, that is the wrong thing"

"Meaning?"

"Out of your workplace, that is the only time you can bear my presence" she points making him frown and stop.

"Bear your presence? You are my mate; I do not have to bear anything regarding you" he points and she stops as she stands in front of him.

"But you sure cannot stand me when it comes to your work, my presence turns you into someone else"

"If we are here to discuss work then..."

"How can I accept you as my mate when you cannot accept me as one?" she asks and he narrows his eyes at her.

"I have been vocal about you being my mate much more than you" he accuses.

"Being a mate just does not mean being together, to me it means you accepting me in every way then again you cannot even stand me sharing the same profession"

"Are you saying you are rejecting me?" he asks with a growl.

"No, it makes me feel like you are the one rejecting me" she defends.

"Work is not the only..." he starts but she stops him.

"You know very well, your manliness in your workplace is much more important to you than my feelings or thoughts"

"I did not know I was making you feel so" he sighs.

"I will step aside if this is something you want but know this is not right. Crystal's coronation is in few days, I will not make you chose between me and your pride...

But know, I cannot be with someone who will hail our Queen, not with loyalty but with malice" she informs him.

"I will never betray our King, who trusted us to do right by his daughter" he hisses.

"Then you still have hope" she replies as she excuses herself.

*******

Crystal stops on her way to sneak out as she finds Adrian training at the grounds, with a sigh she turns to walk back to the palace as she realizes as always, she has to be careful about sneaking or else she will wake up Papa Bear named Adrian Martin.

"Are you trying to avoid me?" Adrian voice halts her on her step so she has no choice but to turn and face him.

"Only if you are done throwing a tantrum" she smiles sweetly and his eyes narrows at her.

"Tantrum?" he asks as he grabs his shirt and wipes his face with it and Crystal sighs as she pulls out a hanky from her pocket before handing him as they walk together.

She smiles as she jumps to sit on the broken branch laying on the ground with her legs swinging, she watches him make his way to drink water.

"Were you going somewhere?" he asks as he stares at her from toe to head.

"I would not dare to leave with you back"

"Yes, the rumors of a missing Princess were rung through my ears" he points and she sighs.

"Can I know where you were heading to?" he asks but she ignores him.

"Can I get my hanky back?" she asks and when he returns it, she goes to put it in her pocket but thinks better of it and puts it aside.

"I found about usefulness of pockets while you were away" she points before she jumps from the branch and shows him her pockets.

"My, my, how were women alive without pockets in their dresses?" Adrian remarks full of sarcasm and she frowns.

"See, even little things like pockets, you men privilege of it as well before we" she accuses and he shakes his head.

"Yeah, yeah. Now that little miss has turned to a woman, she finds every little thing offensive but what I would like to know what were you doing at the village?" he asks and her eyes widens scared she was caught.

"So, you were there" he nods and Crystal groans.

"The guards we..."

"Already taken care of, every thing they took away were safely returned back as well as the damaged were repaired and paid for" he informs and she smiles.

"At least you agree it was not right"

"Anyone using the Royals name in vain will never be accepted"

"Do you really think I am not ready to be a Queen?" she asks him and Adrian turns around with his back to her before he walks back and stands with his arms folded and back touching the branch while both of them stare at the horizon.

"None of us are ready for responsibilities, but we learn, we may survive or die trying to do the right"

"I will not be able to please everyone though"

"If you think I have stayed here and protected you for all these years for you to go sit in that throne and start to please everyone, I think we should cancel the whole thing, right now" he states as he stares at her and she laughs.

"Will you do the crowning?" she asks and he frowns.

"I am not..."

"My father trusted you with my safety and in this whole world if there one person who wants me to take that throne it is just you. I don't want to wear the crown by the hands of someone who I do not trust"

"It will be wrong, I am just a warrior, it is not my place to do so" he states but she moves down from the branch and touches his arm.

"It's not a request but an order, Adrian and you do not dare go against me" she smiles making him sigh.

"We will see" he states as they make their way to the palace.

"And Adrian, if everything goes well, I have something I need to show you" she smiles making him frown.

"You got more pockets stitched?" he teases making her laugh.

"Yes, pocket full of sunshine" she replies as she rushes to the palace while he just stares at her with a small smile.

*******

A knock on the door makes Adrian walk towards it, opening the door he finds Giovanni standing and waiting for him.

"Is everything alright?" Adrian asks Giovani.

"The invites have been sent"

"So?" Adrian asks raising a brow.

"The Alphas have no problem in regards to the coronation, we all are in for the much-needed peace but I am afraid the vampires and witches does not think so"

"We knew it from the beginning, Gio, so what's the point?"

"We cannot go to war because of this, you know it will bring nothing but chaos"

"Situation is not in our favor at the moment as well, wolves and vampires both are dying, witches are not being any help, so we need her to be in that throne...

I would want just one hand ruling us instead of ten wanting to do so"

"Okay, be sure she is protected well, few of the clans has agreed to come see her before the coronation. Alert Crystal as well"

"Don't worry about her protection, you just make sure you are not one of those ten wanting to rule" Adrian warns.

"I know I mis stepped the past few months that does not mean I will even betray the Royals"

"Good to know" Adrian nods before closing the door as Giovani walks away.

*******

Crystal looks behind her as she runs away, she takes a deep breath of relief as she nears her mate's house, pulling off her scarf she smiles when she finds him running behind the hens to catch it.

So, dancing through the road she goes to where he was.

"Hi" she smiles standing and watching him.

"What are you doing here, at this time?" Connor asks as he lets go of the hen.

"Uh, you just put so much effort catching it" Crystal groans as she watches the hen running away for its life.

"I will catch it again. I thought you won't be visiting for few days"

"Yeah, but I missed you" she sighs walking his way.

"I knew you would not be able to stay away" he smiles as he gathers her in his arms before bending his head to kiss her and that is how Destiny finds them.

"Wow, I cannot have a birthday party but you can kiss her in daylight?" Destiny asks as she stands with her arms fold at the door staring at the couple.

"Des" Crystal gasps as she wipes her mouth while pulling away from Connor.

"Both of you, in the house" Des orders as she walks in and ask them to follow.

*******

Sitting around the table, Crystal glances from Connor to Destiny, who has her eyes narrowed and glaring at the couple.

"So, you two would not tell me if I did not catch you lips locked?" Des asks and once again Crystal glances at her mate to say something.

"And you! How can you do this to me, Cry?" Des asks Crystal who stares at her hands embarrassed.

"Uh, Des..."

"How can you look at my brother and even think or kiss him?" she asks making Connor sigh.

"Well..." Crystal glances at Destiny.

"Does being a farmer's wife really is that appealing? Because every girl in the village swoons at him but I don't know what's so attractive about him?

He stinks of horse dump most of the time" Des sighs as she walks to where Crystal is and starts to shake her.

"Wake up, Chrissie, wake up real fast, you don't like my brother" Des giggles making Crystal laugh before the two girls start to laugh aloud and then start to cry while Connor rolls his eyes.

"I am so happy for both of you, now I can have a big sister in this house" Destiny cries hugging Crystal who wipes her tears feeling emotional.

"I am happy too, Des, I love you both so much" Crystal cries as the girls finds comfort in each other's arms.

********

"Can you make three tiers cake for me?" Destiny asks as she swings her legs sitting on the table and staring at Crystal.

"Three?" Crystal frowns as she has no idea how to even make cake.

"Yeah, Connor will never buy me one, so someone has to make one. And because it's my birthday I have the right to not make one" Destiny grins.

"Sure, I will make one for you"

"Awesome, also can you stay the night with us at my birthday"

"Night?" Crystal frowns.

"Yes, this coming full moon it's my birthday and I want my two favorite people with me on my special day" she smiles making Crystal turn around hiding her expression as that was the day of her coronation, she could hardly get away today with the guards and Adrian around.

"Uh..."
"Please Chrissie, please, please, just a three-tier cake and you spending the night, that is all I wish" she rushes to wrap her arms around Crystal from behind.

"I..."

"Connie, tell her. She will definitely listen to you and don't worry she can share bed with me or we can all crash in the living area...

Please Connie, just that, I promise I will never ask for anything again" Destiny pleads to her brother and Connor glances at Crystal.

"Crystal" Connor asks and Crystal melts at the way he looks and whispers her name.

"Connor" she smiles agreeing to it, as she will move heaven and hell to make her mate and Destiny happy.

"Yay, best brother in the whole world" Destiny squeals as she runs and hugs her brother.

"And don't worry I love you, even if you stink at times" she teases Connor who smiles as he puts his hand behind her head holding her close to him.

********

"I will be busy for few days but I will come back at Des's birthday" Crystal states as they walk to the stable together.

"Is everything alright?" Connor asks her and she nods her head.

"Well, there are few things that is keeping me busy but after it's done there is someone, I need you to meet"

"Is this busy thing harmful, do you need my help?" he asks and she shakes her head.

"No, I got it"

"And this someone is he important to you?" he asks and she nods her head with a big smile

"Yes, very"

"Okay, then whenever you are ready" he agrees and she moves close to him wrapping her arms around his.

"You are the best" she smiles making him smile as well.

"After whatever this is you want to do, I would like to talk with someone about you and I"

"You and I?" she frowns.

"Yeah, uh.... well, so next time we celebrate Des's birthday she does not have to plead for you to stay with us, because by then you will be part of our family" he adds and she puts her weight on his side making him hold her.

"I would like that; you can talk about it when I introduce you with that person" she agrees as they walk in the stable.

********

"Thank god, you are back" Marisa breathes in relief as Crystal gets in through the window.

"I know, I know"

"Adrian has been asking for you, but I have hold him back for too much time, hurry and bath, you have whoever you were with scent all over you" Marisa points and without a word Crystal hurries for a bath while Marisa opens the windows and burns few candles around the room.

"Do you..." Crystal stops as she finds Adrian in the room with Marisa.

"Hi" she chirps but Adrian just narrows his eyes at her.

"There are few people that wants to see you" he states and she glances at Marisa who shrugs her shoulders not knowing what was going on.

"Uh, can I meet them tomorrow?" she asks.

"No, they are the Alphas of the different packs who has come all the way here and waiting on for you for hours...

Which you were spending in this room" he glances at Marisa accusingly before he looks at Crystal who clears her throat.

"Okay, let me dry my hair" she states and Adrian frowns.

"Use your magic to dry your hair" he points and she frowns.

"Right, of course" she smiles before she does that.

*******

"How much time did you spend in the village among humans?" Adrian asks her and Crystal halts on her steps.

"Uh, why?"

"You have been acting a lot like humans" he points and Crystal just smiles in her reply.

"You cannot mingle with humans too much Cry and especially when unknown eyes may be watching you"

"Unknown?" she frowns.

"Have you stopped to think that your visit to the village may have caused harm to the humans? Someone wanting to harm you may target the humans, so be careful. I don't mind you want to know the humans because some day we will have to come to a certain treaty with them but now is not the time" he warns and Crystal nods her head silently as she realizes that she should not risk sneaking to the village especially with the coronation near.