"Mom."

"Honey, everyone's gone home. You should head up to your room now," she sat beside me and caressed my hair like how she used to when I was little. I turned to glance at her melancholic smile and tearful eyes.

"What's wrong, mama?" She shook her head as if telling me she was fine and gently patted my cheek, "You've grown up so gracefully," I scoffed at her and she glared at me to shut up.

I mean, if clumsiness is grace in your eyes, Mom, then thank you.

I let her continue with her melancholy, "Now, you'll possibly leave us to find your mate, and we won't have our Princess anymore." My mother was full-on sobbing at this point and I softly laughed, embracing her and kissing her cheek. Papa arrived just in time to whisk her away, not before casting me an accusing look.

I but only stuck my tongue out at him as I followed them back inside, "Alpha Zakharov will be staying the night as it's too late to travel and they're a long way from home."

I was about to ask him more about my supposed mate, but my parents already slipped into their room and I was left on the hallway.

I ignored my overwhelming curiosity and decided against disturbing them. Goddess knows we all needed sleep at the moment.

________________

Kylie Jenner's repetitive 'Rise and Shine' woke me up from peaceful slumber and I groaned, pressing my pillow to my ears.

"Turn that off, stop!" Melodious laughter filled the room and I glimpsed to see Quin giggling in the arms of Ben.

"Sorry, little berry wanted to wake you up with her favorite song," Ben smirked as he emphasized that the supposed song was Quin's flavor of the week.

I playfully narrowed my eyes at the adorable infant, "Quintessa, you devilish child."

Ben handed Quin to me, but I refused saying I still had to take a bath and dress up, "Be quick, everyone's already down eating breakfast," nodding at him, he left and closed the door.

With one broken vase and an apology to the maid cleaning it later, I arrived inside the dining hall without harm. My eyes instantly zeroed in on the charming man sitting on the left of Papa, and blushed as he saw me stare.

"Darling, why are you so flushed this early in the morning?" He flashed a tiny smirk unnoticed by the others at my mother's comment, which only made me blush more.

"I broke a vase," I reasoned out. My mom resumed eating, knowing my clumsiness was a normal in our lives. I took a seat beside Sam who was feeding Quin with 'superman' hands, and started to eat.

Papa cleared his throat before speaking, "So, Alpha Zakharov, how is Alpha Lucas? I bet they served those scrumptious beef they're known for."

Alpha Zakharov nodded while drinking his coffee, "Yes, he is fine. Although, he and his pack were a bit weary with us at first."

"Who wouldn't be, knowing that the Alpha Zakharov would be coming with some of his trusted wolves? Even I was shocked to hear you were stopping by here," my father said with a laugh.

What did Papa mean by that, Sammy? I mindlinked my brother sitting beside me.

Alpha Zakharov's pack is the strongest pack in America. They also take up the biggest territory in the U.S., Maine.

My eyes widened at this influx of information. You mean the Cinori Pack?

Yes.

I thought it was Alpha Solum? Sam snorted while drinking his coffee, some drops blasting out of his mouth. Zion looked at him with distaste, "What the hell, Sam?"

Princess, you are so out of date. Alpha Solum already stepped down two years ago and turned it over to his son, the one we're eating breakfast with right now. The name Zakharov should've been a let go?

Oh, my bad. Sam shook his head in disbelief and messed up my hair, "You princess." I scowled at his action.

I wasn't able to tune in on the conversation at the table, but panicked when I suddenly heard that Alpha Zakharov was about to leave.

But we haven't been able to talk with him yet, my wolf whined and scratched within me to let her out.

I was busy trying to calm her down when I heard the gasps of people around me. I looked up to see their peculiar eyes.

"Yes, I have to bring your daughter back with me. She is my...mate."

• •
I mean, it was long overdue, but here you go 😂 Cinori is pronounced as see•noh•ri.

As always, I am thankful for all of you who are reading, voting, and commenting on my novel. All the love!

Also, we're #278 on the Forever list! That's 28 places up from the previous one. You guys are precious 🥺