My heart hammers as I watch Chris scan around searching for me. I'm so distracted by the thrill of hiding that I almost don't manage to duck away from one of the palace windows in time to avoid detection.

'You sure do love to push his buttons,' Ember chides.

'And you don't!?' I scoff in disbelief, my cheeks hurting with how hard I'm grinning. After a moment, I finally risk one last look and breathe a sigh of relief to see him sparring. His attention is back on Jace and he's once again all business.

When I first met Chris he was an imposing man but now, after fighting in the war and becoming king, he looks like a god among men. His broad shoulders and barrel chest are littered with faint scars but they only add to his chiseled physique. Every inch of his muscle bound body screams power and danger.

After starting our game of cat and mouse, the surge of adrenaline leaves me wide awake and curious about my surroundings.

But first things first, finding my room.

I follow Derek's instructions, walking through immense marble hallways until I end up at the base of a grand staircase with two palace guards. Neither man wears any expression but their eyes scream boredom as they watch me approach.

"Hi?" I greet, unsure of the proper protocol. The guard to the left eyes me curiously but the one on the right has already dismissed me in his mind.

"Your wing is on the left, second last hallway," he says, not even doing me the courtesy of eye contact.

"Oh um... The Guardians told me this is the way to the royal wing?" I start, trying to talk my way up without making a fuss.

"It is, but the pack's wing is over there," he grumbles, pointing back the way I'd come.

"Right, but I belong up there-"

The guard scoffs, cutting me off mid-sentence and finally turns his narrowed gaze to me. "Listen, this wing is reserved for the King, Beta, Gamma, Delta and head warrior plus mates. I've already met the lot of them-"

"I'm Chris' mate," I snap, cutting him off as I feel my temper flair.

"You?" He asks, raising a brow. Both men study me with renewed interest before exchanging looks. Their scrutiny and unimpressed looks dampen my fire instantly.

"The Queen isn't due till later tonight, we would have been told if she was here," the second guard chimes in.

'Touché,' Ember tuts.

'Mira, Claire?' I call, grasping at straws.

Lord knows Jude and Chloe are either sleeping or indisposed, at either rate, I don't want to bother them.

'You're here!' They squeal in unison, threatening to give me an instant migraine.

'I am, but I came in on the down low, hoping to get a feel for the place before anyone fusses... Only problem is, the guards don't know who I am and don't believe me... Can you come get me?' I plead.

'One problem, we're being hounded by the Master of Lineage...' Claire trails off in an ominous tone.

'The hell is that?' I groan, crossing my arms.

'A nosey mother fucker hell bent on getting up in our reproductive business,' Mira growls. 'It's too late for us, but save yourself!'

'Oh you're shitting me,' I whine. I'm struggling enough as is with being pregnant, the last thing I need is some strange guy up in my business.

'I can't make this up,' Claire sighs... 'Your secret is safe, but Mira's not even there yet and this guy is talking about optimum breeding-'

'That's enough of that,' Mira cuts in. 'Run, and don't look back, save yourself!'

I laugh and close the link, realizing I'm safer down here but unsure what to do with myself.

When in doubt, find a Guardian...

"Which way is the Guardian wing?" I ask, hoping they will at least direct me away. The less cranky guard points down the closest hall on the right and I gladly take off, not wanting to test them any further. Thankfully I have an easier time there.

"S'up Mate," Quinn greets. The last time I saw the female Guardian was at the Central Archive siege a couple of months ago. She looks the same today as she did that day, dressed in Guardian green, her curly brown hair pulled back into a ponytail and those keen blue eyes that miss nothing.

"Hey," I reply, flashing her a smile. Quinn welcomes me in and sends a cadet out to watch the entrance. The room is like a giant living room commons with couches around a giant TV to one end and tables and chairs spread out the other end. Guardians lounge everywhere, relaxing and laughing amongst themselves, as we make our way in.

"Aye! Ya, made it Luv," Dex practically cheers, sweeping me up in a big hug. Even in the low light, his fiery red beard glows and his towering height makes me feel like a dwarf. "Derek said you were 'round, was about to head out and find ya."

"Yeah, I thought it would be smart to come in under the radar... except no one knows who I am and I can't even get up to my room," I laugh. "Oh I did manage to distract Chris, so I'm sure I'll hear about that later."

"They've been running him haggard," Dex frowns, "All of 'em really."

"Isn't Chris the King?" I ask, furrowing my brows.

How can they be ordering him around if he's in charge?

"Aye... well not yet actually... You guys need a coronation to make it official," Dex muses, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

"Great," I groan at yet another ceremony that I have no say in. "But why?"

"Tradition," Quinn shrugs. "Fuck if I know, but they have traditions for everything. You'll hear all about them from Percival."

"Think about it. The royal pack has been stewing, waiting for new royals for a decade now," a new comer says.

This Guardian is one I haven't met before. He's a little taller than average height and thin, with medium length black hair swept behind his ears and eyes so dark they're damn near black. He walks over, extending a hand for me to shake with an easy smile on his ageless face.

"Pleasure to meet you Jess," he says shaking my hand. "I've heard great things."

"Jess meet Shoen," Dex says with a grin. "A great guy to have in a tight spot."

"Pleasures all mine," I say, feeling my cheeks heat. "How many Guardians are there?"

This wing, like all areas of the palace, is huge with layer upon layer of rooms, quite possibly hundreds.

The most Guardians I've seen before this was maybe fifty?

"Hard to know," Quinn muses with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "The Elder Guardian has us spread out all over the bloody place. Almost feels weird seeing so many of us in one place..."

"How will you ever stay out of trouble?" I challenge with a ghost of a smirk.

"I reckon that's what the palace guards are for," she replies, waggling her brows. "A lil' stress relief..."

"She means fighting, Luv," Dex clarifies at my wide eyes. "Palace guards and Guardians have a long standing rivalry."

"I hadn't noticed," I scoff thinking about Derek and Ryker. Sure Derek didn't like how he was treating me but those two had history before I ever showed up.

"Mostly good natured, who's better," Shoen clarifies.

"What about Derek and Ryker?" I press my luck.

"Ah, well those blokes have a lot of history..." Quinn muses. "Much of it involving a certain green eyed Vixen, but they're both second in command, inflated egos. But the details you'll have to pry out of them!"

I may not know the specifics but I can put two and two together just watching how they behave around Mack. There's little doubt in my mind they both had their sights set on her and clearly, Derek was the winner.

"I don't suppose I can just hide out here 'till Ethan's eighteen, eh?" I sigh.

"Well the way I hear it you are damn near a Guardian," Shoen muses. "But somehow I imagine a certain King will have a problem with that."

All three laugh at his words.

Little do they know I've already started a game of cat and mouse with Chris, one that is no doubt going to be short.

I feel the familiar pressure budding behind my eyes and switch gears once more.

"Is Damon around?" I ask, praying against the odds. There is so much mental noise here, but I've spent enough time with him that I should have been able to pick him up, if he was around.

"Afraid not Luv, you good?" Dex asks, eyeing me with renewed concern.

"Yeah," I sigh. "It's just really... loud... in here, ya know?" I have no idea which of the Guardians know what about me. Both he and Mack know about my abilities, as does Derek, who helped me tap into and refine them. Unfortunately, with my abilities getting stronger they also don't seem to have an off button like before.

"I can send word for him-"

"Nah, I'm going to have to get used to this eventually, I was just looking for an easy out," I dismiss.

"He'll be here for your coronation. I know that's a ways off yet, but it's something?" He offers with a shrug. "He stayed behind with Willow and Sadie's off having the time of her life with Caimen... Rogue life suits her."

I nod thoughtfully. Garrick had made a big point about how long it's been since all four heirs were known. When he said he would protect Willow, I didn't realize he meant all heirs. Their primary concern is of course Lucas' heir Ethan and to a lesser extent me and Chris as his adoptive parents and now blood bonded royals.

'Where are you little minx,' Chris links, making me instantly grin as a thrill of excitement courses through me. I can feel his hunger through the bond, he may want to know where I am but he's also enjoying the game.

'Around,' I murmur playfully. 'Are you done for the day?'

'Just training,' he grumbles. 'I've got time before my next meeting...'

'Sounds like just enough time to shower and grab something to eat,' I tease.

'Is that an offer to come shower with me?' He asks suggestively.

'And make you miss your meeting, never,' I laugh.

'Goddess, you're a tease today,' Chris growls. 'You know I'm going to catch you eventually right?'

'I'm counting on it ALPHA,' I tease once more before closing the link. His frustration and exhilaration flood back through the bond letting me know how much I affect him.

"I take it from that Cheshire cat grin there, the big man is on to ya?" Dex grins.

"Oh yeah," I laugh. "But I need to figure out something to kill half the day where he's not gonna find me."

"That's easy, the kitchens," Quinn says. "Pretty sure he has a lunch meeting anyways."

"I think I can make my way back there, thanks guys!" I flash them one last smile and head back out of the Guardian's commons, beelining back towards the kitchen.

With a silent cheer, I manage to find my way back and slip into the kitchen. I'm unprepared for the scale and ordered chaos around me. By the looks, the space is broken into several regions with a bank of doors on the far side leading to a patio with outdoor grills.

'Playboy is gonna love that if he hasn't already seen it!' Ember chimes in, flashing pictures of Jace in his 'Kiss the Cook' apron BBQing.

There are walls of ovens, a huge walk-in freezer and cooler, long ranges of flaming cook tops and what seems like miles of stainless steel countertops. Each area is fully staffed. Among the busy mass of people are two chirping out directions, an ancient looking man stooped over by age with thin snowy hair and a fierce looking woman with salt and pepper hair tied neatly into a bun and piercing blue eyes.

"Yes?" She addresses me impatiently, looking me over from head to toe.

"Umm, hi?" I reply suddenly uncertain of what I thought I could do here. Normally in every pack I went to, they could always use help in the kitchen, yet here they seem almost over staffed. "I'm from Still Waters, I thought you could use help in the kitchen..."

"How big is this pack of yours?!" she huffs. "You guys keep coming... You can go help Lena with the vegetables." Without so much as a follow up question or a second glance, she points over to a corner near the cooler where a middle-aged woman works at a mountain of peppers.

"I'm pretty sure I came in the last wave," I mumble, walking over to Lena.

Lena has a calm, gentle energy that's common with Omegas. She's my height but into her forties I would guess. Her dark brown hair is pulled back into a low ponytail and streaked with grey, but she has kind brown eyes and an easy smile.

"She's not that bad," she whispers, sliding me a spare paring knife. "Maureen is just a little hyped up with all the new additions and the new royal family... you know."

"Not so much," I sigh. "They're just normal people you know?"

"Easy for you to say, they are your Alpha and Luna!" Lena laughs.

"Well actually I'm-"

"Less talking, more chopping ladies," Maureen tuts. I can't help but roll my eyes at her snappiness.

I can see I'll need a new hobby outside of the kitchens, somehow I think gardening's off the docket for a while.

"I'm Jess," I whisper once Maureen is off on the other side of the kitchen.

"Leana," she giggles. "We have like twenty minutes to finish this."

"What happens in twenty minutes?" I ask.

"We have to serve the King's meeting," Lena replies like the meal we're prepping for common knowledge.

Ha! Chris is gonna lose his mind.