Things are going great for Ashton, it's been about two months since he became King and everyone seems to adore him for good reason. I mean who wouldn't fall for someone so charming and drop-dead sexy. I know he's been a role model for those who have hidden their sexuality for so long. We're all so proud of him and all he's achieved in so little time. At the same time, I can’t help but feel as though he wants nothing to do with me as a mate.

“Someone seems deep in thought.” Matthias smiled as he leaned against the doorframe of our bedroom.

“A lot has changed in the last two months and even more changes are coming. I can’t remember the last time Ashton had a good night’s rest. He has several meetings a day and has so many projects going on from what we all discussed with the previous King. He has to be overwhelmed. You can tell by his sunken eyes.” I sighed and sat up as I had been laying down.

“A lot has changed but a lot still remains the same. He’s stronger than we make him out to be. I mean he’s our mate. We’re going to feel what he’s been ignoring. Only thing keeping him from falling apart is us, his family and the people of the country. He has a reason to keep fighting. Don’t worry about him so much, he’ll be ok.” He reassured me and kissed me as he walked to my side of the bed.

As much as I would like to believe that and as much as Ashton has tried to bond with me, I guess my demons are keeping me from moving on. There’s no possible way Ashton has forgotten or even forgave me for all I’ve said to him to consider me his mate. He deserves better.

“Why don’t we join everyone for breakfast, hm?” He smiled and I bit my lip. Being with Ashton and his new found family still makes me uncomfortable and insecure. I know I shouldn’t feel that way but it feels like they’re all quietly judging me. I mean they all know about Ashton’s past with Matthias and I.

“I don’t know Matthias, I can still feel their eyes on me even though they’re not in the room.” I told him and he rubbed my arms.

“Baby, what happened in the past is not important. What we do now is what matters.” He kissed me again.

So what if he’s right. I can’t change the past and that’s the part that makes me so self-conscious. All I’ve said and done to him shouldn’t have been said in the first place. I screwed up big time with him.

“Ok, time to shower and get down there. Everyone is waiting for us.” He said pulling me up from the bed and ushering me to the bathroom with a change of clothes in my hands he had handed to me.

When I got out of the bathroom, Matthias was still waiting for me.

“There’s my sexy mate, now let’s go.” He said and we left the room and down to the kitchen.

“Morning everyone.” Matthias smiled and I waved silently to everyone. God, I’m so lame. I can deal with robbers, homicides, and theft. Yet, the royal family is on another level of intimidating.

“Morning.” They all smiled and Malachi giggled.

When we sat down and had our food, everything felt less tense for the moment.

“So what are the plans for today?” King Asher asked us. Honestly I had no idea we had any plans. It’s my day off so my intentions were to just relax or hang out at the pool out back.

“I have started a few construction projects to liven up the country and bring more money into the country. Granted Alpha Ajax is dealing with personal matters. He’s unable to come in person but I have been in touch with him through e-mail and same goes for Alpha Gregory as he’s been spending more time with his family but he said he should be here in the next few weeks to make a formal deal with me and the country’s general about new weapons and everything else.” Ashton spoke up.

No wonder he’s been so exhausted. He’s started to completely turn the country around. He has to know he doesn’t have to do all that in just a limited time. He could easily spread it out. He’s going to send himself to an early grave.

“Ashton, shouldn’t you take a break? You’re only twenty-three. You’ve done more in the last two months as King than your father and I have in over a decade. That’s not to say we’re not incredibly proud of you or that this is some competition but we didn’t think you’d want to do so much all at once. You have your mates and your son too. We don’t want you to spread yourself too thin that it starts to affect your health even if you are the King of werewolves. The stress can be too much for your human body and that stress will start to affect your wolf. Trust me on that Ashton, your father and I both suffered in that sense because we were young and wanted to undo so much at one time.” Queen Ashley spoke softly to him as a mother rather than a former Queen.

“I know, I know. I just have to make sure there are no mistakes this time. I need to know the people of this country are going to have an easier life because of it. You said it yourself. I have a son and my mates now. I can’t let them suffer because of something I’ve done. Once I know everything is going to plan and everything is on schedule I can rest.” He smiled at his parents and us mates shared a look. I know Glenn still isn’t too fond of us still but even he was giving us an unsure look.

If he’s talking so obsessively already, we know he’s never going to stop until he knows everything is going his way. He’s highly stubborn that way.

“Ashton, what about helping Matthias with the restaurants once in a while. Don’t tell me you’re giving up on your dream to be a chef.” I said before I could stop myself and everyone’s heads turned to him.

“It’s on the back burner, I can’t focus on that right now as much as it will forever be a dream of mine.” He said playing with his food.

You’ve got to be kidding me? That’s all he’s ever wanted to do before finding out about his heritage and being royalty. I mean Tiana did it in The Princess and the Frog. She was equally true to herself as well as became a princess. I mean hell other royals have their own things going on too. It’s their brand. He could easily show people that despite being royal there’s more to the title of King, queen, prince and princess. He could be a chef and still hold the title of king.

“Ashton, if it’s something you’re passionate about you’ll make time to make that dream of yours come true. It takes more courage to be more than just a King and say you’re going to be a chef at the same time. That’s going to hold more value to this country along with everything you’re doing if you just go along with it. No one said you had to be one thing for the rest of your life.” King Asher told him and Ashton looked down at his plate. His parents are pretty wise beyond their years then again I guess that’s what happens when you become parents and are royalty at the same time.

"I understand, I do. All my life I had to put stuff aside to be able to stay alive so I know. None of you knew me growing up, you don't know what all I have been through so please, don't think I don't know what I'm doing because I may only be twenty-three, but I'm much wiser than those my age. Besides I have werewolf stuff going on I need to deal with also. It's always going to be like this and I'm ok with that. This is my life now, so many people depend on me, not just my mate's and son. If I put all that aside, what kind of King of both the country and of the wolves would that make me?" His eyes were now the color of his wolf, the beautiful gold color that we only saw once, when he first shifted. We all bowed our heads and didn't utter a word more about it.

What seemed like a tense conversation. soon died down. After saying bye to Ashton’s parents and Glenn putting Malachi for a nap. We all left with Ashton who wanted to check on a few projects that would soon have their grand opening, and some that were still in the planning phase and needed his signature.

“Are you ok Ashton?” Glenn asked him.

“Define ‘ok’. Everyone is so concerned about me when the country should be our main priority. I don’t know what’s going on but I feel as though something is coming and it’s powerful. The kingdom needs to be prepared. I guess it’s one of the perks of being the King of all werewolves or being so close to sacred land. Something feels off and I intend to find out what it is.” He said seriously and we looked at each other. That sounds ominous and eerie as hell.

The entire day was just spent together with Ashton as we tagged along to his meetings and to the project sites he had. Though we did have lunch together and went back to the castle a bit to get Malachi since he had woken up.

“Seems like the country will be ok after all.” Ashton smiled to himself tirelessly as he fell asleep in the limo. Today was a long day for all of us. I wouldn’t be surprised if we all didn’t crash until tomorrow morning.

When we had finally gotten home for the night, Ashton had pulled me aside. Everyone had gone inside. It honestly threw me off guard. Why did he want to talk to me alone when we’ve been together all day?

“Ashton? Is everything ok?” I asked him nervously. Is he going to finally reject me?

“Everything is just fine. Get into the car.” He smiled, opening the passenger side door.

When I got in, to say I was nervous would be an understatement. We hadn't been alone in a long time, just him and I.

I noticed he had driven us to one of Matthias's restaurants. He parked and told me to stay put, got out, walked around the front and opened my door. He offered me his hand and I took it, smiling at the warmth coming from his soft touch.

Once we got in, we were led to a candle lit dinner. What is going on here?

“What’s going on?” I asked him confused.

“A candle light dinner? What else would it be?” He teased and smiled.

“Do the others know about this?” I asked him.

“Yes…” He laughed and I blushed.

Why a romantic dinner? Did he really forgive me and this was more than just a friendly dinner?

"Why are you so nervous?" He asked, gently running his fingers along the backside of my hand, sending tingles up my arm, making me feel all warm inside.

"After everything...I just feel like I'm a ball of nerves around you these days. I don't want to do or say anything that will push you to reject me. I love you Ashton, Goddess I love you more than life itself and the thought of losing you, it hurts." I confess and he wipes the tear that fell off my cheek and he put his warm hand on my cheek and cupped it, smiling softly at me.

"You can relax sweetheart, I'm not going to ever reject you. Gosh Keith I love you, I think I fell in love with you from the moment on that park bench when I looked into your eyes. There is a lot more good than bad between us. I'm choosing to focus on the good. You saved my life Keith, in so many ways. I can't imagine my life without you in it, as my mate. I'm sorry if you felt that you are only a friend and I'm partly to blame for that for treating you and Matthias as such but I was hurt. Now though, I want to focus on us as mate's, as a family. You don't need to worry about me hurting you like that, I love you too much to even want you out of my life and in pain. No that isn't a jab at you I promise, this has nothing to do with the past but our bright future. I want children with all three of you, I want to go to bed next to y'all every night and wake up next to you every morning. I want the palace to be filled with laughter and love. I want a happy life and I can only have that if you are also by my side." He said all that without looking away from my eyes and his eyes were wet and he sniffled slightly, kissing my hand that he was holding in his other hand.

"Ok, I won't worry about it anymore. I trust you. Just please, take care of yourself and don't work too hard, we need you and we love you." I kissed his hand and he smiled, a sweet beautiful smile that took my breath away.

The rest of dinner was amazing, just us two, talking about things that don't have to do with the kingdom, just two people on a date.

"I had a wonderful time with you Ashton." We were walking into the palace holding hands.

"So did I. Thank you. We will definitely do this again, soon. Also I have something else planned for this weekend, with all four of us. I pushed back meetings and told the staff to leave me be this weekend. Trust me, you're all going to love it."

"I can't wait. Want to go check on Malachi? He's probably asleep since it's late." I asked and he nodded so we walked to our quarters and he opened the door to Malachi’s nursery and we walked to his crib quietly.

I smiled at the sight of him sleeping with his thumb in his mouth, his breathing calm and he looked so peaceful.

"I can't wait to have more babies, one of us would be absolutely gorgeous, I can already see it." He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, holding me close to his hard body. I shivered when I felt his hard on against my ass, making me hold in my moan since we were in the nursery.

He walked us out of the room and as soon as the door was shut, he pushed me against it and kissed me with such passion that I went weak in the knees and about fell if it weren't for him holding me up with his body against mine. I moaned when I felt his leg on my dick and he slipped his tongue into my mouth. I quickly submitted to his dominance because he felt too damn good to stop or put up a fight.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and he lifted me up, carried me into our room we now all share and laid me on the bed, next to Glenn and Matthias who were sleeping. I couldn't help my moans as he laid over me, half naked and kissed my neck, working his way down my chest as he unbuttoned my shirt. He took my nipple into his mouth and swirled his tongue around it, making me arch my back into him, moaning loudly. I felt like I was going to cum just from him doing that alone.

He moved down my body, kissing and licking as he went, causing me to feel like it's on fire. He hooked his fingers in the waistband of my pants and boxers, pulling them off without any effort and was back on top of me, naked as well. He leaned down and took my lips with his, kissing the living daylights out of me. I felt him take hold of my hands and brought them up above my head and held them in one of his hands as he trailed the other down my face, neck, chest, and finally to my hardened shaft that is ready to release at any moment. He stroked me a few times and I couldn't help but squeeze my legs together, my body lifting off the bed slightly as I released all over his hand and my stomach. He stroked every last drop and scooted down and licked my cum off me and his hand.

"Delicious." He groaned and kissed me again, taking my breath away.

"What about you?" I asked when we broke the kiss, his forehead against mine, both of us panting for breath.

"I'm ok sweetheart. Go to sleep. I have some things to take care of but I'm not leaving the room. I'll join you in a bit. I love you." He whispered and kissed me gently. He got off me, covered me up and walked to his desk and I watched as he worked on whatever it was he had to do for a few minutes drifting to sleep with one thought on my mind.

This evening was perfect and I can't wait to become one with my handsome Alpha King.