"Oh my." Are the first words out of Ashley's mouth, my mother. She has the same light brown eyes as me, but has dark brown hair, sort of the same facial features and slim, just like me but she's short. I also look like my father, I guess I got the best of both worlds because both of my parents are gorgeous.

She was waiting in one of the many rooms in the castle my parents live in. The country is beautiful from what I was able to see and the castle is just breathtakingly beautiful in every sense of the word.

"Ashton, oh goodness I never thought I'd see you again." She started to cry and walked over to me and her small self pulled me down to her height and hugged me. I wrapped my arms around her waist and hugged her back as I cried.

"Mama." I said and she cried even harder and papa came over to us and wrapped his arms around us and we all hugged.

"Sit and tell me how you have been, what have you been doing with your life. I want to know everything." Mama said once we let go of each other and so we sat down on the couch and someone had brought in something to drink and eat for us.

I looked at my parents and I wanted them to know how my life was, what I went through growing up and what happened when I aged out of the system, graduating and going to culinary school, the things I had to do to survive because I wanted them to know the hells I had to face because they left me but I also didn't want to hurt them because I know their reasons but it still doesn't make me feel better when I had to grow up alone and sell my body basically to get by so with that thought in mind, I told them every single thing that happened, things I haven't thought of in years or ever wanted to talk about.

Things that make me feel worthless, that I don't deserve any good thing in my life. At least that's how I used to feel before I met Keith and actually started living my life.

Once I was done telling them everything, they were a crying mess and kept apologizing to me but I really didn't need to hear it, I learned to forgive them years ago even if I didn't know them. Now that I know the truth of what happened, that forgiveness is given even more. They couldn't have known what was going to happen to me, what my life would have become. I was a baby, babies get adopted all the time so I don't hold anything against them.

"All that matters now is that I'm ok and you are alive and we have one another again. I thought you were dead all these years so to learn I have parents, no matter who you are is something I have dreamed of all my life. Yes I had a hard life but now my life is good. I have my own apartment that I am buying, two jobs that are shit jobs but they are honest work and I am working towards becoming a chef. I have one good friend and one not so good but he's an ok guy. Keith, he is an amazing friend. He took me in and helped me get on my feet. Matthias helped me some also but he has a big mouth and is hot headed but he is nice too. They are dating well it's more serious than that I suppose since they now live together. I am doing fine now so please, don't worry too much about me. I made it this far in life, I'll be ok now even more since I have you two." I said and mama wiped her face and kissed my cheek and hugged me again.

"There won't ever be a day that goes by that I won't be sorry for everything Ashton, no matter what." She said as she hugged me and I looked at papa, he looked upset and his eyes were also red and puffy.

"Would you like a tour of the castle? It's yours by the way, once we step down and you are crowned King of course." Papa said, making me lose my breath.

"Wait when I'm what now?" I asked and they chuckled.

"Crowned King, you are a Prince and our only child so the crown goes to you when we step down. You will learn everything about our country, our ways, our customs, meet other rulers, take lessons, everything you need to become a King." Papa said like it was normal for me to know this.

"Let's worry about that later, let's show you around and get you settled in." Mama said so we finished the food that a maid had brought in that we didn't eat yet from earlier.

"Sir, Prince Ashton’s quarters are ready." Another maid said and papa smiled and thanked her.

"We had them get things ready but since you had luggage with you, they put everything where it should go. You will have your own personal maid, butler, two royal guards with you at all times so if you need anything, just ask one of them and they will get it for you. You are to be King and they will treat you as such and if not, they will be dealt with accordingly but they have been through extensive training and have been with us for a while except for Vance, he's new and he's one of your guards. Don't worry though, he has been vetted and has proven he can be trusted." Papa said as we started walking down one of the many long hallways.

"Just show me the kitchen and a fully stocked pantry, fridge, and freezer and I'll be happy." I said and mama smiled.

"I like to cook so we can maybe cook sometimes together? It has always been one of the things I like to do when I'm having a bad day. Also the garden, oh Ashton it's beautiful. Nature around here is beautiful, waterfalls, the forests are so green, the grass is healthy, the country's folks take care of the land very well. You will see it when we take you on a tour and when you travel. You do have a kitchen in your quarters, along with a living area, an entertainment room, master bedroom and bathroom, you have everything you could ever need here Ashton." Mama said and stopped in front of two huge double doors that looked like they were made out of cherry wood.

"Welcome home." They both said and opened the door and I gasped at how beautiful it was. We walked down the hallway and I couldn't help but notice the carpet that ran down the middle that was a rich red color with gold for the border of the carpet and the walls had paintings upon paintings, flowers on tables underneath every painting and beautiful curtains that matched the carpet and the paint on the walls was the same colors.

"How did you know my favorite colors were this type of red and gold? The combination of the two is how I wanted to decorate my home." I asked.

"We didn’t, these are the countries colors. The whole castle has some type of red and gold though, some more obvious than other places but if you pay attention, you'll see."

"Don't you think it's strange I like the same colors as our country though?"

"Not really, when I pushed you out of the way, you had a red and gold baby blanket so maybe you kept it and don't remember it as you grew up but your memory knew so maybe over time it just clicked without you knowing? I have no idea how the memory works though so don't take my word for it." Mama said and what she said made some sense I suppose.

"This is your bedroom, that is the bathroom, that way is the kitchen and living area, the dining room is to the right and the entertainment room is to the left. Everything is easy to find and the dining room and living room are open so it has more space and more lighting. There is an intercom in each room that has a piece of paper on the table under each one that has each number for each room in the whole castle so all you need to do is put in the number and talk into it to get anyone or any room. Don't be afraid to ask for anything, anything you want you will get." Papa said as we walked around my quarters and showed me everything I could ever want and need, in one place. It was a little overwhelming to be honest but this is my life now and I'm going to embrace it.

"This is amazing, thank you." I said and they smiled and showed me my bedroom and I was in heaven when I tested out the bed. I could lay on it forever, it was huge and it was as soft as how a cloud looks.

"We'll be having dinner in the garden this evening so take a nap and freshen up after. Dinner is at six sharp." Mama said and I could only nod as I felt myself going to sleep.

After my nap I woke up to find my room was dark and I yawned and sat up. I got out of my comfy bed and went into the bathroom that was fit for a King. The tub could fit at least ten grown men and the shower is separate and looks almost as big as my bedroom it seemed, everything is so spacious and huge! Once I figured out how to turn the water on and enjoyed the many settings of the shower heads, a little private time because my hormones were through the roof given I haven't had sex in months. I got out and got ready for dinner.

"Wow." I said once I found the garden by asking a maid, a butler, and a guard because I got lost with each time I was given directions but I found it eventually.

"It's quite lovely, isn't it Ashton?" Mama asked when I walked over to the table her and papa were sitting at. A butler pulled a chair out for me and I sat down.

"It really is. I have never seen anything so beautiful before." I said and plates of food were set in front of us and we ate and talked about how they have been all these years and I learned that I would have a baby sister but mama had health issues and she didn't make it past six months in her pregnancy. With me being gone and my sister passing, mama went into a deep depression and papa tried all he could but only time could heal their wounds.

When they found me, papa said he saw a light in mama that was lost for a long time and she is doing a lot better now.

"Tomorrow you meet with a team of people who will help you get ready to become King. You will start with breakfast with them and a couple others will take you to get you fitted for clothing and all that. After that, your lessons will start with the history of the country and don't worry, there are no written tests but as you go on with your lessons you will be asked about things you have learned so be prepared for that. It's boring I'm not going to lie but it is needed. Next week you will be meeting with other officials and getting to know them and about the rulers of those countries, once you do that we will have a ball where you will be introduced to the court and other rulers. I know it's a lot to take in but once you get into it, it'll be easy." Papa explained and I just nodded and smiled, not really sure how to respond but he is the King so I'm sure he knows what he's talking about.

After dinner they took me on a tour of the whole castle and outside, showing me everything you could imagine in this one place.

When I went to bed I couldn’t stop thinking about everything changing so much in all this time.

The next morning I met my parents in the dining hall and  we had breakfast, just having more casual conversation until we parted with my mother and went to wardrobe and then my father began to speak.

“Would you like to know a little bit of our history?” He asked and I nodded. I thought he would tell me but a girl came in and they spoke for a moment before she turned to face me and papa walked out.

“Uh, who are you?” I asked the lady.

“Your royal teacher, my name is Samantha. It's nice to meet you Prince Ashton.” She said and bowed her head.

"It's nice to meet you as well Samantha."

"Ok let's get started." She pulled out a book and opened it to a page for me to look at and read through and as I looked at certain pictures and read quotes, she explained what I was looking at.

“The country was founded in the late seventeenth century. We’ve had seven generations of royals. Your ancestors came to this land and made a deal with a man and he asked the man if he would allow them to build upon his land and so the man agreed but only if they had enough land to keep hidden from those who pry and would possibly harm them.”

“Is that all?” I asked, interested in where my family comes from after not knowing a thing of my bloodline.

“The gist of it but there is more.” She smiled and I nodded and for the next few hours she went over more details of the family, what our country provides for others and how the castle got to be built where it's at.

"Your ancestors made a deal with the first Alpha, he had asked if the Alpha would allow them to build upon his land and so the Alpha agreed but only if they had enough land to keep hidden from those who pry and would possibly harm them. To this day the King still meets with the Alpha's and offers his assistance so they don’t have to show themselves. They’re very prideful and take their secret seriously. If word were to get out about them, we would be at war with them if it was proven we had said anything but so far there has been just peace between them and the Kingdom.”

"Werewolves? So there are more out there?"

"Mhm that's right." She said. I couldn't help but think of Keith and his wolf flashed in my mind and my heart hurt.

After the lesson, I went to find my parents. I soon found them in the ballroom and watched as they were cleaning an area and a few maids were moving things around.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“Preparations for a ball to welcome you home.” My father said. They keep saying welcome home and it feels nice to have a home, a family after being alone forever.

"But isn't that in a couple of weeks?" I asked and papa smiled.

"Yes, we just like to be ready ahead of time and we're excited, our son is home so we want everything to be perfect." Mama said so I walked over and helped her move a table against one of the walls so the floor could be cleaned in that area.

"So this ball, do I have to have an escort or can I walk down myself?"

"Usually an escort so just when you are presented, you will have an escort and she is a sweet beautiful girl who is your age. She is next in line to be crowned in her country so don't worry, it's not a set up for marriage." Mama said and I sighed in relief.

"Good, I don't mind having a female escort but don't expect me to be all lovey dovey with her." I said and they smiled.

"Wouldn't dream of it. There will be plenty of single young men you can choose from Ashton." Papa winked and I blushed.

The rest of the evening we spent in the ballroom, mama and papa dancing to music and showing me some dances we have to do for the ball and some silly dancing we did just for fun. We even had dinner in the ballroom and it was a lot of fun.

Over the next couple of weeks I have had so many lessons and met so many people, my parents have done everything they could think of to get me ready for the ball and so after I met the other officials, a few days later was the ball and I met the future Queen who was my escort and she was awesome. Her personality and her attitude were so carefree and light. I liked that about her. She told me she has a girlfriend and plans on marrying her as soon as she is Queen and can legalized gay marriage. I wonder if Dormar has a law like that yet. I'll have to look into that.

"Are you ready son?" Mama asked, walking into my bedroom. I had a lot of people in my room to help get me ready, from my hair and nails to my skin and suit.

"Yes mama I'm ready." I smiled at her and she had tears in her eyes as she looked at me.

"You look just like your father did all those years ago." She said and I wiped her cheek free from the single tear that fell.

"You look beautiful mama." She had on a long red and gold gown that hugged her body up top but was puffy from the waist down and it has lace and jewels on it. She had on a small crown and nice jewelry.

"Thank you and you look handsome son. Shall we?" She asked and I took her arm and we walked out of my room.

We walked down the hall and papa was standing at the end with my escort, Melanie and when we stopped in front of them, papa took mama's arm and I took Melanie's.

"Don't let me fall." We both said at the same time causing mama and papa to laugh.

"You'll be fine kids, just don't look down." Mama said and at that moment, fanfare started playing and mama and papa walked down the grand staircase, followed by a few other couples and finally, Melanie and myself.

"Now presenting for the very first time, Prince Ashton Blake Cooke, with his escort Princess Melanie Nicole Stewart." The announcer guy said as we walked down the stairs. All eyes were on me and for the first time since I arrived here, I felt like a real Prince.

As the night went on, I danced with a lot of people, men and women. Talked and ate, drank, flirted with a very handsome man and even kissed him a few times and it was nice being like that without getting paid for it.

His name is Glenn, he's tall and muscular, soft brown hair with some lighter brown here and there and bright blue eyes and a beautiful smile with dimples and he is from town, a werewolf actually because his eyes changed when someone got close to me when we were dancing and I asked him why his eyes did that and he said because he's a wolf. He's a nice guy and he's made me smile and laugh a lot since meeting him a couple of hours ago.

"Would you like to go on a walk?" He asked and I agreed so I went to tell mama and papa I was stepping out for a bit. They seemed to like Glenn and told me to take my time.

"So what do you do Glenn?" I asked as we walked hand in hand down one of the many paths outside.

"I work for the town, doing repairs and whatnot, I enjoy honest work." He said and I liked that about him.

"Besides being a Prince, what is it that you do?"

"I'm well a chef, sorta. I went to culinary school and tried to get a job working in a restaurant but had no such luck so I started working at a gas station and eventually a diner. Then I met the King and quit both jobs, left my life behind in America to come here."

"Do you regret it?"

"No, I may not have been happy at the time but I have my parents back in my life and that is all I have ever wanted. I went through a lot growing up so to finally have a family again, a whole new life I never even dreamed of is great."

"I for one am happy you are here. That isn't a line either, I'm just saying I know how your parents were before you got here and it's nice to see them smile a real genuine smile. You look like them, you are a handsome man Prince Ashton." He sure is smooth. I smiled and blushed under his gaze, his bright eyes shining in the moonlight and his smile sparkling are making me feel a little hot.

"I can honestly say I haven't ever been happier since coming here. I feel at home here. I have a mother's love and a father's approval, something I have never known myself and I'm comfortable here. I know that's strange but it's true, I feel I belong here. Meeting you though has definitely made it a lot better even if I met you a few hours ago." I said and he smiled and leaned down slightly and kissed my cheek softly.

"Meeting you Prince Ashton, is the best moment of my long lonely life. Can I be honest with you?" He asked and we were at one of the fountains around the castle so we sat down and I looked at him and took his hand in mine.

"Of course you can, you told me you were a werewolf so I think it's safe to say you can be honest with me."

"I'm just a normal werewolf, no high rank, not powerful, just your average wolf. I have waited over a hundred years to meet my mate and the moment I walked into the castle, I knew my mate was there and when I saw you, I knew you were my mate. Now that I met you, I won't be able to be without you, to not want to kiss you, to be intimate with you, to mark you as mine." He said and his eyes went darker and I felt a shiver go down my spine with the look he is giving me.

"A mate as in soul mate? Like we're destined to be together?" I asked and he nodded while smiling.

"Yes, that's exactly right. I will do everything I can to make you happy, to make your dreams come true, to show you how amazing and beautiful you are, to love and cherish you for the rest of my life." Wow.

"I have always wanted to be in love, to be put first and for someone to care about me and to love me. What you said sounds wonderful and as long as you can deal with how my life is and how crazy it's going to be, I'll do the same with yours. All I ask is to not hurt me, be patient with me and I'll love you with all I have."

"So you accept me?" He asked and I cupped his soft cheek.

"I accept you." I said and he smiled a smile so wide and bright I couldn't help myself, I pulled him close and kissed his lips and gosh did it feel amazing.

I willingly opened my mouth and he slipped his tongue into my mouth and I moaned at the feeling of him dominating my mouth and I climbed onto his lap and deepened the kiss, wanting to feel more of him.

"Let's stop for now because if we keep this up, I'm going to take you here and now." He said when we had to breathe and panting from our kiss.

"I'm ok with that." I said and he wrapped his arms around me and hugged me.

"I am also but we should wait, get to know one another better before we take our relationship to the next level. First, Prince Ashton, will you be my boyfriend?" He asked looking into my eyes and I smiled.

"Hell yes I'll be your boyfriend." I said and kissed him again, not being able to be apart from him any longer.

After we kissed and made out for a bit, we went back inside to join the party again and my parents kept watching me as I made my way around with Glenn on my arm to meet people and form some type of relationship with them as they will be important for my future when I take over as King.

The next few weeks flew by and Glenn and I have gotten a lot closer, I met his pack and his Alpha. I gotta admit, it was a lot of fun hanging out with wolves. My parents know Glenn is my mate and they are happy for me and accepted him into the family. He is a wonderful sweet guy and I'm happy, I couldn't ask for a better partner.

The only thing that has been going downhill is my health. At first I started getting horrible headaches that knocked me down for hours sometimes days at a time and no matter what I took, the pain just kept getting worse with nausea, vomiting, blurred or double vision, dizziness, seizures, trouble walking or handling objects because I was so weak and I was scared.

Papa had a doctor come in and take some blood to run some tests and when it came back, I had to go to the castles hospital type place for scans of my body and brain. I was there for hours before the doctor told me I had brain cancer and it had spread throughout my body. I have been through a couple of rounds of chemo and radiation with no luck in killing it.

Once Glenn knew, he tried to heal me by biting me but it didn't work, if he was an Alpha and my mate it would have worked but he isn't and his Alpha can't heal me because if he does, I'll become a werewolf and part of the pack and right now I don't want that, not to be turned by him. I'd rather be turned by Matthias who I learned is an Alpha and since I know him, it would ease my mind if he helped me.

I told papa about him and Keith when I found out Glenn was my mate and because papas friends with wolves so I didn't think it was a big deal he knew.

With the treatments I have been doing, my training to become the King has been paused and now at least once a day, I feel this pain throughout my entire body, like this fire burning from deep within especially in my stomach, my ass, my dick, and my throat. The doctors have ran every test imaginable and can't find out what's wrong with me. I only want it to stop especially when I'm as sick as I am, it's making me feel worse. I am to the point where I want to be put into a medically induced coma because I can't deal with two different types of pain at the same time.

I have lost a lot of weight, my hair fell out, I look like a skeleton, I can't keep anything down that I eat and I'm always so cold. I have almost died a few times and I'm afraid I'm going to die soon. I can feel it and I'm so scared to leave, to leave my parents, Glenn, my friends I made being here, Keith, and Matthias.

I told papa I wanted to see Matthias and Keith, I missed them and they deserve an explanation as to why I left and to just talk to them again.

"Ashton?" Mama walked into the hospital room, I have a nice one in the castle hospital and she does her best to keep me comfortable and the room looking nice.

"Mama." My voice is going out because I can't drink anything, I have a feeding tube and IV's to keep me fed and hydrated.

"Your friends arrived, they just landed so they will be here in a bit. We will keep them busy for a bit while you finish your treatment and get some rest ok?" She said and I nodded, trying to keep my stomach from betraying me again.

"I love you." She whispered as tears filled her eyes and kissed my forehead.

"Love you." I whispered back and she held my hand for a bit before she had to go see if everything was ready for when Matthias arrived.

"Hey beautiful." Glenn said as he walked up to me and I opened my eyes for a moment to look at him.

"There you are. Want me to cuddle with you?" He asked and I nodded so he took his shoes off and climbed into the bed with me. I laid my head on his chest and he held me as I drifted off to sleep.

Matthias and Keith will be here soon so I need to sleep before I have any energy to see them.