Emma

I tell them, "Follow me."

The Alpha King of Europe mused out loud, "We were just fighting and now you are leading us into your headquarters."

I shrug, "Be careful what you touch, most of is is rigged or trapped."

One of their people chuckled, "That's really smart. Leaving a small amount of warriors behind to fight while your people escape. Then, when we are searching the place, there are traps everywhere."

I smirk, "It works very well though."

Alec walks next to me, "Where is Sabrina?"

I avoid the question, "Somewhere."

Alpha Asshole however got upset, "WHERE IS MY MATE?"

I pointedly ignore him and call out to my people, "Tend to your wounded, don't share secrets, do not listen in on our conversation."

There is a chorus of, "Yes, Boss" from my people and grumbling from the others.

Blake calls out, "Do we share the healing potions?"

I stop walking to answer, "Depends how they act, it's your choice. Our people are the first priority though."

Alpha Asshole grumbles, "That's not fair."

I glare at him, "You did just try to kill me, and I have your mate, so I would shut up if I was you."

I bring them into what had been the kitchen, but most of the rooms were empty. When we move, we take everything we can. No use in wasting what ressources we have, it's very important to keep such things. Not that these rich Alpha Kings would understand the meaning of a budget, but whatever. . .

I interrupt the awkward silence that was building in the air, "So let's start with you Alpha Asshole-"

The Alpha King of Europe cuts me off, "What did you just call me?"

I blink once, then twice before repeating myself, "Alpha Asshole. I don't know your real name and I sure don't have enough respect for you to call you by your title. So Alpha Asshole is the closest I can get."

Alec burst out laughing, "I don't think diplomacy is your thing."

I shake my head, "That's what my second-in-command is for."

Alec managed to get his laughter under control before informing me, "His name is Eric."

Alpha Asshole glares at Alec, "You are supposed to tell me, damn it!"

I shrug, "I still like Alpha Asshole better, but Eric will have to do."

He turned his glare to me, "I want my mate."

I put my hands on my waist, "From what I saw, she doesn't want you."

Eric stalked towards me, "You forgave Alec-"

I shoved him back, "There is a difference between Alec and you. I have known Alec for longer than you have known Sabrina. Alec never tortured me, it was our ideals and our people that seperated us. I never 'forgave' him, I am giving him a chance to convince me that we should be together. He was willing to die instead of killing me. You however nearly killed your mate. I should just let Sabrina disapear. It would serve an asshole like you right to lose your mate."

Eric growled at me and began to get agressive, but Alec came to my rescue, not that I needed to help at all. Dominant wolves don't take their mates being threatened so well. Hell, submissive wolves don't take their mates being threatened well. I met a female omega once with three mates who challenged an Alpha because he was threatening her mates. I shudder with the memory, she had quite literally ripped out the Alpha's organs and strangled him with them. 

Alec growls at Eric, "Get. Out."

He does, wanting to avoid a fight, which is surprising honestly. I expected him to growl back at the very least. Maybe he just has a dislike for me in particular, wouldn't be the first time that an Alpha admitted a very profound hate for me nor the last.

Alec turns back to me and I comment, "I don't like him very much."

Alec however is much more serious, "We need to talk."

I roll my eyes, "I know that."

He and I sit on the couch, "What are we going to do?"

I admit, "I don't know."

Alec turns and stares at me for a second, "I know I am willing to do anything to be with you. I'll give up my throne to Leo or some other cousin who is dominant enough to hold it. Whatever you want I'll do just don't run away again."

He grabs me around my waist and pulls me to him. I'm now sitting on his lap, but I don't mind at all. I know that Alec needs the skin-on-skin contact. He really is making an effort. For more dominant wolves, it is more difficult to control their wolves. Their wolves also make it difficult to be humiliated, defeated or defied. With my recent behavior, I thought he was going to loose it. 

I just let myself snuggle up to him. I've been doing some thinking. I love the Smith Organization, but sometimes I don't feel like a good leader. I am a bit too impulsive and hands on. I have the qualities of a good leader, but it just feels so constraining to have to take care of everything. I imagined that my mate would share that burden with me. But if I expected him to come with me, why can't I do the same thing for him?

I could try, that's a possiblity. Whatever children I have with Alec would be fated to rule the throne one day. Ashley and Laura, my younger sisters, are already willing to take over at some point. I could give control to Laurine and Stefan until the two girls come of age. In a matter of fact, there are plenty people within the Organization who could use a promotion.

One thing I knew that I cannot do is have both. If Alec remained Alpha King, I could not remain leader of the Smith Organization. The rogues wouldn't trust a Royal to protect them. With Alec as my mate, I hope to reduce the need for the Smith Organization in North America, but in other countries increase our prescene. Either way, the Alpha Kings don't have total control of everything, so they won't be able to stop every injustice.

Alec started to pet my hair in a comforting manner, "Penny for your thoughts."

I looked up at him, "Just thinking."

"About what, mate?"

I shrug, "Us, what to do."

He restates his earlier opinion, "As I said, it's up to you. I just want to be your mate."

I say, "What if I came to the castle for a month and call it a test period. That way we could see if our relationship works at all and figure out all the kinks."

Alec suddenly gives me a roguish grin, "I didn't know my mate had some of those."

It takes me a second to understand what he was referring to and I hit his chest, "Perv, that's not the type of kinks I meant and you know it."

He speaks right next to my ear, "Are you sure?"

I am probably bright red right now, "It doesn't matter either way. You mister are not completely out of the doghouse yet. You did threaten my brothers' pack and there was innocents."

Alec looks unapologetic, "I am sorry it got to that point, but you will understand, Emma, that for you I would do anything. After all what is a king without his queen?"

I smirk, "Nothing. But a queen without her king? Historically speaking, more powerful."

He groans, "I should have seen that coming."

I bounce on his lap, "Yup. So it's settled?"

Alec frowns, "What's settled?"

I roll my eyes, "I am going to stay with you at the castle for a month to bond before making any decisions."

He suddenly grabs my hips and stops my bouncing, "Unless you want to go all the way right now, I suggest you stop moving."

I become hyper-aware and very self-consious of what is poking into my backside. I should have seen that coming. He is a horny mate apparently. I try to play it off, but by the glint in his eye, I have failed pathetically.

I attempt to change the subject, "We probably should go check on our people and Sabrina."

Alec nods in agreement, "And Eric."

I jump up and Alec follows. However instead of letting me run off like I intended, he tucks me into his side. Not that I mind, he is quite warm and it lets me feel up what's underneath his shirt easily.

I whisper into his ear, "I can bring you to see Leo and his mate, Gloira, later if you want."

Alec smiles, "I would like that and to invite them back to the castle if they so wish. Your wish is my command."

I smirk, "I want pizza."

He laughs, "Later, love."

We both emerge from the base to see both of our people on opposite sides of the field. I chuckle lightly to myself because my people chose the side where we hide our go-bags if we ever have to leave in a really big hurry through the front door or something. On the other side, Alec's people don't look good. I can tell that my people gave them some healing potions, but not enough to heal everyone.

Alec and I split to both of our sides to deal with our people respectively. Even though, we have mutually decided to give our mate bond a shot, mainly meaning I will stop running so he will stop chasing. Maybe we will be able to be in the same house for more than a day with both of us nothing that the other is there.

I call out to Jack and Jason, "Where is your mate?"

Jack pouts, "He insisted that as Royal Beta he had to go to the other sde with his people."

Jason coments, "I'm pretty sure he thinks that he is the top in this relationship."

Jack shakes his head, "I cannot sub."

I roll my eyes, "I don't need to know about what you do in your private time."

I think that Axel is about to be in for a rude awakening with those two. At least, they look better. When they escaped, they weren't getting better. Their wolves were going into what is called a mating depression. But since they never finished the bond with their first mate, they had the chance to have a second one. I'm happy for them.

I add, "If you want, you two can go to the other side and check on him. Bring some food and water to them, don't be biased."

I make my way over to Sabrina who is surprisingly already awake. Must be the two potions, usually witches stayed passed out for a longer time after overusing their powers. When I come into view, Sabrina throws herself at me and hugs me. 

I hug her back and she sobs, "I thought that my mate was going to kill you. I'm so sorry. . ."

I shush her, "I'm fine you see. It's alright."

When she has control of herself, Sabrina asks, "What happened with your mate?"

I smile, "We are figuring things out. When he stopped fighting and was willing to die in order not to kill me, it gave him a chance to be with me. I am going to stay at the castle for a month. I need to know what you want to do with your mate."

She clutches on to me, "I can't be with him."

"Why?"

She takes a deep breath to tell the entire story of her past.

***

Word Count: 1963