AVA
We managed to relax by the lake for a few hours just as a group before we had to go back to reality.
We’d even gotten Paula to bring us lunch so we didn’t have to go back inside to eat. She did make
good cakes, that woman.
Orgasmically good.
Once we got back to the packhouse, we were ambushed by Jacob, Amelia and Alex. I hadn’t seen
them since being discharged. The only people I’d seen were my Kings and my parents.
“Ava!” Amelia squealed, wrapping her arms around me. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” she pressed a kiss
to my forehead.
“Thank you, Amy, I’m glad you and Jacob have recovered too,” I smiled back.
Once I’d had a similar conversation and a hug from Jacob and Alex, they finally explained why the
packhouse was so crazy. There were people running around like headless chickens, carrying boxes,
furniture, and who knows what else.
Apparently, we were having a party to celebrate everyone being back and conscious. Relaxing and
feeling like a normal seventeen year old for an evening did sound pretty good.
As soon as I started to come into my power, I had to grow up pretty quickly. I’d always been on the
mature side, apparently it’s become instinctive to want to take care of people since, regardless of
everything, I was raised to lead, but sometimes it’s nice to just… not for a while.
“That sounds great, Amelia,” I smiled. “What time do you want us here?”
“It’ll only be an hour or two. Go sit in the bar, have a couple drinks, and I’ll come find you when
we’re good to go.”
“Thanks, Amelia,” I grinned, before turning back to my Kings. “Shall we?”
NOAH
Oh to feel normal for a while, I thought to myself as I sat on one of the stools by the front of the bar.
The whole finding my mate, shifting, being Lycan, being royalty, my family getting kidnapped and
my mate nearly dying meant I really just needed a break.
Maybe the five of us should go up to the cabin… just to get away from everything for a couple days.
“Theo,” I mindlinked. “Do you think mum and dad would let us borrow the cabin for a couple days?
The five of us could just be normal for once. Enjoy being mates.”
“That’s a great idea,” Oscar crashed into my link with Theo.
“Theo, remember when we were kids and had our own ‘language’? I think we need to start using it
again.”
Theo snorted, out loud, giving the game away. The smirk on Oscar’s face didn’t help at all.
“You okay, boys?” Ava asked, face amused.
“Of course, my Queen,” I kissed her cheek.
“What are you planning?” The corners of her lips tilted up in a small smirk.
“It’s a surprise, dearest,” Theo kissed her other cheek.
“Dad, any chance we can borrow the cabin for a couple days?” I asked him through the link.
“Of course, son. The five of you deserve a couple days away after everything. Just please take a few
members of Ava’s guard with you.”
“Already planning to.”
“When do you want to go?”
“Day after tomorrow? I know Ava will want to debrief over what we know before we go away,
because knowing her, she’ll have people out doing things whilst we’re off.”
“That is very true. But that sounds good, son. I’ll get the kitchen stocked.”
“Thanks, dad,” I smiled.
“Anything for my sons, daughter-in-law and her other two mates… who just happen to be the future
Queen and Kings.” That time I heard his chuckle.
I turned back to face Ava. “We all need to pack a bag for a couple days,” I announced.
Ava turned to face me, her face confused. “Why?”
“We’re going away for a couple days, all five of us. Dad said we can borrow the cabin.”
Callum and Oscar looked delighted, Ava’s face was unreadable.
“What’s going through your mind?” I asked her.
“There’s so much to do… we still don’t know much about what is happening, and until it’s settled, no
one is truly safe.”
“It’s all sorted, Ava. We can all debrief tomorrow, and we leave the next morning. You can sort out
getting warriors and wolves to do your to-do-list whilst we’re off, but all five of us need a break.”
“There’s nothing wrong with looking after yourself first, Ava. You’ve been through a lot, it’s okay to
take some time to relax,” Callum added.
She sighed and nodded. “Fine.”
At that point, dad linked to tell us the party was ready.
They’d set up the garden behind the packhouse with smokers, long tables, a buffet table, a drinks table
and lights everywhere. They’d set us a table for five, so people could come to see us rather than Ava
having to walk to see them. She didn’t want to admit it, but she was still weak. She had a long road
ahead of her to recover.
They’d even set up a dance floor, which I’d love to take advantage of… we’d just have to be very
careful and support as much of Ava’s weight as possible.
After dinner, I offered her my hand, asking her to dance. But before she could accept…the other three
jumped in saying “me first!”.
Ava rolled her eyes. “You’ll have to settle this between you, my Kings.”
“How?!” Oscar asked.
I grinned at my brother. We’d done this before. “Rock, paper, scissors. Oscar vs Callum, me vs Theo.
Whoever wins goes against each other as do the losers. That settles the order.”
They all grinned back at me.
Callum and Theo won the first round. Then Theo and Oscar won the seconds.
So Theo, Callum, Oscar, me…