Chapter 13 Forgotten history.

Estelle

I had been a long time since I thought about Luci. The apple of everyone’s eye. I couldn’t never forget the looks my family gave me when they found her body, like I had done it on purpose.

I had loved her so much, even though she was the favourite. She was still the best little sister. My mother never recovered from losing her. It wasn’t until I was sixteen when they told me of the promise that I realised it was the King who came for my that night. He wanted me to go and live with him and the Prince, so they could mould me into the princess they wanted.

He only relented because my mother fell apart upon losing Lucia. At the time I thought it was just a mothers loss but when they told me of the promise my father had made I realised it was because she was really mourning two daughters.

When I went to live with Prince Alonso it was highly unlikely they would be able to come visit. Lucia was the child she was getting to keep and because of my foolishness she was gone.

I cursed my stupidity in trusting Leighton. I couldn’t believe I had told him about her. I didn’t speak about her to anyone. She had been erased from the history books. I had never thought to ask why but it now made me question if it was public knowledge that I had been traded like a fattened pig.

I was a little confused that Jackson knew about my engagement but it had seemed a surprise to the rest. It was just further conformation that I couldn’t trust anyone, I felt like a chess piece in a game I didn’t quite understand. I hadn’t dared to look at Leighton to see what he thought of the news. There was a scary part of me that wanted him to be disappointed.

My head was now spinning, with thoughts I didn’t want and the alphas all started talking over each other. I had just dropped a bit of a bomb in them, and I needed some air so I excused myself the best I could considering I was reliving a memory I had long buried.

I sat down looking out over the training lost in thought. As I sat staring at the night sky, I wondered what my life could have been liked. First I imaged Lucia had lived and we had a wonderful childhood before this all happened. Then I dared for a moment, to imagine I wasn't a princess. My choices could be irrelevant. For a split second i imaged Leighton was my mate and that safe feeling I felt while I was in his arms could stay with me forever. It was a dream I had given up on long ago but awaking all these memories had clearly made me emotional.

I could feel power charging through my body, as it sometimes did when I was upset. My light power was always stronger at night, Raine told me that once we shifted I would be able to literally pull the stars from the night sky.

A soft cough sounded behind me, one for the younger witches appeared.

“Can I help you princess ? You seem troubled ?” She asked me timidly.

“Loletta, wasn’t it ?” I asked. I was sure she was the witch gave us the blessed chalk we used to tap into Pipers power.

She nodded.

“What a beautiful name.”

“Not as beautiful as yours princess, it was said your beauty would be that straight from the stars themselves.”

“Who said that?” I wasn’t aware of any rumours about me.

“It’s been whispered around the covens for years, she that controls the stars will be the savour of the witches.”

“I’m afraid you have me mistaken, I don’t control anything yet and I don’t appear to be the savour of much, but I will get those witches out. That much I can promise. Then I’ll probably get send home for insubordination but hey what do I have left to lose?”

I tried to joke but the young witch looked sadly serious.

“Do you know why they take them?”

I shook my head, we didn’t have this problem back home, witches were part of life, they helped us and in return they were free. Yes dark witches existed but it was usually in the interest of witch and wolf to work together to destroy them, so I couldn’t recall ever meeting one.

“They lock them up and wait for their powers to show when they are scared and alone. Those that are powerful enough are allowed into the packs coven and those not, they are sold as s** slaves.”

I knew there had been a smell I couldn’t place in the secret dungeon. I didn’t doubt the words she spoke were true.

“Are there many more packs like this?”

“I don’t know, there used to be, but the alliance was meant to put a stop to that. Wolves here are still so afraid of dark witches they justify their actions under the guise of searching them out.” The witch seemed a little defeated, like the witches had accepted this.

“Do you think they will help me?” I looked back towards the packhouse, wondering how on earth I would pull this off on my own. Trained well I may be but I lacked real world experience. However, even as a peace time queen I would need to learn.

“Do you deserve our help Princess ?” I jumped as I heard Leighton’s voice. How he had got so close without me noticing?

“Apologies, did I scare the mighty princess ?” He smirked at me.

I smoothed down my dress, quickly composing myself.

“No not at all,” I lied smoothly, but clearly not smoothly enough.

“Liar.” He whispered in my ear as he came closer. I could feel Loletta backing off as his warm breath fanned my neck.

“You know where to find me princess.” She said as she scurried away. I understood the secret meaning. She would help me if they didn’t.

“Why would you need to find her princess? Not making plans to double cross us are we?”

Leighton’s breath still fanned my neck and I hated to admit I found it hard to concentrate when he was near. He seemed to know how to push my buttons.

“That’s because you have been playing with pups. He is a real wolf.” Raine howled in my head.

“Well help me then, I’m fed up with him always getting the better of me.”

Instantly I felt my senses feeling dampen and I could think a little clearer.

“I would say that’s none of your business beta.” I eventually replied, too belatedly to hold much significance, but I saw he was watching me with interest.

“Well as much as it pains me to admit it, you have become my problem. So I think you will find it is my business.”

His face was inches from me now, and I could tell he was annoyed. I didn’t allow my thought to wander into how attractive he might be should he smile once in a while. I should have felt bad that I got him into trouble but I had a funny feeling he did what he wanted anyway, so why shouldn’t I have the same luxury.

I held his gaze despite the fact that my eyes wanted to check out his lips. Locked in a silent battle of wills I could feel my body aching to be close to him again. The heat of his body radiated across the bridge between us. I knew what it felt like to be pressed up advise that chest and I resisted the urge to do so.

It was like he was trying to read me at the same time, so I tried to keep my face impassive not wanting him to witness the mix of emotions this day had awakened in me.

He took a step closer pressing his body to mine when a twig snapped behind him.

“Sorry to interrupt, Jackson wants a word with the princess.” Piper said sharply before turning on her heel and marching back towards the office.

Instantly I was free of Leighton but as I ran of in her direction I heard him mutter. “I’ll be watching you princess.”

And he said I had trust issues.

Back in Luke’s office Jackson dismissed everyone to speak with me alone.

“How do you do that ? Get to throw the alpha out his own office ?”

“He used to be my beta, so it’s an old habit that I should probably stop.” He smiled at my open mouthed surprise upon hearing his honest answer.

“It’s too long a story to tell, and since he is mated to my sister he lets me get away with alot.”

I didn’t like that these alphas were nothing like I had imagined. Firstly they all seemed happy with their fated mates and could admit when they were wrong. Expect the smug a** Leighton. They all were so close, like a band of brothers. I had Izzy and Peter, as trusted friends but they were pretty much like siblings to me. I commanded the respect of my alphas but as their Queen to be, unlike these guys who had clearly earned theirs.

“Tell me why the King wanted you to come here and I’ll organise all the help you need to free the witches.”

“Nice try, alpha. I’m not going to fall for that.” I crossed my hands over my chest in defiance. “If you want to know, why I’m here we free them first.”

“How can I trust you?” The alpha asked.

“You can’t. But I have literally nothing to lose so it looks like you will have too.”

“How can the crown princess have nothing to lose, what is it you aren’t telling me princess. I noted no one knew about the engagement. Why the secret?”

I noted that too and seen as it was to be public knowledge soon I didn’t know why nobody knew. After the position I was found in at school I had my reasons for keeping it quiet, once home these wolves would likely never follow up my life so I thought I might spare myself some embarrassment.

“Look Alpha you can argue with me all day, for all we know they are moving the witches as we speak. Either help me or stay the hell out my way.”

“What’s makes you think you can just waltz in there and save them all yourself.”

“Who said I would be by myself.” I was born to be a queen god damn it. I could raise an army in my sleep. Now I thought about it it would be interesting to see which of these wolves I could royal command to join me.

His face was a picture as I left to find Loletta and tell Izzy what I had planned. I didn’t think that former would be happy, Izzy didn’t have my propensity for getting into trouble but I knew I could trust her to help.

I could feel someone eyes on me, but I couldn’t see him. I knew Leighton was around somewhere because the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

I didn’t know why this wolf could rile me so much. I had met better looking or more powerful wolves.

“Yeah. Name one?” Raine spluttered

“Prince Alonso?”

“Ba, he was a boy last time you met, and unless he has changed he is half the wolf Leighton is.”

I didn’t argue because I knew she was probably right I just wasn’t ready to admit that.