-----------------------------------------------------------

*

A large smile flitted across my face as I drove into the secret driveway to the palace. The securities saluted to me and I waved at them. It wasn't made official to the them who I was yet, but some people already knew. I was getting pretty used to coming here as I was here almost every day.

It was the middle of June. School was closed and I was officially a high school graduate. My acceptance letter for my first choice medical school had come in a few days ago and I was honestly still in shock to have gotten in and on a full scholarship too. All the all nighters I'd pulled studying were totally worth it.

Callie had gotten into her university too, and had started work on the movie about a week ago. She and Daniel were the cutest couple around. They'd started dating again last month when Callie was completely over Demetri. They were practically inseparable since that night at Creamy Dreams and Melissa, Kevin and I were over the moon with happiness for them.

Melissa and Trey were still going strong in their relationship and did almost everything together. We were happy that they had each other. They were overseas on their university tour, but they'd be coming back soon.

Kevin, Ashton and Jackson had been doing diplomatic work going back and forth between kingdoms while the other guys took care of things here. The king wasn't much better. In fact he was gradually getting worse. Ashton, CaVaughn and their mom did their best to shield Brooke from his tyranny.

My parents had been let in on Ashton's secret and they had been totally shell shocked about it. I mean, it would be surprising to hear that your daughter was betrothed to and dating the crown prince of Crysauralia. It was going to take a bit more time for them to fully wrap their minds around that idea.

I navigated the familiar streets until I got to the palace. Ashton and the guys were there having a meeting. As soon as I stepped through the doors, I heard the noisy chatter and banter heading downstairs.

"Hey Liz," Kevin greeted, ruffling my hair.

Raúl casually slung his arm around my shoulder and Jun attacked me in a hug.

"All of you back off," Ashton growled as I tried to pry myself away from the crowd.

Raúl winked at me and then grinned at Ashton. "Can't you share your soulmate with me until I get mine?"

"I didn't know you had a death wish," Kevin laughed, pulling Jun off me. "Come on, Jun. We have work to do."

"Work?" I asked when I could breathe again.

"He has training now."

Jun grinned widely. "I'm training with Kevin so I get to fight him as much as I want."

"Don't hurt him," I warned Kevin, who rolled his eyes.

"He's the one who doesn't know how to hold back. You should tell him that instead."

"Come watch me train." Jun buzzed with energy.

As curious as I was to see how they actually trained, I had to pass on that invitation. "I have to go see Micah."

Jun frowned. "Him again?"

"Armani should be coming back soon right?" I asked Ashton.

He nodded. "I arranged for them to escort him back this week."

I waved goodbye to the guys and headed over to Micah's. He still hadn't gotten over his brother's absence, so he would be excited to hear that Armani was coming back soon. I had become somewhat of a guardian for Micah. I made sure his homework was done, he had at least three meals a day and was happy. His smiling face met me at the gate. Armani was right, it really was a Micah thing.

"I have some good news," I told him after we finished doing our homework. "But first, close your eyes."

He shut his eyes obediently as I placed a book in his hand.

"A law book!" he said excitedly and gave me a hug. "Thanks, Elizabeth. I'll read it every day."

Micah, who sat with us at lunch, was always brimming with life as he and Melissa chatted about law and justice.

"I want to be a lawyer," he smiled. "I want to help innocent people to get the justice they deserve."

I grinned at him. I could imagine where he got his motivation from.

"I'm sure you'll make a fine lawyer, Micah," I told him. "And now for the good news. Drumroll please."

He tapped the table excitedly while I dragged out the suspense by clearing my throat for extra dramatic effect.

"Your brother's coming back soon!"

Micah's smile got even wider, if that was even possible. "Are you sure?" he asked eagerly.

I nodded. "I know you've been missing him a lot."

"Was it that obvious?"

"Hey, he's your brother. It's okay to miss him."

He grinned. "It's going to be his birthday soon. I can't wait to do all the fun things we planned together." His smile faltered a bit. "The anniversary of my parents' death is just a few weeks away. Armani'll be happy to be back in time for the memorial. I'll make sure he never gets into another fight when he returns."

"I hope so too. You know he cares about you a lot, don't you?"

Micah nodded. "He makes sure I can go to school. I can't wait until I'm old enough to get a part time job so I can help him out."

"That's really sweet of you, Micah," I smiled. "Armani-"

"Your brother has returned!" a shrill voice screamed, bursting into the room.

It was the same elderly lady who had told me and Micah that Armani had gotten into a fight that time. I'd seen her around a few times when I came over to Micah's house. She was an Omega who had lost her soulmate a few years ago. She didn't have any children of her own, so she kept an eye on the brothers, helping them out when she could.

She sent a sorrowful glare my way. She didn't like me very much because I was Ashton's soulmate, but she had been getting used to me lately. She was rough and often spoke with harsh words but she had a good heart.

"They hurt him," she wailed, clutching her belly and doubling over. I hurriedly leapt up to catch her as she swayed and almost fell.

"Let go of me!" she shouted, pushing me away. She looked up at Micah. "Go!"

I steadied her on the sofa and rushed out of the room behind Micah.

"Where's my brother?" he asked a woman on the road.

She pointed in the direction of the hospital. I knew the way there since I had volunteered there a month ago. I ran as fast as I could to keep up with Micah whose face was getting more concerned by the second. We caught up with some men who were running towards the hospital with a flaccid figure in their hands. My breath hitched in my throat and I had to blink a few times to make sure I was seeing right. Armani. But he was unconscious; limp as a noodle and covered in blood.

Micah let out a panicked gasp as the men entered the hospital with Armani. We ran behind them until they came to the emergency room.

"I'm sorry, but you can't go any further," a doctor cautioned, pushing him back.

"That's my brother!" he shouted, trying to go past him.

"He needs surgery immediately!" The doctor spoke gravely. "You can't go past here."

Micah looked pained and his breathing came out in short gasps. "Please save him," he begged.

"We'll do our best," he said and then turned to me. "You're with him, Elizabeth?"

I nodded, still too out of breath to speak.

"Keep him in the waiting room," he told me as he rushed into the emergency room.

"Micah," I said, rubbing his back as he tried to focus on his breathing. "Let's leave them to do their thing. They're the best persons to be with him right now," I said softly.

Micah brushed his hands across his eyes and dejectedly walked to the waiting room. We were there for about two hours, anxiously waiting as doctors and nurses whizzed pass us. Ashton, Kevin, Jackson and Beau arrived together.

"Where is he?" Ashton's voice was entwined with anger.

"He's in surgery," I mumbled quietly.

"Is it bad?" Kevin asked.

I glanced over at Micah, who was staring dazedly up at the ceiling.

"You said he wasn't supposed to be back yet," I whispered as they came closer.

"He wasn't... This wasn't the plan," Ashton said, smashing his fist into the wall. "The escorts were supposed to have left three days ago."

"Then why weren't they with him?"

Ashton pinched the bridge of his nose irately.

"The king changed the plans," Jackson informed me. "He recalled the escorts who were supposed to bring him back."

"He knew damn well that rogues are always on the route between the two kingdoms," Raúl said, coming into the room. "The Omega was attacked by rogues. Our men found him near the border."

"He just has to have the last say," Ashton growled. "He wanted the Omega gone."

I went back over to Micah, who was completely lost in his own thoughts.

Another hour drifted by. I texted my parents to let them know that I was at the hospital with a friend. Ashton and the guys talked in low tones at the other side of the room.

I held Micah's hand as I talked to him, trying to reassure him. There was a glimmer of hope in his eyes as he desperately wished for his brother to be okay.

The guys who had gotten in the fight with Armani before he left must have heard about the state that he came back in. They entered the room laughing and jeering at Micah until they caught sight of Ashton, who looked ready to put them in the same state Armani was in. They left in a hurry, almost tripping over their own feet to get through the doors.

They were cowards who only had enough strength among the three of them to fight someone weaker. The three of them didn't make one. They didn't know what true strength was. They didn't know about unity.

I contained my frustration for Micah's sake. He needed me to be here for him right now. The elderly lady had come by, taken one look at Ashton, made a U-turn and headed back straight through the door. Her hatred for them was too great to even be in the same room as them.

She only tolerated me because I took care of Micah. The time dragged by and I was relieved that we were on break and there was no school tomorrow.

I would stay here as long as Micah wanted me to. I wanted to be here for him. Since I didn't have classes now, I spent a lot of my free time studying for when my first semester at university started. I couldn't afford to fall behind, especially on a scholarship. But I decided that missing a night wouldn't hurt.

I wanted to get something for Micah to eat, but every time I tried to leave he just held my hand tighter, refusing to let go.

"I couldn't eat anything right now anyways," he muttered drily. "I don't think it would pass my throat."

I understood how he felt. Being so concerned for someone that you couldn't think of your own needs. Ashton and the guys disappeared and reappeared in shifts.

----------------------------------------------------------

!