.

..

...

"... she is the lost Queen of the Wolves."

...

..

.

"Holy mother of all that stands and lives." Austin let out on a gasp.

"Queen!? Queen? You're joking right?" Blair added.

"This is f*cking insane. Your insane!" Clay added

"Wow." Olivia stared in simple awe.

Kaiden didn't know what to feel. What to think. It was a thousand times more than he had ever imagined. His life, his future everything he had known and thought splintering and burning around him. Nothing made sense.

An exasperated sound caught all of their attentions. The sound so alien coming from her, none of them yet used to her sudden development of feelings and expressions. Her voice still so foreign and unexpected amongst their conversations.

"I told you Richard I am not claiming my blood. I may have accepted your bond but that is the only oath to be sworn around here." She stated firmly finally lifting her head from her sketch book.

"You must claim it! The council needs to be stopped. What they did needs to be accounted for." Richard argued spinning slightly so he could look down on her while still keeping an eye on the rest of the room.

"And they will. But I will not and do not want to claim anything that is not mine."

"Not yours! It is the only thing that is yours. Yours and yours alone."

"Not anymore Richard. And I do not wish it any other way. Those responsible will pay whether or not I claim that title." She said her voice steel.

"As you wish my Queen." Richard answered bowing his head in submission.

"Richard." She snapped finally a hint of exasperation leaking through her tight control.

"You may not claim your title your Majesty but I shall not ignore what is rightfully and justly yours. The day your father and grandfather were cut down you inherited the crown and all that it represents, it is in your blood. It is yours whether you wish it or not. I am your Guardian, I refuse to not acknowledge that right. I was not able to serve your father as I wished, I will not abandon that duty again."

In a show of true emotions Aislinn threw her hands in the air as she suddenly stood. The movement so fast and fluid that even with their enhanced vision the other werewolves weren't able to follow it.

"Fine Richard, do as you wish. How I loath the oath of the Guardian. Now I remember why I never wanted to claim one of you again. Always so uptight and righteous, you were a thorn in my side as a child and I feel this time will be no different." Her eyes now the color of dark ominous storm clouds narrowed as she eyed her sworn protector, "I cannot command you and if you refuse to give into my request then fine, acknowledge my claim. Do whatever you want, you infuriating man! But remember however that I have not made any pledge and to do so would reveal myself not only to my potential supporters but also prematurely to my enemies. It would put me in harm's way, Custos. It would bring more threats against me much sooner."

Richard's low growl was erupting throughout the room and as her speech was finished his face had hardened once again flushed with renewed anger. He seemed it be in an intense internal battle at her simple sounding words, his body shaking slightly as if a violent war was being waged within the older werewolf. Kaiden went to take a step towards his mate at the vicious sound and obvious signs of anger but a hand from her stopped his movements.

After a few tense seconds, Richard seemed to relax as he seemed to accept something "You must have been a nuisance as a child, I pity those charged with your care if you were this clever and manipulative as a babe." Richard spoke with warmth as he eyed Aislinn ignoring the growl that erupted from Kaiden at the insult.

"They only got what they deserved." Aislinn said simply.

"I'm sure they did Your Highness, I'm sure they did." His chuckling cut off as he looked at her now more seriously, "I only wish to protect you. If you proclaim yourself it will call the other Guardians, warriors and wolves still loyal to the crown to your aid. You need support, protection, an army."

Her hand waved away his words cutting off any other argument he was about to make before it could be heard.

"I know you wish to protect me Richard however you will do it without me claiming anything. That girl, that princess died 13 years ago. I am not her. I will not take the oath of my blood, so I will call none and if you expose me it will succeed only to bring more danger to me."

"I don't like it but you leave me no choice. But I shall not ignore your rightful place my Queen. You are the Crown and I will not deny that, however as you know so shrewdly, I cannot do anything that would put you in danger and therefore shall not reveal your identity." By the end Richard's face was scrunched up in distaste as if the words themselves tasted bad to him causing him actual physical pain just to utter.

As if only just noticing the others present Aislinn looked around at the curious faces. Taking them in, she noted the mixtures of incredulity, amusement, fear, wonder, unease and uncertainty around her.

She nearly sighed again. She really really hated fate.

Stupid mates, and their stupid bonds. Life would have been so much simpler.

"Okay so next question?" Austin said raising his hand again. Earning him a smack on the back of the head from Clayton. "What the hell man! There is no way you guys are satisfied with what just happened!?"

"Fine what more do you want to know?" Richard asked.

"Well first off. What do you mean you get some of her power? And that she's of the strongest blood? What the hell is that supposed to mean? And how did she survive? Where has she been all this time? What was with the bank? What about the packs? What are we supposed to do now? If she's the Queen what the hell does that mean, do we need to bow? Why is she talking now? What was with that power shit we felt? What's the plan? How do we know who to go after? Are there others who survived? What do those marks mean? Why didn't she tell everyone she was alive?" Austin's continuous stream of questions were sharply cut off with another smack from Clayton. Causing him to let out a growl as he rubbed the back of his head as he threw a questioning glare at the other man who merely shrugged in response.

"I don't know much beyond what I already told you. The bank would obviously be the accounts that she inherited from her parents. The orphanage guessed her age wrong she isn't 18 but 19 meaning she had legal access to them last year on her birthday. She must have opened the accounts. I don't know what for."

Aislinn felt more then saw the six gazes fall on her where she still stood behind Richards' tattoo covered imposing form. The power of the Marks was already beginning to take effect she noted, as she looked him over ignoring the probing glances for the moment. He had grown two more inches in just the short amount of time since the pledge, his muscles already showing the evidence from his newfound strength the bond lent him. Beyond just the physical signs that marked him as the top and head Guardian of the crown there was the aura of power that now radiated from him. It was similar to that which an Alpha wore only much more powerful and concentrated, for its purpose was not to protect a pack but a single wolf. Her.

She felt the sudden desire to roll her eyes.

Aislinn glanced at the mark covered back before her warily. She was torn on how to respond to this new development. Now not only was she tied to her mate, but now also her Guardian. Irritation flared in her, she noted Richard's back tense in response to her emotions and worked to push them back down. Damn she hated bonds! It was the bond that was causing this sense of gratitude and fondness for the older warrior to start to worm around inside her, which only incensed her earlier irritation. It was urging her to trust him, to open herself to him, to confide in him. Bloody damn bonds!! Pushing and prodding her! Could no one simply leave her in peace?

Letting go of her internal musing for the moment she turned her focus to the others now.

"I am not happy with this Richard and I hold you responsible." Aislinn said half serious with her words. Richard for his part didn't seem surprised or offended by them nor the half-hearted threat they carried.

Kaiden had the inkling it had something to do with the bond. The man seemed to both at the same time follow his mate's commands and yet ignore them, or at least ignored them to a degree.

"I purchased properties all over the continent, 11 to be exact. All near or close to packs or areas where the council has power and sway, I have an account dedicated to managing and funding each individual property limiting the ability to tie them all to one person."

"So what? You're going to go after them?" Olivia asked in horror.

Aislinn didn't respond.

"No!" Kaiden's firm voice belied the panic and anger that was swimming within him.

Aislinn turned so she was looking at her mate, her face showed nothing, however she was distinctly aware that she felt a sense of surprise at his words. It was easily replaced by annoyance though. This is why she didn't want a mate she thought to herself as she assessed his thoughts. Over-protective, bossy, demanding, territorial, possessives males! She considered strangling him, but dismissed the idea almost as quickly with an internal sigh.

"You are not going to take on Alpha's and the council. There is no way I am letting you go after the people that attempted to kill you. Are you INSANE! NO FORGET THAT, YOU ARE! FIRST YOU WONDER THROUGH THE WOODS ALONE AND NEARLY GET KILLED BEFORE I EVEN MEET YOU. THEN YOU THROW YOURSEL AT FOUR VICIOUS, CRUEL AND DERANGED MUTTS ALONE. AND NOW YOU WANT TO GO OFF AND HUNT THESE PEOPLE DOWN!? ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Kaiden was breathing hard by the end, his body shaking from the intensity of his wolf. Pushing him to let go of his control, he wanted out. To destroy everything. To taste the blood of those that had tried to hurt her, who would still wish her harm.

Richard's reaction to the outburst was chilling and telling. Calmly and smoothly he moved his body so that he once again completely blocked Aislinn from all of their sights. Taking a step back he crowded her closer to the wall as he gracefully lowered himself into a defensive stance his body humming with tension and energy. Instantly alert as his senses spread out on high alert. He prepared himself to attack in an instant, his muscles coiling with energy.

His focus was centered on the shaking and furious Alpha before him, but he was also resolutely aware of each and every other wolf in the room. His senses continuously watching them for even the slightest indication of an attack. His voice was cold and deadly when he spoke, "You dare to speak to your Queen, to your mate like this?"

"She is mine! MINE!" Kaiden roared finally pushed at last to his breaking point.

Aislinn's limited patience suddenly snapped, "Enough! Calm down NOW!" the power in her voice freezing them all as they felt their wolves' instantaneous retreat, calmness washing over each of them as it swept away all of their earlier emotions. Leaving them floating in a sea of calm and tranquil contentment.

Only Richard seemed able to stay on guard after the command. His stance relaxing only minimally as he remained alert and covering her, his gaze staying on Kaiden as his senses remained open and on alert. He was a Guardian and no command from any wolf not even from Aislinn herself, could get him to relax lower his guard or stop an attack if he or his wolf felt there was any threat against her.

It was the power of the bonds. Her protection the highest order unable to be able to be commanded. Her mate once mated and Her Guardian with very few exception would not be able to be commanded by any wolf not even by the Queen herself.

"I refuse to bicker over this. I will be taking down the council and the Alpha's who have acted so cruelly against our kind. Those guilty shall pay. And I will not ask any of you for permission." Aislinn's voice was back to its light cool and metallic lilt devoid of any discernable emotion and yet somehow still hard and set as she spoke each deliberate word.

"Aislinn" Kaiden had to catch himself for a moment, it was the first time he had spoken her name and he had to let out a small smile when he saw her let out the smallest of shudders at the sound. Mirroring his own reaction to the feel of it against his tongue. "Aislinn you are my mate. I am an Alpha set to take over the Salvatori pack your place is at my side leading my pack as my Luna. My job is to protect you, to keep you safe and I can't do that if you are running around the continent off of my territory on some fool-hearted mission. I will NOT allow it. I will not let you be harmed."

"He's right Luna. To think about going against the Council it's an act of treason, of war. You would be considered nothing but a rogue. They would kill you. Your place is by you Alpha's side where we can keep you safe." Clayton said his voice firm and taking on a nearly scolding tone as he stood just behind Kaiden at Austin's shoulder who was still flanking their Alpha. Blair and Austin were nodding along to the words. The thought of their Luna off of their territory alone, was unthinkable. Her place was at Kaiden's side safe and guarded, especially given what they had just learned.

With each word Richard's face had gotten harder and harder. His fury and anger at the blatant disrespect and under-handed threats from the wolves before him, had him reaching a fever pitch of fury especially when the Head Warrior began to speak against his Queen. He was no longer Richard the ex-warrior. No longer the Richard who had abandoned his own pack and gone rogue. Nor was he the Richard who had helped Kaiden first reach his mate. He was Richard the Guardian. The Guardian of the Queen, the lost blood of their world. And. He. Was. Furious.

"You know nothing pup!" he snarled his eyes flashing black with his wolf as power and dominance poured off of him. Austin and Blair even Clayton took an involuntary step back under the force of it.

"You dare to think she! She, who is the rightful ruler of ALL of our kind. She who is the Granddaughter of the first and oldest of our race, Daughter of the greatest warrior ever seen in our kind should bow to YOUR wishes?" He let out a humorless laugh his face now growing serious his voice dropping as he continued, "To mate a Royal is to be granted such an honor by the fates. One you do not seem worthy of pup. It means that it is you who have been chosen to stand by her side. The pull, the bond, it is to her. You to her. You dare to think her destiny is to hide within a single disloyal pack and rule at your side? At your beck and call!? You are a disgrace! She is the light that is meant to guide ALL of the packs, and every last one of our kind, and you are meant to rule at her side! Not her at yours."

"But she is the Salvatori Luna!" Blair protested weakly.

"You are mistaken boy. She is your nothing. She is OUR Luna Queen." Richard said. Speaking as if to a child who had been caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

"Richard easy. Remember they did not grow up in our world. They know not how this works, you cannot expect them to suddenly understand things that took us years to learn." Aislinn spoke evenly to her Guardian still only able to see his back. Noting how he remained tensed and alert she let out a small sigh and instead of trying to talk him down she let a bit of her emotions trickle along the bond, letting the pissed off and irate man know that the words had not upset her. In fact if she were being honest they were much calmer and less demanding then she would have expected from an Alpha.

Feeling her calmness and indifference to the outburst from her mate and his men, Richard finally let himself relax although not without a fair amount of grumbling which included something sounding awful close to 'presumptuous pups' and akin to 'foolish alpha's' under his breath, and a final glare at all four of them.

Kaiden was not impressed. His wolf wanted the blood of the man who dared tell them how they would see, how they would treat their mate! She was THEIRS! The sound of her voice speaking again was the only thing calming either of them down at the moment, stilling them from throwing themselves at him.

"To address some of you concerns and because I am finding all of this tedious, irritating and the exact situation I had hoped never to ever have to be in, let me make some things perfectly clear to ALL of you. I am the royal ... whatever. Whether I want it or not, and whether I claim it or not. It is still the annoying truth. This means that first, Richard is my Guardian. As such he will not accept any disrespect towards me in any form, the bond will not allow it. Even if it does not upset or concern me, it WILL provoke him. And I cannot command him to ignore it so do not push him. He can beat any and all of you. The mark is taking effect even as we speak and it will continue to for the next couple of hours, when it is finished he will be one of the most powerful werewolves in the world. Second, I cannot be commanded, don't try it, it will merely upset him. Third, if you ever managed to get past Richard I can beat you myself. Fourth, I can command each and every one of you, even you Alpha and my commands can override any you give. I do not want to do this for I have no desire to lead anyone however if you push me you will see the full extent of my power. Fifth, the people you speak of, those you wish me to ignore, slaughtered my family. They murdered every single member of my pack. Men, women, children. Before my eyes. They will not be left free to enjoy their days with my family's blood on their hands. Sixth I can join no pack whether I wanted to or not. It is against my blood to belong to just one of you, it would be rejected at once. Lastly if you attempt to thwart my efforts in any way mate, I will reject this bond. I am loathe to go against fate for it is to go against everything my pack held dear but I will make an exception. Oh and also, if you try to call me Luna again, I will let Richard have his way with you. You all have no stupid bond to use as an excuse for such foolishness."

Richard let out an amused grunt at her last words but other than that stayed silent and unaffected by her tirade.

Satisfied herself that the problem was now dealt with, Aislinn let herself collect her scattered supplies before once more setting herself against the wall with her sketch pad in her lap. Everything she had said was the truth and she had absolutely no interest in anything else they wanted to speak of. She was finished with the entire thing. Annoyed and grumpy that it had all come out, and she had been forced to speak, to admit and think about what she had lost, she tuned them all out muting the bonds and letting herself fall just slightly into the blackness. Comfort of that empty numbness wrapping around her.

Kaiden was at a loss for words.