Everyone could feel the tension coming from the visitors. Vance had showed up with five wolves. A sign of respect and trust that both shocked and impressed Austin as he opened the door to them. Waving them inside he ushered them into the living room where Kaiden, Richard, Blair, Clay, Olivia, Ethan, Michael and of course Aislinn were waiting. Normally they wouldn't all have had to have been present but Kaiden and Richard wanted security around Aislinn and they were the only members of the pack who currently knew her identity. Even Aislinn's new royal guardians had been ordered outside. They were currently guarding the windows and exits.

Austin followed the newcomers in. As they paused in the entryway he stepped around them making his way to Kaiden and taking his place at his shoulder. Kaiden sat next to Aislinn on one of the sofas. Richard stood on guard behind her, while Olivia sat comfortably next to her. Blair and Clay sat on a pair of armchairs only half paying attention to the silent game that was on the TV. While Michael and Ethan stood anxiously off to the side as they sent nervous glances at their former pack mates.

"Welcome." Kaiden said sincerely as he rose to greet them. Making sure to hold Vance's gaze - he was proud of the show of power and display the other wolf was able to muster, before his eyes inevitably lowered.

"Thank you." Vance spoke his tone holding nothing but respect.

"And who did you bring with you?" Kaiden asked looking at the five wolves that had followed their new leader in.

As was the werewolf tradition, rank and power trumped age in any social setting. Every wolf that had come with Vance, was near the same age if not older then him; Vance himself was probably close to a decade older than Kaiden. But Kaiden's rank and dominance meant that he was the one they all deferred to as the ultimate authority at the gathering, the only exception was if he chose to publically defer to another, then giving them the right, until he reclaimed it. It was what Aislinn had technically done by allowing him to stand first and welcome the other pack. It also meant that it was up to him to guide,and lead the meeting, setting the pace, tone and agenda. To go against him would be seen as disrespectful, as well as a challenge to his authority, and dominance. This normally would lead to a fight to submission. Sometimes if the challenge was large enough, then to the death.

"My beta Tucker." Vance said, indicating the older, well-built wolf at his side, who was giving off an air of steadfast calmness that Kaiden instantly took note of. And he couldn't help but feel his admiration and respect for the new Alpha grow considerably, as he so confidently and subtly claimed his title, pack, and new position.

Pointing out the others Vance continued the introduction. "My third, George, and his mate Beth. My successor as head Warrior, Ryan. And last, my mate, Mindy." Vance said, his arm wrapping around the small she-wolf at his side.

Kaiden's eyes widened in recognition. "I believe we have met, however, the last time I saw her she was mated to your old Beta - I believe?" Kaiden asked pointedly, feeling his suspicion rise as he looked over the small woman who still held the same welcoming and gentle air that she had their previous encounter. As he looked her over now he took note of the red that stained her cheeks at his question. Her embarrassment at the mention clear. Kaiden also didn't miss how Vance's grip on her increased pulling her more firmly into his body under the close scrutiny.

Vance met his gaze before clearing his throat and replying in a calm voice. "You are correct Alpha, you met my mate while she was bonded to Beta Garrett."

Kaiden raised his eyebrow in question. It was not an especially tactful subject to be questioning another wolf about, however Kaiden had to know everything about the dynamics and histories of these wolves if he was going to align himself, and his mate, with them.

"When I found Mindy, Stanley." Kaiden nodded at the drop of the honorific title from the man's name. He had never deserved the role in life and he especially did not now in death. "As punishment for an incident I was involved in, he commanded her to agree to bond with Garrett."

Olivia couldn't help the gasp of disbelief and disgust at the words. The charge of forcibly commanding a mating between wolves, and even worse wolves that were not destined mates, was one of the most disturbing and horrific in their world. It was a very big and very dangerous accusation. Mates and the mating bond was one of the most sacred, revered, and precious aspects of their lives and society. Mates were cherished, and their bonding respected and protected, with the highest and utmost regard.

"Ais, is this true?" Kaiden sent. Asking his mate through their bond. He could feel the reverberations from the revelation through the pack link. Shock, anger, and disgust, filtered through as they all contemplated what was being suggested.

Rather than answering him, Kaiden was offered a serious of pictures and images that he quickly identified as being memories that she had accessed from Vance. Most depicted the numerous standoffs between him and the old Alpha, but there were also ones showing the horrific crimes that the old Alpha had sanctioned and commanded against wolves within and outside of his own pack. The last few that she showed him were of the forced bonding of Mindy to Garrett. The pain and fury that was painted in those few memories was astronomical. Kaiden didn't know how the man was now standing so strong and proud before him. It was impressive that he had not only endured but survived.

How he had managed to stay in the same pack and follow the Alpha, while watching his mate forced with another, was unbelievable. At least until Aislinn found the memories of how Stanley had used Garrett as a threat against him. The Beta had obvious unrestricted access, and a bond to Vance's mate. A position that the former Beta had used without reservation to punish and motivate Vance's actions according to their Alpha's whims. For his mate's safety Vance had stayed in the pack and become a good little puppy. That was until Aislinn had given him the opportunity to exact his own revenge and justice.

Kaiden also didn't miss how thoughts of his own mate were colored in the man's mind. Aislinn had earned absolute devotion from him. Vance saw Aislinn as some type of savior. It was easy to see that she had his absolute loyalty. The simple act of allowing him to reclaim his mate and shelter her from all the pain and horror that he had been unable to previously protect her from had earned her his lasting reverence and gratitude.

Pulling away from the images, Kaiden touched the bond to his mate. With her marking it had deepened significantly. Binding them more closely and tightly. He now had access to her feelings with some ability to feel the base of her emotions. He would now be able to feel her pain and if he chose would be able to share his energy and take on some of her pain and injuries. Like with Richard's bond he would be able to use the bond to help track her, and she would be able to alert him if she was in trouble. It would develop further and deeper when they finally completed the mating.

Brushing along the bond Kaiden felt for his mate's reaction in response to the waves of emotions and memories she was taking on from Vance. Finding that she was more or less shut down but generally okay he sent her a surge of love and comfort along the bond, before letting her be and refocusing.

"Did he do this often?" Kaiden asked, looking calmly at where Vance held his mate.

Too taken aback at Kaiden's calm acceptance Vance couldn't answer, it was Mindy who spoke up. "Yes Alpha. Stanley has forced bonds to many of the old higher ranks over the last ten years or so."

Olivia looked disgusted. While Clay and Blair let out a string of curses. Michael and Ethan shifted uncomfortably at the reminder of their lives in their old pack.

Kaiden hid his own reaction keeping his face blank. Although, if the man hadn't already been dead, his rage and fury would not be restrained and the sick bastard would have very quickly found himself facing the unrestrained wrath of Kaiden Salvatori.

"Please it's Kaiden, Luna Mindy." Kaiden said offering her a small smile while gesturing to the sofa across from them before moving to resume his own seat.

Sitting next to his own mate, he smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist as she lightly leaned into his side. Along their bond he felt a spike of love and gratitude as she reached out covering his hand with hers. Her closeness and touch helping to calm and ease the last of his anger.

Taking the offered seats Vance and Mindy sat with the other she wolf who had accompanied them beside her. The two remaining Silvia wolves moved to stand behind the sofa flanking their new Alpha.

"His mate?" Kaiden asked resuming their less then pleasant conversation but needing more answers.

Vance was able to answer this time. "They weren't true mates, however, it wasn't a forced bonding either. She volunteered or well more like persuaded. He killed her true mate when she found him two years ago."

"What will you do?" The question concerned more than just the former Luna, and they all knew it.

"I will remove the commands. What those forced together choose to do is up to them I will not command the bonding of mates either way. Debra is already becoming a nuisance, she will be kept guarded until you decide the best course of action. She will turn to the council if released."

Satisfied with the answer Kaiden shifted the conversation. "To initiate an Alpha it is traditionally done in the presence of the Monarch. With the fall of the King, the council took over the task making Alphas swear fealty and allegiance in exchange for validity and support."

At the words Vance's face fell the hope and light of the wolves around him diminished visibly as well. The words only confirmed what they had been discussing and arguing about all night. They would never get the approval of the council and would never be able to initiate Vance properly as Alpha.

"However." Kaiden continued his face becoming serious, "There is another way."

"How?" Vance asked.

"Where do you stand on the Royal family?"

"Pardon Alpha, I don't understand?" Vance asked not following the sudden change in topic. He felt slightly uneasy as the wolves surrounding the Alpha pair began shifting. He watched as they all tensed at the question put forth by their Alpha as if it had some deep significance. Their faces that had just moments ago been open and friendly were now wary and guarded. They all were subtly shifting so they were now closer to the pair, as if they felt their Alpha and Luna were being threatened.

"The Royal line, did you support the destruction and overthrowing of the Throne?" Kaiden clarified his voice patient but unreadable.

Vance looked around trying to get a clue as to what they were trying to get from him. When no one offered anything else he tried to form an answer he hoped was what they were looking for.

"I never saw the problem with the Crown that the council argued. I have always openly opposed the role the council themselves were taking. While I was growing up they had begun to become much more vocal and demanding. Expanding their control and influence over the Alphas and packs. I agreed with Alpha David's stance to oppose their control. I didn't know the Royal family nor did I ever interact with them. They never did anything to protect or support those who tried to remain loyal, but they didn't deserve to die as they did."

"So would you have sworn fealty, if they still led?" Kaiden pushed.

"If they were still alive?"

"Yes. If the Throne still stood, would you be loyal? Or would you oppose their rule?"

"They have done nothing to help us. They pulled away over a hundred years ago. They let the Council's power and greed go unchecked. We all suffer now because of their indifference to us."

"Yes. But would you remain loyal?" Kaiden asked again, earning a frustrated growl from Vance at his insistence. It was obvious he didn't want to give a direct answer, that he was avoiding voicing his ultimate position for fear of a reaction. And he was growing increasingly irritated that the Alpha was trying to force it from him when it was irrelevant.

"I don't see how it matters, the Royal line died over a decade ago. They're gone."

"Would you have stayed loyal? If you had taken your place succeeding David - would you have remained loyal to the crown?" This time Kaiden let a bit of a command seep into his words. Power and dominance hitting the other wolf pushing him to answer.

"Yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes I would have stayed loyal to the Crown. Even though they disappeared. Even though they left us to the mercy of the Council and even though they don't f*cking deserve it. I would have stayed loyal, okay? F*ck!" Vance roared out shooting to his feet so he now towered over those calmly sitting across from him. Running his hands through his hair he let out a nervous breath as the words he had just spoken registered. He felt his fear spike. His admission was grounds for execution. The council had explicitly outlawed any mention of the Royal family or pack. Offering even words or thoughts of support was grounds for treason. A crime that always ended in a painful - and prolonged - death.

"Alright then. Glad we got that settled."

Vance gaped at the picture of ease that was Kaiden Salvatori. He knew who this wolf was. Who his father was. The ties and connections he had to the council, and to the packs, even within the human world, were extensive and powerful. Why was he looking at him almost as if he was proud? The grin on his face reminded Vance of a kid who just got the biggest piece of cake. What the hell was going on?

Looking around at the bemused and nervous faces of his pack and the calm and relaxed ones of this other, Vance fell back to his seat in confusion.

"What ... Why? ... Huh?" He mumbled out incoherently.

"Vance I would like to formally introduce you to my mate, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Aislinn, Daughter of Prince Tao and Princess Rhoda. The last living Heir of King Alassdro, Luna Queen of Pack Argentum Sanguinis, Heres du la Corona Lupus. The lost Queen of the wolves."

Kaiden waited for a moment as his words resonated. Throwing a quick glance at his pack to silence the few snickers that were escaping at the shocked faces of the Silva wolves.

"As the last living member of the Royal line, Aislinn has inherited the Crown, as such - she can initiate you to your pack. Provided that you swear the oaths to her, as well as to our pack."

"You're?.... She's? ... How?"

"It isn't important right now. Her story is hers, and you will learn in time, what you need to of it. For now, know that what I have spoken is the truth and as such it brings a huge amount of risk to both yourself, as well as to my mate."

Vance's eyes widened as the repercussions and the reality began to hit him.

"Is she going to go after the council? She needs to stop them. How can you sit here? How has she allowed this to happen!?"

Growls erupted around the room. Kaiden was on his feet and in front of his mate his eyes black as his wolf pushed forward dangerously. Richard was over the sofa at his side the next instant as Blair and Clay jumped to their own feet. Both taking menacing steps forward. Even Michael and Ethan reacted letting out their own growls of warning at the demanding and disrespectful words.

"You will NEVER speak to my mate like that again!" Kaiden roared.

Richards snarl mixed into the growing chaos, "How dare you speak to your Queen in such a manner! You know nothing pup. Nothing! How dare you question, demand of her!?"

Vance had not been expecting the overwhelming reaction to his blurted out words. Taking in the mounting anger and fury of the room he threw up his hands, baring his neck in submission. It was not a pleasant feeling as his wolf had already begun to see himself as an Alpha and demanded respect and submission for himself not to give it. But in the situation it was submit or risk death. Looking at Alpha Kaiden's enraged face Vance admitted death was a considerable possibility at the moment.

Linking the rest of his pack he commanded them to submit as well. Necks bared Vance risked speaking hoping to ease the tension.

"My apologies Alpha. I meant no disrespect to your mate. I was simply caught by surprise and spoke rashly and without thought."

To Vance's surprise it was the larger Guard wolf at the Alpha's side who spoke up. If he hadn't been in such a delicate situation he would have found it disrespectful and demanded the Alpha to punish the wolf for speaking out of turn, but for now he held his tongue.

"Your apology is owed not to her mate, but to Her Highness." The words were deadly in their delivery. And if looks could kill Vance would already be six feet under.

Flicking his eyes back to the other Alpha, Vance searched for some clue on how to proceed. The idea that a guard wolf of another pack, even one who had just defeated theirs was commanding him - an Alpha - was unheard of. Furthermore, Vance couldn't understand why he felt the uncomfortable urge to submit to the other wolf and follow his every command. The power of the command matched if not outranked what he had felt from Alpha Kaiden's influence. He fought the command with everything he had trying to keep some shard of dignity.

"My mate's Royal Guardian, Richard." Kaiden supplied as he watched Vance try to fight the command. Nodding to the marked wolf at his side.

Vance looked back at the other wolf who was still staring daggers at him. He felt the waves of dominance coming from him and just about fell to his knees.

"I suggest you listen to your wolf and surrender to his command. He owes his allegiance to my pack but his loyalty and obedience are sworn to none but my mate's life. Not even I, will be able to hold him back should he feel inclined to dispose of you." Alpha Kaiden answered the unspoken question coolly. His face still harsh as he remained standing in his protective position.

Feeling the seriousness of the words Vance decided to heed the suggestion.