When I wake up, I'm naked in my bed, my lower body only covered with a white bedsheet. Alec's arm is wrapped around my waist, his left leg above mine and his head resting on my breast. I kiss his forehead and try to remember last night's events.

Did we have a round two before we got back to the packhouse? Absolutely, and it was as beautiful as the first one.

Did we have an excellent time during dinner? Yes, and it was great to spend time with our families and friends, chatting and laughing as if we were just two ordinary wolves newly mated.

Did we have round three in the library beside the dining room? Obviously, as Alec's hands could not leave my thighs alone during dinner, and he clearly enjoyed his time arousing me.

Did I love dancing with my brother, Kate, and some other friends? That was brilliant, and I did not have that much fun in weeks. It was the perfect night before quitting my forever pack and joining my new royal life in the Capitale.

Did I lose the count of rounds we took once we moved back to my room? Definitely. The only thing for sure right now is that my body is absolutely sore, that Alec sleeps like a baby despite the red lines on his back, and that my stomach growls.

As I turn my head and grab my phone, I realize it's already 3 pm.

Shit.

"Alec, wake up," I say as I caress his hair. He whispers nonsense before tightening his grip on my waist.

"Come on, Alec. It's already three, and we are supposed to meet the Council in less than an hour," I say, hoping it will convince him to move.

"Screw the Council. I'm fine here, little wolf," he says, not moving.

"It's also supposed to be Amber's trial, Alec. I don't want to see her, but it has to be done. No matter what they decide, we have to go there and attend it," I say.

He eventually moves, his body on top of me, his lips kissing mine as he stays firm on his forearms, not to pressure me.

"We'll go because I want her to apologize for her behavior before you decide what to do with her," he says.

"I decide?" I ask him, not really understanding what he is talking about.

"The Council will decide, won't they?"

"You have to ask for a sentence. She tried to seduce your mate, despite knowing our bond. So you could ask for her death, just like I did with Nick. They could hardly refuse it. But his father will probably try to convince the Council to deny this punishment, and as she is from a noble bloodline, they could agree with him," he says before he sits beside me. I do the same, facing him.

"Do I have other options?" I ask him. I wanted to kill her. A part of me still wants her to die. But she is still a member of the people I will have to rule one day. I was raised to be a fair and merciful Alpha who had to gain her people's loyalty.

"Whatever you want, little wolf. I'm sure you'll make the best decision. You're born for this, Liv," he says before getting up and going to the bathroom.

As he enters the shower, I do my private business before I join him under the water. We wash in silence, my thoughts wandering, trying to figure out how I should act with Amber.

As we're done, Alec gently envelops me in a large towel before he cups my chin.

"That's gonna be fine, Liv. I'll be here. They will want to learn more about you. Do you feel like revealing you're the silver wolf?" he asks me as he takes my hand to lead me to my closet.

"Yes, I will tell them about the gray wolves. They probably already heard some things, so we should be honest. Plus, the next moon will be the Blood one, and I'm supposed to awaken the other gray wolves," I answer.

"What am I supposed to wear?" I question him, looking desperately at my clothes without knowing what to choose.

"Jeans and a shirt would be fine. We don't wear suits and dresses daily. Don't worry," he replies.

"Do you know how you're supposed to call for the other gray wolves?" he asks as his footsteps come closer to me, turning on the light.

"Maybe that will be easier with the light, little wolf." An amused grin appears on his lips.

"I know this closet perfectly, even in the dark. But thank you," I answer. I grab some lace underwear and a bra. As I put them on, Alec's hands approach me.

"I think Selene and I will know. She kept telling me I will understand when times come about everything," I answer as I slam his hands away.

He looks at me with unhappy eyes.

"We'll have more time later, Alec," I say before kissing him.

"White or beige?" I ask as I show him two shirts.

"I don't care. Both will look good on you anyway. You could wear one of mine, so people don't stare at you if you prefer," he answers as he holds a white shirt and a black shirt in his hands.

"The black one suits you fine," I answer, putting on my beige shirt. I quickly take jeans and put them on, my belly a little pressured by the button.

"Damn, these babies grow too fast," I answer. Alec's fully dressed body encounters my back, his hands on my belly.

"You're as gorgeous as before," he says.

"I love your baby bump, and we'll buy you some new clothes when we are at the Capitale. You could wear a dress tomorrow to be more comfortable during the journey. If you want, of course," he says before kissing my cheek.

"Yeah, I should do that," I answer.

"By the way, did you call him?" I ask as I turn to face him.

"I did as soon as I got your hidden message. They will be waiting for us, even if I think she will have a hard time explaining her actions. But he loves her, so he'll get over his anger, eventually," Alec says before kissing my lips. We finally set apart.

"We should go before we are too late. I need to take some food on our way to the meeting," I say. Alec opens his arms and goes back to the room. I take socks and a pair of low boots. I put them on and join Alec, who is already fully dressed and waiting for me at the open door. He extends his right hand, and I grab it quickly.

Then we walk to the ground floor and walk to the kitchen. Sam is here, and before I walk to the fridge, he puts two plates on the counter with sandwiches on them.

"They are waiting for you in the meeting room. So you should eat that quickly, and I'll make sure we have something ready for when it ends," Sam answers with a smile.

"Thank you, Sam," Alec answers for me.

"You're welcome, your Highnesses," he says, blinking at me.

We quickly eat our sandwiches and drink two glasses of water before joining the meeting room. Before I get out, I turn to Sam.

"Could you bring the drawing above the bed in Alec's room to the conference room, please? We'll need Alice and the two babies, too. That could be great if Anya and Malia could join us too," I say calmly.

"Anya and Malia are already with the King and the Queen in the meeting room. Your brother is also there with Luna Julie. But I can help with the drawing, Olivia. I'll go to take it right away," Sam answers. Alec pulls my hand again, and we walk quietly to the other end of the corridor.

In front of the large door stand Jackson and Eva.

"They are waiting for you. Anya and Malia are not alone in there. Your brother is here too, Liv,' Jackson talks first.

"Taylor and Joey are also here. But Queen Liana and the King are on their sides anyway, so you should not worry for them," Eva answers with a smile.

"We'll be near the door. Most of them support you, don't forget that. You just have to convince the others." Eva hugs me before Alec opens the door.

"Try not to kill them, Alec," Jackson chuckles with a blink to my mate.

"I'll try to remember your wise words, Jacks," Alec answers before pulling me inside.

As we enter the room, I notice that the usual large table has been put against the left wall, and seven chairs are standing in the back of the room. The previous Council members have not changed except for Alec's mother, who now stands on the right side of the room alongside my brother and Julie. Alec's father, as the King, has taken back his place as the head of the Council. In front of them stand Malia and Anya. I let go of Alec's hand to race to my two Gammas.

"Are you okay?" I ask them, examining their bodies and faces to ensure no harm was done to them.

"We are okay, Alpha. They just wanted to ask us about our identities," Malia answers with a smile.

"Alpha?" a male voice asks from one of the seats.

Before I can answer, Alec's hand poses on my waist.

"Yes, Alpha. Princess Olivia is some kind of... unique," Alec answers.

Daniel Cravenson, lord of the house Cravenson. He's close to Amber's father, so he might try to trick you with his questions, but he is clever, so I don't think he will attend to go against my father's final words no matter your decision.

Alec calmly rubs the bottom of my back after he moved his hand.

"And what makes you so unique, Miss Evans?" he asks as he stares into my eyes.

"Well, first, I think you might consider the fact that I am Princess Olivia Evans-Grayson now, and not only Olivia Evans, which makes me quite unordinary, lord Cravenson. So maybe you could start calling me Princess Olivia before I answer your questions," I say, annoyed by his obvious words to unsettle me.

I catch some chuckles in the back of the room that I recognize as Jackson's.

"Then, I'm unique because you are probably already aware of me being a late-shifter. Thankfully, this long wait can be explained by the fact that I am what is called 'the silver wolf,'" I speak out loud, my eyes staring right into Cravenson's. I notice he adjusts himself on his seat.

"How do you know about the silver wolf? This been kept a secret by the Council," he says, nervousness evident in his voice.

"Didn't I just tell you I was the silver wolf?" I ask, turning to Alec's father.

"And what proves to us you are the silver wolf? You might just be a light gray wolf from what the people who witnessed your shift told us," the man I recognized as Amber's father says as he stands up from the seat on the left of the King. As he is about to walk forward, the King stops him.

"Andrew, sit down. Don't make me force you," Alec's father answers calmly. He turns his head to his wife, who nods slightly.

"Olivia, would you mind showing us your back, please?" Alec's father asks me.

"Yes, she would mind," Alec answers with a growl.

"No one is going to watch my mate's back." I can feel anger rising in Alec's body. As I look at him, I see his eyes are turning dark. I cup his face.

"Ares, I'm gonna be fine. Let Alec back, please." Another growl escapes his lips before his eyes turn lighter. I should have definitely put on a dress. I turn my back to the Council, my chest hidden against Alec's torso. My two Gammas place themselves on my side, making sure no one can see anything else but my back. I unbutton my shirt and take it off slowly. When my back is finally bare, gasps echo in the room, and steps resonate, approaching us. Alec growls again.

"You can trust me. I won't hurt her, Prince Alexander," a man with a deep but kind voice says. I can feel his breath on my back.

"May I?" he asks my mate.

"Go ahead but be quick, Elias," Alec answers coldly.

The man's hand touches my spatula and the scar just under it.

"This is true. She's got the mark," he shouts, making me jump a little.

"What's wrong with my scar?" I ask, my torso still against Alec. Jackson comes closer, taking off his vest and extending it to me. I glance at Alec, who nods.

"There's nothing wrong with your scar. Except it is not a scar. If you look carefully, you'll see a full moon with a little crown inside it. Of course, if you don't examine it carefully, you mistake it for a curious scar you would have gotten during your mother's labor. But that's not, Princess Olivia," the same voice speaks. As I turn, I look at the man who is still standing a few feet away from me. He is a tall man, around fifty, with long blond hair. His eyes are ice-blue.

"The Moon-Goddess hid that well, your Highness," he says as he kneels in front of me.

"You'll have the Michaelsons' support. If you're chosen by our Goddess, there is nothing more to discuss," he adds.

"Well, thank you, lord Michaelson," I answer, not knowing what else I'm supposed to do. He laughs as he finally looks me in the eye and must notice my complete unawareness of what my actions should be. He stands up and gives me his hand.

"I suppose shaking hands will be enough for today, Princess Olivia," he says. I take his hand and shake it. His move is gentle, and he kisses it slowly.

"Mine, Elias," Alec growls. Elias lets go of my hand, murmuring a respectful 'of course' before returning to his seat.

Three men walk towards me before kneeling in front of me. I am acknowledged that the Clarksons, the Jeffersons, and the Deckensons houses also recognize me as the silver wolf. Well, that was pretty easy in the end.

"Daniel. Andrew. What about you?" the King asks.

"We don't know if we can rely on her. Other silver wolves have been denied by the Moon-Goddess or the gray wolves they were supposed to lead," Cravenson states.

"What if I can prove it? Twice," I instinctively shout out loud.

"How would you do that, Princess Olivia?" he asks, bitterness audible in his voice as he pronounces the word 'Princess.'

"I have to call the other gray wolves during the next Blood Moon. So we could verify it in the next few hours." I perceive in Cravenson's eyes he won't accept it as an answer. But, before he can stop me, I understand I must play my last card.

"What if I can tell you that another gray wolf, that you already have recognized as a member of the Royale family, had entrusted me enough to hide and protect her children?" I announce.

As I say that, a knock on the door is heard, and I nod to Eva, so she opens the door. As she does, Sam comes in, followed by Alice, who holds the two babies in her arms. They walk to us, and Sam gives me the drawing.

"What you asked for, Miss Olivia," he answers. I take it before I give it to Alec.

"Open the frame and tell them what's written on the back of the drawing, Alec. Please." Alec does just as I told him.

"Call your cousin to tell him we're bringing back his children," he reads out loud.

"How?" the King asks as he stares at Alice and the two kids in her arms.

"Evangeline called me a few months ago, asking me if I could welcome one of her former pack's omegas who would come with two kids. She told me not to ask about her kids. I thought that 'her' was referring to Alice. But then I understood that these kids were Evan's. The rogues that attacked them were the same that attacked us. They are looking for the gray wolves in order to possess the next generation of gray wolves. She knew I could protect them. I know deep down that she is my Beta. It was just in front of us," I answer quickly, turning to Alec.

Queen Liana approaches us and takes the baby girl in her arms.

"Calls for her, Olivia. She won't shift, but her wolf will respond," she says, giving me the little girl.

I focus on her, and I take the baby girl against my chest, her head leaning over my shoulder.

"Could you just show yourself so we can go back home to see mummy, sweetheart?" I whisper in the baby's ear.

"Gray eyes," Alec whispers.

"And the sterling gray eyes of Princess Olivia to confirm she is the silver wolf," Alec's father adds.

"Do you need more proofs?" he says. As I turn my head to face the men in front of me, I see that both of them stand up before kneeling.

I finally breathe as they pronounce the words that offer me their loyalty.

We've been chosen. This is our time and we will rise to protect our people.

There is just one more thing to handle before we can focus on our mission.

Amber.