I arrived at the garden again and my eyes caught sight of Marty rubbing towards me, I braced myself before he jumped into my open arms.

"Mama Ally! I missed you!" He snuggled into my chest and breathed in my scent, much like I was doing to him.

"I missed you too little wolf. Been causing a lot of mischief I heard" I chuckled at the grimace that crossed his face.

"It wasn't me, I swear. It was Tom and Eric's fault"

I laughed out loud as the boys in question gasped in mock outrage.

"Okay, I will punish them later. But now, we have someone to meet"

Marty nodded and wiggled to be let down. As soon as he was on his feet, he went flying to Damien, who was just coming around the corner. Damien managed to catch him and they started giggling together. My heart warmed at the sight and I had to stop myself before I reached for my stomach.

"Hi love" Damien grinned at me as he planted a kiss on my forehead.

"Hey, you smell better" I tucked myself into his side and his arm came around my shoulders, Marty still in his other arm.

"Come on in dears" A soft voice called from the garden.

"Come on" I grabbed Damien's hand and together we walked through the archway and into the very peaceful garden.

Nothing had changed since I was here last, I nodded back at Eric and Tom who had taken up position in either side of the entrance.

The bench seat was still there, with the table in between Alice and her guests. The table was again filled with sugary treats and a pot of tea. I saw Marty almost drooling at the sight.

I looked at Alice and was shocked to see that she had aged considerably in the short time since I saw her last.

With great effort, she stood- her back bent even more- and gestured for Damien to come to her, without any hesitation he did. She placed her wrinkled hand on his cheek and smiled.

"My, you are more handsome then the last time I saw you" her eyes flickered to me and she sent me a wink "The Moon goddess is so very proud of how you are doing now my dear. She was worried about you for a while, and again, she is deeply sorry for how she sent you a message"

Damien looked shocked and frankly, a bit teary, he simply nodded and Alice moved her hand to rest on Marty's cheek. I felt my back stiffen and she sent me a reassuring smile.

"You are very handsome as well sweetness, the moon goddess is truly sorry about what has happened to you so far"

Marty's eyes turned sad at the mention of his family but he didn't let it get him down for too long, his bright smile came back at the mention of him being handsome. He held no fear towards this strange female he had never met. I was so proud of him.

"Come sit dears, there's some treats here my boy. Help yourself"

Marty didn't need telling twice before he almost vaulted out of Damien's arms and towards the sweets. We all chuckled as we took our seats.

Alice poured us a cup of tea before sitting back in her chair, cradling her own cup. She took a long sip before she started talking.

"Now, what can I help you with? I know it's something to do with Marty"

I set my cup down and took a deep breath, Damien's large hand covered mine and gave it a squeeze.

"Well, you already know that he is Rosie's mate" Alice smiled and nodded "He almost shifted when they first locked eyes, it took an Alpha command for him to get control again. Then, the other day, he told me that his wolf was getting restless to see Rosie again. When I asked him about it, he said he talks to his wolf and it gives him advice"

Alice raised her eyebrows and turned to Marty.

"Is this true Marty?"

"Uh huh, his name is Nix and he says he feels good now after seeing Rosie. He says he knows shes still young but he will protect her at all costs" He picked up a cookie and stuffed it in his mouth.

Mine and Damien's eyebrows shot up, he'd never said his wolf's name before. Most of us don't even know our wolf's name, it's not something we ever really got taught before. Something to think about.

Alice sipped her tea and looked deep in thought, a serene smile on her face. I realised she was communicating with the moon goddess. Her eyes refocused but the smile never left.

"Well, I can't say I am surprised. As a mate to a Royal, they are able to recognise their mates exceptionally early. The reason for his wolf almost surfacing is the simple fact of him being exceptionally strong. He will be a match for your strength as he gets older Alyssa" My jaw dropped in shock.

He is going to be as strong as me? That's nuts.

Alice continued so I bought myself out of my thoughts.

"It actually won't hurt him at all if he shifts at his age, his bond with his wolf is also strong. The moon goddess has gifted him with a strong wolf, so that he may overcome what happened to his family, he will need your help, the both you, to control his urges and to bring control to his wolf"

"You said when we first met that he was always meant to be in my life. What did that mean?"

"Ah yes" Alice's eyes turned sad "He was never meant to lose his family in such a brutal way. He was always meant to join your pack and to bring peace to you. His mother was already dying, but the grief would have sent his father into such a deep depression that he wouldn't have been able to come out of. His sister was meant to meet her mate and go live with him. The moon goddess was horrified at the way they were murdered, so she helped him in the only way she knows how"

I nodded my head and let my eyes flicker to Marty, he had finished his sweets and was now sitting on Damien's lap, his head drooping. I ran my fingers through his hair and thanked the moon goddess for this gift.

"There is one more thing, and I'm afraid you won't like it" I drew my eyes back to Alice and watched as she sipped her tea.

"After his 15th birthday, he will need to come and live at the palace"

Damien and I both growled low in our throats, but Alice looked unaffected. She held up her hand and sent us a small smile.

"Once he hits 16, his wolf will reach full maturity and he will be very hard to control if he isn't near his mate. You must also remember, he is to be our future King, he will need to learn control as well as what is takes to be a King. Now, both of you will be instrumental in teaching him control as he grows, as you both have very strong wolf's. But I'm afraid, once he reaches maturity he must be near his mate or things will be bad"

I sighed and rubbed my temple, what she said all makes sense to me, but my wolf is not thrilled at the thought of having to say goodbye to her pup for an undetermined amount of time.

"But what if he shifts before his 15th birthday?" Damien asked.

"Do not worry, he will have you two there to help him. He will be a fantastic King and a very brilliant man with the both of you raising him"

My wolf's chest swelled with pride at the compliment. Out the corner of my eye, I saw Marty's head fall onto Damien's shoulder.

Alice chuckled "Take him to bed dear. I heard about all the trouble he got into today"

Damien and I stood, he bowed his head to Alice and began walking out, stopped before the entrance to wait for me.

Before I could say anything, Alice spoke "Can I speak to you for a moment Alyssa?"

I looked over at Damien and nodded. He sent me a smile before leaving, Tom and Eric moving behind him.

"What's wrong Alice?"

"I want to congratulate you on your new pup"

I wasn't even surprised to be honest, of course she knew "Thank you Alice"

I almost groaned when I saw her face, of course she has bad news.

"Now, no need for that face" Alice chuckled and patted my shoulder "Your pup will be strong, but they will experience trouble with their mate. No need to worry, they will come away even stronger and make a fantastic Alpha to take over from you"

I smiled at that, all I could hope is that we had a healthy pup. But no matter what, we would love them.

"One more thing dear. Your past will become your present, you must be strong for everyone" she squeezed my shoulder and then walked out of the garden.

I stood stiff and silent as her words sunk in. Thomas has already come back, so it must mean he has something huge planned and I wasn't keen on finding out.

*********

That night, I laid in bed, my back against the headboard, my legs stretched out in front of me and my mind a million miles away. I didn't hear the bathroom door close or sense Damien until he had his head in my lap. I blinked down at him and he sent me a heart stopping grin that sent my lips tugging upwards.

I've been thinking all day about how I'm going to tell him and I've finally found a way.

My hands found their way into his hair and I lazily stroked it.

"I have something to share with you" I murmured.

Damien blinked his eyes open "What is it love?"

"Well, I found out that we can actually share our senses with each other. To help with protecting each other and whatnot. So I want you to see and hear like I do"

"I never knew we could do that. Hit me"

I grinned, knowing he will be too preoccupied at first to notice my scent change. I closed my eyes and called upon my wolf, once we were in sync, we searched our mind for the thread that connects our soul to Damien's. Finding it, I pushed my senses towards it. Upon hearing him gasp, I opened my eyes. Everything was duller and more silent then I was used to as I took in the male in my lap, his eyes were wide and his lips parted.

"How is it?" I asked

"Christ, is this what it's like for you all the time?"

I chuckled and nodded. My hand rested back in his hair and he turned his beautiful eyes to me, he drew in a ragged breath and his hand came up to cup my cheek.

"God, your even more beautiful" He took a deep breath "And your scent, wow"

He took another deep breath and his eyebrows furrowed, I knew he was noticing the change.

"What is that?" He sat up and started to sniff all around my body "You smell different. Why?"

I giggled and grabbed his face in my hands "Slow down, take a deep breath and send your senses out"

He did as I said and a minute later, his head cocked to the side, a small frown appeared on his face. He leant in towards me and took another deep breath, his head was close to my stomach now.

His head shot away and he turned wide eyes towards me. His eyes flickered from my face to my stomach before he laid his ear right against my stomach after lifting my shirt. He laid there for a few minutes until I felt wet drops hit my bare skin. I lifted his head up and my breath faltered when I saw tears running down his cheeks.

My senses slammed back into me and everything was brighter again.

"Why are you crying my love?" I asked as I wiped his tears away with my thumb.

"Was that what I think it was?"

I bit my lip and nodded, I was shocked when the tears came back and his shoulders shook with silent sobs. I drew him into me, his arms came around my waist, his head laid in the crook of my neck.

I brushed his hair with my hands and just comforted him.

It took a few minutes but I felt his shoulders stop shaking and his breath even out.

He drew back and looked at me with an adoring smile on his face.

"Are you okay?"

He just nodded and his eyes flickered back to my stomach.

"Are you really carrying my pup M'anamchara?"

I laughed and nodded. Damien threw his head back and laughed out of pure joy. He picked me up off the bed and pulled me as close as he could, his eyes turned dark and his wolf surfaced, I could see the joy in his eyes as well. I let my wolf come to the surface so they could celebrate together.

They both retreated a few minutes later, Damien sat against the headboard and I sat next to him, my head resting on his shoulder.

"Are you going to tell me why you were crying?"

He sighed and squeezed my hand "It's just, I went 300 years thinking you didn't exist, now in just a few short months, I've found you, I have a son and now my breathtaking mate is carrying my pup. I never expected all of this, I could never bring myself to hope that I would ever have my own pup, but you've bought me hope again"

I nodded, trying hard to stop the tears from falling. I didn't fully understand what he went through, but to go from not having a mate to having a family in a few short months is very overwhelming.

We sat in silence until he spoke up again.

"Why is the heartbeat so faint and your scent hasn't changed much?"

I chuckled "Remember our first night here?" He nodded "Let's just say that night was a good baby making session"

Damien laughed and leant down to kiss me.

"So your only a few days along?" I nodded "When do you want to tell everyone?"

"Soon, maybe after the ceremony. That okay?

"Of course love. Do that thing again?"

I giggled and pushed my senses into him again, he laid his head on my lap, his ear against my stomach.

"I can hear the heartbeat getting stronger even now"

"So could I, I don't think the usual four months is going to apply to this little one" I replied

We laid like that for the rest of the night, Damien fell asleep to the sound of our pups heartbeat and I wasn't far behind him.

★★★★