“Remember last night when you asked what my name was? I didn’t quite tell you the whole thing…” I admit while staring into Derrick’s eyes. Confusion crosses his features, clearly trying to figure out what I’m trying to say.
He frowns before asking, “Okay... so what is it?” Heat from Klaus’ body warms my back before he places his hands on my hips. The movement makes my mind flash to the time Marcellus held me like this in the training yard. I suppose this is how it’s supposed to be—instantly being comfortable around each other—something Marcellus and I had to work toward constantly. This is how I always expected it would be like, though, when I met Marcellus. What a difference!
Taking a deep breath to prep myself, I proceed with telling them my full name. “I’m known as Her Royal Highness, Princess Cecily of the Shifters. But five hundred years ago, a lot of shit happened, and now my name is Her Royal Highness, Queen Cecily of the Shifters.” As soon as I finish saying my name, Klaus begins to groan in pain and his muscles lock his hold around me as his head burrows in my shoulder.
Derrick on the other hand only winces and holds his hand up to the middle of his forehead. A few moments later, he stares up at me while Klaus is still groaning away. Alex is at my feet peering up with concern as his head swings around focusing between all of us, not able to process what’s going on. “Talk about a data download. It’s like a whole shit ton of research came rushing to my mind that I’ve forgotten, and unraveling data that suddenly fits together in ways I was never able to see before. Your family has ruled our people from the beginning of time, and five hundred years ago, you all just disappeared.”
Slowly, making sure I don’t jostle Klaus, I nod my head. For some reason, I expected his reaction to my big reveal to be more monumental. Klaus suddenly releases me and takes a deep shuddering breath. Turning around to face him, I find him kneeling on the ground with his head bowed. “Oh, shit, yeah, you’re supposed to bow to royalty, totally forgot that was a thing,” Derrick says as he kneels next to Klaus.
I swear as smart as he is, he seems to be dense at times. Alex, not knowing what’s going on, sees the other two and does his version of a bow in his wolf form, possibly thinking we’re playing a game. Knowing they won’t be able to hear me, I move the soundproof bubble around Alex so he can’t overhear. “For fuck’s sake, you’re my mates, please don’t bow to me. Fates, this part is always so awkward. Ugh, get up, would you?” They both get back up, and again, Alex follows their example.
Marcus chooses this moment to howl at us from where he is, encouraging us to get back on track. I’m thankful he wasn’t here to witness the whole bowing fiasco. “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you when I first saw you. I mean, I know it’s been a long time, and you were younger when I did see you. But still... fuck, my mate is the Queen. Does that make us your Kings? Oh my Fates, we can wield magic. How could we forget everything from our past?” Now it’s Klaus’ turn to ramble along. I’m used to people having this reaction when they meet me. I mean, there’s a five-hundred-year gap since the last time, but yeah, this is normal.
Klaus’ reaction is more along the lines of what I was expecting. As if he knows what I was thinking, Klaus gives the most perfect reasoning. “Ignore him. He was born twenty-five years after your disappearance. Now, with all of my memories back, I can tell you he was never taught all of our customs revolving around royalty. Everything he knows comes from our history books.”
Derrick gives him a gentle shove in the shoulder. “Hey, man, don’t be knocking history books, they’re chock-full of information. I’m willing to bet I know more about our history than you do. Just because I didn’t grow up with stories around the kitchen table doesn’t mean I don’t know shit.”
I just give him a smirk. Yeah, history books are great, but I’ve observed enough differences through history between what actually happened, and what ended up in books to know they won’t teach everything he should know. Possibly even some falsities. From everything I’ve seen about him though, Derrick enjoys research in all forms.
“Dude, it’s all good. I know your research has taught you a lot, but any gaps you have left, we’ll help you learn. We’ve got your back.” Klaus pulls him in for one of those man hugs and they pat each other’s backs before stepping away.
Derrick inhales sharply. “Holy crap! This makes so much sense. I’m totally connecting some major dots of why you guys would always forget the things I told you, and would trail off in the middle of your thoughts. The reason why you could never remember your childhood. This spell resulting in all of our people forgetting Cecily and her family caused a chain reaction, resulting in much more to be lost. I thought you guys were just assholes for the longest time, just trying to fuck with me. Knowing it’s not true, and to have a legitimate reason why, is such a relief.”
Chapter 14
Cecily
Present
Watching their bromance brings a smile to my face. They know they’re both my mates, and decided not to let it get in the way of their friendship. Honestly, this is such a huge relief for me. It’s been weighing heavily on my mind since Klaus’ mark showed up—how I would manage the men destined for me to be at odds with each other. Though on another hand, the Fates know what they’re doing. I’m sure they took all of this into consideration.
Well, there’s one hurdle crossed, only about a million more to go. We begin walking again before Marcus comes searching for us. I swear he’s going to end up murdering me if I keep holding us back from him completing the mission that he’s hell-bent on completing. He takes his position within the pack hierarchy so seriously, something I should find as a great asset, and I would, if it was anyone but him.
Alex nudges my hand with his head, trying to get me to pet him some more, causing me to smile and take a break from the thoughts plaguing me. Even though we’ve taken numerous breaks, and I’ve held us up a few times, we’ve traveled a great distance already. If this conversation wasn’t so important, then I would’ve offered to shift so we could travel even faster. The others knowing I can shift wouldn’t be such a huge secret to share at this point.
“So now that you remember who I am, and some more on each of your backgrounds, I suppose the next thing you want to know is how you both have my mark?” I realize this is the information they want, but there could be something more pressing they would like me to talk about.
Klaus gives me a nod while Derrick responds with, “That would be lovely, my Queen.” He sweeps up my hand to give me a mocking bow and a kiss on the back of my hand with a wink to show he’s teasing. Hmm, so how shall I go about explaining this next part? Fuck, why am I even trying to figure out how to explain this to them, when there’s a letter from my mother giving all of the details?This is stupid. Work smarter, not harder, Cecily.
Now the question is, who should I let read it first? I sure don’t want them to think I’m ever playing favorites. I suppose I can just let them decide for themselves. Picking out the letter describing all the details, I hold it up. “All the details about me having more than one mate are held within this letter. First one to catch me gets to read it!” The moment the words leave my lips, I’m already dashing forward to make sure I’m not immediately caught.
Alex lets out an excited yip and joins the chase right away. With his long sleek legs, he’s able to stay right along with me, and of course, the guys are right behind me. I pop the soundproof bubble around Alex so I can easily ask him for some help. “Help a gal out, will yah, Alex?”
He immediately drops back, helping me by tripping up Derrick and Klaus as they chase after me. My giggles bounce off the trees, and my mind flashes back to when Marcellus was chasing me.Stop it! No thinking about that. He betrayed you, he doesn’t deserve your fond thoughts.Of course the man of my thoughts shows up right in front of me.
Taking in everything happening before him, I can see the indecision playing across his eyes, torn between joining the game, or making us all get back to business. “Hey, what the fuck! Cheater!! Where did your clothes go?” Derrick shouts from behind me. A moment later, Klaus is shooting out from beside me, trying to cut me off.
“Eek!” I twirl to the side, avoiding making contact with Klaus, while Alex keeps Derrick from reaching me. This is all the motivation Marcus needs to join in the fun, and he runs full speed to intercept Klaus before he can reach me.
My feet carry me along as if they know where they’re taking me, and suddenly my mind isn’t flashing back to Marcellus and I running in the woods, I’m flashing back to my childhood and training through the woods with my father.“That’s it, Sinopa! Always stay light on your toes, never allow your actions to become predictable. Evading your foes is more than just running away from them. Don’t forget to utilize your magic!”
His words blasting through my memories has me faltering. Here I thought remembering sweet things involving the traitor was going to be the most pain I felt today. Fates, I miss my parents. When will I ever escape my constant heartbreak?
My falter has the guys gaining ground on me, even though Marcus and Alex play interference. Using a gust of wind, I blow up a bunch of rotting leaves from the forest floor to use as a smokescreen to hide my movements. Conjuring a backpack, I stow away my letters and place the bag on my back. With my hands free, I dart behind a tree to make sure I’m not seen, and shift into my wolf form. I typically enjoy shifting into a pure white wolf, but this time, I choose a brown coat to blend into my surroundings.
Holy shit does this feel freeing! It’s been way too long since I’ve been able to switch my forms. Stretching right now would hit the spot oh-so-good, but there isn’t time to spare to enjoy the luxury. Pushing energy into my legs, I start off right into a sprint, running as fast as I can to get ahead of the others. Even with the two helping me, Derrick and Klaus get dangerously close to catching me.
Paws meeting the fresh earth beneath them in a reunion long overdue, they lead me through the woods without thought. My head tilts up, enjoying the swish of my fur with the movement of air flowing over it. Being in animal form has always allowed me to experience a closer union to nature, as if we’ve become one. Yes! This is what I’ve been needing.
