“Only if you make sure that one of our Brothers or Dad stays with her. I won’t trust any other male around her.” Colt says. “Why don’t we first find out if we can manage our behavior around her, before we decided to leave her alone.” I respond.
Colt is right, thou. I do not trust any other male around my Mate, expect for my Brothers and Dad and maybe Gabe and Brent. After all they are Mates and they are not interested in females, what so ever.
I quickly grab my tablet and gaze through the emails we received from the Council, maybe I can find a short assignment that will give me some time away from Hunter. However not to far away, just in case her Grandmother shows up.
I hope that during that time I will be able to find a way to deal with my underaged Mate, I need some way to make sure no one finds out that she is my Mate. It will make her a target for women like Marcy and Suzy or for men that want to hurt me in any way.
I need to prevent that in every way possible and for a second I question my decision to keep it a secret from my family. “Maybe you can ask Grandfather to keep an eye on her, he will never tell anyone your secret.” Colt suggest and I smile at the prospect of being able to tell at least one person.
Hunter’s P.O.V.
Jax is still holding me in his arms, hugging me tightly to his chest and Justice is purring in my head. We both like the feeling of safety we get in his arms, it feels a bit like what we felt as Justin held our hand.
“Are you okay, Princess?” Jax asks and I start to laugh, Dad was right even my Brothers call me Princess. “What is so funny?” He asks and I tell him about my outburst when Dad told us who he really was.
“You made Gabe run away from you?” Jason asks as his eyes move between me and Gabe. Brent and Dad start laughing as Gabe’s face turns bright red. Dad decides to tell them about me sneaking up on Victor and now the three of them look at me with wide eyes.
“Okay, whatever happens don’t tell Jayce any of this. I want to see what you can do against him tomorrow.” Jax says and both Jason and Justin start laughing as I stare at Dad.
“Jayce offered to assess your fighting skills and your Mom wanted a front row seat and a camera set up.” He says with a twinkle in his eyes and I burst out in laughter before I wiggle my way out of Jax’s arms.
I grab Mom’s arm and tell her that I want to show her the gardens I have walked through so far, “I think Dad has some work to do and I need to stretch my legs a bit. Victor, are you coming with us?” I ask and I see Dad nod at him.
As Mom and I enjoy the beauty of the Palace gardens we pass males and females along the way. Most of them bow their heads at me and Mom, but a few females are staring daggers at us.
Instead of talking out loud Mom and I opt for a mind-link conversation instead, “Why are they so disrespectful?” Mom asks. “They don’t like you taking King Yummy of the market.” I say chuckling and Mom turns a nice shade of red.
“I can’t help that the Goddess paired me with Daniel. We both believe that the pairing by the Goddess is something sacred and we both feel that everyone should cherish it.” She says.
“Mom, you don’t have to defend yourself to me. I believe the same thing and I hope that my Mate is raised the same way. I hope that my Brother’s Mates will be raised the same way.
I have a feeling that if their Mates have been with other men, they will be very disappointed in their Mates. I don’t know what they would do in that case, so I am hoping for the best.” I say to Mom and I know that she hopes with me.
We stop in the middle of a path made out of paver stones and pebbles, just to admire the Dwarf Butterfly bushes to our left and watch as all kinds of butterflies come and go. The scent of Abelia enters my nostrils and I smile as I smell the spicy-sweet fragrance.
It is a scent I have enjoyed my whole life and Mom eventually planted a few near my bedroom window. Not everyone loves the scent, but I can envelop myself with it all day long.
Mom sometimes said I would probably smell like that to my Mate, but I would always tell her that he would smell like that to me and then we would both laugh as we thought of a male smelling like Abelias.
“Mom, do you think Abelias can grow in pots?” I ask her and she knows exactly why I ask. “I don’t know, Pumpkin. Maybe Victor knows who the Gardener is and he will be able to tell you.”
I turn around to face Victor and ask him if he can ask the Gardener to join us. His eyes glaze over for a second and it doesn’t take long before a bulky Lycan comes towards us down the path.
“Victor, what can I do for you?” He asks and Victor turns his attention to us. “Vincent, this is Aspen, King Daniel’s second chance and her Daughter, Hunter.” He says and Vincent drops to his knee with his head bowed.
“Vincent, will you please get up?” I ask. “I don’t mind you showing respect, but you can do that standing on your feet.” Victor laughs at the strange look on Vincent’s face. “Oh, Fuck. He is your Brother, Victor.” I blurt out and now Mom is laughing too.
“Sorry, Vincent. Mom always tells me I have no filter and that I should think before I speak.” I say and as I lean forward I say loud enough for Mom to hear, “But where is the fun in that.”
Vincent gets up and smiles at me before he turns to Mom and say, “Majesty, I am not sure if I should thank the Goddess for sending her on the Princes’ path or that I should feel sorry for them.”
Mom and I burst out in laughter and I can see that both Victor and Vincent have trouble keeping a straight face. Once we have calmed down I ask Vincent if Abelias can grow in pots and after I explain why I want to know, he tells me to point out which one I like.
I know exactly which Abelias in want and I point at an Abelia “Kaleidoscope” with showy white flowers. The leaves a bright golden yellow color on green leaves with red stems.
After that I point at an Abelia “Edward Goucher” with small, picturesque flowers in pink and violet shades, which are characterized by red bracts. The tubular flowers appear at the tips of the stem and tops of the leaves.
“Hunter, it looks like you know your Abelias. They are both very beautiful and they will do fine on your balcony. I will take care of it first thing in the morning and I will look after them for you.” Vincent says.
“Thank you, Vincent. I will take care of them myself, but if you could look after them if I am away from the Palace I would really appreciate that.” He bows his head before he bids us a good day and leaves me and Mom behind with Victor.
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