The Prince’s Unwilling mate

154 Ayla

I was at a loss for words at Isabella’s kind gesture, there was no way I would say no to this. Not just because it is a tradition I would love to share with my daughter if I will be blessed with one. But because Isabella feels like a second mother to me. Not just my mother–in–law. And as excited as I am to start my future with Griffin here. As much as I enjoy living here and getting to know the pack. It feels good to still have a bit of family here. So with Daniel living here, and Griffin’s family, I feel more at home than I thought I would.

Funny how when Dillion askedthe first tI met him if I would be. willing to leave my pack. Leave my family and go and live in another pack. I gave him the most noncommittal answers. Because A I was so sure I would never be chosen by Griffin and, B had not felt like a part of the pack for so long. Now his pack feels like my pack, even without the transition being finalized. And the family of the Crown Prince I was so set to avoid feels like family, too.

That’s why I did not hesitate when Rodrick showed up at our doorstep. I had a responsibility towards my new family and my pack. What I told Griffin was the truth, I was finally convinced him and I would have a whole lifetof making memories ahead of us. And I was sure Isabella‘ s kind and thoughtful gift was not the reason they needed to speak with

1. us.

After hugging Isabella, I sat down and passed around the food I brought

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154 Ayla

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with me. Looking at Rodrick, waiting for him to tell is the bad news.

“The Elder council has decided not to wait until we find David. They want to put Hannah on trial in two weeks” Rodrick got the hint and immediately explained why we were gathered there.

It didn’t register withwhy this would be bad news at first. Or why it meant Griffin and I had to interrupt our date to discuss this. Slowly, like I tried to block it out but lost against my own mind, the realization dawned on me. Going to trial means there would be a court, I would have to testify. Tell the city of Elder Wolves and everyone remotely interested in what happened to my experiences during that horrible tin my life. A tin my life that causedto visit a therapist almost every weekday because of how much it had hurt me. How much it still

hurts me.

I would have to talk about how badly this whole ordeal influenced my life. All while showing the people I still was the strong and kind Princess. In most cases, the victims are asked for an idea about the punishment too. As the Princess and future Queen, what I say will be scrutinized. No matter what they did toas the future ruler of the entire nation, I would need to make sure to be just in whatever punishment I requested. Even if there was no guarantee that the Elder Council would agree with what I asked for.

Nation,

“Are you sure you can handle that, Darling, is there anything, anything at all we can help you with?” I had drowned out the other’s talking as I was coming to terms with what this news meant for me. But Griffin’s

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worried voice pulledback to the conversation.

He was sweet to want to help me, but there was not much he could do. Nothing other than be there for me and to just be himself. So that is what I told him. Rodrick and Isabella toldthey would be there forwith whatever I heeded. Suggesting that I should invite my family over to giveeven more moral support.

“Well Ayla was still a member of the White Oak pack when she was kidnapped, so Alpha Cedric is going to need to be here for the trial regardless” Griffin mushed.

And he was right at the tI was a wolf kidnapped from his pack property. A wolf under his protection, so in kidnapping me, David and his helpers had committed an act of war against the White Oak pack and the Silver Moon pack in one big swoop.

“That is another topic we need to address, Ayla, you are still not officially a member of the pack. Most wolves in our pack are understanding, of what you have been through and the effect it has on you. But as you know, spack members are not as open to having you as Griffin’s mate. More so out of personal reasons than because of you. The thing is, with you seemingly not committing to each other, they had grounds to spread rumors. You and Griffin being marked will help with the rumors a bit but…” Isabella sighed like she was unsure of how

to go on.

When the four of us knew exactly what she was hinting at. If I was to

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make sure that the pack would love and acceptas their own. I needed to be accepted into the pack sooner rather than later. Which didn’t botherat all, it made perfect sense and I was ready to fully beca member of the Silver Moon pack. There had been only one thing. stopping me, and that was wanting to complete the mating process with Griffin first.

Now that had finally cthrough I was ready to becan official member of the pack where I found my happiness again and the pack. where I had been living for weeks now.

“So you are saying we need to plan an extra event, so I can cut my–bond with the White Oak pack to form one with the Silver Moon pack?” I asked, just to be sure that was what Isabella had been so worried about.

“You do, and I do not want to rush you but sadly I think there is a bit of rush” She answeredwithout any hesitation.

I smiled because if this was the last thing we needed to discuss, Griffin and I would still have stime to go out and eat smore. Maybe it would be a late dinner since I still wanted to try to shift too. Regardless of how we would plan the rest of the night though this wouldn’t take much longer.

“I don’t mind the rush, I needed to heal a bit more but we can start planning something and sending out invites this Monday if that works for you?” My answer surprised both Rodrick and Isabella.

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Griffin just smiled at me, which made sense. I was undoubtedly close to his parents. But no one would ever getthe way Griffin did. He must have known or felt I was ready to permanently beca part of his pack. Or he was just smiling because he could sensewrapping this up because we had other things to do.

“Then do not letstop you kids from celebrating.” Isabella said with a bright smile on her face.

She didn’t have to say it we all knew she was happy I was going to officially be a part of her pack. I just hope she knows how happy I am about it too. And more importantly, I hope the other pack members do.

too.

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