For years now Queen Charlotte has had to put up with a stray living in her home, eating the food for her family, taking things from her children, and leaving a stain on the royal family's good name. It was her mate's idea to keep the stray after they found her out in the forest. The queen wanted to kill her since she was a rogue and their pack never accepted rogues as they are the royal family and held to a standard. However he said to keep her and just shoved her into the shadows when they were not in public.
Charlotte had a feeling there was something more to her then what was being said, but she had other things to worry about. The other Clans were pressuring them for a marriage alliance to their only daughter princess Alisa, and she was reluctant to send her out. Alisa needed more refinement and experience with the other Clans. She was her favored child and had hoped to keep her close, possibly send her brother for the contract. The only draw back was they were asking for a female mate for one of their sons or heir apparent.
The Dragon Clan, WereBear Clan, and WereTiger Clan have all been asking for any kind of marriage alliance with any of the royal children. The queen had heard the WereJaguar Clan sent there daughter to the same university as Max and he didn't even take notice of her. She found it quite entertaining since she already knew Max wouldn't choose their princess. He's always had his eyes on a certain wolfless girl living in the shadows. Lily was a tool for them to use, a plaything for the children to hone their skills of manipulation on. Alisa used her the most as she was just like the queen in that she used people then discarded them. She just wished Alisa would be more discreet about the bodies she leaves behind.
The Dragon Clan was the main clan asking for Alisa's hand claiming since she was of royal bloodline a strong bond between their clans would then be established for long lasting corporation. The queen had heard through her spies that the youngest prince has wanted her for a long time and even tried to get her attention at social events between clans. She turned him down even humiliated him hoping to dissuade his want for her, but it only seemed to have made his entitlement worse. As well as one of their main bloodlines dying out lowering their people's status to the Creature World.
Trying to think of an acceptable alternative the Alpha King walks in looking a bit frustrated and distraught as he sits down in front of her desk. "What is it dear? What's wrong?" the queen asked. "I just got off the phone with the Dragon Alpha King again, and they are still waiting on the marriage arrangement. We can't hold off anymore we need to send Alisa since we have not alternative," he said looking glum about their daughter leaving. "We can't! There must be someone else we can send. What about your sister's daughter? She may be young, but if she goes there now she can learn about her soon to be Clan. Please don't send Alisa away! We must find some other way to satisfy this arrangement," Queen Charlotte argued fiercely.
"My sister already threatened to leave the pack if I sent her only daughter to those beasts. She knows too many of our secrets I can't have her leave. I made a promise to my mother and father that I would take care of her no matter what, the includes you and your needs this time. I'm sorry my dear, but you will have to part with your favored daughter," he said with finality getting up to leave. Charlotte didn't want to send Alisa to a place that would overwhelm and frighten her. She was never a fighter and the barbaric ways they practiced would be to much for her to handle.
"Wait! What about that ward of ours? We did formally adopt her. Wouldn't she be enough for them? She is technically a princess and the arrangement only said a princess must be sent," the queen said reaching for any option now. He thought about it for a minute then saying, "I will see what they say." "No, don't tell them just send her. She barely started living in town so now would be the best time to send her. All of her things are packed still and it will be easy to ship all that in a day. Send your elite warriors to collect and send her off," Queen Charlotte suggested knowing he would agree.
"Alright, I've sent word to my Beta. He will handle to arrangements and make sure she makes it there in one piece. I will inform them that we've sent a princess and she is on her way. I suggest you send Alisa on vacation in case they ask why we sent a different princess," he said leaving the room. Leaning back in her chair she thought about all the horrible, barbaric things the Dragon Clan was going to force that "ward" of ours to endure. "So much for staying in the shadows, little runt."
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They spent the day getting to know each other better since they both rushed the mating process. They may have grown up in the same place together, but both had completely different experiences. He found out quick that Alisa and his mother took their disdain and frustration out on Lily in ways that incriminated her which she was then punished for. Max knew about the way his mom and Alisa treated her, but any time he tried to intervene on her behalf they would find others to treat her like shit to prove their point. He knew they were bad, but nothing like what he was hearing now. All he wanted to do was send them away so Lily wouldn't be hurt anymore.
"I knew I wouldn't be able to stop them until father acknowledged me as his Heir Apparent. That's why you were able to leave for college a few years back. Mother tried to say that I was playing favors with my siblings by giving you special privileges, but I reminded her that both Alisa and Phil were allowed to further their education. I also brought up that they adopted you and had certain obligations to fulfill since your a citizen of the royal city and part of the pack. She didn't like it, but she agreed," he said as they lay in a meadow a few miles from the palace. Lily looked up at him surprised he knew she'd received a scholarship that proved she deserved to leave, but the queen apparently had other plans.
"I can't understand why she's like this towards me. Did I really do something wrong? Or is it that I don't have a wolf at my age? She's always been this way towards me ever since I came here, even when I haven't done anything wrong," Lily said tucking closer to Max needing his strong body for support. "Don't worry so much, Love. Her and dad will be moved to a mansion on the outskirts of town for their retirement. You won't have to deal with them at all, I promise, Plus with your new look I think they'll think twice before messing with you," Max said kissing her hair reassuringly.
Max stiffened for a moment then looked down frowning then nodded randomly. "What is it? Was it Wade?" she asked concerned. "Yeah, he's found some information for me about the rogue attack. I need to head into the office to take care of this. I'm sorry I couldn't give you the whole day," he said as we got up heading for his car. He held her close as they got closer to the car reaching to open the door. Letting her sit he closes the door making his way to the driver side getting in.
As they head back to the Palace Lily asked, "Can you drop me off first? I do have a few things to do while your working." Max frowned saying, "I was hoping you'd wait for me at the Palace. I promise not to take a long time to finish this up and if you'd like you could come help me. Then you wouldn't be bored waiting on me." Not wanting to disappoint him I said, "Alright, I'll come with you. Just make sure your mom and Alisa leave me alone. The last thing I want to deal with is one of their meltdowns." "You got it, babe," he said as they pulled up to the front doors of the ancient Palace of the Werewolf Clan.