We finally made it down to the private dining room where everyone was no doubt waiting for us. The two guards standing outside bowed their heads and opened the large double doors. My eyes quickly scanned the room, the large dining table was in the middle of the room, everyone seated around it, Marty's high chair was sitting to the right of one end of it, while Alexis and Julius sat at the opposite end. Both the head of the table.

To the left of the doors was a small sitting area, two plump couches stood opposite each other with a glass coffee table between them. A very large and comfortable looking armchair sat in front of the coffee table.

At one end of the table, Lex and Julius were talking to Tom and Eric, Marty sitting on Eric's lap while he coloured. He has come so far in the short time he has been with us, just a few months ago, he hated touching other people.

Lex looked up and a wide smile took over her face.

"Lyssy!" She ran over and threw her arms around my neck.

"Lex" I laughed "I missed you so much" I hugged her tightly back.

"Not as much as I missed you hun. Do you know how boring it gets around here?"

I looked over at Julius to see his eyebrows pulled down and a frown on his lips "I think you've hurt your mates feelings there Lex"

She turned around and laughed at his face "He knows I love him"

"Well, now that we are all here. I would like to formally introduce Alpha Damien Shaw of the Silver Thunder pack and my mate"

Lex held out her hand and Damien shook it before bowing at the waist.

"Your highness. It's a pleasure to meet you"

Lex smiled as Julius stepped behind her and kissed her temple. "It's my pleasure Damien, I hear you are taking good care of my bestie"

Damien nodded and gave me a shocked look. Ah, now he believes me about being best friends with the Queen. I shook my head in amusement while Damien turned to Julius and bowed.

"Your highness. It's been a long time"

I looked back up in shock, they knew each other?

"Damien. It's been too long. I hope you've been well. I also see you didn't believe Alyssa about being best friends with Alexis here" A small smile graced his lips.

"I did not believe her. But now I see I was quite wrong in my thinking"

I couldn't hold my tongue anymore "How do you guys know each other?"

Damien chuckled and wrapped his arm around my waist. "Julius and I go way back. We almost grew up together in the same pack, he was the Beta's son and a few years younger than me. We lost track when I left my father's pack to search for my mate, I just never returned"

Well shit. Who would have thought that my mate and my best friends mate would have known each other, this also means-

"Lex, you didn't tell me you also have a sugar daddy" I looked at her with a sly grin.

Loud laughter rang around the room, two 'heys' sounded out from beside me and I chuckled. Julius shook his head and motioned for us to sit down. After waiting for Lex and Julius to sit, Damien and I sat then the warriors.

"Hey Lys. Was that extremely loud and scary growl you?"

I felt a blush cover my cheeks, I knew people had heard. "Um, yeah. I lost control a bit. That's why we were slightly late"

Lex smiled at my blush "Well, you scared basically the entire palace. Except for one of the cooks, he tried to run toward the mighty roar of the Blood Alpha. What made you lose control anyway? Your usually so in control"

Her words confused me, why would someone try running towards that growl. It almost scared me and it came from my mouth. I shrugged them off.

I felt my cheeks heat up even more before I snuck a glance at Damien. Eric and Tom cackled loudly before Eric spoke.

"I bet it had something to do with the fact that Damien got rid of his scruffy beard and long hair"

"Hey! I happened to like his beard and long hair" I defended

"Yeah, but from the sounds of it, you like this better" Tom thrust his thumb at Damien.

"Well, I can't argue with you there" I chuckled

Damien's hand rested on my thigh and squeezed lightly. The light talk continued while waiters bought out the first course. It looked amazing, even if it was just a simple pea and ham soup with some crusty bread.

"So Lex, where's my beautiful goddaughter?" I asked as I tore a chunk of bread off and dipped it into my soup.

"She went down to sleep I'm afraid" I saw Marty's face fall and Lex did as well "Don't you worry Marty, you can see her in the morning okay?"

Marty smiled wide at Lex and continued to eat his soup.

The main course came out and we continued to catch up. The baked fish was delicious and I made sure to ask for the recipe.

I could see Marty rubbing his eyes and almost falling asleep in his chocolate cake. I chuckled and walked over to his chair, crouching down, I lifted his head so I could see his eyes.

"Are you tired little wolf?"

"Just a little bit momma Ally" A large yawn escaped his mouth.

I lifted him into my arms and gave him a quick kiss, but before I could go anywhere, Eric strode up to me.

"Here Lys, I'll take him. You stay and talk about what you need to" Eric lifted him from my arms and into his. Marty's head rolled onto his shoulder and he was struggling to keep his eyes open

"Hang on Eric, I want to say goodnight" Damien stood and walked over to him. He gave Marty a quick peck on his forehead and mumbled goodnight. Marty just gave him a sleepy smile, he had no energy to speak.

Eric walked out of the doors and Tom stood up "Time to get to work. Goodnight Alpha's and your highness', thank you for dinner" Tom bowed and followed Eric out.

"Why is he working now?" Julius asked

"Him and Eric are Marty's personal guards while we are here"

"Right, if anyone found out he is your son, adopted or not, they would use him for leverage" Julius sat there with a scowl in his face. He knows all too well, he has to do the same for Rosie.

We finished our meal in silence, when all the dishes were taken away, the warriors from Damien's pack left to retire for the night.

"Alright, come and let's sit and we can go over why you guys are here" Lex got up and moved to a little trolley by the wall "Drink?"

We all nodded and moved to the couches, Damien sat down and I plonked myself on his lap. Julius sat in the arm chair, he finally looked relaxed. Lex handed us a glass with ice cubes and bourbon in it, then walked over to Julius, she handed him a similar glass then sat on the arm of his chair. Julius' hand automatically went to play with her hair, a soft smile on his face.

It's hard for me to believe that he is almost as old as Damien, wondering the various packs, only to find his mate in the princess of the werewolf kind.

"Alright Lys. What made you come all this way? And with Marty as well"

"Well Damien and I have made our decision regarding the packs"

"Fantastic! Let's hear it then" She clapped her hands and smiled

I had to stop myself chuckling at Lex, she is such a character that's for sure.

I explained what our decision is, making sure to leave nothing out. They both sat there silent, stoic and looking every bit the King and Queen.

"That's great Lys! And Damien, I don't blame you for wanting to finally take a break after so many years" Lex came back to her usual self after we finished.

Damien nodded and sat forward a bit "There is one more thing" He looked up at me while I raised an eyebrow in question "I would like to formally add my name to Marty's adoption papers"

I'm sure my jaw was on the floor right now, he never said anything about this or even hinted at it. I wasn't aware I was crying until Damien reached up and wiped the tears away.

"Oh love, don't cry. Come on let's get to bed" I nodded and let him pick me up "Your highness', thank you for tonight"

I looked over to Lex and Julius and saw a soft smile and excitement on Lex's face. She was so happy that I finally found my mate.

"No worries Damien. We will have the papers drawn up in a couple of days. And Alyssa, we are spending the day together tomorrow. No excuses" Lex called out as we left the room

"Now, miss Alpha. I believe I have a promise to keep"

I giggled as he started walking faster throughout the palace. He basically kicked the door down once we reached our room, then set me gently down on the bed.

He certainly kept his promise that night, the next morning my lower stomach was aching and my legs were constantly shaking.