CHAPTER 18

Kara's P.O.V

The beach party was well underway when my sisters and I got to the party. Carissa and Elissa stayed back at the castle. I had to say, Rae had really outdone herself.

Right now, we're standing with our friends chatting. It looks like everyone's having a great time and loosening up. They deserve it.

"So Kiara, when are you and Nick planning on telling us about that big shiny rock on your finger?" Alec said with a sly smile. We all gasped and looked closely at Kiara's left ring finger and sure enough, there was a beautiful diamond ring resting on it.

"Gee, thanks, Alec. We were really looking for someone to announce it to you guys before we could it ourselves." Nick said sarcastically. Alec only shrugged and drank from his cup. Jace giggled from Kiara's side as she cooed him.

"Well, aren't you gonna say anything?" Nicki said.

"We were gonna announce it to the whole pack after the party but I guess now's as good a time as any. Nick, shall we?" Kiara said, handing Jace over to Alec.

"Yes, we shall. Looks like it's just in time with you and your sisters' performance. Kara, Korra why don't you come with us? So that when we're done with our announcement you girls just perform right after." Nick said. We nodded and followed the two of them up the stage.

"Hey, everyone. Y'all having fun? (A loud cheer rose up from the crowd.) Well, you can thank Raelynn, your amazing Beta Female for this awesome party and night. She organized everything." Everyone turned to where Rae stood and cheered for her.

"Anyway, we have an announcement. We were gonna say this when the party ended but a certain someone pushed us to change plans. Kiara and I are engaged to be married." Nick announced. A louder cheer than before came from everyone tangled with squealing from the girls. Then someone shouted, 'Finally'. Everyone chuckled at that.

"So when's the wedding?" Someone else asked.

"Haven't really thought of that. But it's obviously after this whole rogue situation is over." Nick said.

"Now, who's ready for some music?" Kiara yelled. Everyone started to cheer and Nick took this as his cue to leave the stage for us. Korra and I took our places beside our sister after we all were handed headset microphones.

Kiara:

'Drivin' down sunset on a Saturday night

It's gettin' kinda crazy under the lights

But we don't care, we're passing our time

Watchin' those L.A Boyz roll by

Korra:

'In their drop tops, Harleys, Escalades too

A hundred different flavors to vary your view

There's one for me and there's one for you

Watchin' them L.A Boyz roll through

All 3 of us:

'Looking so hot down in Hollywood

You know they got, got the goods

So let's give it up for those L.A Boyz

Ridin' the waves up in Malibu

They really get, get to you

So let's give it up for those L.A Boyz

Kiara:

Give it up

Give it up

You don't have no choice

Give it up

Give it up for the L.A Boyz

Me:

'West side, east side, everywhere between

Rock stars jammin' the promenade for free

Flippin' their skateboards on Venice beach

L.A Boyz come play with me

All 3 of us:

Turn it up

Turn it up

And come play with me

All 3 of us:

'Looking so hot down in Hollywood

You know they got, got the goods

So let's give it up for those L.A Boyz

Ridin' the waves up in Malibu

They really get, get to you

So let's give it up for those L.A Boyz

Kiara:

'I put your number in my phone, oh

All 3 of us:

'Maybe I'll call you, maybe not

What you doin' all alone

Come show me what you got, boy

Show me what you got, got boy

What you got boy, show me what you got

All 3 of us:

'Looking so hot down in Hollywood

You know they got, got the goods

So let's give it up for those L.A Boyz

Ridin' the waves up in Malibu

They really get, get to you

So let's give it up for those L.A Boyz

Give it up for the L.A Boyz

Give it up for the L.A Boyz

Give it up for the L.A Boyz

Give it up for the L.A Boyz

Give it up for the L.A Boyz

Give it up for the L.A Boyz

Let's give it up for those L.A Boyz

Everyone went wild and cheered more loudly than ever. They even asked for an encore. So we gave it to them. We sang two more songs for them, 'Elevate' and 'All I Want Is Everything'. Let's just say everyone really enjoyed themselves at the party.

Korra's P.O.V

I woke up the next morning with a hangover from last night. Let's just say I had too much to drink but not too much at the party. I groaned and got up from my bed and went downstairs for some aspirin. I found Kiara, Kara and... -Nick and Nicki? - seated at the dining table drinking coffee. I ignored them and walked right past them into the kitchen.

"Well, good morning to you too." Kiara said with a teasing smirk. I glared at her from the kitchen as I looked for aspirin in the cabinets.

"Well, sorry. What are you looking for anyway?" Nick asked.

"Aspirin. Why can't I find any in the cabinet? I asked, slamming the cabinet door.

"Maybe because they're in the medicine cabinet which is on the right side of the kitchen not the left." Nicki said. I growled and went to get the aspirin.

"Someone's in the mood. You know you always look miserable when you get these hangovers so why drink as much?" Kara asked.

"It was a party and I (you) didn't exactly plan on drinking too much." My sisters and I said at the same time. I glared at them and took the aspirin.

"You give the same damn excuse every time you get hung over." Kiara said.

"Because it's true. Anyway where can I get some of that coffee?" I asked.

"There's a fresh pot over there." Nicki directed to the coffee pot beside the refrigerator. I went over and poured myself a cup.

"So, Nicki, Nick, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"Uh, we're drinking coffee and this is our place." Nicki said.

"Camille, we're in the pack house." Kara said, calling me by my middle name.

"Wait what?" I said.

"Yeah. We've moved all our things here since we spend more time here and less time at the house." She explained.

"Oh I see. So what's the plan for the day?" I asked. They all shrugged.

"I don't know about you guys but Eliara called me and said I have another meeting with the Elders and the Royal Army generals today so I'm gonna be gone almost all morning." Kiara said.

"What's up with all these meetings lately? It's like you have one every single day." Nick said as he took his and Kiara's mugs to the sink.

"It's normal for her as queen. Sometimes she can be in meetings the whole day. It's only more often these days because she had all future meetings then postponed when we were coming here and since it doesn't look like we're going back anytime soon, all the meetings are back on and scheduled for each day, if you understand what I just said. That's just life as ruler. You'll see when you two get married and you become King." Kara said.

"Yep, it's worse than the meetings you go to as an alpha." I added.

"Speaking of your marriage, Kiara, we have to start planning. You know for the engagement party, the wedding the reception, the dress you're gonna wear, the theme, your bachelorette party and other things." Nicki said.

"Nicola, now's not a good time. We've got the whole rogue situation to work out before we can even think about it." Nick said.

"Yeah, I know. I meant after you defeat them and finally restore peace." Nicki defended.

"Anyway, in other news, I think before I have to leave for my meeting, Nicki has something that she would like to share with us, isn't that right?" Kiara said with a mischievous smile playing on her lips. Kara and I shared the same smile knowing what Kiara was hinting at.

"Really? Does she?" Alec said as he and Rae joined us.

"Morning." Rae greeted sitting down on the chair Nick once occupied.

"Kiara, what are you talking about?" Nicki asked, pretending to be confused.

"Really, Nicki? Playing dumb. We both know you know what I'm talking about." Kiara said. Nicki narrowed her eyes at her.

"This is payback for yesterday, isn't it?" Nicki said.

"Kind of, like 40% payback. Now spill. Tell everyone the wonderful news or do you want me to do it for you?" Kiara said.

"Fine. I'm pregnant."

"What? Nico, that's great. When did you find out?" Nick asked happily.

"Yesterday, before the party started. Rae's the one who told me when she was checking on the preparations."

"So have you told Adam yet?" Alec asked.

"No, I haven't. I wanted to tell him before you guys but someone couldn't wait to tell everyone about it the minute she found out." Nicki said, glaring at Kiara who smirked.

"Well, then if it makes you feel better, I didn't find out just this morning. I realized you were pregnant a few minutes after you barged in on me and Nick."

"I told you. You couldn't hide it from them for long, especially her." Rae said.

"Very correct, Rae. You're just lucky she didn't decide to tell that whole pack last night on stage." Kara said.

"How kind of you." Nicki said sarcastically.

"Nicki, you really are lucky she didn't tell everyone herself. Anyway, I've gotta go shower and get ready for the day." I said, dropping my empty mug into the sink.

"And I have to go get ready for the meeting. I'll see you all later." Kiara said, getting up and going upstairs to change. Kara and I followed suit to our rooms.

Kiara's P.O.V

I put finishing touches to my hair before looking at myself in the mirror.

"You look great, sweetheart." I heard Nick say from the doorway. I turned to him with a smile.

"Thanks, honey. So what will you be doing all day?"

"I have to take a trip to the Crescent Pack. I have a meeting with Arthur. I don't know if I'll be there for long but I'll be back probably after noon. We leave in an hour." He walked into the room and placed his hands on my hips, pulling me to him.

"Mmmm... that means you might come back before me."

"Probably. Well, you'll have to be prepared. I just spoke with mom and dad on the phone and they're swinging by the pack before continuing their trip to London. Nico told them about our engagement before I could."

"Well I can't wait to see them. I haven't seen them in almost two years."

"And according to Nicki, mom can't wait see you. Same with dad."

"That's nice. As much as I want to stay here in your arms all day, I have to go. My royal duties as queen await."

"Wait. Who's driving you to the airport?"

"No one. Carissa's coming here to teleport me to the castle. Then after the meeting, she'll teleport me back."

"Ok. Be safe. Don't let anyone touch what's mine. I'd hate to relieve them of their limbs for that."

"There will no need for that, baby. I'm sure your mark on my skin will tell them I'm definitely and indefinitely taken by you."

"I like the sound of that." We grinned at each other before connecting our lips in a quick kiss which was interrupted by my phone ringing.

"That's probably Carissa right now. I gotta go. I'll see you later."

"Ok. Bye." I pulled away from his hold and grabbed my bag then I went downstairs to meet my sisters and Carissa.

"Hey, Rissa. Ready to go?" I asked.

"Yeah." She snapped her fingers and teleported us to the castle.

........

I let out an exhausted breath, leaned my head back and closed my eyes as I sat back in my chair. It turned out I had more than one meeting today which took longer than I thought. My eyes opened when I heard a knock on my office door.

"Come in." The door opened to allow Eliara and someone else to enter.

"Your Majesty."

"Hey, Eliara. Please don't tell me there's another meeting because I am not up to it."

"Don't worry, sweetie. Someone's here to see you."

"Who is it?" I sat up in my chair.

"You'll see." She stepped aside to reveal who was standing behind her.

"Nick. Hey." I got up and went to hug him. Eliara smiled and slipped out.

"Hey, baby. How are you doing?"

"I'm mentally exhausted and it's causing me to be physically exhausted. What are you doing here? What time is it?"

"It's almost 3, honey. Ellie came around the pack earlier to tell your sisters something and said you were still here. So I decided to come round to see you and how you're hanging on." We moved to sit on the couch in the office.

"Barely. Wait so you had Ellie teleport you here?"

"Yep. Couldn't wait for a plane. Mom and Dad arrived almost an hour ago and were asking of you."

"Oh my God, I almost forgot they were visiting. (I groaned and put my head in my hands.) Let me just finish this paperwork and speak to Auriana about teleporting us back and take care of some other stuff."

"Hey, hey, hey, slow down. They're not leaving till tomorrow. They're staying over. They know how hectic your duties can be and that there's a possibility you might get too swamped and exhausted to see them if they decided to leave today as planned. Besides, can't you take the paperwork you have to do with you back to the pack so you can work on it tomorrow instead? You look too tired to do anything mentally or physically right now."

"I guess I can then I'll just fax them over when I'm done. And as for the other stuff, I guess they can also wait till later."

"Great, so now all that's left is speaking to Auriana. Who is she by the way?"

"Oh yeah, that's right. You don't really know her. She's the seer/witch of the royal family and Rissa and Ellie are her apprentices. She's like an aunt to me."

"Ah, I see."

"Yeah, let me just send for her." I called for Alaric and asked him to send for Auriana. 5 mins later, Auriana entered my office.

"You sent for me, Your Majesty?" She asked.

"Yeah. I wanted to know if you could teleport us back to the pack. Oh by the way, this is Alpha Mendez of the Shadow pack."

"Oh, so you're the handsome man who's captured Kiara's heart. I don't think I have to tell you what will happen to you if you hurt her again." Auriana said, glaring at him.

"Auriana..." I said in a warning tone. I stood up and went to gather the paperwork I'd be sending back with me and put it in my bag.

"You don't have to worry about that, Auriana. I'm not gonna make the same mistake again." Nick said.

"Good. And congratulations to both of you, by the way. Eliara and I are so happy for you. Can't wait for the wedding... and the kids." Auriana said excitedly. I almost choked when she said kids.

"Whoa, let's take it one step at a time." I said, going to stand by her. Nick just chuckled.

"You ready to go?" He asked, getting up from the couch.

"Yeah." I grabbed my coat and handbag then moved to stand by him.

"Ok, so where to?"

"Our room, please." I smiled at that.

"Alright then. You know what to do and Kiara say hi to your sisters for me. Oh yes, before you go. Remember darling, you've only got 3 weeks more before the full moon. That's when Richard will be making his move to attack. On the night of a full moon, when the moon is at its highest peak."

"Ok, thank you, Auriana. We'll be ready." With a nod and a smile, she snapped her fingers, teleporting us to our destination.