Chapter 434

| knew it! | knew Anastasia and Ailduin were mates! Now, we just need to see how this plays out.

In an instant. Ailduin has moved forward and has Anastasia in his arms.

“King Allduin, may | introduce you to Alpha Anastasia. Anastasia, this is King Ailduin.”

“King?” Alpha Christopher says, looking at his daughter in the arms of her mate before turning to 1. me.

“Ailduin is the fae king.” | reply.

“How is this possible? | thought you only get one mate in a lifetime.” Ailduin says, his voice thick of awe. He hasn’t looked away from Anastasia.

She tenses in his arms. “You're already mated?”

He shakes his head. “No, | was, years ago, but she was taken from me.” He looks around at all of 1. us. “How?”

“You've lived more than one lifetime by our standards.” Rik says. “And werewolves have second chance mates. It’s not common, but it does happen. Maybe the fae do as well.”

“Perhaps you would like someplace more private to get to know each other.” | say, gesturing to them to follow me. “I’m sure you have much to discuss.”

“Yes,” Ailduin begins, before turning back. “But your training.”

“Can wait until tomorrow. Go speak with your mate. Everyone here understands.” Eli tells him.

King Ailduin then turns to Alpha Christopher. “I am King Ailduin of the fae. | assure you that no harm will come to your daughter while she is in my company.”

Alpha Christopher nods and turns to Anastasia. “I'll be here if you need me.”

| find them a private room on the first floor and leave them to get to know each other. When | return, Alpha Christopher is sitting with everyone else.

“A king? A fae king?”

“Yes. He has been helping us learn how to use our Guardian gifts and has been a catalyst in helping us overcome the difficulties between the fae and werewolves.” Cara tells him.

“He said his mate was taken from him?” He asks, looking around.

15 BONOS “It's not our story to tell.” Angel says. “But it is a sad story and in the end, the she—wolf died. There is no one making a claim to Ailduin now.

“He is a good king. The sprites that live in our surrounding forest adore him.” | say. And as if | brought them into being by talking about them, Funichio and Fanella come flitting up.

“Lady Luna Grace. Sir Alpha Eli. Good afternoon.”

“We're looking for King Ailduin.”

“Is he around for us to talk to?”

“I'm afraid he’s busy right now. Is there something we can help you with?” | ask.

“Funichio, look, there’s a new one.”

“Oh, he’s a fine specimen.”

“He is, do you think he’s an Alpha too?”

They begin having a conversation about Alpha Christopher and | can see the Alpha’s lips twitching at being the object of their not-at-all subtle admiration.

“You know | can hear you, right?” Alpha Christopher says to the two sprites.

“Oh, Funichio. Did you hear that?” Fanella says, quivering in excitement, her hand going to her heart.

“Definitely an Alpha.”

“He’s very big.”

“He looks like he’d be very warm.”

Fanella flits over toward Alpha Christopher. “What’s your name, handsome?”

“I'm Alpha Christopher. What's your name, beautiful.” Christopher flirts with Fanella.

“Funichio, did you hear that, he thinks I’m beautiful.”

“Well, he may be an Alpha, but he obviously has poor eyesight if he thinks you’re beautiful sister.”

“Take it back.” Fanella says to Funichio.

“| think you're quite lovely.” Alpha Christopher says to her, making her flutter and shiver again.

“Are you always this responsive to the voice of an Alpha?” He says, seemingly genuinely curious.

+15 BONDS “Only some. Your voice is deep, it feels delicious when you speak.” She says, her eyes rolling back in her head.

“Delicious?” He frowns, looking at the rest of us.

I shrug. “It's apparently a good thing. But don’t lick her and don’t let your wolf lick her. That's how they mate.” | warn him.

“Lady Luna Grace.” Fanella sniffles, looking at me, offended. “Maybe he wanted to lick me. You didn’t have to tell him not to. |

would be a good mate.”