{nine}

Aria's POV

As we approach the huge pack house, the few pack members around start whispering and pointing at me. Ever since I was announced to the world, every pack has a different reaction. Some are accepting, such as Damon's pack, and some are like my parents, ashamed to have a female in line for the throne. I wonder how this pack will react, I can't tell if they're happy to see me or shocked.

Damon and Bradley lead us into the pack house as Kathryn and I follow behind. The house looks about the same as any pack house, nothing special about it. We walk into a rather big office, I see man slightly resembling Bradley, this must be Damon's uncle.

"How nice to see you again, brother." The man says, giving Bradley a hug. I'm almost hidden behind Damon, I don't think the man can see me. Most people greet me first because of my status which I don't like so most of the time I hide behind Damon when meeting new people. It helps my anxiety in these stressful situations.

"You too, John." Bradley says, Kathryn gives John a hug and then Damon moves to give him a hug as well, John peeks over Damon's shoulder at me, his face turning into a scowl.

"How dare you bring this girl here!" John quickly pulls away from Damon pointing a finger at me, his face now enraged. I look to Damon to see his face twisted in confusion.

"What do you mean?" Bradley asks, just as confused as Damon

"She's a disgrace to royal family, she should be a rogue." Johns says, flashbacks of my parents yelling those same words at me everyday.

"You should have never been born"

"I can't believe you're my daughter, you're so ugly"

"You ruined my life the day you were born"

Every single insult they ever said to me starts running through my mind. I feel my throat start to close up and eyes start to water.

"I need to get out of here.." I whisper, running out of the office and outside. I run past the pack members and into the woods, I keep running till my legs give out. The tears running down my face, it's so hard to breathe. Everything was perfect, I was away from my parents, I had a loving mate, I was happy. All good things come to an end, I guess. I slowly calm down from my panic attack, taking deep breaths, leaning up against a tree.

*snap*

I hear a twig snap, my head whips in that direction, I see a young man around my age jogging towards me. I back up as far as I can against the tree. He slows down as he reaches me, he squats down to my level.

"What are you doing out here by yourself?" He asks, it eases me to know he doesn't see me as a threat. I look up at him, he face then turns to shock. Great, now he's gonna yell insults at me too.

"Your Highness, I'm so sorry." He stands up straight and bows at me. Wait, this is different.

"There's no need to bow." I say, standing up.

"I'm Connor, Damon's cousin." He says, sticking his hand out for me to take.

"Nice to meet you, Connor." I smile, shaking his hand.

"You're Aria, Damon's mate, right?" He asks.

"Yes, sorry for not introducing myself." I blush, I'm still working on common stuff, like introducing myself.

"If you don't mind me asking, why are you out here?" He says, leaning against a tree.

"Oh... um..." I didn't want to tell him and insult his father. "I was having a panic attack."

"It better not have been from my father, he doesn't get your situation at all." He sighs, running a hand through his hair.

"Umm.. well.. it sorta is." I cringe, why did I say that?

"I knew it, ugh, he can't keep his mouth shut." Connor groans, rubbing his eyes in disbelief.

"Let's go back to the pack house, I'll make sure my father doesn't disrespect you again." He says, as he starts walking towards the pack house. I can't believe he's not like his father.

"Thank you...I appreciate it." I say, quietly.

"No problem, you're my future Queen." He smiles.

"Why are you being so nice to me? The pack hates me, why don't you?" I boldly say.

"I understand your situation, the pack only sees you a disgrace, they don't see that you didn't have a choice, that you have to follow the elders laws." He says, why can't everyone be like him? As I'm about to reply, we walk out of the woods, pack house in sight. I see a worried Damon run towards me, full speed. When he reaches me, he scoops me up in a hug, spinning around.

"I'm so sorry about my uncle, we didn't know he'd be like this." Damon whispers in my ear still holding me. I pull away from Damon smiling at him, happy to know he's here.

"Good to see you, Damon!" Connor says, Damon's head whips in his direction.

"You too, Connor." Damon's says, doing the 'bro hug' thing.

~~~~~~~~~

"You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, love, love you." Mr Darcy said.

Oh, how I love pride and prejudice. I've read it many times but never seem to get tired of it. Sitting on a couch in the guest room Damon and I are staying in, I continue reading. But I am soon stopped, when Damon walks into the room, slamming the door shut behind him. He storms over to the bed, and furiously falls back against it. He pulls at his hair, squeezing his eyes shut, letting out a frustrated groan.

I walk over to him, run my fingers through his hair, pulling his own hands from yanking his hair out. I lean down and place a kiss on his forehead.

"What happened?" I ask, trying to get him to open up. Connor and Damon have made sure that I've stayed away from Damon's uncle. I wanted to go to the meeting Damon just went to but Damon's possessive wolf side came out.

"My uncle doesn't believe Connor is fit to lead a pack, and the worst part is my father agrees!" He says in rage, sitting up. He turns so that he's facing me.

"Isn't it yours and Connor's choice? Not theirs?" I ask, ever since I've start royal training, I've had a want to be apart of the pack more.

"It is, but they're still our parents. We have to listen to them." He says, holding in his rage.

"I'm sure everything will turn out the way the moon goddess plans." I say, grabbing his hand, lacing his fingers with mine. He looks up at me, staring for a bit.

"How did I get you as a mate? I'm so lucky." Damon smiles, pressing a kiss to my cheek. I blush, smiling to myself.

"Can we get out of this room? It's getting stuffy" I says, gesturing to the room.

"Yeah, come on." Damon says grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the room.

We walk around the pack house for a bit, walking past the training field, a group of soldiers running laps while Connor seems to be leading them. I think he would make a good Alpha, he deserves it. We keep on walking as we reach the front door to the pack house, a young boy comes running up to me.

"Are you Princess Aria?" He asks, panting. He couldn't be older than 13.

"Yes, why?" I asks, squeezing Damon's hand.

"The King and Queen have a message for you." He says, handing me an envelope. "Your highness."

He bows as he runs off. I open the envelope, unfolding the paper and reading:

Dear Aria,

This is your mother, Queen Scarlett, I send this to as to inform you that your Father has fallen ill, the doctors are not sure how long he has to live. I need you and your mate to return to the kingdom immediately. If your father shall die before your coronation day, you and your mate will be crowned King and Queen. No question asked, no excuses. I will see you soon.

Your Queen

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Ahhh!! I know this is super late and crappy but I hope y'all enjoy it!!

Is Connor gonna become Alpha?

Aria father is dying?

Damon and aria headed back to the kingdom?

Hope y'all enjoyed!

Word count: 1447