Chapter 133

As we walk up the steps, the paparazzi call out questions to us, asking where I’ve been and who the new members of our party are. I hear them also calling Luca’s name, but Luca is very professional about the whole situation, keeping his eyes focused ahead on my parents, who are waiting patiently for us at the top of the stairs.

Again, I can’t help the huge smile on my face. My mom beams at all of us, her hands pressed to her heart, but she laughs aloud when she sees me, so pleased and happy that I’m here, and that I’m safe, and that I’ve managed to drag my two Alpha mates into what is sure to be a great deal of drama for her to enjoy.

I shift my eyes to my dad after a moment, not letting it bother me that he’s looking very stern. After all, he usually always looks stern. But as dad watches me, his eyes flicking for a moment to both Luca and Jackson to let me know precisely what is on his mind, I see the corner of his mouth twitch just subtly.

And I know, in that instant, that the sternness is all a front, and that he’s not actually mad at me. That he’s probably just as thrilled and excited to see his two eldest children as we are to see him.

Something about that little twitch at the corner of my dad’s mouth breaks the final restraints I was keeping on myself and I burst into happy laugher, dropping my hand from Luca’s elbow and dashing up the final three stairs into my father’s arms. I hug my dad tight around his waist and his arms fold around me, holding me tight. I hear and feel the happy rumble in his chest as he pulls me closer to him.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Rafe embrace mom quickly and then turn, starting to introduce her to our guests, some of whom she’s already met.

Dad, however, pulls my attention back to him.

“Hello, little trouble,” he murmurs, and I pull back a little to smile up at him. He runs a fond hand down the length of my rose-gold hair. “Looks like you’ve been up to no good, haven’t you?” he says, again looking up to peer over my head at the two young men standing behind me. I quickly glance over my shoulder to see Luca meeting my father’s gaze, standing before him with Cadet sharpness – feet apart, his hands tucked behind his back, his face very serious. Behind him Jackson stands just as still.

I turn back to my father with a smile, pointing upwards towards the sky. “Actually, dad, this wasn’t my fault. If you’re mad about it you’ll have to take it up with my grandmother, the moon.”

Dad can’t help it - he bursts into laugher as he shakes he head at me and unfolds his arms, stepping away and reaching out a hand towards Luca.

“Cadet Grant,” my dad says very seriously as I stand at his side, grinning and watching this unfold. “Welcome to the palace. I was looking forward to meeting you before your fight against the Atalaxians in two days – but now I am eager to get to know you for…other reasons.” Dad’s voice is low, rumbling, intimidating.

Luca, to his credit, stands up beneath it.

“Thank you, Sir,” he says, raising his chin and shaking dad’s hand seriously. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to both defend the nation’s honor and speak with you about my intentions towards your daughter.” He shifts his eyes to me now, just briefly, a smile forming on his lips. “She means a great deal to me.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” my dad says, and when I glance up to him I’m surprised to see that he’s…impressed? “That’s one hell of a shiner you’ve got there, son,” dad continues, lifting his chin towards Luca’s eye. “You going to be fit to fight?”

“What, this?” Luca says with a frown, gesturing towards his own face. “This is nothing, sir. At least you now know that I can take a punch one day and show up to the Palace on my best girl’s arm the next.” He glances at me, fond, before turning his eyes back to dad. “Whatever the Atalaxian’s throw at me, I can take it.”

Dad bursts out laughing at this, apparently as charmed at the rest of the nation. And I don’t know how Luca knew to say it, but he picked precisely the right thing. My dad even gives him a little smile before shifting his eyes to Jackson.

“Cadet McClintock,” dad says with a nod, holding out his hand. “It’s nice to see you again.”

Luca graciously steps aside, making room for Jackson to step forward. Jackson does, meeting my father’s gaze and taking his hand, giving it a steady shake. “Sir,” he says, accompanying it with a serious nod. “Thank you for…welcoming me to your home.”

My dad nods and drops Jackson’s hand. Awkward silence reins for a moment and I look between my dad and Jackson, realizing that my dad is studying him and – of all horrible things – waiting for him to continue.

Jackson just stands, staring, having no idea what to do or say. I panic a little, getting ready to step in and introduce some new topic of conversation, but luckily mom comes to the rescue.

“Jackson!” she says, stepping forward to wrap him in a warm hug, giving him a little kiss on the cheeks as she steps back and beams at him. “Welcome, darling boy, we’re so pleased that you’re here. Are you hungry? Cold? Come inside – we’ll fix you up.”

“But there’s nothing wrong with me,” Jackson murmurs, though he smiles at her in his confusion, unable to help it.

“Oh, sure there is,” she says, wrapping an arm around his waist, smiling up into his face. “And even if there’s not, you should make something up so I have something to fuss over.”

“She’s not kidding on that,” my dad says, his voice lighter than it was a moment ago, “if Ella doesn’t have someone to care for she gets bored – and then we’re really in trouble.”

“Quiet, you,” mom says, laughing a little and giving my dad a playful glare as she turns to the rest of us, keeping an arm around Jackson’s waist. “If you tease me too much I’ll just go and have another baby to shut you up.”

Dad just shakes his head, laughing, as mom reaches her spare hand for Luca. “Luca! Such a pleasure to see you again!”

Luca gives her his most charming smile – which, quite frankly, even stuns me a bit – as he takes my mom’s hand and bows over it a little. “Your highness,” he murmurs, grinning. “I’m hoping to make it a full five minutes before you kick me out of the room this time.”

My mom laughs as Luca stands straight, and I marvel again that he’s apparently said just the right thing – who else would have the guts to tease the Queen on their second meeting? “Well,” she says, wrinkling her nose at him and glancing at me, “that depends on how many of my daughter’s secrets I’m trying to balance this time. But I’m sure we’ll have lots of time to chat, Luca, love. And this,” she murmurs, stepping forward and peering at his wounded face, taking his chin between her fingers, “don’t worry, Luca, we’ll get you fixed up and looking pretty again in no time.”

And then mom steps forward – somehow managing to keep hold of Jackson even as she leans forward to press a kiss to Luca’s cheek as well. Then she sweeps into the palace, calling everyone to come along with her, because there’s a party upstairs. I don’t miss – at all – that she keeps Jackson firmly at her side.

“Looks like your mom has a favorite,” Luca murmurs, walking slowly at my side as we follow the mom and Jacks into the main entrance, heading almost immediately up a set of stairs that will lead us to the family suite where I’m sure everyone is gathered with food and drinks and a great deal of anticipation.

“Oh, don’t, Luca,” I say with a sigh, pouting at him and glancing behind me to see where everyone else has ended up. Daphne, I’m pleased to see, is being led upstairs on Rafe’s arm, while my dad laughs with Jesse at the bottom of the stairs, apparently being introduced to Ben. “Mom just…knows where her attention is needed.”

“Well, if that leaves me alone with you,” Luca says, grinning at me and raising a hand to my cheek, “then who am I to complain?”

I grin at him, pleased, and take his arm when offers it, proud to be escorted by my gorgeous mate. “You ready for this?” I ask as we reach the second floor and approach the door of our tiny living room, which I know will be packed with people.

“Oh, for sure,” Luca says, nodding eagerly with a big smile. “I love a good party – and I’ve got sixteen cousins who all shout over each other – I was born for nights like this. Plus, a Royal party, filled with the people who made Jesse?” He grins at me, a little wicked, “this is going to be one for the books.”

I laugh and turn to watch as my mom pulls the door open and steps inside. Jackson almost literally falls back at the shout of joy that comes through, everyone pleased and thrilled to greet us.

Mom laughs, pulling Jackson forward, and he looks back at me – a little panicked – as he slips through the door.

Before we come into sight of the room I grin, and stand on my toes, and accept the little kiss that Luca drops to my mouth just before we, too, step into the living room to a big cheer.

And my eyes fill with unexpected tears the moment they land on the first people I see in the room full of people – my Grandpa Henry, with my little sister Juniper and my baby brother Mark on either side of his chair.

Mark shouts and dashes for me while Juniper hangs back, giving me her trademark scowl.