The Sovereign Heir (Book 1)
Chapter 7 Coming of Age

May 2018

My finals were all done for my masters and with me starting the doctorate program in the fall, it was surely going to kick my ass way harder than any of my previous curriculum. Being fortunate to test out of many of my classes was a blessing, but whew, it was a lot. I can’t believe five years passed by so quickly. I’m super happy Bryant was accepted into the advance technology program. My baby brother is a whiz with anything electronic and software. I was no slouch in the tech side of things, however, I was not anywhere on my brother’s level.

“Ready to pack up?” Nikki asked me. “You know I am, can’t wait to get in my bed at home! I loved this apartment off campus but nothing beats being at home,” Mom and Dad pulled some strings getting Nikki out of the dorms and in the apartment with me. We had a large number of supes in Stanford, but with my ever-changing abilities, staying away from humans was a top priority. Their governments knew of our existence, but a lot of the human population did not.

The less the humans knew the better it was for us.

Could you imagine coming into your wolf or abilities while sharing a dorm room with a human? It would be disastrous, and it happened a few times back in the day way before I was born, and that’s how our “cleaners” came about. Wiping the memories of humans or altering them, making them assume it was a dream.

Having Nikki with me gave me the opportunity to show her my techniques and different defensive and offensive moves. Of course, Ashton somehow got his raggedy ass in Stanford on a sports scholarship for football. Even though in my opinion he isn’t that good of a running back. Nikki and I loaded up my SUV and made our way back home. Bryant was taking part in a special tech program for the first half of the summer semester, then we would be all together again.

As I drove Nikki burst my happy bubble, ”Isn’t this the start of all your speed dating?”

“You mean all those arranged dinners my parents set up when I was a toddler? Yep, I’m so not looking forward to it. Why can’t they just say I’m not interested. I got a tech company with Bryant; my supe club is under construction and my apparel line to think about. With two more years of school thrown in the mix. That shit is so in the way. But they are seriously honoring these ‘dinners’ to appease the masses of power-hungry packs, fae, sirens, prides, clans, vamps and occult hierarchy!”

“Well, at least you can knock it out quick and never have to deal with it again. They aren’t your destined mates, then no harm, no foul. You have every right to wait for the right one or none at all. Even a destined mate can be less than ideal. All the cheating I’ve seen in our pack alone, lets me know the divine get their wires crossed too. I can’t even imagine what the other supes go through!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at what Nikki said. The Tree of Life had a half hazard way of pairing us together. Why in the hell didn’t the higher power of the universe intervene is beyond me. What is the point of being gods or the all mighty and powerful architect of the universe to sit back and let disaster play out? I can’t even count how many times my parents had to send their domestic teams in to aid with these violent abusive situations. Even the battle my legion experienced the summer of 2016, in the realm, left me with more questions than answers. I’m just glad I was finally able to somewhat recover with my PTSD. It’s been a long road to recovery, but I’m far better than I was.

I dropped Nikki off at her pack and conversed with Aunt Renee and Uncle Ken. Somehow, they talked me into lunch, making me glad I stayed. Uncle Ken excused himself for pack politics. Aunt Renee disclosed that they would not be turning over the Alpha title to Ashton until he graduated and showed signs of improved maturity. Which explained the date I saw five years ago. “I don’t know where we went wrong with him sometimes. Bullying, fighting and a total disregard for our pack rules. Let me tell you he is a little man slut too!” I choked on my lemonade after she said the last part. Aunt Renee started to pat my back as I coughed up my drink. “Are you alright, baby girl?” I cleared my throat, “I’m fine, Aunt Renee, I was just not expecting you to be so…” Renee interjected with a laugh “Straight up? Laina, these are the realities and you guys aren’t little kids anymore. Especially you after what you went through. War and life tragedies change people and make you see that the world we live in are not fairytales. Uncle Ken and I are just happy you’re back to your old self. You got Nikki ahead of the game with fighting and school. You’ve been a blessing to us all, even if you don’t hear it as often.”

That’s where she was so wrong, I hear it all the time even when I try to block it out. Even the bad from the jealous females in the supe community. Like just now as a she-wolf passed us from the back deck. Donna is taller with huge breasts but the rest of her was straight without much of any curves. She wasn’t as smart like the others at shielding her inner thoughts, like that would stop me anyway, but that would be the decent thing to do.

“She isn’t that special; she is only 5’6. So what she has a perfect ass and curvy! Yeah, she is pretty, but I sure look way better. I bet she is wearing tons of makeup to look flawless. There is no way her skin is that perfect! Telling everyone those golden honey highlights are natural, who is she kidding, I bet that isn’t even real! What does Ashton even see in her to be so obsessed. I mean she is only a c-cup at best.”

I had enough of that bitch’s trash talk, I couldn’t help myself. I said a little incantation making her trip and bang her head on a support beam for the upper balcony to the pack house. Aunt Renee bolted up from her seat to check on Donna, making sure she was okay. I saw the huge egg-shaped knot forming on her forehead, I smile ear to ear excusing myself. I rode the rest of the way home behind the pack lands.

Mr. Roberts has been with my family for a millennia and insisted on helping me get my bags from the truck, despite it weighing nothing to me. I wasn’t even halfway unpacked when my mother orbs right into my room. “So, sweetheart, I just wanted to update you, your first dinners will be with the fae. We decided to allow each region to come as a group together instead, so it didn’t seem like a never-ending carousel of dinners.” Without turning around with my back still facing my mother, I continued to put my clothes in folded piles on my bed. I ask the dreaded question, “How many?” I could feel my mother stalling. “One from each tribe of the first region.” I couldn’t help it and spun around with daggers in my eyes, “What? Are you serious! I’ve been eighteen for all of what three months and these mother…” My mother held her hand up, “ Don’t you dare finish that word, Elaina Renaud!” I let out a huge sigh, “These dignitaries are ambushing me with all these men who may or may not be my mate and let’s not forget I don’t even want a mate at this point.”

My mother is about to lay one of her thick speeches on me, making my eyes roll in anticipation of her verbal assault. “My little princess, I know how you feel. I’ve been where you are and before I hear you say it, yes, I was lucky to meet your father in the realm when he was added to my legion. Our bond was there. Which put a halt on your grandmothers planned courting. I get it, you’re just now feeling more like yourself. You and your brother have a tech company, your club will be completed at the end of the month and your clothing line is in the top five new companies to be projected to surpass even Hilfiger. I couldn’t be prouder of you; you built an outreach center while dealing with your own issues. We made a promise, but the choice is ultimately yours.”

My mother stood up, squeezes my hands, and plants a kiss on my cheek before waltzing out of my room. I felt like I was going to pull out my hair. Tonight, I would have dozens of fae to contend with. My mother popped her head back in the door, “Oh, please dress to impress.” Fine! I’ll dress to impress but I’ll be digging in their heads the entire night. This will be over before dessert is served. “Let the games begin”, smiling at my plan.

My parents are already in the castles grand dining room to greet everyone before I made my debut. I pinned my hair with my mass of curls, light makeup, and lip gloss. I got into a satin dress of my own creation with a high thigh split on the left side, ensuring my tattoo on my right calf remained hidden. I put on my shooting star necklace Uncle Bryce gave me for my third birthday. It still glowed as the day it was born in the heavens.

I took one more look in the mirror before orbing to the castle. My butt and hips were accented by my dress in all the right ways, and I loved it. The muscle in my left leg was evident, loving how you look is the first steps in loving yourself, sometimes I wished I were taller but as the saying goes little things make an enormous impact. I orbed to the entrance of the dining hall; all heads turned in my direction. These fae were certainly eye candy, but their feelings towards my approaching figure said a lot. I felt the lust and power hunger from all of them.

My father turns and without hesitation and announces, “I present to you, my daughter and the heir to the throne, Princess Elaina.” My father took my hand and mind links me, “Thanks for hiding your tattoo and not wearing your nose ring. This group is so old fashioned, they would take offense if you had a tongue piercing!” I giggle before composing my facial expression. I not only had a tattoo, but double ear piercings along with my navel and nose. The night went on and each one of them drew me into conversations. Every one of them tried to touch me in an intimate manner; be it my hand, arm or the small of my back. I was so not having any of it! I smelled nothing remarkable from the lot of them except expensive cologne. Anything my mother or grandmother described the mate bond to be, wasn’t happening here.

Everything I felt from these fae suitors was that they wanted the ultimate seat of power. One of these brazen fools even planned out how he would cheat on me with his destined mate! With that being the final straw I could stand for the night. I link my parents telling them I am done with this charade, wanting to leave before dessert was served. My parents agreed and I rose from my seat with my excuse being exhausted from finals this week. They all stood as I departed, watching my retreating form. I remotely watch as my parents bid farewell to the fae royalty. Of course, they orb upstairs instantly. My dad lightly knocks before opening the door. I am perched in my window seat with my familiar Maine Coon resting in my lap. Well, at least that’s what she looked like while not under duress or high alert.

“So, Munchkin, tell us what happened at dinner with the fae.” Instead of telling them, I showed them. My mom and dad were appalled at the inner most thoughts I received from those so-called potential mates. “Those bastards, no way in hell will they ever be mated to our daughter!”

A vein started to pop out of my dad’s forehead, I swear he was on the verge of shifting. “Wait Titus, did you feel a mate bond with any of them?” I rolled my eyes internally, “No mom, not a spark, tingle, butterflies or any euphoric sensation and definitely no intoxicating scent.” My dad was ecstatic, “Thank god for that!”

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