11.

Sienna

I didn't know what to say. I mean what was there to say when you just found out that the late queen had your father and his entire pack under royal protection, a simple pack from South America. "Ummmm...Okay. I can handle this. I'm an adult. I'm 18 dammit" I said prepping myself not to freak out. Jovian smiled down at me, the tension in his body left as soon as he revealed that part of the secret.

"You were a few months old when she came to our home. She even held you. I never saw a stranger so in love with a baby upon a first meeting." he said getting lost in the memory. "But why? Why would such a busy woman come to us?" I asked.

"Queen Emma was never too busy for her people. Mama and Papa were so nervous to have her in our home. No one told me as to why the queen and her son were at our house holding my baby sister. I didn't even get to hold you that much but they held you for so long. I asked papa why they came but he simply smiled and said the Moon Goddess blessed us greatly. When you were two she came again and gave you that necklace and gave me a similar one. She spoke to mama and papa again. This time mama was crying as papa sat there saying nothing. I was still left out of what was really taking place. The night that we escaped from home Queen Emma died two days before. When we reached in America I was then told the reason for everything." With a sad smile, he played with the necklace around his neck.

"These necklaces why do we have them? I thought it was a gift from mama" I asked sitting beside him. "To keep us safe, that's what papa said." We stayed quiet once more lost in our own thoughts, "Am I in danger? That's why I am here? Hiding?" my voice was soft but I knew he heard me.

He nodded. Layla and I immediately asked why we were in danger. My heart began to beat faster as the fear crept up on me.

"The royals are here. Do they know about us?"

"Only Queen Emma and her son, Prince Angelo," he said quietly.

"Why didn't they tell me?" Forget confusion I was hurt once more, didn't my own family trust me?

"Her majesty swore our parents to secrecy. No one is to know about her visit to us. I think something big is about to happen. For dad to stay away from us. Being trained harder than any other wolf. You being sent here. You know what's even weird. Mom welcomed in six nomads to the pack last week but they fit into pack life very quickly. It's all confusing, Si. Something is up" For Jovian to be suspicious of our parents and things around us, things had to be bad.

"Promise me you would be safe. Be aware of your surroundings. Just...Just be careful alright" The fear in his voice was too much, Lana whimpered hating how much our brother was hurting. I circled my arms around him tightly; his heartbeat was fast as he himself tightened his hold on me. I prayed to the moon goddess that I can keep that promise.

"Sienna, hey what are you doing here?" Mina's voice brought me back to reality. After my last few moments with my brother, I just couldn't bear going back to the dorms where all the students were still with their parents gushing about their accomplishments. It was a bittersweet moment at least Jovian saw how proud I made my family by my grades and excelling in my training.

"Hey. What's up?" I asked turning towards her. Dressed in yoga pants and a graphic tee, her long golden blonde hair is in a high ponytail, Mina looked like any other normal teenager. Her smile was infectious which brought me out of my dark thoughts. "Just came from sending my father off." she chirped sitting beside me.

"Prince Angelo was here?" I asked in surprise. "Yeah. Didn't you hear all the fanfare?" she laughed rolling her eyes.

"Don't you all get tired of all of that? The instant recognition. The whole fanfare thing as you said." I asked waiting to see her reaction. She gave me a sad smile and shrugged her shoulders, "We are all born in a time in our life where we must choose to accept or refuse it. Either choice you should make the most of it" she quoted dipping her toes in the stream flowing by.

"Who said that?" Those words rang so true to me and were very wise and deep. "My grandfather. King Michael. He told my brother and me that when our cousins were being mean to us." Her voice was tinged with sadness as she recollected that memory.

"Mean to you and your brother?"

Mina shrugged once more. "Nikolai and I both accepted the fact that we are first and foremost the children of the once 'Silent Prince' who was and still known as ruthless and deadly in our kingdom. We are heirs to major companies. Riches more than you can think of. We don't need a thing, doors open to us without lifting a finger and you know what? We both don't care about any of that stuff." She smiled turning her face to the sun, "Our family is based in New York away from the home castle. That was torment number one. Our cousins have it in their mindset that our parents chose to stay in New York because they thought we were better than all of them even better than King Caiden. Nikolai has risen to his own throne at eleven. In a major country. Has his own company and the title of high alpha to packs of strong purebred wolves. He's a freaking true prince. My big brother Nikolai." The pride was in her voice as she continued to tell me of her family and why the other kids seem to despise them.

"Mina? I heard from Matthew as to why they all are mean to your brother. It's all jealousy I got from his side. Him being a late bloomer limited gifts and still holds the title of a powerful wolf in our kingdom." After hearing Mina's side I knew it was jealousy among the cousins which I found was very stupid. She scoffed to my statement. "Or just Reign and Cain's bad blood planting seeds in his head and Sasha's brother. The only two royal kids who don't find anything wrong with us are Jay and Zac, sons to the twin Deltas. It's not his fault; don't push him away for the hatred that was fed to him. Matthew truly cares for you, just give him a chance"

Do I want to give him another chance? Can I handle his jealousy for his cousin? It could be a minor thing. "I'll try," I answered after giving it some thought. For some reason, the novelty of being in a relationship with Matthew was dying. The strong feelings I once had were now dimming. I was confused by it all. Maybe the excitement of having your first boyfriend was what made me decide to be with him. Maybe that's it.

"Great. What I really came to you for is to extend an invitation to our Annual Spring Festival Ball at our home castle. We celebrate the first day of spring at the castle with a grand ball. All supernatural beings are invited. It's a whole day affair on the castle grounds then ends with a ball. I thought you would enjoy it as exposure to the kingdom's festivals." she explained.

"When is it?"

"It's in two weeks," she answered with a silly grin on her face.

"I would love to come" I replied to her question with equal excitement.

"Great we should be leaving two days before. We'll have so much fun. My parents would love to meet you. I kind of talked about you a lot over Christmas break."

I laughed at the embarrassing blush on her face. It was nice to have a friend where I can just voice my fears and not be judged.

"And Matthew? He would be there?" I asked warily.

"I think so. Not too sure I bet he would come if you are coming," she said with a bit of confidence. I simply nodded thinking if he would really come; it would be nice to have another smiling face and not to mention some cuddle time. Maybe not too many cuddles.