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4-To The Fates!

~Valentina~

"Is he okay?" Hazel looks concerned for Tae.

"It is really hard for him to control his impulses right now. Especially with you being naked, so he is giving you some time to get dressed before he comes back." I gave the clothes to her, and she thanked me.

"Do you want me to get dressed in the bathroom, or does it not affect you the same way it affects him?" I realize Hazel is trying to figure out what kind of relationship she and I will have.

"You affect us both very much, so you can dress in here while I go take my shower. We would love to get to know you more before we start getting physical." Women can be overly possessive sometimes, so I want her to feel welcome by me.

"You seem incredibly nice. This is a lot for me to take in, even though I thought I was fully prepared for it when I left home." She sits on the bed, and a flash of sadness crosses her face.

"You don't want to be here?" I may not know her yet, but the thought of her being unhappy with us makes me uneasy.

"I do want to be here. I don't belong in Mortal Grounds, but it still hurts to think about the ones I left behind. When Monday evening comes around, my students will go into class and find a new instructor. They knew I planned on attending the gala, but I don't think they truly believed I would be gone for good after today. Those kids were my life." Knowing she has a love for children gives me peace of mind. I can sense the heaviness in her chest, and it makes me sad for her.

"I'm so sorry, Hazel. What do you teach?" Maybe working with the kids here will help make her feel better.

"I'm a dance instructor in the evening, but my day job is factory work." I could never imagine Hazel working in those conditions. Factory labor in Mortal Grounds is dangerous. I can't help but get angry as I think about it.

"The factory is no place for a queen. You will never do that kind of work here, but you can open your own dance studio. It is our duty to stay connected with the packs within our territory, so I think opening a dance studio would be great for our community. I can't bring back your students, but you can make new ones here." Her face lights up with excitement.

"Wow. Opening a studio would be a dream come true. This entire night has been a fairytale for me, and I couldn't be happier. I was so worried that you two wouldn't want me." I can understand why she would have that fear. When I met Tae, it was a disaster.

"We might want you a little too much. I'm getting in the shower now, but I'll be very quick." I don't want to leave her alone, but I have to get this hairspray out of my hair and get the makeup washed off my face.

"I'll be here, clothed and dry." Hazel is a little awkward, but it makes her adorable. I can't contain the smile on my face as I go into the bathroom and into the shower. I have never washed my hair and body so fast, and I accidentally cut my knee while shaving. Thankfully, it'll heal in no time.

I rinse, dry off, and get dressed in record time. When I open the bathroom door, Hazel is lying back on the bed and playing on her cell phone. The shorts I gave her fit her perfectly, but the t-shirt is a little baggy. What pulls at my heart the most is seeing her so relaxed in our bed. She looks up from her phone and smiles.

"I expected you to have super fancy bedtime clothes. I love the simplicity, though." I look down at my plain yellow t-shirt and white shorts. Being a Royal, I can understand why she would assume I slept in the finest silk.

"Our home is our safe place to be ugly and imperfect. I look forward to it every night." She looks up and down my body again, but this time I can feel the heat in her gaze.

"Ugly is not the word I was thinking. I was going to say you seem more real and personal. It makes me feel like we're on the same level." Tae and I are physically superior right now, but she will feel equal once she shifts and completes her transition.

"We are on the same level; The Fates made it so. Come on, let's go eat before I become hangry." I do turn into a monster when I get hungry. Food makes me happier than diamonds and pearls.

"Food sounds good. I haven't eaten all day because I've been a nervous wreck." I think about my first gala. I remember feeling the same anxiousness. I wish my experience were as welcoming as hers, but I guess it made Tae and I closer in the long run.

I show her around the castle on our way to the great chamber. Hazel is amazed by the designs on the ceiling, and occasionally, she runs her fingers over the wall. The castle is very beautiful, so I appreciate the architecture as well. As we reach the great chamber, I can smell the aroma of our dinner.

I open the door, and Tae already has the TV turned on. He set up folding tray tables at the couches, and our plates are served. Thankfully, we have extra trays for when we have friends over.

"You guys eat in your entertainment room? And you have portable dining tables?" She looks confused as if she has never seen food trays.

"Sometimes we eat in here to be more comfortable, and it's a relaxed setting. We use the great hall for social events and larger gatherings." Tae answers, and she nods in understanding. "Do humans do things differently?"

"Yes, I have never eaten a meal in an entertainment room. I have never met any human who does not eat at the dining table either. This is the first time I have ever seen little portable dining tables. How cute!" The difference between us and them is gradually showing. I'm eager to learn more.

"These are called food trays. I don't know how much you eat, so I hope there's enough on your plate." He motions to the tray in the middle. I like that he has her placed there so that she can focus on both of us as we get to know her.

"It's perfect, thank you. And it looks delicious. What kind of chicken is this?" She takes her seat and smells the food.

"Chicken marsala." We take our seats next to her and raise our glasses of wine. "Here's a toast to The Fates. Tonight was a huge surprise for all of us, but we will love each other properly and grow together."

"To The Fates!" Hazel and I touch glasses with Tae and take a sip.

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