Chapter 2: The peace

Mia stood at the entrance of the palace with her heart racing at the return of her mate, Alpha King Xavier Ainsworth. She had heard the carriage for not very long and then caught the faint scent of the alpha king in the palace estate, and she immediately abandoned her studies at the in-built office and raced out to see him.

It's been three moons since he left with Edward for the kingdom of Klean, and it felt almost like three decades. He had put her in charge of his affairs, and so she acted in his place for three moons.

Robb Ainsworth and Alpha Koz Lupe had been by her side, just as the alpha King instructed. They aided her and were close counsel, and with their help, she ruled effectively, just as Xavier would.

How does one survive three months of ruling without their mates by their side? She barely did. Yes, outside her chamber, she carried out the task and responsibilities placed before her, but on the inside, she was crumbling and barely holding on.

She knew why he had to leave. Xavier felt the need to strengthen the peace they had kept for the last four summers with their neighbouring kingdom.

In the last four summers, the king of Klean, Kit Patrice, had visited Wahala twice, and Xavier had never gone to pay a visit. He had always sent Edward or the elders. And so, after so long of everyone else but him going, he took the step. He believed the war drew closer with every passing day, even though no sign of it had been seen in the last four summers. Still, she believed his words about the war and the need to keep friends closer. She had gone to the kingdom of Jade a few months ago. The Queen, Luna Gail, had requested her presence at her birthday feast, and Xavier told her to go. But that only took a month.

This wasn't a month; this was three, and she would have been a wreck if Edward hadn't found a way to bring them closer magically. He called it a wander-walk, and it lasted a few hours every week. He also did the same to keep him and his mate, Princess Kailani, closer in their absence. All they needed was a body of water, and he would cast a spell so that, although many miles apart, they would see and speak to each other.

The better Edward's magic got, the easier life became. Unfortunately, wander-walking only happen around water in a particular place, and so after the king and Edward left the kingdom of Klean, they could no longer communicate.

It was difficult to not see Xavier for one month or touch him for three, but it was a sacrifice for royalty, and she counted it as worth it.

She went to bed most nights, craving him and looking forward to his return. It was the one thing that kept her going. Knowing that soon her mate and lover would be back in her arms made her smile and prepare herself.

Xavier sent words ahead two weeks ago, informing her of where they were in the kingdom, which was Kame. She immediately did her calculations and found out that he would be here today, so she did the countdown to this moment.

The king's guard moved to the door of the carriage and opened it up, and in the next few seconds, Xavier stepped out in a black robe that swept down to the floor. His hair was in a neat bun, and his beard looked unkempt. But then again, he was travelling, and it wasn't the time to be looking his best.

His looks didn't bother Mia; she was glad he was home.

The elders were also present to receive and welcome the king and his brother since, just like her, they also knew the day of his return. They approached the king, who stood his ground as his chariot rode away after dropping both him and the crowned prince.

"King Xavier, you're welcome back!" Alpha Chado said, and the alphas with him bowed their heads in obeisance.

King Xavier acknowledged them, and they lifted their heads. "Thank you for welcoming us," he answered.

"You're welcome, Alpha King," he answered, but the king's eyes travelled from them, wandering as if looking for something or someone.

His eyes finally came to land on Mia, and a spark of excitement showed itself in his eyes. A smile came onto his face at that very moment, and though his council spoke to him, he paid no mind as he walked past them and towards Mia.

He climbed up the stairs, and every step he took made her heart skip a beat. She didn't know if she would ever have the heart to let him leave without wanting to come with him again.

He took the last three steps that led to her at this point. Her heart was racing, and he could hear it.

She didn't care.

"Hay," he smiled at her.

"Hay!" she responded, her smile coming on.

"How are you, my queen?"

"I'm alright, my king; I'm just missing you." She revealed, "How was your mission to the kingdom of Klean?" she asked, wanting or knowing the turnout of the reason she was left alone for weeks.