I wake with my alarm and roll over to turn it off. After a stretch, I remember that I’m going for a hike this morning with my dad, King Peter and Seth. This seemed like a great idea yesterday, but now that it’s morning and I’m mildly hungover, I don’t want to leave my bed. I tossed and turned all night, not getting much sleep at all. But I already made muffins, so I may as well get up, make some coffee and get moving.
After setting the coffee to brew, I head to my closet to get dressed. I throw on a pair of skinny jeans, a white t-shirt and a black fleece jacket. It’s probably cold enough, and my hair is a mess, so I throw a knit hat on and grab my brown hiking boots. The coffee is ready so I mind link my dad. Are you with Seth and King Peter yet? I ask him.
No, why? he returns.
I need to know how they like their coffee. I didn’t think to ask last night.
And you don’t need to know how I’d like mine?
Dad, You’ve drank your coffee the same way my entire life. I link him with a roll of my eyes.
I’ll let you know once I’m with them. He tells me as I sit down to put my boots on.
I run across the hall to the kitchen to grab a few travel mugs and just as I get back to my suite my dad links to let me know they both just want black coffee. I fix the 3 black coffees and one for my dad that is way too sweet, toss the box of muffins into a backpack and head out the door with my arms slightly too full to meet the guys.
“Sorry I’m late.” I say as I approach them and Seth turns and greets me with a smile that I can feel in my soul. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed him through the bond until I was seeing him again now.
“You brought coffee, you’re forgiven” King Peter tells me with a chuckle. I locate my dad’s coffee from my arm and hand it to him, then distribute the others around before taking a sip of mine, finally. “Your dad still drinking enough sugar for the whole pack in his?” King Peter asks me with a wink and I giggle.
“You think it’s funny how I take my coffee?” My dad throws out and I’m not sure if it’s to me or the king.
“Dad, you’ll be the first werewolf ever to develop diabetes.” I tell him and start walking towards the garden.
“Molly, I know I’m old, but the falls are that way.” My dad says, pointing in the opposite direction.
“I know. Seth wanted to see the garden though. I thought it’d be easier to go this way. There’s a better view of the sunrise this way, anyways.” I say as I continue walking, with Seth close behind me.
Seth takes a couple big steps until he’s next to me and grabs my free hand. “Good Morning.” He says with a small chuckle.
“Good Morning. What’s funny?” I ask him.
“You doing ok?” he asks
“I’m ok, just tired. It’s early.” I tell him and it’s the truth.
“ Are you sure you’re not hung over?” He says with a knowing smile
“Maybe a little.” I tell him, slightly ashamed. “How could you tell?” I ask, wondering if my dad noticed.
“I could feel your headache when you walked up.” He says and brings my hand up for a kiss.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d be able to feel that.” I tell him, genuinely apologetic. I didn’t mean to share my headache.
“It’s ok, Molly. You’re allowed to be hungover. Did you have a nice evening?” he asks.
“Sure. I just made some muffins and went to bed.” I tell him as we approach the garden.
“So, this is the famous garden?” King Peter asks behind me.
“Yes sir, though I don’t think I’d call it famous,” I tell him.
“Lunar Falls is the wealthiest pack in this area, if not the whole country. And one of only a hand full that produces any of its own food,” the King tells me. “The pack is well known for its attempts at sustainability even when it’s not financially necessary.” He tells me.
“Oh, I didn’t realize it.” I mutter out to no one in particular.
“Molly showed the future Alpha Chris and I around the kitchen and what they do in there last night and it was pretty interesting, Dad. It may be worth having her talk to some of the packs that are struggling. She may be able to help them.” Seth tells him with a squeeze of my hand and I can feel that he’s proud.
“I wasn’t trying to save a bunch of money.” I tell them. “Honestly, I blew quite a bit of money the first year. Less in the second, but still a good bit. This is the first year I’ve not spent more than the garden was worth.” I tell them.
“Good things take time, Molly.” my dad says. “I wasn’t always the most supportive because I didn’t see the need for it, but I never doubted that you’d work out how to make it successful.” He tells me, smiling down at me. “You should absolutely send Molly into the packs struggling financially. Even if what she’s done here isn’t for them, I doubt you’d find anyone that could come up with a more creative solution to anything than she will.” he says to King Peter while he gently pats me on the back. Hearing my dad praise me for this really means a lot to me.
“I always had a good feeling about you. From the second I first met you, though I never knew why.” King Peter tells me with a smile. “Maybe it’s because you were my son’s mate, or maybe it’s because there’s so much good in you. Either way, I’m glad to have played some small role in you being with this pack.” he says, and I know he’s talking about the approval of my adoption.
“Thank you, King Peter.” I tell him, because they all have such nice things to say and I’m uncomfortable and don’t know what else to say.
“Molly, it’s just Peter in private. You’re family now.” he says with a kind smile. This is probably the most time I’ve spent with him, though I’ve seen him quite a bit growing up. He’s always seemed so large and terrifying, a stern man, but you could sense his kindness. But right now, he’s so relaxed and just … normal. Maybe that’s how the royals always are when you’re in their circle. “Now, show me around” he says, and I happily oblige.
I take the men around the entire garden, showing each of the plants, or where they should be if they’re already done for the season. I explain some of why certain things are planted together and how they help each other. I excitedly show the herbs and tell them of their medicinal uses and then show them where we’ve planted things for the fall for the first time this year. Seth never lets go of my hand, and never stops listening.
“It’s getting late.” I tell them. “We should probably head down to the falls.” I tell them and start towards the back of the garden.
“Molly, we’re old men” I hear my dad say. “Why don’t you and Prince Seth go on whatever adventurous way you’ve got there and Peter and I will just meet you there?”
“Are you sure?” I ask him, but as I turn to him I can see on his face that he’s just trying to give us some time alone.
“Absolutely. You kids have fun. Don’t lose the Prince in the woods, please.” my dad says as he turns with the King to leave.
“How bad is this hike?” Seth asks me.
“It’s not THAT bad.” I say to him and realize it’s not exactly the truth. “You have royal blood and you’re like 8 feet tall. You’ll be fine.” I say with a giggle and start towards the path.
Aksara