Chapter 19 #2
“From the marks on this sword I can see how well of a fighter you are.” She handed it back to him and his smile beamed widely.
“One day if you want to join, I would be happy to train you.” She could sense the shift in the atmosphere, so she turned around.
Zoe was practically standing in front of Kaden and growling ahead.
May stood instantly, shutting down the other Alpha’s protective nature.
She had no clue why Zoe would jump in front of her, but she would not have the Alpha causing issues.
May instantly shut it down with her own look. Zoe retreated, taking her place on the other side of May. The little boy had also retreated, probably due to the harshness of her pheromones.
“Zackary!” The Beta’s father stormed past the group of bystanders. The number of people had grown exponentially, standing so close they formed a wall. She saw a lot of upset faces. Most of the men had their teeth bared at her and now she could understand the upset looks.
While these people may not be revolting against her currently, they didn’t respect her.
If she hadn’t been so nice to the little Beta, she could imagine them hurting her physically.
Instead, she hoped that her actions and words could soothe the growing crowd.
Hopefully, they realized she would never work for a dictator who was disguised as a Queen.
The sire of the child approached her, so May tucked her hands behind her back.
“My son will never join your Queen’s army.
He will never rule for a leader who believes in ruthless taxes over her people’s living wages.
Her audience meeting with the Luiza rebels was just a facade.
Nothing has changed!” Zoe stepped up to her left, getting ready to show her fighting spirit, but that was not what May needed right now.
She gently put her hand to the side to stop her.
May easily had a few inches on the father, but his upset pheromones overwhelmed hers.
She gazed at each of the faces looking at her.
Every one of them had their own opinions of her Queen and were forming ones of her.
She could tell from their clothes and stature where each person probably ranked in the small town.
The man in front of her was highly respected.
“You have nothing to say? You have nothing to say to these people you are meant to protect? The ones who are being bled dry by your Queen.” May lifted her chin, trying to weigh her words.
These people were angry at Taylor. May was angry at Taylor, but she knew that Taylor only wanted the best for her people.
She knew Taylor’s plans were to use the money gathered to grow the economy.
The audience meeting may have been one of the first steps in explaining her plans to the rebels, but it was just a week ago.
May could see now that the word hadn’t spread as widely as she hoped.
Now was her chance to educate them on Taylor’s plan, but how could she let them know that? She was a fighter, not a speaker.
“Our Queen wants nothing but the best for us.” He looked like he was going to swing so she sidestepped him, causing gasps.
“I feel that our Queen has not properly spoken on her plan for these taxes, but she has not intended to harm any of you. These taxes were raised to make sure everyone in the land has what they need. They are being used to expand our markets so everyone can sell and buy as they need. Her audience with the rebels was one of many steps she has been executing to make sure everyone is heard, not a facade.” Most people were silent as she spoke.
They hung onto her words because she had an inside view on the situation.
She knew of the uprising, but she knew who her Queen was.
“It may seem like a power imbalance because it has not been explained with the process underway, but this will pave the way for real equality which we need after the devastation the war caused. It will be a stable pathway to making sure everyone can provide for themselves and turn to the kingdom. I understand your doubt, but I would not protect a dictator!” She tried to put every ounce of her morality into the words.
“Then why are you here?” The father seemed calmer than he was a minute ago, as was the crowd. Their faces were twisted in thought as they watched the interaction. Some of them seemed more disgruntled, but the majority were intrigued.
“My mate is pregnant. We came to retrieve some things for her, and I wanted to see the market.” Zoe and Kaden moved closer to her as she walked amongst the circle. Someone spoke up but she couldn’t see them.
“Do you really believe these taxes are for the best interest of our people?”
“What I believe is that our Queen would never intentionally do anything to harm our people, but some of the rebels acting against the throne are. They have killed people. If you are really concerned about our safety, you would not indulge rebels who want to start a riot against our crown, which will only result in the deaths of our people. Learn from the rebels of Luiza. The only way to real change with our Queen is through talking, not action! She is willing to listen to everyone.” She looked towards her guard members.
Kaden’s face radiated worry and Zoe kept stealing glances at her.
She would have to figure it out later. Right now, May had to do her best to speak up for her best friend and her country.
The older Beta who started this approached her with discomfort. “People have really died?”
“Yes.” She had nothing more to say. “If you will excuse me and my guards, we will continue our way to the market. I understand your frustration, but there is no world where our Queen would put anyone in harm’s way over money, unlike some of the rebels.”
She signaled them to follow her as most of the crowd dispersed.
She heard the older Beta conversing with some of the bystanders.
May felt Dove on the other side of her bond.
She was worried for her Alpha and while it made her heart flutter, she didn’t want unnecessary distress on her pregnant Omega.
May sent back some calming energy, hoping it would help.
“Captain, if I may go look at one of the stands?” Kaden questioned and May gave a silent yes.
This would be her chance to question Zoe as they moved to each vendor, but before she could, the older Beta approached the front of the jewelry tent she had been at months before.
Zoe sprang into action, straightening next to May.
He slowed down but still neared them with a few men behind her.
“Captain. I have been out towards the ruins. We thought the group there was on our side of no violence, but I was unaware they had killed people. Our leaders weren’t listening, but I would never be a part of a group that killed someone.
We do not want a war. All we want is to make sure each citizen is represented, and safe.
” He ducked his head at her. He seemed to be in an entirely different state than just moments before.
“I understand. I do not want a war either. I will discuss with our Highness about another open audience meeting. She is always willing to listen but with the recent dispersal of the Luiza rebels, it may be difficult to get a fast meeting.” The man looked between his associates as they conversed silently.
“I can get a small group to talk, and have other stand down, if we get an audience with the Queen. I believe we all want the same thing.” May’s heart stopped.
Had this man really just offered to solve her problems without knowing?
She glanced at Zoe. The Alpha’s golden eyebrow was lifted in shock.
She raised her shoulder lightly to signal her own confusion.
“I think that would be an excellent solution to both our problems.” May extended her hand.
She had some of her guard members took the Beta, who was named Kike’s, information and promised she would contact him in the future.
She had to evaluate what had happened here because it was all so overwhelming.
She knew there would be a long way to go but if she could start the road to peace, she would take it.
“Thank you for being kind to my son. You will be a great parent.” The man ducked away from the conversation, leaving both May and Zoe in front of the stand.
“I think that was what we came to witness, was it not, captain?” Zoe rarely smiled, but when she looked over at Kaden, who was with an older woman, her lips curled slightly.
“Was there a reason you jumped in front of Kaden?” The younger Alpha froze in front of May, darting her eyes between the pair. She wasn’t too interested in the pheromones radiating off her, but they penetrated her senses all the same. A mix of nervousness.
“She was suddenly frightened, and my Alpha just sprang into effect. I am aware she can protect herself, but sometimes I lose control around her. I apologize, Captain.” Zoe lowered her head, which was when May saw it—a small, bruised kiss mark that was hidden by the golden hairs that sat further back on her shoulders.
She didn’t mention it but saw Kaden looking at them.
“Do not let it happen again. I will not have either of you in the guard if you feel the need to protect each other. You should be able to protect yourselves.” May turned towards the jeweler, but she was happy on the inside.
Even though she saw signs of distress, she also saw an opportunity to create unity again.
She could even imagine stepping down as Captain when the situation was averted.
A burst of excitement ran through their mating bond.
She tried to resist the urge to smile and instead carefully played with the rings in front of her.
She recognized the glint of one and immediately purchased it.
Maybe Dove was right about this whole idea.
***
When May came home later that evening, she was carrying multiple items. She had plenty of outfits for the pup, a robe for Dove, and a small box.
“I thought you went on a reconnaissance mission, not a shopping mission.” Dove’s day had been spent with Eveleen getting a full spa treatment.
If May found out about the full-body massage though, she might go a bit ballistic, but Dove needed it.
She was currently residing on their balcony with the chair facing slightly inward.
“I found a few things for you and the pup.” May set down all the small clothes and the robe that looked soft, but not the box. “I also found a potential solution.”
Dove’s ears perked up. She had tried to ignore May’s side of the bond so they could have an afternoon alone, but it was hard sometimes.
“That’s amazing. I knew I was secretly a genius.” Dove folded the book and set it down before scrambling towards May. She had missed being away from her Alpha for so long. Gently, she put her arms around May’s neck.
“You are more than a genius, Dovely.” Their lips met in a soft kiss.
May moaned against her lips and brought her hands under her belly.
She would gently hold it up to relieve the pressure on her back.
It was the most soothing feeling she had ever been a part of.
Dove’s mouth opened and she tipped her head to the side.
They continued like that for a few minutes before May broke apart.
She grabbed the small box before rejoining her.
“When I was at the market, all I could think about was you. Last time we were there, you were pregnant, but we were not talking. I had left you during your heat, and I will never do that again, Dovely.” May grabbed one of Dove’s hands before she sank onto one of her knees.
“I want the world to know I am yours in every way you will have me. Mother of our child, Alpha, Mate, Wife…” Dove gasped as each of their emotions filled the bond.
It created an overwhelming surge in her body.
She smiled down at May, who was holding the ring she looked at the last time they were in the market.
“I love you, Dove, and I want you to marry me. If you will have me?”
She wanted to sink to her own knees and capture May’s lips but since she couldn’t, she just pulled her up. “You are everything I’ve ever wanted, May. Of course I will marry you.” She jumped lightly on her feet before May put the ring on her finger and kissed her mating bite.
“You two are my entire world. I cannot wait for you to be my wife.”