PREQUEL: Royal Ancestors

The Year is 1914

Beatrice sat in her office surrounded by her friends. The mates of the royal guard and the women from the orphanage. She leaned back in the large comfortable armchair behind her desk and rubbed her swollen belly.

“I’m so glad that you all could be here.” Beatrice smiled, happy to be surrounded by all of her friends again.

They had all agreed to stay in the palace for the last few days of Beatrice’s pregnancy. In the two years since Beatrice’s 18th birthday and coronation, many blessings have befallen the Queen’s friends. Roxie met her mate, a warrior by the name of Lord Sebastian Yates. She, like Steffy, moved to her mate’s home and continued to be happy. Mabel, who would turn 18 next year, and Maddy who was 16, lived together in a cottage provided to them by King Arlo.

Marybelle had her beautiful and healthy son, Riley, a week after the coronation. Noelle’s son, Samuel, was four now and Elisa had just birthed their first son, Phillip.

“We will always come when you need us, Bea.” Steffy smiled.

“When will you be getting around to having one of these?” Marybelle asked, pointing towards Beatrice’s stomach.

“Oh, don’t you start, too.” Steffy sighed.

“I think Joanna needs the push before Steffy. Her and Alaric have been mated for far longer.” Noelle teased her friend.

Beatrice started to laugh until a sharp pain took her breath away. She gasped and clutched her stomach.

“Bea?” Maddy looked at her in worry.

Just then, Arlo burst through the door.

“Beatrice?” He hurried to her side and wrapped his arm around her waist, helping her to stand.

“The baby is coming.” Beatrice gasped.

“I’ve got you, my dear.” Arlo scooped up his mate and moved as quickly as he could without injuring her.

He hurried to their room, mindlinking Dr. Lewis to meet us there. Arlo carefully laid his mate down on the bed and knelt down beside her head. He smoothed down her hair and whispered into her ear,

“You will be just fine, my love. You are so strong.”

“No, I am not. I am weak!” She cried out, screaming as a contraction ripped through her body.

Helena rushed in with a bowl of water and a washcloth then, Dr. Lewis right behind her. She dipped the cloth into the bowl and dabbed Beatrice’s sweaty forehead.

“Here, King Alpha.” She handed Arlo the cool cloth so she could adjust Beatrice’s dress.

Helena pulled up Beatrice’s dress and took off her pantyhoes. She helped Beatrice adjust her legs so that they were bent apart and began to examine her pelvis.

“Dr. Lewis, I can already see the head.” Helena exclaimed.

Arlo was uncomfortable with the fact that Dr. Lewis was going to be settled between his mate’s legs, but he knew there was no other choice. He was the most qualified to safely deliver his baby.

“It’s time to push, Queen Luna.” Dr. Lewis instructed and Beatrice let out a mighty scream.

“You’re doing brilliantly, my love.” Arlo whispered in his mate’s ear as she squeezed his hand.

After twenty minutes of pushing, the cries of their newborn baby filled the room. Beatrice let out a sigh of relief as she collapsed back on the bed. Dr. Lewis tended to the baby before laying him on his mother’s chest.

“King Alpha and Queen Luna, you have a son. The next King of our realm has been born.” Dr. Lewis announced before leaving the room, Helena quietly following after him.

“We have a son.” Arlo shamelessly cried as he kissed his mate and looked over their new baby.

He was pink from screaming but immediately settled when he was laid on his mother’s chest, nuzzling against her bosom.

“He’s perfect, my love.”

“He has your eyes.” Beatrice croaked, her voice raw from screaming and crying.

“And your beauty.” Arlo said, running his hand over his bald head, “What shall we call him?” Arlo asked.

They had been discussing names for the entire three months of Beatrice’s pregnancy. Beatrice had refused to land on a name until she could look into his eyes.

“Austin.” She said, slipping her finger inside his little fist.

“Austin Maison Merriweather, the next King of the werewolf realm.” Arlo announced proudly.