Keira was in the middle of packing her clothes when Antoine stopped by a few minutes later, letting her know that everyone else was ready to leave.
Keira walked with him to the entrance and bid everyone farewell. When she returned to her room, Nigel was waiting for her with her bag next to him.
"Captain," Nigel greeted. "I have new accommodations for you."
'I was wondering where I would be staying,' Keira thought. 'I was even planning on staying with the guards. Or asking Josh if he knew of a place for me to stay in.'
'He probably would suggest staying with him,' Sabelina commented.
"Thank you, Nigel," Keira said, ignoring Sabelina.
"Is this everything?" he asked, grabbing her bag.
"Yes," she replied and followed him.
"Where are we going?" Keira asked as Nigel led her to another area of the castle she had never visited before.
The dull stone on the walls began to look brighter and brighter as they kept on walking.
"You're being placed in the royal wing," he replied, taking another turn.
"King's orders," he added when Keira was about to object. "We'll be there shortly."
The two of them fell into comfortable silence and walked for several minutes. Keira was about to ask how much further when Nigel finally stopped in front of a dark oak door.
"Here is your new room," Nigel said, unlocking the door and handing her the key.
"Thank you, Nigel," Keira said, grabbing the bag from him.
"The King has requested your presence for dinner," Nigel said before taking his leave. "
Keira entered the room and looked around. She silently cringed at the bright colors. There was too much pink in the room.
'Wow,' Sabelina said. 'This is…something…'
'Maybe we can take some of these things down,' Keira suggested.
Keira went around the room and picked up anything that wasn't bolted down. The only thing she kept was the sheets on the bed and a pillow. Everything else was placed in a drawer and thrown in the closet out of sight.
When her things were unpacked, Keira stayed in the room until dinner. There wasn't anything for her to do since Drew and Ian were taking care of everything. Not to mention that she really didn't want to see the General again unless she really needed to.
'We should probably let the family know,' Sabelina prompted.
Keira picked up her phone and stared at it. A few minutes went by with Keira figuring out a way to avoid calling her family. But she knew that they had every right to know. It would be best if they heard it from her.
The disbandment had hit hard. Everything her grandfather had built was just being thrown away.
Taking a deep breath, Keira pulled up the home phone number and tapped the call button. Her mother answered on the third ring.
"Keira, darling! How are you?" Her mom's voice was full of joy.
"Hey, Mom. Everything's… good." Keira hated lying.
"Just good? Nothing exciting to report? I was telling your Aunt Lucy about that time you tracked down those rogues."
There it was. The reason she dreaded this call. Her family was her biggest supporters.
"Yeah, things are… slowing down a bit." She offered weakly.
"Slowing down? Well, that's nice, dear. Maybe you can finally take that vacation you've been talking about. Maybe you can stop by and see us?"
Keira managed a strained chuckle. "Maybe."
"Is Dad there?" Keira asked.
"Let me go and get him," her mother said.
Keira waited as the phone was handed over to her father.
"Keira," he greeted. "Nice of you to call."
"Hey, Dad," Keira said softly. "I-I have some news."
"Dad… The Task Force… It's being disbanded."
The line went silent. A long, heavy silence only made Keira worry more. Their conversation after the funeral hadn't gone so well.
Finally, her father spoke, his voice calm. "Disbanded? Why?"
Keira explained, stumbling over the words, trying to soften the blow. The disapproval from the Alphas, the lack of contracts, and the reassignment of personnel. Through it all, her father silently listened.
"If it's ok with you, I would like to stop by and see the family one last time before going off on my own," she continued.
"I'm sure we can figure something out," he replied after a moment of silence.
Another silence fell between them.
"The King called," her father informed her.
"Oh," Keira replied, guessing the reason for the call. "What did he want?"
"He had some interesting news to share," he replied. "The family was excited but wondered why we didn't hear it from you."
'Because we weren't in speaking turns since my cousin died,' Keira wanted to tell him, but she knew she couldn't.
"What did he want?" Keira repeated.
"His son is your mate," her father answered.
"It doesn't matter. He already has someone else," Keira said softly. "I don't plan to get in the way."
"Keira, speak with him," her father insisted. "The King assured us that you two would mate."
"That's not the impression that I got," Keira protested.
"Speak to him," her father stated.
"I'll speak to him," Keira eventually promised.
Keira bid him goodbye as another silence filled the air between them.
'That went well,' Sabelina stated. 'At least he picked up the phone.'
'I was surprised that he did,' Keira agreed. 'He made it quite clear that I wasn't part of the family. Anyways, I should get ready. I don't think the King would tolerate it if I showed up late.'
Keira took a quick shower and went to grab an outfit from her bag, only to find that her choice of outfits was lacking. She had only bought her black training outfits. Keira never imagined she would be sitting down with the King and his family for dinner.
'We should go shopping,' Sabelina huffed as Keira looked in the mirror.
'We got plenty of clothes,' Keira retorted. 'Plus I'm wearing my newest outfit…which happens to be black in color.'
Sabelina rolled her eyes.
A quarter till seven, there was a knock on the door. Keira grabbed her phone and opened the door.
"I'll take you to the dining area," Nigel greeted, bowing slightly.
Keira nodded, closed the door behind her, and followed him. It was a few minutes before the hallway opened up into a dining room area. The room was elegantly decorated.
Given her humble status as the Task Force captain, Keira should pay attention to her surroundings. However, seeing General Donovan speaking to his beta in a low voice, all Keira wanted to do was avoid them.
Keira thanked Nigel and went to greet the two royal family members already gathered.
"Good evening, your majesty. Princess," Keira greeted, bowing slightly.
"Captain Grace," the Queen greeted in return. "It's so good for you to join us."
"Thank you for inviting me," Keira replied.
"Do you like your new accommodations?" Princess Julia asked, smiling.
"Yes," Keira lied. "They were great."
"Good," she replied, happy. "I chose it. I wasn't sure what you would like, so I gave it my best."
'That explains a lot,' Keira thought, smiling at the princess.
"Thank you," Keira said.
As the princess started explaining her choices of decorations, Keira felt the General's presence approaching them.
"Oh, my brother's approaching," Julia said, looking over Keira's shoulder. "I'll take my leave. Talk to you later."
Keira nodded even though she really didn't want to be left alone with him.
"What are you doing here?!" the General growled.
Keira turned around, facing the General.
"I was invited by the King," Keira replied. "It would be rude for me to decline such an invitation."
The General narrowed his eyes at her.
"I need to speak to you privately," Keira continued. "Once everything gets settled with the Task Force, I plan to leave."
"The King has other plans," The General commented after a few seconds of silence.
"I'm aware," Keira growled softly. "He already spoke to my father. But since we are both in agreement, I think we should tell him that we aren't planning on-"
Before she could finish her sentence, the King's presence was announced. Everyone in the dining area gathered around the table. Keira didn't move since she wasn't sure where she was supposed to sit.
"Follow me," the General whispered as he walked around her toward the table.
Keira nodded and followed him. They neared the head of the table, and the General tapped on a chair. Keira stood behind it while he went to stand behind his chair next to her. They all waited for the King to sit before taking their seats.
"Keira," the King greeted. "I'm glad you were able to join us."
"Thank you for inviting me," Keira replied.
'It's not like I could refuse,' Keira thought as the servers began to place dishes in front of them.
"Donovan," Princess Julia began. "Father tells us you have some news to share."
Everyone turned to look at the General.
"I'm planning to initiate the mating ritual," he replied vaguely.
"To whom?" the Queen asked, as if she didn't know the answer to the question.
Keira could feel the tension coming from the General.
"My mate," he replied vaguely once more.
"You found your mate?" Princess Julia asked, surprised. "Who is it?"
"His given mate," the King answered. "He's not allowed to mate with anyone else."
"He's not?" Keira ventured to ask, confused. "I thought both parties had a choice."
"Technically, they do," the Queen confirmed. "But being part of the Royal family… Well, let's just say that there are special rules for those with royal blood."
"We're not allowed to mate with anyone unless they are our given mate," Princess Julia explained. "Our given mate is not allowed to reject the mating either."
WHAT!!?? Keira wanted to shout. Why wasn't I told? I'm stuck with this guy now…
"Why didn't you tell us you found your given mate?" Princess Julia asked, pouting. "We can do the mating ritual before you go, and I can take my new sister-in-law shopping."
"That won't be necessary," the General stated. "We're not going to do the mating ritual."
"What?!" the Queen asked. "You found your mate, and you don't want to do the mating ritual? Who is she?"
Keira," the King said, drawing everyone's attention to him. "Why don't you stand?"
Keira slowly stood, aware of everyone looking at her.
"You all know her as the Captain of the Task Force," the King continued. "But in a few days, she will be known as Donovan's mate."
Princess Julia gave a small shriek and clapped her hands.
"This is great!" she said happily. "Keira, we are going shopping!"
"Welcome to the family, dear," the Queen said, also smiling. "I can't wait for grandchildren!"
Keira gave them a small smile and sat down. She didn't trust herself to speak.
"Keira," the King said. "You don't have to worry about anything. We're in contact with your family and are arranging for a visit."
When Keira didn't say anything, the General gave her a small nudge under the table.
"I- thank you," Keira choked out.
'So much for our plans,' Sabelina commented.
'There are other ways to avoid it,' Keira stated.
'You're not planning on killing him, are you?' Sabelina asked nervously.
Keira didn't reply.
"We're not going through with the ritual," the General stated as if that was enough to end the conversation.
The King narrowed his eyes at him.
"You don't have a choice," the King said sternly.
"Victoria-" the General began.
"I don't want to hear it," the King interrupted. "I told you to get rid of her. She's not your mate and shouldn't be acting like she is!"
"If you won't get rid of her, then I will," the King warned.
"Victoria?" Keira wondered, not aware that she had spoken out loud.
'Surely not Victoria Gauge…'
"You know her?" the King asked.