Her Forever

Orion’s POV

“Aw she’s such a wee babe!” Fionn cooed as he stuffed a large roll into his mouth. “Did ye see the way she hid it from us? The lass is adorable!” I slammed my hand on the table, causing the dishes to rattle and a few cups to fall over. “You do not speak so casually about your future queen!” I said furiously.

“What has gotten into you, your highness? Your once emotionless expressions are now written all over you. Has your mate already broken your tough exterior?” Annan chided as I huffed and laid the napkin across my lap to finish my meal, while straightening my back.

It was true, I never let people see my true emotion. Always the stoic face, that way no one can see what true intentions I have up my sleeve. “Only when it comes to her,” I whispered. “Be sure you show her some respect, don’t make her feel inferior, do you understand?” All four of them agreed instantly and we finished our food in silence.

I found it heartwarming she had something such as a child’s stuffed animal. It shows her innocence in the world. Hell, she didn’t have a childhood. Her own tough exterior will be tough to crumble and maybe treating her or spoiling her like a child could break that. Get rid of her worries, get rid of the walls of untrust and have her fall into me.

Willa came back down the stairs, wearing the tight black jeans and white off-the shoulder top she had on earlier. Her hair was put up in a high pony tail exposing her slender neck and collar bones. I’ve been with her for under 24 hours and I already wanted to mark her with love bites to let everyone know she has an intended. Her body was certainly made for me, it was taking all of my strength not to slip my tongue into her mouth and claim it as mine.

“Would you like to go for a stroll, Darling?” Her shy demeanor had once again resurfaced as she nodded. I’ve noticed in times of stress and uncertainty her sass and battiness were evident. A coping mechanism I was hoping to destroy. I want her to be herself and see the smile she had the other day while her friend was introduced to the Warrior pack. Willa’s smile was held with pride for her sister and soon my Darling’s smile would captivate our entire kingdom. She has yet to smile with me, but I’ll be sure to change that today.

Willa nodded her head and I lifted my arm for her to take. She gave an uncertain look to me and hooked her arm with mine.

Leaving the cabin, I had us stroll down the path to the small merchant area of the territory. I knew they had small shops for clothing, food and other items. Her eyes grew wide in amazement as we walked through the town.

Willa’s POV

The small town looked like I stepped back in time. Nothing was used in excess here. There were gardens behind everyone’s homes, the buildings had exotic plants growing out of the rooves to be used as cover, everything was so natural, everything was part of the scenery. Each home and store had their own unique design yet still blended in with the natural part of the forest.

I noticed women were wearing a variety different types of clothing. Some women who were shopping were wearing dresses that one would see out of the renaissance back in the Earth realm. They weren’t extra fancy, exotic or expensive- just enough to get them through the day. Then there were some women who had more yoga-like pants with a variety of different styled tops. The men were different and wore linen pants and opened tunic shirts.

“There are shifters, they wear what’s comfortable and easily removed in case for a need to shift,” Orion commented. I continued to look as Orion guided me through the small market. Fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, grains and water were on display. No one was rendering any money or taking more than what they needed for food. They only thing costing some sort of coinage was clothing, baskets and other nick knacks one could buy. It was a small utopia for the pack members. I smiled looking how everyone was happy, no one was going hungry and no one was trying to steal. They were in their own bliss.

“Is it like this in the Light Kingdom?” I looked up at Orion. His thin lips were pressed into a line as he squeezed my arm tighter. “Not yet, we will get there Darling.” Not saying anything, he led me to a shop that had a sign called, “Maxine’s Organic Materials.” The opened door caused and invisible bell to ring as we walked in, Orion going first and scanning the room.

“Welcome!” A tall woman came back from behind the counter. “Oh, your Highness,” she bowed, realizing who was in the room. Orion did a silent nod in return. “I’m afraid we just have ladies wear, not unless you are shopping for your mate that you have found! She was certainly a beauty; I saw her last night.” Her eyes continued to stay down, and I still kept hidden behind Orion, unsure of her true intentions. Too many supernatural beings around here for my liking. My social bar has already been exceeded for the day. My hands stayed fisted in his cape.

Orion turned around and led me around from his cape. “Yes, it is for my destined,” his velvety smooth voice spoke as I continued to look into his eyes. Not only are his looks captivating but so is his voice. He could read a phone book and put me right to sleep.

“She is certainly more beautiful up close! Come, miss! I have just the collection for you to try.” Maxine grabbed my hand and I looked back for help but Orion just waved his hand for me to go. I was led behind an elaborate curtain and she began to pull at my clothes. “Easy there!” I squealed. Maxine looked at me confused. “I can undress myself, sorry.” Maxine nodded her head.

“I keep forgetting you are human. I heard they appreciate their nakedness private,” she giggled. “You will have to get over that more quickly here, child. I heard the fae kingdom are freer with their bodies.” My face paled as she threw some dresses onto the chair next to me. “Come on, chop, chop! We want a show now! I have been blessed having Luna Sadie, you both look about the same size!” The one dress that was left in my hands was staring at me in the face as I grasped it tighter.

“Freer with their bodies?” My breath hitched. “Good gracious.”

After a few minutes of trying to get the dress on, and Maxine checking on me multiple times, she huffed while finally tightening the strings on the corset. It was a simple A-line dress in the color of champagne. Gold threading wove through the fabric and small white and black flowers stood out on every hemline. It was exotically beautiful and something I would have never picked for myself. Maxine came behind me and pulled my pony tail down, letting my hair cascade down my back. “He’s going to love this on you!” She squeezed my shoulders as she whispered. The front was low, but not overly, just more so than what I was use to. The x-shaped cross on the front of the corset and the tie in the back made it look elegant.

Maxine threw the curtain open with a loud grunt and in front of me was not only Orion, but his men. Orion was sitting on a lounge chair, with a leg hanging over the side, acting like he owned the place. Heck, he probably could. An instant shade of red was felt from my cheeks down to my toes as I saw everyone staring at me. My heart was racing, and I began to scoot to the side of the curtain to hide.

“Everyone out,” Orion’s smooth voice spoke as he stood up and straightened his attire. “Oy, is he going to take her ‘ere?” Fionn said smirking. Annan smacked the back of his head as he roughly began to push the other guards out. “Hay! It’s a fair question! I know I would!” Brenden laughed loudly as the door shut behind them. Maxine still stood at the far corner of the store watching Orion steps towards me. Not one footstep could be heard from him as he sauntered over.

His hand came up to my cheek and instantly felt the sparks fly. Listening to my body, I let him rub his thumb over my chin as I leaned closer, our eyes never leaving each other’s. “You are utterly breath taking,” he whispered. Orion leaned in and kissed my cheek, close to the side of my mouth. I small gasp left my lips as I held my face where his hand was. “Do you like the dress?”

“Yes, i-it’s beautiful,” I looked down twirling it around. I started giggling how the dress swished back and forth. My biological mother never bought me fun dresses like this as a kid. You know how all the girls would run around in tutus and beautiful princess dresses on their birthdays? I envied those girls, instead I wore secondhand jeans and a Dora the Explorer t-shirt that had seen better days. They had the money but preferred not wasting it on clothes I would grow out of in a years’ time.

“Good, we will take the lot of it.” Orion pulled on his waist band next to his sword’s sheath and toss a small bag of coins.

“Your highness?” Maxine looked wide eyed as she looked at the coins. “You heard me, pack them up and I will send someone to pick them up.” Orion took my hand in his and led me out the door.

“You can’t just buy me a bunch of clothes!” I pulled back on my hand. “I don’t need them! I was given some to wear during the time I was supposed to be vacationing here.” Orion chuckled as he grabbed my hand again. “Darling, get used to be spoiled because I intend to do it more.”

“I’m not your sugar baby, I can buy things myself. I’ve got my own money.” Orion continued to drag me out of the small town and into the path in the forest.

“Now I won’t hear any more of that. You’re a queen now and will be treated as such. Nothing less for my love. Besides,” he paused and started to whisper in my ear, “I’ll be ripping them off so often you should have a large wardrobe of the finest clothing.” I gasped and pushed him off me which was difficult to do since he was menacingly tall.

“Pervert,” I scoffed while he just laughed. An honest laugh he did, the first time I had ever heard him. It was so joyous it reminded me of a Christmas I had always dreamed of. Sitting with your parents and opening presents and hearing Santa Clause movies on the television was a dream of mine. Yeah, that didn’t happen for me, but it reminded me of it. I hope to spoil my children with everything I didn’t have. My heart instantly warmed and I gave him the biggest grin.

“What are you smiling about Willa?” His smile was large showing off his perfect teeth, there was a twinkle in his eye that I saw the moment we first laid eyes one each other the day before. “You,” I blushed. “When you laugh, it is just a good sound. I can’t explain it, it just reminded me of something.”

“And what did it remind you of?” My smile faltered a bit, sensing my battle he squeezed my hands a few times. “Come, I want to show you something.”

We walked for the next twenty minutes through the dense forest but always stayed on the path. Some parts were darker than others and you could see little flickers of light from pixies and wisps. Many would come by and buzz around Orion’s head, some even bowing and making tinkling noises while he would just smile and nod at them. This continued for the next few minutes until I couldn’t take it anymore.

“What are they saying? They are talking to you right?” Orion nodded and another pixie came up. This time, sitting on his shoulder and looking down at me. She cupped her hand and tinkled in his ear to tell him a secret and came down in front of me. I held out my hand so she could sit on it. She was small, just under 6 inches. Her face had the same features as a human but more pointed and slenderer. Small leaves and cloth were woven to fit her curvy body. Her eyes were large for her face and her ears not only pointed outwards but had feather like tendrils falling to her back. When she smiled, her teeth were full of sharp, pointed teeth. This observation didn’t scare me like I thought it would, but maybe it was because werewolves had fangs and so far, I hadn’t been bitten.

The little pixie started talking to me like she knew me and told me about her day. I was confused the whole time but nodded my head for her to continue. As she was done, she flew up, kissed my cheek and flew away. “What was that all about?” I giggled.

“Leah was letting you know how excited she was that you are to be queen. That she hopes you could help with a few requests for the pixies. When you nodded your head, you agreed to letting the pixies had a representative at court.” My mouth opened wide.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to do that; I was trying to be nice!” I panicked. Orion snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me in closer. “Not to worry, a lot of things are changing, and it would be an excellent idea to involve the pixies, in fact having a representative of all the fae cultures in court instead of nobility would be preferred.” Orion continued to lead me through the path until we saw some light at the end of the forest.

The uneasiness of all this was daunting. How could me, a human, someone that isn’t supposed to be here end up in this situation? I mean, I should be back home and work on Alpha Remus’ accounting books and worrying about what I should make myself for dinner. I have lived in a cabin, alone for a lot of my life and now I’m being thrusted in a whole new culture and now I have to rule in it.

“Do not worry, Darling. We are taking our time.” Orion always knows my feelings which I find extremely weird, it’s like he has a sixth sense about it. Another question for another time I suppose. That list just keeps on growing…