Ivory Snow

Adam had no idea what to do, so he stood stoically by Ivory’s side. Ivory gave a slight bow of her head, which he copied at her mental nudge, accepting their fealty.

The guests stood up again, staying in front of their chairs.

Jack had pulled the brothers aside before the guests arrived and explained to them what to do for this part, so they stayed next to their chairs as well.

Adam pulled Ivory’s chair out and helped her into her seat. Then he sat beside her. Once they were both seated, everyone else sat back down.

All but the Duke.

Andrew raised his wine glass to the air for a toast. “To the safe return of our beloved Princess and the brothers who nursed her back to health and brought her home to us.”

Ivory felt a small tear forming as they all raised their glasses.

I swear, if I cry one more time today, I will torture this pup for the rest of their life.

Adam nearly choked on the sip he took after the toast. His brothers looked at him. He gave them the slightest shake of his head. Not now.

As long as the pup is healthy. In case I haven’t said it yet, you look beautiful tonight.

Adam turned to look in her eyes when he said it, watching that tear well up a little more. She scowled.

I hate you sometimes, you know that right?

Adam chuckled and turned back to the table. He cleared his throat self-consciously, suddenly remembering they had an audience full of strangers.

Help. He pleaded with his mate.

She just smiled and lowered her glass, nodding gratefully at her uncle for the toast.

“Thank you, uncle. Honored Guests.” She bowed her head slightly to them again. “It is a pleasure to sit among you once again. I know you are all curious about what happened, I ask that you honor my memories of my parents in not continually bringing it up, as it did take me some time for me to recover. I will say this only once. One wolf attacked us, taking my father by surprise. The wolf had tricked our guards into thinking that a pack of rogues were on the way. They went to stop them, leaving only one guard and this trusted wolf. This wolf killed my parents in front of me. I tried running to my mother, but I was standing on a stone barrier. I slipped in my efforts, hitting my head on a corner. The waves knocked me over the side. Mother Nature protected me that day. A family of dolphins had been nearby. I was unconscious and would have drowned had they not taken me. They delivered me miles down the shore, where a large family of males was fishing. They took me, fixed me, and welcomed me. Mother Nature led me straight to the arms of the wolf that was my true mate. These males here beside me, are the ones I owe my life to, both physically, and mentally.” Ivory glanced at her brothers.

Brian winked at her.

“I would just like to reiterate one thing the Duke said.” Adam added, his eyes darkened, sending a shiver through the room. His wolf wanted to make a point. “You are not to say her name outside of this room. Ava still does not know that Ivory lives. We plan on telling her ourselves, right as we take our revenge for the wrongs she committed against our people. Until that happens, you are only to refer to my mate as Snow. A name my brothers gave her while we waited anxiously for her to wake. Very few people know she is alive, as we have kept it that way for her protection. If any harm comes to my mate, I will personally take offense and will not ask questions first. You have been invited here tonight because we believe you to be trustworthy. Please do not prove us wrong.” His wolf receded and the silent sigh of relief could be heard from around the room.

The tension his wolf had created had made it difficult for many of them to so much as breathe.

So hot. I will never get tired of watching you command a room.

Not the time, sweetheart.

Ivory shrugged. I’m just saying.

The Duke signaled and Jeffery, the only servant allowed in the room for the first part, turned to get the rest.

A moment later, a line of servers walked through the door, each carrying a tray. The first one had been instructed to serve the Royal’s side first. As was custom. The server laid the plates down in front of Ivory without even looking her way. It wasn’t until the female was stepping back that she got a glance of the long white hair.

Her mouth floundered before she dropped to her knee. “Welcome back, your highness. I always knew you would return to us.” The female whispered.

Ivory gave her a gentle smile and bowed her head again. She had forgotten how much strain this put on her neck.

I am going to need a neck massage when this is over.

My pleasure... your highness.

The other servers, hearing the exclamation, couldn’t help but peek down at the end. Before leaving the room, they all took their turns greeting the lost Princess.

Richard walked back over to her and leaned down. “Don’t worry, my wolves and I made sure they were all trustworthy and loyal before allowing them to work while you are here.”

Ivory looked up at him. “Thank you. Are you not eating with us?” She frowned at him.

“No, sweet one. I prefer the ranks of my wolves. I am out of practice with the social world.”

Ivory snorted. “That makes two of us.”

The brothers all tried to hide their chuckles at her snort, Richard didn’t bother. He laughed, kissed the top of her head, and walked away.

There were more than a few curious gazes on them, watching their interactions.

“I had some doubts, but the Captain always did dote on her like that.” A female had whispered to her mate.

“How can you doubt that white hair?”

“She was rarely seen before, there is always room to doubt.”

“Just because she is back, doesn’t mean we will be able to get Ava off the throne.”

The female looked at him and shook her head disappointedly. “How daft can you be? Did you feel the power rolling off her mate? We are finally free. If you can’t trust them, trust me at least.”

They weren’t the only two discussing everything. It seemed everyone had been so caught off guard they forgot everyone else could still hear them.

Either that or they were hoping it would entice the royal family to speak again.

It didn’t.

Throughout the dinner, Gabe kept glancing up at Adam, perplexed. After nearly ten minutes of this, Adam had had enough. Gabe was sitting on Ivory’s right side, the first on the long side of the table.

“What? You act like you’ve never seen me before.”

Adam ignored the stares of the guests closest. There were three brothers on each side of the table, keeping distance between them and the rest. Unfortunately, that also meant they were far enough away to have a good view of the royal couple.

Gabe tilted his head and lifted an eyebrow. Ivory giggled. Adam never had been able to understand him as well as she could.

“He says you look funny without all the extra hair.”

That was enough for the older brothers. They set their forks down and had to cover their mouths to try and keep their laughter down.

Adam rolled his eyes and reached over to ruffle the young pup’s hair. Gabe leaned to the side, avoiding him with a giant smile. Just like all the other brothers, he had had a random female come in and ensure he was cleaned and combed for the night. It had been quite the spectacle.

Gabe threw a look at Ivory who was having difficulty keeping a straight face.

“He says you look more human and less wolf now.”

Snickering could be heard from up and down the table. Gabe tensed, realizing the others had heard them. He gave Ivory a panicked look. She bent over and kissed him on his cheek.

“You’re still my favorite brother.” She winked at him and then picked her fork back up, subtly telling him that nothing had changed and to just ignore everyone else.

More than one heart was softened by the unique relationship between the two of them, mostly females of course. Males always thought they were too tough to deal with emotional moments.

After the dinner, came the dessert. It was an elegant chocolate cake.

“Hopefully, soon we will have the privilege of tasting the Princess’s apple pie again.” The Duke hinted from across the table.

“I doubt it would take much convincing. It’s harder to get this female out of the kitchen than it is to get her in. She was sneaking her way down to ours before she was even supposed to be out of bed.” Adam grumbled.

“That was years ago, and you still won’t let that go?” Ivory lifted a questioning eyebrow at him.

He scoffed. “If you had to hold me still while I got stitched up, while knocked out cold, cut up, broken, and bloodied, would you let me get out of bed? No. And when I didn’t listen, you’d nag at me for it until the end of time.” Adam softened his voice, knowing full well what he was doing and the show he was putting on. He wanted them to see her strength. The fighter. They needed to believe in her. “I will never be able to unsee that.”

Ivory placed her cheek against his, the side of her head facing their audience. Adam gently lifted a hand and grazed the scar. He kissed it lightly and she pulled away.

Why, Adam?

Because they need to know. You deserve their respect. I can feel their opinions growing already.

“I say her pastries are the best. The apple is my favorite.” Charles threw in, lightning the mood.

“Nah, the peach is the best.” Dean added, following his lead.

“Yes, her pastries are good. But that cake she made for Adam’s birthday a few months ago, with the strawberry filling...” Brian kissed his fingers and threw it in the air. “Pure perfection.”

Ivory blushed. The Duke grinned. The niece they thought they had lost had been loved and protected all this time. The more he heard, the less guilt he felt, and the happier he was.

“When I met Adam a few months ago, he had sold out of all her creations within his first day. The rest of his companions were still selling over the next week.” Jack commented.

“Wait. Did you come with all those traders back in the Spring?” Someone asked eagerly.

Adam nodded warily. The male smiled.

“I knew you looked familiar! The pup is right, you do look different with a haircut.” People chuckled up and down the table. “I bought a bunch of those pastries. I haven’t found anything that tasted that good since. Ow!” The male shouted and looked at his mate.

She had her arms folded and was scowling at him.

“What was that for?”

“You said my baking was the best you ever had! When did you buy these and why don’t I know about them?”

The male looked terrified, his face paled as he realized his mistake and automatically began trying to dig his way out of it.

The brothers started describing how well-known Ivory was for her baking in their area, only, everyone thought it was their brother Dean who had made it all. The guests laughed at the stories. The mood of the dinner had improved and now everyone was talking animatedly.

Andrew glanced at Ivory who gave him a subtle nod back. He was letting her take the lead, as she technically out ranked him.

Help me to stand up. It’s time to direct them to the other room.

What about Andrew? This is his house.

Yes, but wherever we go, we run the show. Unless we specifically tell someone else too. For tonight, it is important for us to show leadership.

Adam chuckled, shaking his head. I told you the Princess was in there somewhere. You just needed to be in your element.

That’s not all that’s in here. Help me survive this night, and you might just find the farm girl in here again too.

Adam didn’t comment, he just quickly stood up and helped her move her chair back.

Once she was standing, all the others stood with her. Without a word, they followed her out the door and into the lounge. Adam had one arm around her waist as they stood further into the room.

She signaled that the brothers didn’t have to stand with them. But Gabe stayed by her side and the rest stood in a line behind them. She gave them a small grateful smile. The Evil Queen lost her honor guard to Ivory. Next would be the kingdom she stole.

Ivory greeted the guests one by one as they came into the lounge, formally introducing them to Adam.

A few females asked about Gabe, as he was right there. They just said he was the youngest of the seven brothers, which was always an eyebrow raiser.

Thankfully the number of guests was small, as Adam was anxious for her to sit down again.

I am not made of glass, you know. I will not break!

To me, you are. Now deal with it.

Ivory rolled her eyes and sat down on a loveseat. Adam reluctantly moved over to the other side of the room, where the males had congregated. For some unknown reason to him, the room had been divided into genders. Gabe followed him even more reluctantly.

“Pardon me for asking, my Lady. But I can’t help but notice that you two seem to be having mental conversations. How is that possible?” A female sitting nearby asked nervously.

“Yes, I wondered the same thing. But I didn’t think you could actually be doing it. It’s not possible with both of you in human form.” Another female scoffed in a know-it-all kind of way.

“Oh, it’s possible.” Jessica piped up, taking the empty spot next to her niece. “They do it a lot. I think it’s sweet. They’ve only been mated for a few months. You all know how that first year can be.”

There were many blushing females now.

“Aren’t you only sixteen? Shouldn’t you have another year or so until you shift?”

“I had my first shift in the Spring. I had been hearing my wolf for months before that. I didn’t know it was her of course, I thought I was just finally going crazy.”

The others nodded knowingly, even though they had no real idea what she was talking about, they just assumed they did.

“In times of high stress, a wolf has been known to appear early. I think we can all agreed, these are times of high stress. I’m just grateful her wolf waited until she was mature enough to handle the responsibility.” Jessica patted Ivory’s leg proudly.

“I don’t see it as a big deal, honestly. Adam shifted at fifteen.” The females gasped and leaned around trying to get a look at him again.

Thanks to Ivory’s announcement, the males all turned to him, abruptly stopping what they had been talking about.

Thanks, love.

Anytime, darling.

Ivory laughed out loud at his mental growl.

“See.” The first female pointed at Ivory. “They did it again. How, though?”

“We just experimented and played with it. Adam’s parents were both gone, leaving him to raise his brothers alone, hence the early shift. Mine were gone. We were kind of feeling out all the shifting stuff one our own. We had books and journals, and memories from the few things we had been taught.” Ivory shrugged. “We figured if we could partially shift, then maybe we could still have that connection. Overtime, it became easier.”

“You don’t look partially shifted.” One accused.

Ivory smiled and shook her head. “Not anymore, no. We are more united with our wolves now, to the point that we don’t need to physically change for them to come forward. We trust them, and they trust us. We are one.”

They asked a few more questions about it. Jessica brought up the images, getting all of the females undivided attention with that.

Don’t you dare. Adam warned.

Ivory laughed. “You are worrying my mate, Aunt Jess.”

An hour later, all the guests had finally trickled out. Not soon enough in Ivory’s opinion.

Gabe had fallen asleep with his head in her lap. He hadn’t lasted long with the males. One of the females had been brave enough to ask about him.

“He was born prematurely. Their mother did not make it. As a result, he was raised by all males until I came along. Gabe is a special pup. He is shy and extra quiet. Something about him called to me, and me to him. He doesn’t like to talk in front of others, rarely even with us. I learned to read him, and now it’s almost like I can hear him in my mind. With so many changes and so many new faces, he needs us close.”

Adam walked up during her explanation and looked down at his brother. “Should I move him?”

Ivory shook her head no.

Once everyone was gone, Brian came over and picked him up. “We are using the room that was once for the royal guard, that way we have the pups close. I will be in the bed next to him if he wakes up.” Brian leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Good night, Snow.”

Each of the brothers bade her goodnight before leaving. Andrew and Jack were the last ones in the room with them, watching. Adam sank down next to her with a sigh. The other two came and sat across from them. Not long after, Richard joined them.

“Did the pups all get their goodnight kisses?’ Richard teased.

“Yes, thank you.” Ivory said in a proud but snotty attitude.

“Is that normal, then?” Andrew asked.

“Yes.” Adam answered. “I’m not even sure when it started. It just started happening one night. Threw me, too.”

“It was the first time you went to help with the Baron’s harvest. I had only been there a week. Gabe and Fitz gave me a hug and kiss one night before they went to bed. Eric looked like he wanted to, so I insisted. Then Charles did it as a joke, so of course the other two had to join in. Somehow, it stuck.” She shrugged. She had never given it much thought before.

“It just proves to me again how well taken care of you were. That makes me feel better that we weren’t the ones to find you.” Richard said softly. “It bothered me at first, so many males with one female. But it’s obvious that you were never more than a sister to them, well... most of them.” Richard winked at Adam.

“Hey. I tried alright. I thought I was going nuts. I didn’t get how they only saw her that way. I couldn’t not see her as the most special thing.”

“He did try. He ran away after just a few days. When he was home, he was gone before dawn, and came home in time for dinner. Even in the same room he was far away.” Ivory was trying to tease him, but Adam knew her too well.

“Only physically, love.”

She sighed. “I know. Still sucked though.”

“How do you think tonight went?” Adam asked the Duke, changing the subject.

“Better than I expected to be honest. Especially by the end there. I think we had a lot of doubters at first, about who she was. Then I think they doubted her abilities. A Princess that hid and then came back, they saw her as weak. Your little stunt with her scar and mentioning her wounds helped wipe that away. I wondered how long it would take for them to catch on to all the little conversations you two kept having. I figured it would be a female that asked. Now they have an idea of just how strong you two are. I did notice that neither of you mentioned the pup.”

“No, with so many females in the room, and her light scent, no one would assume it was her. I almost did mention it, but then thought better of it. I didn’t want them to think that was why she came back. Plus, and most importantly, I fear it will put an even bigger target on her back by Ava.” Adam’s hand absently lowered to Ivory’s stomach, as though he were making sure it was still there.

“I had an idea tonight. A way I think we could announce my return to the world and pull Ava out of her stronghold.”

All the male’s heads snapped up and looked at Ivory.

“My birthday, and the anniversary of my parent’s death, is in a few weeks’ time. I want to hold a party, a festival of sorts, in our village. Jack can send word to Sawyer, get him started with the planning. He can say it is in memorial of the royal family. We will send an invitation to Ava. Uncle Andrew will get one as well of course. She can’t ignore something like this and not have the people turn against her. As an added bonus, she will know that you are going to be out in the open. She’ll make her plans of course, but we will already be in place. We will see her people first.”

Ivory gave them all time to think her plan through. She could see that they were struggling with it but couldn’t argue that it would work.

“How would we get you there? How would we get Andrew there? Her soldiers will stop him.” Richard pointed out.

“Simple. We have Adam walk out in front of both Andrew’s troops and yours, in his wolf form. They will have a choice then, to follow the true King, or the fake Queen. If word gets back to Ava, she will fear that Andrew or Jack has been made King. She will not assume it is anyone but them. The brothers, and a few other guards can escort me through the hidden gate. I can even take Jack with me, which will further spread the rumor that he is the new King.”

“That means I won’t be there to protect you.” Adam did not like that part of the plan. His part he could handle fine. Being separated from Ivory... not so much.

Especially if there was a chance she would be in danger.

“You would be helping me more by diverting their attention to you. Do you think I like putting you on the front lines like that? Or sending you away? It is what would help save the most lives. Not all of those soldiers out there want to be there. Your brothers weren’t the only ones being drafted. They will follow the rightful heir. They just need to be shown. They don’t need to know who is under the fur yet, just that it does exist. That a better way exists.”

“I will protect her, Adam. I promised you I would protect your precious treasure when the time came. You said so yourself, she was mine before she was ever yours.”

“She’s always been mine.” He growled unhappily.

“But she was ours to protect first. I failed once. I will not fail again.” Richard said firmly, determined to save this one royal. The one his friend would have told him to save above all costs.

Maria too, if he could have.

“This is a solid plan, Ivory. But what about once we are all in the village? What then?” Andrew implored.

Ivory scoffed. “Seriously? I came up with that much! You four can’t come up with the last bit, how to take down the two bad guys? Sheesh.” She giggled as they looked like she had slapped them. “Lighten up, pups. Let’s all sleep on it and come back together in the morning.” She stood up, Adam with her as though she were physically pulling him along.