IN THE MORNING
MICHAEL
When I finally stirred awake, the world was quiet soft sunlight spilling through gauzy curtains, the faint hum of birds beyond the balcony, and the gentle crackle of a fire that soone must have lit early. Then I realized I couldn’t move. Soone had pinned. I blinked groggily, tilting my head just enough to see a ss of dark silver hair sprawled across my chest. Zavier was curled around like a massive, overly possessive wolf blanket. His arm was draped across my waist, his leg hooked lazily over mine, and he was breathing slow and deep against my neck. I could not believe that I was sleeping near Zavier and Charlie got surrounded by other alphas. I an, I know he is supposed to be first chosen one, but him getting attention of three alphas at once seed a bit too much.
"Zavier..." I whispered, voice still scratchy from sleep.
He didn’t move. If anything, he tightened his grip.
"No." He murmured, voice low, still half asleep. "Mine. Five more minutes."
I groaned quietly, trying not to laugh.
"You’re heavy." I muttered, attempting to push him off which, of course, only made him nuzzle closer.
The worst part? My wolf was purring. Actually purring. Traitor.
"Zavier." I hissed again. "We have breakfast. People. Guests. Responsibilities-"
The door creaked open.
"Or." Ca Rose’s sing song voice. "You could just stay there and let everyone think the royal couple is too busy for breakfast."
I froze. Zavier cracked one eye open, clearly debating whether it was worth moving.
"Rose." He said flatly. "Leave."
"Oh, don’t mind ." She grinned, leaning against the doorfra with a cup of coffee. "Selene says breakfast is ready. The goddess is already sitting at the table. Charlie’s there too, with Adrian, Terrence, and Xavier. And before you ask yes, it’s already chaotic."
I groaned, shoving lightly at Zavier.
"Up. Now."I said.
He sighed dramatically, pressing one last kiss to my temple before finally releasing .
"Fine. But only because you look like you might actually faint from hunger again."Zavier said.
"Romantic." I muttered.
In the Dining Hall when we arrived, the sight that greeted almost made turn right back around. Charlie was sitting at the long golden table, in the middle of three alphas, Adrian on his left, Xavier on his right, and Terrence sitting diagonally, glaring daggers at both of them. anwhile, the Moon Goddess herself was sipping tea like this was all part of her divine entertainnt package.
"Morning, sleepyhead!" Charlie chirped as soon as he saw . "We saved you a seat! Right next to Zavier, of course."
"Of course." I muttered, sliding into the seat while Zavier took his beside , ever the smug shadow.
The servants appeared almost instantly, trays of steaming pancakes, fruit, and delicate pastries that filled the entire room with warmth. For a mont, I almost forgot the chaos. Almost.
"Charlie." I said, giving him a look as I reached for my cup. "Why are you sitting between three very territorial alphas? Again?"
He blinked innocently, cutting into a strawberry tart.
"They like . I like them. It’s called balance, big brother."Charlie grinned.
Adrian smirked.
"He’s not wrong."He said.
"Balance?" Xavier muttered, deadpan. "You an chaos."
Terrence grunted his agreent, though his hand was suspiciously close to Charlie’s on the table. Selene entered just then, eyes rolling so hard I thought she might summon an eclipse.
"I leave you all alone for one morning..." She muttered, before glancing toward with a small, rare smile. "You look better, Michael."
"Mostly thanks to breakfast." I said honestly.
The Goddess chuckled softly, her voice carrying warmth that wrapped around like sunlight.
"And perhaps because you finally slept in a place that rembers you." She added, eyes gleaming. "Your family built this castle to protect love, life, and the next generation. It’s only fitting it protects you now."
Sothing in my chest ached. I looked down at my hands, the faint shimr of my bond mark catching the light. Zavier reached over, brushing his fingers against mine beneath the table. I didn’t pull away. Charlie, of course, noticed imdiately.
"Awwwwww, look at them!" He squealed. "Royal breakfast of love!"He grinned.
Adrian grinned wickedly.
"Jealous?"He asked.
Charlie stuck his tongue out.
"Maybe."Charlie teased.
"Don’t encourage them." I muttered, but there was laughter in my voice now, and my wolf, calm for the first ti in days, purred contentedly.
The Goddess smiled knowingly, sipping her tea.
"It’s good to see the royal house noisy again. Just as it should be."She said.
And for a fleeting mont, surrounded by food, laughter, and far too many overprotective alphas, I believed her. If breakfast had been loud, warm, and vaguely comforting, what ca after was the exact opposite. The mont I stepped out of the dining hall, belly full, heart calr, and Zavier still glued to my side like a living shadow, the Elder was waiting. He had a sparkle in his eyes. That alone should’ve been a warning.
"Ah, perfect timing, Your highness." He said, clasping his hands. "The seamstress has arrived."
"The what?" I blinked.
Before I could get another word out, a whirl of fabric, ribbons, and the faint sll of lavender practically exploded through the hallway. A woman, tall, thin, draped in silver and blue swept in with a dozen assistants trailing behind her. Each carried armfuls of shimring cloth that caught the sunlight like liquid moonlight.
"Oh, my stars, there you are!" She gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest as though seeing were the greatest honor in existence. "The lost royal! The chosen oga! The moon’s blessed bearer! Oh, what a face! What posture! What absolutely tragic hair!"
"...What?" I blinked again, halfway between horror and confusion.
Zavier’s arm instinctively tightened around my waist, his eyes narrowing.
"You’ll speak gently to him." He warned, voice low.
The seamstress blinked once, then smiled sweetly at him like he was a mildly annoying cat.
"Oh, alpha darling, relax! I’ve dressed kings and warlords, I can handle one very protective fiance."She grinned.
Rose snorted in the background.
"This is going to be good."Rose said.
Selene, who had appeared just in ti to enjoy the show, folded her arms.
"You brought her?" She asked the Elder incredulously.
"She’s the best." He said proudly.
"She’s a nace." Selene countered.
The seamstress ignored them both, snapping her fingers sharply.
"Assistants! asuring tapes! Fabric samples! We are designing a wedding for royalty!"She smirked.
The hallway beca chaos. Before I could even breathe, three assistants had surrounded , one asuring my shoulders, another circling my waist, and one crouched to check ’oga posture proportions’, whatever that ant.
"Wait, wait, what are you doing?!" I squawked, flailing slightly as a asuring tape snapped around my chest.
"Hold still, my prince." The seamstress humd, squinting at the notes one of her helpers had written down. "You have excellent symtry. And those markings, gods, the embroidery possibilities-!"
"Touch him too long and you’ll lose a hand."Zavier frowned.
"Zavier!" I hissed, blushing furiously as the assistants giggled nervously. "I’m fine!"
He didn’t look convinced. Selene sighed.
"Welco to royal wedding preparations." She muttered. "You’ll wish you fainted instead."
The Goddess, shimring faintly at the far end of the hall, seed utterly delighted.
"Oh, this is perfect!" She said cheerfully, clasping her hands. "I did say the royal wedding should begin imdiately! Look at this, teamwork already!"
"Teamwork?" I yelped, as a pin nearly grazed my side. "Soone’s stabbing with teamwork!"
Charlie’s laughter echoed from the staircase where he, Adrian, Terrence, and Xavier were watching like a live show audience.
"This is the best thing ever." Charlie cackled. "Michael, you look like a terrified cupcake!"
"A royal cupcake."Adrian grinned.
"Want to help pick the outfit?" Rose teased. "I have opinions."
"No!" The seamstress, Selene, Zavier, and I all shouted at once.
The Goddess giggled behind her hand, eyes twinkling.
"Ah... the scent of love, panic, and silk. How very fitting."She teased.
I slumped slightly as the seamstress finally stepped back, nodding approvingly.
"asurents complete! Tomorrow, the first fitting of the royal suit and ceremonial robes. You’ll look divine."Sestress said.
I stared at her, still red faced and completely overwheld.
"I already feel divine. As in, I want to ascend and disappear."I said.
Zavier smirked faintly, brushing his thumb over my wrist
"You’ll be fine, love. I’ll be beside you for every part of it."Zavier added.
My heart fluttered embarrassingly.
"That’s not reassuring when you look like you’re about to bite the next person who breathes too close."I argued.
"Exactly."He said.
The Goddess bead.
"Ah, yes. The perfect couple."She said.
The Elder, still proud, clapped his hands once.
"Wonderful! With this, we begin official wedding preparations. Next, banquet arrangents, music selection, and-"Elder begun listing needed things.
I groaned audibly.
"Oh no."I groaned.
Charlie’s laughter rang again.
"Oh yes!"He said.
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