Page 27

I wish I could say the days passed in a blur. But really, they did not. They dragged on and I'm pretty sure I'll go crazy by the time Alec and the others return. Alec and I had been mind-linking each other, but I knew at a larger distance we won't be able to, we're not mated, yet. Sophie has been in contact with them. Her being part of the pack, has advantages which I still have yet to gain.

The nights were especially harder. I didn't have Alec's arms around me, cocooning me in his hold. And damn, was it difficult to sleep without that. I should've gone with them, but that would leave the throne alone, not exactly the best strategy. The first day though did pass rather quickly, I went to my mates office and a stack of papers, which needed verification greeted me. Sighing, I went through them quickly, which in reality took me 4-5 hours. So, by the time I got free it was late. Sophie and Damon came to help me, though I sent them away after sometime. They were newly mated couple, they deserved time alone.

I needed time alone with my mate.

Someone pushing my mental barrier broke my train of thoughts. Shaking my head I let my barrier down,

'Cassie? Amara wants to meet, you down?' Sophie's voice echoed through my mind. Furrowing my eyes in confusion I replied her,

'I swear I didn't do anything! but sure I'll go to her.'

'Relax , she just wants to talk I suppose. She's on the west wing's second floor.' With that our mind-link broke and I got up from my chair. Stretching my back a little I closed all the files, quickly arranging everything in order and left my mate's office. Alec had shown me around his office telling me all the important details as well. Obviously, the news about me being in charge while Alec was gone, was told to all important alphas.

As I made my way towards Amara, I realized I've never been to the second floor of the west wing. Curiosity peeked in me and I walked faster, nodding or smiling at the helpers as they passed me. Going up the staircase I looked at the walls, which were decorated with pictures of the royal family. There was one portrait of Edgar, Amara and Alec but with them was one more person, before I look at it more closely Amara's voice reached me which made me fasten my steps to meet her on top of the staircase.

"Amara, everything okay?" upon reaching her I asked to which she shrugged and smiled warmly at me.

"Why? Can I not just meet my daughter without any reason?–" my heart warmed at her words and a small smile made its way to my face.

"–besides I wanted to show you this part of the castle. I myself haven't been here since so long." Her eyes roaming around before she sighed. Then she grabbed my arm and started to walk ahead towards a huge door. I furrowed my eyebrows, it did look secluded from rest of the castle, but why?

The walls were decorated with white gold design which I could barely see, classical drawings on roof and spider webs, golden candle stands barely lighting the place. A golden mirror was placed on the way at the end of hallway which was full of dust. Huge brown with golden designing doors, piqued my interest to reveal what they held inside them. Amara took us towards the middle one, then she looked at me excitedly and said,

"Ready?" I nodded my head, she pulled open the double doors and my eyes widened. A ballroom with old window drapes, motes of dust dancing in shafts of lights, marble floors which needed cleaning and a white cloth covering something to the far left side greeted me.

"Umm.. this is nice." I cringed at my own remark. Amara's laugh echoed through the ballroom.

"No sweetie, this place needs a clean up. This part of castle was closed long ago, and now we'll be opening it back again. With help from the staff it will look like the ballroom's you read in stories.'' She smiled at me and I made an 'o' face.

" But Amara, why was this closed off? And why open it again now?" I ran my fingers through my hair and made my way towards the white cloth covering something. The sound of my shoes hitting the floors echoed throughout the ballroom.

"That is a story for another time but as to why open it again, I figured we needed a place for your Luna ceremony and such special occasion required special place. You look around, I'll call the helpers." Amara's voice reached me and I nodded. Grabbing the edge of cloth I pulled it down swiftly which revealed a black grand piano underneath. Blowing away the dust settled on top of it, I let my fingers waver on the keys. Soft sounds emitted from it and I smiled.

The next few days of mine were spent more in the office than in the ballroom. I wanted to go through the other door which was at the end of hallway but Amara stopped me by saying it would be better if Alec showed it to me.Amara did say they thoroughly cleaned the ballroom and the upper west wing to make it look presentable enough. Even though my hands itched to play the piano again, I just couldn't find the time.

I missed Alec and not having any mind-link contact with him just added to my worry for him. Every second of every minute of mine was spent in praying for their safety. My heart ached for my mate. Lia became quieter after not having contact with Aztec for longer than 1 week. Amara, Damon and Sophie made it their mission to cheer me up everyday. I called them 'The Powerpuff girls' even though Damon did not agree to the name. So I started calling him buttercup, surprisingly he did not find it funny.

After a week since Alec left I got used to the routine. Waking up missing his hold, yet dressing up to not let my worry show. Then doing office work, getting daily reports about packs and any problems they faced, having cabinet meetings to discuss the matters at hand, then hoping to hug Alec when my headache starts. Having dinner with 'Powerpuff girls', teasing buttercup and then retiring to bed all exhausted.

Day by day the time passed. Sometimes slow, sometimes fast. It was almost a month since Alec had left with the army. Sophie, bless her heart, everyday informed me about the army's whereabouts. Up till now they were successful in every battle against the rogues. Obviously they were the royal pack warriors, they were stronger than any normal wolves. Thankfully, there was minimal damage to our army, no pack members were lost.

Alec did say it would be easy win, but I still worried like crazy. Rogues are weaker than average wolves, because when a wolf is exiled from their pack it becomes weaker than before. They become lone wolves even if all the rouges make a pack. The danger mostly is they become vicious creatures, they're human side being thrown back and the wolf side taking over. They become deranged. Sophie informed me Alec and the army would be returning soon after patrolling the east side. To say I was overjoyed to hear the news would be an understatement. Even Lia yipped on hearing the news.

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts I left the office and made my way towards the west wing. Amara had called to see the new look and I was ecstatic. Humming to myself I ascended the stairs, the once dirty and dusty hallway was now shining bright. The hallway lighted up by the candles. I moved towards the ballroom opening the double doors. A gasp escaped my mouth, ballroom with vaulted ceilings embellished with painted artwork, marbled floor and thick velvet drapes over large french windows. To the left end of the ballroom sat the grand piano in all its glory, to the far end of room a spiral staircase lead by balustrade to the second level with double doors, greeted me.

"Damn.." I felt like dancing on the marble floors. Moving towards the piano I sat down and closed my eyes. I learnt to play it long ago as a therapy to take my mind off things. I found myself getting lost in the music, my worries lessen whenever I played. Though few years back I stopped playing. Taking a deep breath I played the tune I've found myself humming to these days. Not realizing when I started to sing along,

(A/N You can play the song above now.)

~Woke up in the middle of a dream

Speak? your name like a prophecy

Well,? the moon?is?holding me tight

Dance?with your ghost

Underneath the streetlights

I? will?wait for you

Can? you feel me too?

When the sun goes down

When? the stars come out

I can lost the starring to be found

Every night I pray

Take me away

Like? an angel

Free me from the ground

I will wait for you

I will wait for you

Reality doesn't feel the same

I live in the day when I had it my way

Sleeping Beauty waiting for your kiss

'Till the day you come

Gonna stay like this

I will wait for you~

The sound of clapping stopped me. Quickly standing up, I turned around to see the intruder. Well, more like intruders. None other than 'The powerpuff girls' stood there clapping. Damon with a proud smile on his face, Sophie and Amara with utter shock mixed with awe faces.

"Was this meant for Alexander the great?" raising his eyebrow in question Damon stepped towards me. Running my fingers through my hair, a nervous laugh escaped me.

"I didn't hear you guys come in–" before I could continue Damon interrupted,

"Oh! but we heard you. Singing to your oh so beloved!" Smirking he crossed his arms over his chest. Sophie lightly slapped his arm and came to hug me.

"That was beautiful, dear. You sing like an angel!" Amara gushed at me, heat rushed to my cheeks. I wasn't exactly the person who was confident in singing in-front of people.

"Thank you, Amara. Well, I just came to look around. It's almost time for dinner, let's go now." I ushered everyone out before they could protest. I hated being the center of attention.

" I'm so telling this to Alexander!" Damon teased and I rolled my eyes at him.

Great, just great.