The Unknown Lycan Princess - Chapter 45: Chapter 45

Roman’s POV
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Mind reading is an ability that has not been seen in a vampire since my grandfather’s time. Beth truly is a remarkable woman and I am proud to call her my grandchild and I know even more now that our kingdom will be in safe hands with her and Alexi at the helm when it is time.
“What I don’t understand is what this sect is and how it started. Who is all involved and is this something that we need to worry about.” Dimitri said.
“Also I am curious about the wolf Natasha talked about. Ethan I think you need to contact father about this. Maybe he will know something about it. I am sure he can find out. He is a very brilliant and resourceful man. Plus I think I remember that name from the pack history books. If I remember correctly he was banished from the pack for something or other.” Jessica said.
“I think you are right Jessica. She said his name was Arno Smith and the second son of Xavier Smith. So at least that is a start for father to look into. It shouldn’t take him long as I am sure he will put Duncan on it. Baby, you look tired. I think we should get you to lie down. You have been through a lot today and have used quite a bit of magic too. More than I would like for you to use in your condition since we don’t know how it will affect you and our pups.” Ethan said.
“Ethan is right darling. Let’s get you to bed. You need to rest to make sure the babies will grow strong. We can finish this talk in the morning.” Alexi agreed with Ethan. I can’t say I don’t agree with them either. Beth was just fine a few minutes ago and now she looks like she is ready to pass out.
“I agree. We can finish this in the morning. I believe we all need to rest and recharge after the events of the evening. I know I need some time alone to wrap my mind around everything that has come to light this evening.” I said to the group and watched as they all made their way out of my office. Alexi picked Beth up and carried her out and within seconds Beth’s eyes were closed and didn’t open back up. My father was the last to leave and I noticed Sandra was hesitant to leave until my father gave her a small nod and she walked away with her shoulders drooped and her head down. I could see that her shoulders were shaking slightly telling me she was crying silently. I felt bad because I really wanted to comfort her, but I didn’t know exactly how to feel right now. My whole life has basically been a lie.
“Son, I know you have questions and you need answers but just know that Sandra loves you very much. I never intended for any of this to happen. Please don’t take it out on her. She had no choice in the matter. She is just as much a victim in this situation as you are. She has had to watch her only child be raised by a woman with the emotions equivalent of a brick wall. She has begged me many times over the centuries to tell you the truth but I couldn’t do that. The time was not right. I had to wait until you were on the throne. Then when Esmerelda went missing my opportunity was lost. With Natasha still as queen my hands were tied until now. I am sorry son. I never meant for any of this to happen,” said My father.
I sighed heavily because as much as I wanted to be angry at him he was just as much a victim as any of us was. He was forced into things he did not want to do. I said, “I am not mad at you or Sandra, father. I am more hurt than anything knowing how much we have all had to suffer at the hands of the woman I thought was my mother. I will never forgive anything that evil woman had put us through, and I intend to find out who all of her followers are and have them executed.
He nodded to me and patted my shoulder before he too turned to leave the room. I was left alone with my thoughts and I was unsure how to feel. I knew I needed to seek out Sandra at some point and have a long talk with her. How blind have I been to not notice what Natasha had been up to this whole time. I was starting to get my suspicions but never could find anything concrete. Now I know why my people were never able to find anything about Esmerelda. There are traitors in my kingdom and I will not rest until I find out who they are.
I decided I would call it a night and headed to my bedchambers. When I entered my room I knew I was not alone. Instead of voicing that I knew someone was in here I decided to wait and see how long it would take them to reveal themselves. I had my guard up as I prepared myself for bed. By the time I was done the perpetrator still hadn’t exposed themselves so I again pretended to not notice. I climbed into bed and shut the lights off. After another ten minutes of nothing I became frustrated and decided enough was enough. I turned the light back on and huffed out in annoyance, “Show yourself. I know you are there. Why are you being a coward and hiding?”
To my shock there was a shimmer and in front of me was my Esmerelda. Well at least an apparition of her. I was afraid to blink my eyes in fear she would disappear again. I leapt out of bed and reached my hand to touch her cheek when I felt my whole body freeze. I tried to move and grew frustrated the longer I couldn’t. Before I could get too frustrated there was a bright light and then it was gone. Beside my Esmerelda stood the Goddess Hecate. All creatures of the vampire kingdom knew what our patron goddess looked like. It would be a true crime not to recognize her.
“Roman, I am sorry I cannot do more for you and Esmerelda. As it is I should not be doing this. However, my sisters and I decided that you have suffered a very long time, and because of your faithfulness to your beloved after all of these years you deserve the peace of mind to say your goodbyes officially. You will only have until sunrise and then Esmerelda will find eternal peace at last,” Hecate said softly to me.
I thanked the goddess and no sooner did I utter my thanks there was another bright light and once it was gone so was the goddess. I turned my eyes back to my Esmerelda who was now in human form and not an apparition. I rushed to her and she to me and we embraced. “Oh my Esme. How I have missed you my darling. I am so sorry for everything that happened to you. It is all my fault. I promise the ones responsible will pay with their lives,” I declared.
“Shhh my Roman. There is no need for you to apologize to me, my love. You have the power to do a lot of things, but you do not have the power to control the actions of people. It was their choice and not yours. I have never and will never blame you,” Esme tried to comfort my aching heart and mind.
We just stood there for a long time holding onto one another. I didn’t want to let her go now that I finally have her back in my arms again. There is so much I want to say and to ask her, but I am afraid to know the truth of it.
“I know you have a lot of questions for me, but why don’t I just tell you the short version of what happened all those years ago and after.” Esme asked me. I just nodded and brought her to my bed and laid down with her as she told me her side of events.
Flashback Esmerelda’s POV
I can’t believe this is actually happening. Today I will be tied to Roman forever officially in front of the whole kingdom and take my place at his side as his queen. I placed my hand on my slightly protruding stomach. I wasn’t very far along but I was a thin woman and my baby was already showing herself. All the children born into my family have always been female. So I knew and so did Roman that our child would be a daughter and not a son. Roman assured me he didn’t care as long as they were healthy and looked exactly like me. I laughed to myself remembering the day he told me that.