Book 3

  Shifter Royalty Trilogy

  By: S. Dalambakis

  Contents

  Quote

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Epilogue

  Author Note

  Playlist

  Also By S. Dalambakis

  About the Author

  Alpha Queen Copyright © 2018 Shaquala Dalambakis

  Cover design © 2018 Covered Creatively

  Edited by Rachael Kunz of Muddy Waters Editing

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or used in any manner without the express written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. If you have obtained this book via piracy, or suspect it has been duplicated illegally, do the right thing. Advise the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Created with Vellum

  To those of you who are taking this journey with me.

  Now the story's played out like this,

  Just like a paperback novel,

  Let's rewrite an ending that fits.

  “Someday” by Nickleback

  Callyn

  I knew something was up when the boys let me walk to Max’s by myself. Ever since the Kelsey incident and the fight, one of them has been glued to my side. The only time I get a break from them is when I go to the bathroom and when they have to leave my house for the night. My aunt Dahlia had to do an awful lot of convincing that I would be safe with just her guarding me before they would even think about leaving. At one point they were trying to convince her to let one of them sleep on the couch. She put a stop to that right away. Plus, there was no way any of their parents would have let that happen.

  Color me surprised when I received that text from Max telling me to walk over to his house. I stayed hyper aware the whole ten minutes it takes me to walk there. I started using my shifter senses. Any sight, sound, or smell I don’t recognize doesn’t get past me now. After everything that has happened I would be a fool not to be prepared. I still haven’t officially been christened the new Alpha Queen. I would bet money that everyone is waiting for the outcome of the impending war.

  I wouldn’t name someone my queen, just to have her perish in battle. You would end up right where you started, queenless. The smart choice would be to wait. I’m not sure I’m even ready for that title. I feel like haven’t earned it. No, there is no question about that; I haven’t earned it, but I will. If anything positive has come from everything that I have been through, it’s that it’s made me stronger. If I’m going to be their queen, then that is something that I need to continue. I need to learn how to be queen. My aunt Dahlia and Elder Harris said they would help me...us, learn what we need. My phone beeps signaling a text message.

  Max: Move those little legs faster. I’m getting impatient.

  I roll my eyes.

  Me: Well, if you would have waited a minute, I would have been knocking on your door. I’m outside on your porch.

  Not even a minute later, Max opens his front door and is standing in front me. A hum of appreciation escapes my lips. Blue jeans, an open red button-up shirt revealing a white tank underneath, and his signature long blonde hair completes his look.

  “You know a ride would have been preferable. It is the middle of February,” I chastise.

  “I know, angel, but this is one time all of us needed to be together. Otherwise, one of us would have been there to give you a ride.” I sigh. I can’t even pretend to be mad at them. It never works. I can’t stay angry at them long. “Come on inside before you freeze anymore.”

  I step into his foyer. I don’t make it far before he tugs on my wrist and pulls me into his body. I love the feel of his arms around me. I feel safe, secure, and loved. I feel that way with all of them. They give me the strength that I need when I can't seem to find it for myself.

  I look up into his blue eyes, there’s a mischievousness to them, more so than usual. My body is flush with his. He gives me this half smirk smile. I follow his eyes as they gaze over my face, landing on my lips. It’s a silent question he is asking me. One that he already knows the answer to. He graces me with a full smile before he descends. His lips press against mine. The kiss is quick and not at all what I was expecting. Normally, we would be making out in his hallway to the point one of the other boys would have to come searching for us. He can see the disappointment on my face when he pulls away.

  “We’ll have time for that later. But for now, I need you to close your eyes.” I eye him suspiciously. “Trust me, angel; it’s nothing bad.” I roll my eyes and do as he ask.

  “I swear, Max; if you’re messing with me, I’ll sick Graydon on you.”

  “Relax. I promise, I’m not messing with you.” I feel his hands cover my eyes.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Making sure you can’t peek.” We walk slowly together his hands over my eyes, him guiding me. Suddenly, we stop. “Now keep your eyes closed until I say open.” I felt him move his hands from my face, but I kept my eyes shut. “Open your eyes, angel,” he whispers.

  I slowly open my eyes.

  “SURPRISE!”

  I’m standing in the middle of Max’s living room with my mouth agape. All the boys and their parents, my aunt, and Cat are here. There are two giant gold balloons in the shape of a one and eight in the middle of the room with dark blue and yellow balloons scattered around the living room. The furniture has been moved and sits along the wall, leaving the middle of the living room open.

  “Wh-what is all this?”

  “Did you think we would forget your birthday, sweetheart? You only turn eighteen once and you deserve a celebration,” Zeke says as he walks over to me.

  I’m embraced in his arms before I can say anything more. After my mother died, my birthday was no longer celebrated. I never did or went anywhere special. This is my first celebrated birthday in eight years. To be surrounded by the people who love and care about me, is everything. I can’t hold in my emotions any longer, and I start to cry. Zeke pulls back enough to gaze at my face.

  “No crying allowed today,” as he wipes the tears from my face.

  I smile, “It’s my party, and I’ll cry if I want to.” He chuckles, the sound is like music to my ears.

  “You got me there. Come on, let’s go celebrate.”

  We did, and it was amazing.

  Catori

  I just got home from Callie’s surprise birthday party. Let me tell you, it was so much fun ganging up on Max with her. Serves him right too, you can’t go around picking on people and not expect retaliation. Maybe now, he’ll think twice. Celebrating Callie’s birthday is just what I needed to take my mind off of everything that has happened in the last couple of weeks.

  Callie was there the night this strange entity appeared before us and gave me the power of having visions. I am now the new prophetess. Callie and her guys are happy about the change. I can’t blame them after what Kelsey did. I have first-hand experience with her. She wasn’t always like this, but something changed in her. To this day, I still have no idea what caused this reaction. We haven’t seen or heard from her since the fight with the North Pack went down. There are a few still in town, but they have been model citizens. I’m going through the motions of getting ready for bed, when it happens.

  Callyn is standing front and center with Lucian, Zeke, Maximus, and Graydon behind her.

  “You can’t win against us.”

  “See, that’s where you’re wrong. Even if I fail, there will always be someone to take my place,” a faceless voice says.

  “If that’s true, we will stand up and defeat anyone who dares threaten the safety and livelihood of shifters.”

  A maniacal laughter fills the silence. “I don’t plan on losing. You see, I brought some backup.”

  A figure walks forward removing the hood of the purple cloak they wear, revealing a woman.

  “Who the hell are you?” Graydon questions.

  “I’m Circe.”

  “Yeah, I’m gonna need more than that,” Max says sarcastically.

  “How about I just show you?”

  Elbows at her sides, palms up, fingers bent, she starts to chant. Her head falls back, eyes closed. There is a white light that starts to build in her palms. The more she chants the brighter the light gets. Her eyes snap open, and she lifts her head. She moves her palms forward, facing Callyn and the boys. No warning was given before two orbs of white light are blasted, hitting Callyn and her mates.

  It takes a moment but the light fades. A motionless Callyn, Zeke, Lucian, Graydon, and Maximus a
re left in its wake. The same evil laugh can be heard.

  “Come Circe, our job here is done. Let’s go make the world ours.”

  I come out of my first vision. “Holy shit.”

  Callyn

  Do you ever get the feeling that something bad is about to happen? Maybe it was the way Catori stood by my locker, or maybe it was the look on her face, but I knew whatever she was about to tell me, I wasn’t going to like.

  “Whatever you have to say just make it quick.”

  “How do you know I have anything to say? I could just be tired.”

  I tilt my head slightly to the side. “I can tell by your face. I mean your expressions always give you away.”

  “You got me there.”

  “Spill.”

  “So, the other night, after your birthday party, I had my first vision.” I feel my eyes grow wide, and my mouth opens in shock. “Yeah, it was weird but there’s more.” I nod for her to continue. She sighs, looking down to the floor. “I don’t know how to tell you this. What I saw…,” she shakes her head. “You all die,” she whispers.

  “Excuse me, what?” There’s no way I heard her right.

  “You all die, Callie. I saw you and your boys die at the hands of a witch. There was someone else there, but I couldn’t see his face. I could only hear what he was saying.”

  No, no, no, that can’t be right. There’s no way I’m going through all of this just to die. I didn’t survive my father, no my stepfather, only to die. I didn’t survive that barn fire, an abduction, and a battle to die now. I can’t; I won’t. I can hear male voices around me, but the sound of my own beating heart is drowning out everything they’re saying. My chest feels tight like I can’t get enough air. I can feel hands on me as the darkness clouding my vision tries to take me.

  My body feels light. Slowly, my vision returns to normal, the tightness in my chest eases. That’s when I feel their energy, each unique. Graydon’s energy is hot and powerful, Zeke's strong and balanced, Max’s light and playful, and Lucian’s grounded and warm. Their energy is helping me. I realize it’s their hands I feel on me, surrounding me, protecting me.

  “Come on sweetheart, say something, anything.” I can hear the worry in Zeke’s voice.

  “She’s got two seconds before I pick her up and haul her ass to the nurse.”

  “You have to keep calm, Graydon. This isn’t helping her any.” As much as Lucian was trying to keep everyone calm, I could still feel his anxiety. Snap out of it Callyn.

  I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “I’m okay,” I whisper.

  “Oh, thank fuck, angel.” Everyone gets quiet. “You had us so worried,” Max says right before he envelops me in a hug. A second later, I hear his voice in my head.

  Seriously angel, you scared the shit out of me.

  I know, I'm sorry. I just started to freak out. I wasn’t prepared for what Cat had to tell me.

  What did she say that scared you this bad?

  She didn’t tell you?

  No.

  It was nothing good. I just need another minute, and I’ll tell you all at the same time.

  Take all the time you need, angel. We’re not going anywhere.

  We learned that while I can communicate with each of them telepathically, they can’t with each other, and I don’t project my thoughts to all of them. I have to concentrate on each of them individually. We hope that with time and the strengthening of our bond that we’ll all be able to communicate with each other without having to try. It will come in handy when we have finally taken over. We would be able to talk telepathically and come to an agreement.

  “Can someone tell me what the fuck is going on?” Graydon bellows. He’s close to flipping his shit.

  “She says she needs a minute. Damn, calm down; you’ll get your answers. Callie, can you please tell us what happened before Graydon decides to go Hulk and start smashing.”

  I can picture it in my head. Graydon with his scowl, arms at his side, and hands balled into fists. I can see his chest heaving, moving more rapidly the angrier he gets. A giggle escapes my lips. This is what I need to shake the fear still clawing at my insides - to forget the words that Cat had said. A moment to forget about the impending future and enjoy my boys for just a moment. I take a step away from Max and mimic the way I see Graydon in my head.

  I deepen my voice. “Graydon angry.” I pretend to smash something in front of me. “Graydon smash.” The boys and Cat start laughing. It’s just what I need to calm me down further.

  “Why you little,” Graydon says as he stalks toward me. “You think you’re so funny, don’t you?”

  I nod my head yes, while I bite my lip, trying to control my laughter and smile. He may sound serious, but I can see he’s struggling to keep a straight face. I smile cheekily at him. I don’t even move. I know he would never hurt me. He sighs, finally breaking.

  “You’re lucky you’re so cute. I wouldn’t take this from anyone else.” I open my arms, and he walks right into my embrace. I love that I’m just tall enough to be level with his chest. I lay my ear right over his heart and listen to the steady rhythm. It calms me a little more. I feel him lay his cheek on the top of my head. He inhales, breathing in my scent which calms him. “Will you please tell us what’s going on now?”

  I take a deep breath and repeat what Cat just told me. A chorus of cuss words could be heard.

  “How are we supposed to fight a witch?” Zeke questions.

  “We find one of our own,” Lucian states.

  “How the hell do we do that? Do you know where to find a witch, because I sure don’t,” Graydon growls.

  “Does anyone else feel like we are in over our heads?”

  “I agree with Zeke. I don’t know what I’m doing let alone know where to go from here,” I state.

  “I have an idea.” We all look at Lucian. “I think we should get all our parents together. They have to have some idea. We can’t do this alone. We’ll need their help coming up with a plan and with contacting other shifters. We need to scour those journals again.”

  Max groans, “Not the journals again, anything but that.”

  I chuckle. I reach for Max’s hand, interlacing our fingers. “How about we read the same journal.”

  “I like the way you think.” He leans down and kisses my cheek.

  With everything going on, these are the moments that I live for, that I will fight for.

  Catori

  As I watch Callyn and her mates, I can’t help but be a little jealous. I’m jealous of their relationship and how the boys are with her. Hell, at this moment Graydon - who would rather kick your ass first and ask questions later- is pushing a lock of Callyn’s hair out of her face. He cups the side of her face, rubbing her cheek with his thumb. His touch so gentle, so sweet. It makes me wonder about what my life would be like if Elijah was still here. Will I ever meet someone? Is there another destined mate for me? Will I find a love like theirs? I look away not wanting to spy on the private moment any longer.

  I clench my fist. The more I think about it, the more I’m getting pissed. My anger is not directed at Callyn and her mates. No. This anger is reserved for Kelsey, the she-bitch. She is the reason I don’t have my mate, and I have yet to make her pay for it. I will, one day.

  “This is more information than we had before. We now need to take this information and one: tell our parents, and two: use this to our advantage. We make a new plan to counter this,” Lucian says breaking my thoughts.

  “As if all of us dying is an option,” Graydon states as he crosses his arms.

  “So, am I the only one wondering if Kelsey saw this. Obviously, she didn’t tell us, but she had to tell someone. Right?”

  We all stand there with our mouths open. I know we were all thinking it to some degree, but coming from Max, it leaves me a little stunned. I honestly didn’t think he had any actual brain cells. Huh, you learn something new every day.