Page 64 of The Royal Engagement

Grandpa shows up roughly around sunset with about twenty of his own guards and about thirty wolf shifters. When a couple of wolf shifters come to greet me, Damek is quick to move to my side and introduce himself as my ‘fiancé.’ It’s really sweet, even if completely unnecessary—the wolf shifters have never been interested in me likethat.

It isn’t long until the estate is overrun with supernaturals. Even other vampire clans have come to offer their support. With everybody helping, I know we’ll find my mom quickly. There is no way the Nodin Clan will be able to stay hidden.

My mom is going to be all right. I know it. I relax, knowing she’ll be back in no time.

“I found something,” Kaine says, heading straight for my dad.

Damek and I walk over so we can hear whatever Kaine has to say.

Dad turns to face him. “What is it?”

“In the security feed,” Kaine replies. “We didn’t go back far enough. In the parking lot, around noon, the person delivering Princess Bennett’s food showed up. He was compelled by a vampire and the food back was changed out. I’m guessing that the food was laced with something because an hour later,Princess Bennett was carried over the shoulder of a vampire and loaded into a van. She was passed out.”

“Did you get a license plate number?” Dad asks.

Kaine nods, holding up the paper. “I’ve already got people on it. I just wanted to update you.”

“Thank you, Kaine.” Dad slaps him on the back. “I appreciate your dedication to finding Madeline’s mother. I know you won’t rest until she’s back.”

Kaine dips his head. “Absolutely, King Scott.”

Kaine leaves, likely getting back to work since he updated my father. Grandpa comes over to join us and Dad tells him everything Kaine said. Grandpa takes everything in stride—he’s a lot calmer than I expected him to be since my mother is missing.

Grandpa puts his hand on my shoulder. “How are you doing, Madeline?”

I lean into him. “I’m okay. I’m worried about Mom, but I know we’ll find her.”

He squeezes my shoulder gently. “Of course, we will find her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she were back home by tonight. And when we get her back, she will be accepting twenty four hour protection. The wolf shifters have agreed to help keep the family safe until the Nodin Clan is taken care of, including you, Madeline.”

I smile up at him. “I don’t need the wolf shifters to protect me. I have plenty of guards.”

“She also has me.” Damek comes up beside me. “I don’t plan on letting her out of my sight again.”

Grandpa raises an eyebrow at him. “You will not be with her when she’s sleeping.”

Damek’s cheeks turn pink. “I didn’t mean to imply…” his voice trails off.

I laugh. “Grandpa is messing with you.”

“Was I?” Grandpa gives Damek a serious look, but I can see the mischievous gleam in his eye.

I lace my fingers together with Damek’s and pull him closer to my side. “Our wedding is only two weeks away.”

“That means you have two more weeks of sleeping in your own bed,” Grandpa says.

I laugh when Damek gulps.

His words hit me hard—two weeks.

I’m gettingmarriedin two weeks. It still doesn’t feel real.

“I hope Mom is back before the wedding.” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. I can’t imagine any other alternative. Shehasto be at my wedding.

Damek wraps an arm around me. “She will be.”

“Your prince is right,” Grandpa says. “I will do everything in my power to make sure your mother is back.”

Between all the vampire clans helping and my grandfather’s support, there is no way the Nodin Clan will be able to stay hidden. And when we find her, we will end their reign.

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