I stood up with a smile. “Thank you, Daddy.” I turned back to the men. “As for Toya’s mate, we haven’t found him in this mess yet. But you are welcome to stay and watch.” I held my hand out to Toya, and once she slid her hand into mine, we walked back to where we were before.
“Wait…before you continue. I feel like we need to explain these men to your friend.” Silas bowed his head towards Toya’s parents. “Alpha Lightstone. These men are all royal guards.” He nodded to the group. “Royal guards of the disbanded council.” He added with a wince.
Alpha Roderick nodded and turned to his daughter. “Do you understand what that means, Belly?”
I leaned over and whispered, “Belly?” I smirked as she nudged me.
“A nickname from childhood.” She nudged me again before turning to her dad and nodding. “Tiven is the heir, Baba. And I have learned in these last few years that I do not enjoy the idea of leading.” She turned to me with a hopeful look. “We have spent years growing as a pack together, Amy. And if I can, I would still like to follow you.”
“Urbi-”
“Agrees with me. She may be an Alpha, but she does not covet the role of Luna. Royal Guard suits her just fine. As long as she can guard you.” Toya grabbed my hand. “Say you accept me.”
I stared at her for a second to confirm she meant it. She started to tear up before I grabbed her forearm.
“It would be my honor to have you as a guard.” I pulled her in. “I only want to make sure this is what you truly want. Not because of a mate, or your feelings towards me, but something you truly want for yourself.” I pulled back and cupped her face.
“It is.” Toya nodded.
“Then let’s find your mate.” I turned us both to the group. “Silas, did you want to call up your men one at a time?” He gave me a curt nod.
“Ben.” He waved the first over. Just like the others, we went through the offer.
“Do you want to continue serving Silas?” Silas’s head snapped over to us. I saw him open his mouth, but I held up my hand. “I want everyone to have an option.” I turned to him. “And I know you want men who want to serve you, not men who feel like they have to. That is the difference between life and death.” Silas closed his mouth and nodded. “You can make your own path, Ben.”
He looked between me and Silas. “He has always treated me fairly. I would like to stay with Alpha Silas.” I smiled and offered him a hand up.
“Good. Go stand with him.” I turned to the next guard.
“Sequan.” Silas called out to his guard, and he wove out of the group of men, and froze. His eyes were focused fully on Toya.
“Mate.”
Toya cried out in relief, seeing the Goddess mark on his brow, and she ran to him. “Mate.”
It took a second for the pair to pull back from each other. But once they did, Sequan dropped to his knee in front of Toya’s father. “Alpha.” He bowed his head. Roderick looked over at me, and then to Silas.
“He’s yours?”
Silas nodded. “But like our Queen pointed out. I don’t want to keep him if he’s not fully invested in being my guard.” Sequan winced and got to his feet. He turned to Silas and bowed.
“Alpha Silas…you have been someone that I have looked up to for many years.” Sequan stared at the ground. “I don’t…”
I looked at Rowan. “Can guards of different people mate?” I looked at Silas. “I don’t see it being a problem.”
Silas sighed. “It’s fine on paper.” I pursed my lips. “But what happens if one of us is attacked, and their attention is split?” He sighed. “Sequan has been my captain for years now.”
I turned to Toya. “I won’t stop you from being with your mate.” I kissed her cheek. “Take the oath for Silas. That way, your attention isn’t split between two people. Me and Sequan.” I turned to Silas. “Treat her right.” The decision broke my heart, but I knew I had no right to stand in their way. Silas groaned, almost like a toddler would. Rowan snorted, and I felt very confused. “What?”
“You are perfect.” Silas groaned again. He stuck out a hand to Sequan. “I release you from your vow. Sequan Durant, in theeyes of the Goddess, and all gathered here. I, Silas Reese, release you from your vow of service.” A glowing band around Silas and Sequan’s arms shattered, and Sequan stood up with an open mouth.
“Why would you do that?” Sequan walked to Silas.
He smiled at the younger man. “Because I was right.” He looked at me. “And so was the Queen.” He sighed as he grabbed his shoulder. “Having you and your mate guarding two different people would split your attention. If there were ever an attack, you would worry about her and me, and she would worry about the Queen and you. You are more likely to miss something and get hurt.” His eyes cut to me. “I wanted to be greedy. I wanted to accept Toya’s oath so I could keep you. And if the Queen had shown any ounce of the same thought, I would have fought to keep you.” He looked back at Sequan. “But she just proved how much she loves her friend, and her relationship with her.” He looked down. “She shamed me. Instead of thinking of you and what you would want, I only thought of myself.” He shook his head. “I think of you as a son.” He pulled him into a hug. “Be with your mate.”
Sequan bowed once more. “Thank you.” He turned back to Toya and then to me. “You would have let her go, even after she had already promised to be your guard.”
I tilted my head. “Of course.” I grabbed her hand. “She’s one of my best friends.” I nodded toward her family. “You have people to meet and we have more guards to go through.” I pushed her towards her mate. “Go mingle. We will be fine here..”
