“I absolutely love it and would be honored to wear it,” Destiny said finally, still worrying at her lip. “It’s just that now my gifts seem really dumb.”
Alexander laughed and Hunter sighed in apparent relief. Greyson took the crown from her hands and set it on her head. It fit perfectly. Destiny couldn’t help but sit up straighter under the weight of it.
“My queen,” Hunter said, taking her hand and kissing it.
“Not yet,” Destiny corrected. “I’m not usurping Queen Raina.”
“Princess consort then,” Alexander proclaimed, bowing grandly. “Hooray! I have another consort!”
His declaration was met with eye rolls from everyone. Destiny reluctantly left to retrieve their gifts from her suitcase. She handed them out quickly, then turned away, too embarrassed to watch them open her silly purchases.
Hunter took his gift, grabbing her hand before she could move away and tugging her into his lap. “You’ve already given us the best gift ever. Your alphas are happy. If you keep looking so nervous, I might have to spank you.”
Destiny’s stomach clenched at the threat. She liked that idea. Hunter kept one arm around her waist to hold her in place as he opened his present. When the wrapping paper fell away, he grinned up at her, his eyes dancing with delight.
“Sasha and Mina helped,” Destiny explained, blushing a little. “I wanted to shop local.”
She’d decided to go playful rather than serious with her gifts. For Hunter, she’d bought a fairly hideous patchwork apron with “The Boss” embroidered on the bib. She’d found a travel teacup decorated with a skeleton Santa for Greyson. And for Alexander, she’d gotten a handcrafted leather collar, and an accompanying tag engraved with the name “Princeling”. Mina and Sasha hadn’t asked any questions, but they’d probably had an interesting time finding the items she requested.
“This is perfect, Kitten. It’s about time everyone recognized who’s the boss,” Hunter told her, nuzzling her neck. He gave Alexander a wicked grin. “We are going to have so much fun with your new collar, Pet.”
Alexander grinned back, then bent to kiss Destiny. “Thanks, Frosty. I love it.”
Greyson kissed her next. “I’ll be sipping my tea while these two miscreants play their little games.”
“Liar,” Alexander said. “You like to play as much as the rest of us. And imagine how much more fun it’s going to be now that our omega’s home.”
Destiny felt warm all over. She was theirs and they were hers. The pack bond pulsed with joy and pride.
It was hard to say who was most excited about Pack Stepanov and Destiny mating. Queen Raina and Dana Duvalle were equal parts smug and thrilled, since the match was something they’d both expected and wanted. They joined an ecstatic Sasha and Mina in enthusiastically planning the mating ceremony, completely undeterred by the short timeline the pack laid out.
Destiny’s best friend Serenity was equally delighted and set about designing her mating gown so quickly that Destiny wondered if she’d already been planning it out. She’d probably been talking to Sasha. But since it would be the first mating gown in Serenity’s hugely successful clothing line, Destiny could forgive her for being a busybody.
Greyson’s parents and Hunter’s grandmother were overjoyed and a little awed by the prospect of having an international popstar in the family. Destiny wondered if they would have trouble keeping a lid on the secret until Pack Stepanov was ready to share the news with the world, but she needn’t have worried. Nobody was willing to risk Queen Raina’s wrath or upset the happy mates.
It was an extremely busy two weeks, but they managed to plan a beautiful ceremony for the first weekend of the new year. It was an intimate affair, attended by their closest friends and family. Destiny even convinced Hunter to send an announcement to his mother, since he wasn’t ready to go as far as to extend an invitation. She sent them a lovely gift and ahandwritten note just for her son. Destiny never asked him what it said.
Genesis Valentine was given exclusive coverage of the ceremony, which garnered her and her employer a great deal of positive attention. The story was reprinted in dozens of international magazines, alongside glossy photos taken by the monarchy’s photographers. Still, it was clear Genesis was happier for her brother than she was for her own career. She spent several days with them, and her love for Greyson was obvious. Destiny loved seeing them reconnect and feeling his joy.
Destiny had never been so content. She’d finally found balance between both sides of her life. The private ceremony and controlled public coverage showed her she didn’t have to sacrifice her happiness for fame. She could move at her own pace, could choose what she wanted to share with the world. With her mates and her support system, she knew she could live authentically, unapologetically, and fully—happily ever after.
New Love for the New Year: Destiny Duvalle and Pack Stepanov Mated!
~Story by Gen V
Pop Princess Destiny Duvalle has become actual royalty! The superstar mated with Pack Stepanov (Prince Alexander Stepanov, Prince Consort Greyson Valentine, and Prince Consort Hunter Li), heirs to the throne of Avondale in an intimate ceremony shortly after the new year. The event was attended by the pack’s closest family andfriends, including a few household names such as Smyrna City's Pack Rhodes, London’s Pack Valentine, and yours truly, Gen V.
It seems earlier coverage of Duvalle’s visit to Avondale got it all wrong. Despite an admittedly rocky start, it wasn’t long before Prince Alexander and his packmates found themselves falling for the lovely musician, and the feeling was mutual. This reporter happened to be in attendance for Duvalle’s initial performance for the royal family and could see the sparks flying even then. Duvalle, who has allegedly turned down several eligible packs, found what she was looking for, with a little help from a snowstorm that stranded her in Avondale.
"She is a gift beyond anything we imagined or deserve. Us finding one another was a true Christmas miracle," Greyson Valentine said of his new mate. In response to further questioning regarding the swiftness of their mating, Valentine stated, "When you know, you know. And it wasn't long before we all knew we didn't want to live another moment without her."
In true Christmas movie fashion, the polycule had a whirlwind romance that included sleigh rides beneath the stars, grand gestures, and, of course, beautiful music. With the backdrop of Avondale'sfamous annual Christmas festival, and a castle full of holiday cheer, there was no better time to fall in love.
Duvalle made a strong impression on Avondale's queen and kings right away. According to Queen Raina, "I could not ask for a better match for my son. She's brilliant, talented, and more than up to the job of keeping her kings and country in line. I look forward to their rule, and am eagerly anticipating my retirement."
Princess Natalya, a big fan of the popstar and the reason Duvalle visited Avondale in the first place, had similar things to say about her new sister. She made it very clear that the moment this article publishes, she will be taking to social media to tell her version of their love story. She's likely not the only person who'll be spreading the tale, since most of the pack's friends and family seem to have been rooting for the match and eagerly watching it unfold.
"It's like something out of a fairytale," said Duvalle's assistant, Sasha Sanchez. "Getting snowed in and falling in love with a pack of princes? Swoon! I've never seen Destiny this happy and I'm so excited for what comes next!"
