Chapter 137: A Ring in My Pocket

*Warren*

After Luther was dead, things settled down quickly. All of his former allies of Shadow vowed loyalty to King Theo and the battlefields were cleaned up so fast that it was almost like it never happened. Any concerns or doubts they'd had about Theo being like Sebastian were put to rest.

Minimal loss of lives. They did it. Theo and Ciana did it.

Forthose whose homes and packs were destroyed by Sebastian, Theo sent a lot of aid to their territories to help them rebuild their packs. They were also given the option of joining other packs if they felt there were no homes for them to return to.

Theo offered all the rebuilding and relocation assistance he could.

A lot of the ex-Shadow members, aka victims of Sebastian’s deeds over the years, had to re-find their place in the world.

Just like me.

***

We'd held Maggie's funeral in the royal cemetery a couple of weeks ago. Theo had insisted, even though she wasn't blood related to the crown. I was grateful for the effort he put in, holding a grand funeral ceremony, worthy of a princess.

It had been a gray, solemn day, though, and my heart still ached with her absence.

I'd wanted to help Theo with the funeral arrangements, but he'd insisted on doing it all. so that I could have some time to mourn.

"Warren, leave this to me. This is the least I could do for Maggie. Also, it helps to take my mind off Ciana as well,’’ he told me. He’d run himself ragged and there were a few days where I thought he might actually reach his breaking point with how much he had going on.

Standing before Maggie's grave, I leaned down to place a fresh rose on her gravestone.

"I miss you every day. I don't think that will ever go away," I muttered. I traced the letters of her name with the rose petals.

Theo had planted white flowers on the grave mound and they were just starting to bloom. I thought it was a very thoughtful gesture toward her.

"We have a lot of work to do to make the kingdom safe and stable again. It is work we wouldn't even be able to do without your sacrifice, so, thank you," I said. Sighing, I let the rose rest across her name. "I know I've been coming by every day, but things are going to get pretty busy now. I might not be by as often. Hopefully, you don't resent me forthat."

I smiled and pressed my fingers to my lips, then placed them on the cold, gray stone. A last parting kiss for my beloved twin sister.

"At least, where you are, you can watch over me and Theo. Don't be afraid to tell us when we are acting like idiots," I said. I chuckled to myself.

"Prince Warren?" Someone called to me from across the cemetery.

Sighing heavily, I let my head fall back on my shoulders. I wasn't even a prince anymore. Why did they keep calling me that?

I turned to see Beta Jake striding toward me. He looked very professional, all business.

"Prince Warren, the head of Internal Affairs, Alistair, has a meeting with you in ten minutes. There is also a budget waiting for your approval. Simon, the head of Treasury, would also like to go over how they plan to use that fund to rebuild the packs,” he explained.

"You know I'm not a prince anymore, right? I'm just a regular citizen. You can call me Warren," I reminded him as we walked back to the palace.

"King Theo insists you are still his brother and he wishes you to keep your title. He says it is both an honor and a burden," Jake replied politely.

"Yes, it is at

meetings with Alistair and Simon to make sure his

place or figure out what my life would be like after Maggie's death and after everything ended when Theo told me to remain his

the court to keep my title, along with the

from Sebastian's. I'd never been busier in my whole life. Well, after

could spare

be right there," I

kept his own office and I was landed with the

I'd had the thing gutted and redecorated. I didn't want any reminders of

for Internal Affairs?"

have been reluctant to vow their loyalty. I'm asking for additional resources to investigate them and make sure they aren't stirring up trouble now that

quickly to make sure there was no mention of aggression, detainment, or otherwise using the power of the crown, or Theo's name, to

your investigators send regular reports back on their findings and wait for further instructions after we review their reports,"

Prince Warren," Alistair

signed the documents and handed them back. He left

thick packet of papers that took longer than I

nod. I put my signature at the end of it and handed

you. Is there any chance for some

it with me or King

"I will."

at the hill of other paperwork I needed to ground through before the end of the day. After a sigh, I picked

file. Before Jake could squeeze in another meeting before midnight, I headed to

Whether it was because of the massive amounts of blood she lost, or

clear was

Dottie was tending to her every day but she didn't have

I got to the room, Dottie was leaning over Ciana,

and trying to handle at least equal amounts of work as mine, if

since she’d passed out. Brook had been taking care of her primarily since Theo couldn't. However, he hadn't left her side and hovered

couldn't blame

she?" I asked, moving to Ciana’s side. I sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand. Her skin felt so cold and

stared at us, eyes wide, as if she couldn't believe what she

us wanted to hear

Theo demanded. "Is

okay,” Dottie replied patiently, not offended by her king’s rushed tone, "Now that she's recovered from the worst of it and her injuries are healing, I am confident

Then Brook suggested, "Your Majesty, since Ciana’s situation is stable, why don't you get some rest? You haven't slept

glanced at Theo, who

himself crazy with guilt over what had happened. It wasn't his fault. How could he know that at that exact moment, Ciana would start

on, Theo. If you look all insane when she wakes up, you're going to scare her. Besides, how do you plan to take care of her if you’re exhausted? It is better to sleep

body is recovering for sure," Dottie also assured Theo, "And I agreed with Brook and Warren that

interrupted her. With minimal rest, Theo definitely wasn't

King Theo, Ciana will wake up. It is

why did you

well-paced speed again, "Your Majesty, I have been trying to tell you but you kept interrupting me and distracting

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