Broken Queen: The Finale
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Danni D
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“Have I told you how much I appreciate you letting my dad stay with us after Dianne left?” I ask Alex, idly tracing shapes on his bare back.
“You have,” he replies. “But I won’t say no to you showing me again just how much you appreciate me,” he teases.
In the aftermath of her mother's abandonment, Ariel has more important things to worry about than Dianne finding her fated mate. Her father is in mourning, her position is working her into the dirt, and everyone is preparing for Mating Weekend—which she has to host. Can she handle it? Honestly, Ariel isn’t sure, but she’s going to try. Tensions rise as her duties begin to close in on her, but help comes in the form of her mate and dear friends coming together to give her a much needed break. A heartwarming reunion, fun surprises, and new adventures await.
Time Off
ARIEL
“I think I messed up.”
I jump as I walk into our bedroom, blinking quickly to see Alex already there. My eyebrows knit together in confusion. “What?”
If anyone messed up, it was me. My heart still hurts from the harsh words I threw at him in anger, but my mate looks at me like he’s the one who did something wrong.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about being able to delegate.” Alex reaches for me, cradling my face as everything starts to make sense in my head.
“Don’t say sorry for that!” My command is met with a half smile.
“I didn’t even think to tell you—”
“Alex.”
“And I should have! Of course, you would try to do everything yourself and never even think—”
“Alex!” I try again, putting my hand over his mouth when he keeps talking. I can’t help the giggle that slips out, and his lips twitch under my hand.
“It’s okay. Now I know.” Although I doubt he’ll be thrilled that I’m only excited because now I can pass off some of my paperwork and spend more time with the warriors. I’m sure he was hoping I would dive deeper into my luna duties and pass off some of the warrior responsibilities, but I just can’t do that.
Alex waits until I drop my hand to lean in and gently press his lips to mine, holding my hips.
“Tomorrow is the BBQ.” I trace the patterns on his shirt as I speak, grinning at his heavy sigh. “Obviously, we can’t skip the mating weekend...but maybe we could treat it like a date, instead of a duty?”
Everyone else would be. If Helena and Dom are serious about giving us a weekend vacation, they would be running it, anyway.
“We’ll have to perform our duties as king and queen,” Alex says, but he looks thoughtful.
“Maybe we could just pause our date for those moments?” It’s better than running around and managing everything—not seeing each other until the night ends and we’re falling into bed exhausted.
“That could work,” he agrees easily, and I shiver when his fingers brush my bare skin at the hem of my shirt.
“Are you sure you’re not just agreeing to make me happy?” I raise an eyebrow, and his expression turns playful, a smirk curling his lips.
“When have I ever done that, my darling mate?”
I give him a shove, laughing and shaking my head.
“I don’t see it being a problem,” he explains. “Dom and Helena have already taken it upon themselves to get our work done, so I’m sure they’d be happy to keep the mating weekend running for us.”
He pulls me closer, pressing us together and holding my gaze.
“Besides, I think I owe you this time, considering what a disaster the last one was for us.”
“There really wasn’t an us yet—”
Alex puts a finger to my lips to stop me, and I nip the pad, narrowing my eyes.
“There was. We just weren’t admitting it yet. It should have been for us, but I messed that up, too.”
I shake my head but don’t interrupt.
“So this time, we’re going to do it right.”
“We never did it wrong,” I argue as he takes my hand and leads me toward the bathroom, where I’m surprised to see a full tub, almost overflowing with bubbles.
“Tonight, we’re going to have a nice, relaxing evening, and starting tomorrow, we’re going to participate in the mating weekend.”
***
ALEX
Ariel is practically buzzing next to me in her sundress. Since this is a BBQ and not the ball, we decided to dress more casually—though she still looks stunning as she talks with Helena about the weekend’s schedule.
“Go! Go have fun with everyone!” The other woman finally insists with a wave of her hands, grinning when Ariel groans softly.
“But—”
“No buts! Stop worrying and have fun with your mate! Dom and I have got this.” Helena’s thumbs up doesn’t seem to reassure Ariel, but I take it as my cue to gently pull her away.
“We’re on a date, my queen,” I tease. “You’ve delegated the work, so let them do it.”
“It feels wrong,” she complains, and I can’t help but chuckle.
“It really does, doesn’t it?”
“Glad we agree, so let’s—”
“Nope! No work today!” I outright laugh when she turns to give Helena a longing look as the woman talks to the warriors who are supposed to be security for the event. Dom is standing next to her, looking every bit the protective mate as he glares them all down.
“Come on, let’s find our friends and grab a plate.”
Ariel doesn’t protest as I lead her around the venue toward the tables loaded with food.
“I’m surprised nobody is making a fuss about us being here,” she admits, and I shrug.
“They probably would be if we let reporters in, but we were strict about it this year. Unless you’re participating, everyone is blocked from the venues. That’s why we have these tents set up around the park.” I gesture, and her eyes follow the movement, realization crossing her face before a smirk settles there. The giant white tents are blocking anything that the trees and shrubbery don’t, making it almost impossible to get a good photo from the outside.
“Oh, that’s clever.”
I puff up at her words—since it was my idea, even though my mother complained about the lack of press—and she gives me a shove, shaking her head.
“How many people are going to participate?” she wonders aloud as we fill our plates, and I grab one of the complimentary picnic blankets, tucking it under my arm.
“I bet Dom has the list, but we’re supposed to be chilling out, my queen.”
Ariel lets out a dramatic sigh.
“Got it, my king.”
I can’t help but laugh as we survey the lush landscape, finally spotting a shady spot on the edge of the park. We stroll over, and I get our spot ready, spreading out the blanket and motioning for her to sit.
“Oops, we didn’t bring any drinks.” She frowns, and I glance around, noticing a cooler nearby.
“I’ll get us something.”
“Water’s fine for me.”
I nod and head off, planning to grab two bottles of water when a sudden movement catches my eye. I turn and see a lone reporter, who’s managed to squeeze his way between two of the white tents, camera in hand. Before I can get angry, a hand lands firmly on my shoulder.
“I’ve got this,” Dom assures me as he strides past, and the reporter’s face turns pale when he realizes he’s been busted. I force myself to return to Ariel, fighting the urge to deal with the situation myself. My mate’s smug look tells me she’s caught me, and I flop down next to her with a sigh.
“No work today,” she teases, throwing my own words back at me, and I groan.
“I know, I know!”
Ariel giggles, accepting her water from me with a radiant smile.
I can’t help but chuckle when I see Dom reprimanding the man a few feet away.
“I was wondering where you two were.”
I turn towards the voice, trying to place it, and then I break into a grin.
