Page 35 of The War is Coming

“You can help me research these names,” Atticus said, pushing the pad with the names on closer.

Mateo pulled out his phone. “I can do that, but first,” he handed the drinks out. “Special tea for you,” he said, handing Puff a travel mug. “And coffee for you.”

“Thanks,” Atticus said, taking the mug and having a sip.

Perfect, thanks Mateo.

Tudor was resting on the roof - he really should have taken time to properly rest before now, but they had been busy, plus he didn’t want to leave his Alex. He sighed, thinking about how much his life had changed over the last few weeks. Finding out he was actually a prince and not an adopted nobody was the first shock. The second shock was finding his mate. The third shock was being made king.

Tudor internally shook his head. From thinking he was a nobody to finding out his adopted father was actually his uncle and that Dane was actually his cousin; yeah, that had been a big one. Dane had never been that great of a ‘brother’ to him, but since being here, Dane had changed and Tudor found he liked his cousin/brother.

His father, Donovan, was also changing; before, when he was king, he was strict and Tudor thought he always looked a little stressed, but now Tudor could see his father relaxing, laughing more and enjoying himself. He never realised until now how much pressure his father had been under. If he had been a better person, he should have offered to help him more instead of trying to stay out of everyone’s way.

He momentarily thought of his adopted mum, sisters and other brother; they all hated him and shouted at him all the time; that’s when they weren’t ignoring him. He was glad they had had their gargoyles taken away and were now wherever Ares had put them. He should probably ask Ares where they were and have them sent to their estate in Romania - he hated to think what Maurice would have been like as the next gargoyle king; mind you, he didn’t have to think hard. Maurice would have been terrible. Tudor internally sighed and took a mental breath - this was the last time he would think about them. They didn’t deserve any headspace, well, once he spoke to Ares anyway.

Next, he thought of his wonderful mate Alex. Was it sad he missed him already? It wasn’t even lunchtime on his first day of resting, and he missed Alex so much and was worried about him. He wondered what Alex was doing. He didn’t want to message him, yet he wanted to prove to Alex he could cope with resting without pestering him.

He would just need to rest quickly so he could get back to his mate.

Then he thought about being king. He internally sighed again; never in his wildest dreams did he ever think he would take the throne but here he was now he’d had a coronation and everything.

He thought about the explosions and those that had been killed, the pain after being attacked by that young man. He would have to remember to visit him and offer him a place here and a job; he just might have to convince Alex first.

With that thought, he fell into a deep sleep.

Alex and Donovan made it back to the pack house with two minutes to spare.

“So that was enlightening,” Donovan said, smiling.

“What? The number of times you were invited into the back rooms, or the information we found out?” Alex asked.

Donovan burst out laughing. “Both.”

“We can fill everyone in later. I’m going to check on Tudor.”

“And I need coffee,” Donovan said, walking over to the coffee maker.

“Be back soon,” Alex said, walking out of the kitchen and messaging Ares and Baylan, telling them both that they were back.

Alex looked up at his resting mate. He really was stunning in his gargoyle form. He thanked the fates yet again for the gift they had given him. He never knew he could be this happy.

Alex vanished and appeared on the roof next to Tudor and sat down beside him. “Can you hear me, sweetheart?”

He didn’t get a reply. Alex was actually glad Tudor didn’t reply, as it meant he was properly resting.

He heard beeps from Tudor’s other side and saw Bubo sitting there. “Sorry, Bubo, I didn’t see you there.”

Bubo beeped.

“I know I miss him too, but I’m glad he’s resting.”

Bubo beeped again.

“I will tell him about trying to find the island. As it was, we only went to a pub.”

Bubo beeped.

Alex laughed. “I can take you the next time I go. They want to meet Tudor. I’m sure they’d love to meet you as well.”