Dr. Luna
The Vampires Promised Bride Chapter 36

"Wait... now? As in we are leaving now now?" Aiden said and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I promised we would head out today. Lucy's mate wants her to be where it is safer." Jasper watched as Wyatt and Freya walked over to them.

"We have made preparations for your departure." Wyatt said with a small frown. Even though it was to keep his children safe he didn't like not having them close. He would feel better when they were at least at the dragon kingdom. Lucy walked down the stairs as she heard her father speak. "We are leaving, now?"

"Yes." Freya said with a faint smile. "But we have made arrangements so that you will get to your destination safely."

"Are you sending us out with a patrol?" Aiden asked.

"No with a dragon." A deep voice boomed from the doorway.

Lucy turned her head to look at the voice. A towering sculpted young man with dark brown hair and hazel eyes leaned against the doorway with a small smirk playing on his face. It was Brian, the son of Titus and Lila the dragon king and queen of the west. "Brian!" Lucy squealed happily and ran up to him. He lifted her up into his chest and hugged her. They were all really close. With their family having the black pearls they were able to visit each other all through childhood. And while technically he wasn't blood related he was family. His father, Titus, was her aunt's soul gemini twin. Really weird to explain but it was all concocted by the moon goddess. In either case, Brian was family to them and was treated like such.

"Luce Luce... I heard you found your mate... well that's an interrogation for another time I guess." Brian's lips curled upwards as Aiden came and slapped him on the back.

"Brian, what are you doing here man?" Aiden had a wide grin on his face.

"A little slow piecing things together I see." Brian chuckled. "I'm giving you three a lift. Safest way to travel besides the pearls."

"Nice." Jasper liked this idea a lot. "How are things going with the ladies?" Jasper also had built up a friendship with everyone Lucy was close to. Since he made it a point to visit often.

"I'm hoping I'll find my girl at the next mating ceremony. Until then you know I'm just playing hard to get." Brian winked with a chuckle.

Lucy openly rolled her eyes. These boys never played hard to get. That was their way of deflecting from not having girlfriends.

"When did you guys ask for Brian to come?" Lucy looked at her parents. Dragons were fast flyers but not that fast. Her parents just got back today so even sending a messenger immediately he couldn't have been here already.

"We just did. We used the pearl to see if a dragon could escort you to the vampire kingdom. We either would need two dragons or one capable of carrying three people. Levi and Titus are working on this Wicker business but Brian immediately offered his services. So we brought him back with us." Wyatt felt more at ease knowing they would be traveling by dragon.

"And I was out making sure some werewolf wasn't the future woman of the house." Brian said with a chuckle. "Alas, none are lucky enough as of now... so you guys ready to take flight?"

"I need to pack still." Lucy said looking at Aiden who also nodded.

"Just pack the few things you need. We will have the rest taken directly to the dragon kingdom for your extended stay there." Freya added as she watched her two children head up towards their rooms.

Only a few moments later both had returned, each carrying a bag. Wyatt and Freya took turns hugging their kids tightly.

"Take care of your sister. And don't wander from the castles." Wyatt said sternly to Aiden.

"Trust in yourself, Lucy. And please think before you act." Freya kissed her daughter's forehead and walked with them slowly outside.

"Don't worry. It will be like camp. They will be safe and we will have a blast." Jasper said, trying to lighten the mood. He then looked over at Brian. "Should we make him take a breathalyzer test or something? We don't need a tipsy flyer."

"I could fly you there blindfolded and half asleep. Plus, what are you implying, Jasper?" Brian quirked his brow up and gave him a half smile.

"Now you are a smart guy... I hardly need to explain myself." A cheeky grin reached Jasper's lips.

"Yep, read you loud and clear. You are afraid of heights." Brian said with a chuckle.

"We will visit you. Try to just enjoy this time." Freya said quietly to her two children.

"Don't worry about us mom. We will be just fine. It's you guys and the pack I am worried about." Lucy hugged her mother tightly one last time as Brian shifted into his enormous dark red dragon.

"We will all be just fine here." Wyatt patted Lucy on the head. "Be good Lucy. And keep your brother out of trouble." He winked over at Aiden who snuffed out a blast of air from his nose. "Lucy... here." He held out a small black object attached to a string. It was the fourth piece of the black pearl. "Use this to go to the dragon kingdom afterwards. With this, you are always connected to your family."

"Thank you." Lucy pursed her lips slightly as she stared at the object. Her link to her family.

She took a few steps backwards and then turned, taking Jasper's hand as she climbed atop Brian's back. Aiden took his spot beside her and soon they were lifted off into the air. Lucy stared down as her parents became smaller and smaller. She looked over the territory of the Diamond pack. And realized... this was it for her life there. She had thought she was going to have the whole summer to say goodbye but instead, last night was it. They were going from the vampire kingdom to the dragon kingdom. Once everything was settled Derek would be bringing her back to the vampire kingdom. The Diamond pack... was no longer her home.

She watched the land below her until it vanished from her sight and then turned forward to look ahead. She was now heading into the future and to where her new home was. She had been preparing her whole life for this moment... and yet there was a bitter sting about losing her pack. She was sure she would adjust to wherever she was at with Derek by her side. But he wouldn't be there now. And she was going to have to keep up the pretense that the fill in 'Ryan' was her Derek.

Upon the fast wings of Brian, they entered the vampire kingdom in no time. Jasper pointed to an area behind the castle where they could land. It was all enclosed with tall walls with guards around the whole outside perimeter. Lucy had been here before but never saw an aerial view of the place. She never realized just how many soldiers were always very close by.

Jasper slid off of Brian first making sure that the soldiers were all able to see who it was. They immediately relaxed and returned to their posts. Aiden hopped off next and Jasper helped Lucy slide down.

"Thank you, Brian." Lucy looked back at his colossal dragon. "Do you want me to open a portal for you to go back?"

"No, I prefer to stretch my wings some..." He looked at Lucy and Aiden and nodded his head. "This is where I leave you then. But I'll be seeing you soon." Brian flapped his wings creating gusts of dust around him as he lifted off into the sky. "Well let's get you two situated. I'll have our rooms joined together while we are here. We actually have a suite that will work out well." Jasper grabbed Lucy's bag. "You are a double princess while you are here Lucy." He talked as he led them into the castle. The guards bowed their heads respectfully and stood aside. "You are not just the werewolves' princess but the vampires' princess. The whole point of the welcoming party is to welcome our new princess and future queen."

Lucy felt Aiden move protectively closer to Lucy. He hadn't been here that much. And there was still a lack of trust when it came to his sweet sister. Jasper noticed this and smiled. "She is more special to us than you understand Aiden. She is very safe here." "Lucy." A cool crisp voice said as a figure stepped out from a column. It was Ryan... the real Ryan who was pretending to be Derek while Derek is pretending to be Ryan. Who she had to pretend was her fiancé. He walked up to her and held his arms open for her to walk into. He waited expectantly for them to put on the public show for others.

She slowly obliged and internally cringed when his lips touched her forehead.

"I trust you had pleasant travels?"

Lucy nodded her head and watched him smile down at her.

"I am aware of everything that has been going on. While you are here you will stay with me." Ryan said matter of factly.

Lucy's eyes widened and she took a small step backwards looking at Jasper.

"Um... I was going to be staying with my brother and-"

"No, Lucy. As my fiancé, you are expected and should be staying with me." Ryan glanced around the room briefly. "My chambers are the safest and as my fiancé, you shouldn't be sharing a room with anyone but me."

"My prince..." Jasper said with a smile that would have looked normal to anyone at a distance. But up close there was malice behind his smile and his eyes were piercing against Ryan. "I hardly think it is appropriate for her to stay in your room... with just you. I know of some who will not think it proper. Might even be a deadly decision..." He dropped his tone and fixed his dagger eyes on Ryan.

Derek will kill you if you lay next to his fiance. Jasper growled in his head.

She is safer with me. My orders are to keep her safe. She can have a bed to herself. But no one would ever be able to come near her in my room.

And like they could in mine?!

Why would my fiancé share a room with you? Don't you think this would cause unwanted rumors? No, she is staying with me.

Derek is not going to like this. Jasper scowled and grit his teeth. He outranked this man and was tempted to order him.

Jasper, we will talk later. As you know there are eyes and ears everywhere. Ryan cleared his throat. "My fiancé will be staying with me. Guards... see to it that her bag is brought to my room."

Lucy watched mortified as a man came and grabbed her bag from Jasper. She knew this guy just from when she met him as her fake fiancé. But she wasn't close with him. They were cordial with one another. And she was supposed to sleep in his room. She looked over at Jasper who gave her a reassuring smile. Though she could see he was struggling with this as well. She needed to fix this.... publically.

"I have an idea." Lucy said, beaming with a more loud childlike excitement. She wanted for those around to be able to hear her. "Let's have a slumber party tonight. A way for the four of us to really get to know each other. It will be so much fun. We can swap stories and maybe roast marshmallows. I'd like for you and Aiden to become closer." Lucy bit her lip and smiled. She watched as Jasper's shoulders relaxed and Ryan's lips curled upwards.

"Whatever you want my princess." Ryan's reply was polite and strangely warm. Much warmer than he had been with her before. "Okay, let's all head to my room and get situated. Afterwards, we will join my parents for dinner."

"Sounds great. I am starving." Aiden chuckled, stepping closer to Lucy. He needed to act as friendly as possible here. He wasn't just Lucy's brother but the future king of the werewolves. He needed to do his best to portray them in a positive light. It would help other vampires relax.

Jasper looked at Lucy and gave her a small nod and smile. Thank goodness she was clever. This at least could get them all in Derek's room which was well protected and of course soundproof. Then he could really talk with Ryan. No matter how trusted Ryan was Derek would probably gut him for sleeping in the same room as his mate. And Ryan would know this. So he must have a very good reason for insisting on it. He could even see how relieved he looked at Lucy's loud proposition. She didn't realize it but she probably saved him too.

They walked down the halls and past the guards through two restricted areas before they finally reached Derek's room.

"After you my dear." Ryan said calmly, allowing for Lucy to step inside of the room.

Once they were all inside and the door had closed Jasper turned looking at Ryan. "Okay... what is this all about?"