Chapter 565

Three hours later, everything has changed.

We're still in the room, having sent word to our professors that we're all...indisposed for the day. But mom is sitting on a cushion on the floor with Rafe's dark head in her lap, softly stroking her favorite's hair as he lays on a series of soft blankets that she had us lay out for him. And even though mom healed him pretty much the moment she came stumbling through the door, she still insists that Rafe not be moved - that he instead be quite intensely pampered exactly where he is.

Luckily, as the traumatized princess, I got a great deal of benefit from the Queen's attentions too. But her administration ended the moment she realized that I was physically fine and I'd rather have something to do to help than be coddled. Since then, my job has been fetching more and more plates of food as they come out of the dumbwaiter and carrying them over to the already-overloaded coffee table.

"My poor babies," mom murmurs, looking between us as I settle a plate of sandwiches down. "What a day you have had."

"We're fine, mom," Rafe sighs, his eyes lightly shut. "You're going to have to stop fussing at some point."

"Never," she sighs, quite sweet, making me smile as she leans forward and presses a kiss to Rafe's head.

"Oh, let him up, Ella," Cora says from her spot by the door, where she, Jesse, and Jacks are already fitting a new door into the gaping hole left by the last one. "Honestly, he's a big boy and you've healed him all up -"

"He's just a little tiny wounded meatball," mom corrects, heaving a squeaky sigh as she wraps her arms around her gigantic son, trying to hold him as tight as she can. "He can't help, he's hurt."

"Oh whatever," Cora says, laughing a little at mom's antics as she hands screws to Jackson as needed.

"Where did we even get a door so fast?" I ask, my hands on my hips as the dumbwaiter bell rings again. "And how much food did you have sent up?" “All of it,” mom says, her voice stern and decided. "I ordered six of everything in the kitchen, even from the back of the deep freezer. Meatball needs to get his strength back up and should have as many options as he wants."

"Mom, I'm fine," Rafe says, opening his eyes and laughing. "And stop calling me meatball."

"Again, never." she sighs, tapping him lightly on the nose and making me laugh as he scowls. "And I'll decide when you're fine, cutie,"

"I'm not complaining about the food options," Jackson murmurs, eagerly looking over at all of the food as I head again to the dumbwaiter. He still hasnbeaten and, through me, he gave Rafe more of his strength to speed his healing before mom got here. So, while we all missed breakfast, I think Jackson is feeling particularly ravenous. Down the bond, I can basically feel his

stomach rumble.

"Okay, we got him," Luca says from the doorway as Cora screws in the final screw and Jesse gives the door an experimental swing. We all turn to see Tony standing between Ben and Luca, looking completely confused.

"Um, hi?" Tony says, peering around the room. "Wow, nice place beyond the...wreckage of the door. Being royals apparently has its perks."

“Hi, Tony!” I call, carrying a plate of dumplings over to the table. "Do you want lunch?” I gesture to our wide buffet, which is probably more food than this crew of hungry Alphas can eat.

"The prince is laying on the floor in

what looks like..." Tony steps into the room, staring around at all of the splintered wood, "a matchbox factory explosion. And you want me to come in and... eat lunch? noveldrama

"Yup!" Mom says, grinning over at Tony like she thinks he's funny.

“Hi, I'm Cora,” Cora says, peeking out from behind the door and reaching out a hand towards Tony. "I'm Jesse's mom.”

"Oh..." Tony says, jumping a little in surprise at her sudden appearance. He takes her hand though and gives it a shake, along with an awkward little bow. "A pleasure to meet you...your grace?"

Cora laughs a little, coming around the door and looking curiously at Tony, a big smile growing on her lips. "None of that – just Cora is fine."