Chapter 999

The King and the Alpha stand in silence, staring at each other.

Jackson breaks first.noveldrama

"Please, Dominic," Jackson says, laughing a little desperate laugh, turning a palm over in a plea for mercy. "I - I don't get it. Please tell me what I'm doing wrong - I'll fix it, immediately I'll fix it."

Dominic bursts into another grin, shaking his head at the poor young man who is so talented in so many ways, and so na?ve in others. "You're mated to a public figure, Jackson. I'd like to see you make things official with Ariel - claim her. Publicly. As your mate."

Jackson just blinks at the King and then leans forward, confused. "But she is my mate," he says softly, narrowing his eyes. "Didn't I didn't I do that? She's got the mark..." he gestures unnecessarily to his own neck.

"She's your mate, and we all know that," Dominic says, nodding. But then he raises a hand, pointing it to Ella's bedstand. "But to the rest of the world you're the Mystery Hunk. And everyone in the country thinks my daughter is mated to the tragically unfaithful Luca Grant. It will thus be very scandalous when, in six months, she gives birth to two pups who look particularly...hunky."

Jackson groans, covering his face with his hands, hating to the ends of him that Dominic Sinclair knows about the whole 'mystery hunk' thing. Dominic laughs again, slipping an arm around Jackson's shoulders and leading him across the room, through the door of the closet, and then over to the mini bar that Ella keeps in there.

"So, what do I do?" Jackson asks with a sigh, accepting the very small dram of whiskey that Dominic pours for him.

"I'd like you to consider having a mating ceremony," Dominic says, pouring a second drink for himself and leaning against the minibar. He takes a sip of his drink as he studies his daughter's mate. "So that the world can see and acknowledge you as Ariel's choice. A member of the royal family. The father of her children. Public, official."

Jackson nods slowly, looking down into his drink. Anxiety rolls in him as he does. And it's not at all – that he would mind having a ceremony with Ariel in front of friends and family. That might actually be nice. It's just...the whole 'before the whole nation' thing. He's always been very careful, very private.

But now...

"You already chose this, Jackson," Dominic says softly. "Like her mother, Ariet shines like the sun. People are drawn to her, interested in her. She'll always be a celebrity. You knew all of that when you marked her. Clearly, you had time to walk away if that was too much. And clearly, there were others who were willing to take the spot."

Jackson sighs, a little ashamed of himself for hesitating, and again raises his eyes

to Dominic's. "I know. I'm sorry, I agree. And I'm not hesitating - not really. I'm

just...it's been a lot to adjust to before nine in the morning."

"That I understand," Dominic says, moving closer to Jackson so that they stand side-by-side, their shoulders touching.

They stand like that for a long few moments, Jackson taking some time to gather his thoughts and feelings, Dominic letting him have the time Dominic smiles as Jackson adjusts, liking the boy a great deal, especially for his Ariel - his first little girl. Strong, steady, willing adoring. It's what he would have picked, if he'd had a choice.

Dominic raises his eyes to the ceiling for a moment, sending a little prayer of thanks to the Goddess for this blessing, this good match for his little girl. And then for the two little babies, new additions to a family for them all to love.

A blessing, truly. All of it.

"Okay, so, what do I do?" Jackson asks, straightening his shoulders and looking towards the door, clearly ready now after a few minutes of contemplating. "Do we just...go to the Goddess's Temple and have the ceremony? Or..."

Dominic laughs, wrapping a hand around Jackson's elbow to hold him back, well aware that the kid would march Ariel down to the Temple right now if it's what was right.

"Don't worry about the cernet

just now, Jacks. Ella will handle all of that, after all. She'd kill you if you didn't let her throw Ariel Some big elaborate ceremony."

Jackson pauses and then nods, understanding that. He turns back to Dominic and raises his eyebrows, a question still there about what the hell to do next.

"Well, you should probably ask Ariel," Dominic says with a smile. "It's usually tradition. Though...I think I personally skipped that step when it came to Ella, so if you want to surprise her, there's some precedent for that."

"No," Jackson says, instantly. "I don't like surprises. I'll ask her. But...if there's time? Maybe I can do it in my own way? Not like... right now, in the living room?"

Dominic nods, letting him know that that would be all right - perfectly fine. "Don't wait too long. Ella can't keep ceremony planning a secret for any extended time. It will kill her."