The Orphaned Queen (By Brandi Ray) novel Chapter 73

Rains’ P.O.V.

After talking with Zion for an hour, Odett began to stir on the couch. I approached her, massaging her back to wake her up, and told her Zion had brought her a smoothie, which I handed her. She grinned as she sipped the smoothie through a straw. I returned to the table with Zion and patiently waited until she finished. When she’s done, I ask her to come sit at the table with us.

“Zion and I have to take a little trip out of town,” I say as she sits at the table. “We need you to stay here and help Stephanie and Sam.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She says as she smiles at the mention of Sam’s name.

“You want to help me pack?” I ask her, and she nods excitedly. “Okay, let’s go.”

We jump from the table and race to my closet, making Zion laugh. She becomes excited as she starts looking through my clothes. She holds up different clothing items for me to choose from, and I can’t help but think of Jess. They’re so much alike that it makes me laugh. After a while, we had enough clothes packed for a month. Zion walked into the room and announced that supper was ready. We get up and walk to the kitchen, where the table is filled with food, and see the kitchen in a mess.

“You know how to cook?” I ask him.

“I can manage.” He says with a laugh as we sit.

After we finished eating, Zion said he needed to talk to Sam about something but that he would be back in time to tuck Odett into bed. I nod, and Odett giggles. He kissed us and walked out the door. I decided to start cleaning the kitchen, and Odett helps me by clearing the table. When everything is clean, I tell Odett it’s time for a bath, and she runs to the bathroom and pulls out her favorite bubble bath as she giggles. After her bath, she gets dressed into her pajamas, and I braid her hair so that it’s out of her face as Zion walks in.

“It’s bedtime, little princess.” He says as he picks her up and carries her to bed while I follow.

“Good night, my Sweet Girl,” I say as I tuck her in and kiss her forehead before walking to the door and turning her light off. Zion and I walk to our room, and I lay across our bed as he begins to pack his bag for our trip to Blue River Pack.

“Have they gotten Ms.Leana yet?” I ask, and he visibly becomes uncomfortable as his body goes ridged.

“No.” He says as he looks over at me, making me sit up nervously, and I can tell he’s upset. Was it because I asked him about her?

“No, I think somethings wrong,” Dosha says. I stare at my hands, too scared to ask anything else. I hate how nervous I’ve become with him all of a sudden.

“There is something I need to tell you, but I don’t want you to worry.” He says as he sits on the edge of the bed and places his hand over mine, making me look up at him.

“Are Jess and Orian okay?” I say, barely above a whisper, as my heart starts to beat erratically.

“They are fine. It’s about the orphanage. They found the orphanage up in flames when they arrived on the pack’s territory.” He says, and my heart feels like it stopped beating. “The kids all got out safely, but there is no sign of the orphanage mother.”

“She tried to kill them!” I whisper as I feel Dosha starts pacing in my mind.

“We don’t know for sure, but there are eyewitnesses saying they saw her leave the orphanage right before they saw the smoke.” He says as he scoots closer to me, pulling me into his chest as I feel tears sliding down my cheeks. “The kids are all okay. Jessica and Orian are with them.”

“That’s good. I wish I was there for them.” I say through my tears. “We should have taken them with us. We knew they weren’t safe.”

“They will be now.” He says, and I look up at him, full of confusion. “I had planned on it being a surprise, but they will be coming home with us.”

“All of them?” I say in amazement.

“All of them. We will need to add more rooms to the orphanage plans, but they will be moving into the castle until the renovations are complete.” He says, and I jump up onto my knees.

“Are you serious?” I ask, and he nods. I lung at him in my happiness, wrapping my arms around his neck and making us fall backward. “Thank you! You really are so amazing.”

“You are the amazing one, my Queen.” He says with a laugh as he wraps his arms around my shoulders and kisses my forehead. “Are you ready for bed?”

“That’s great!” I say. Not sure how I could have forgotten about her moving to Gamma Nicks Pack.

“She’ll be here in a minute. Until then, why don’t you put on one of my shirts? I love seeing you in them.” He says with a smile, and I nod.

“How about the one you’re wearing now since it smells like you,” I say with a grin, and he pulls it off and hands it to me.

“Done.” He says with a laugh.

“I love you!” I say as I wrap my arms around his waist.

“I love you more.” He says, leaning down and kissing me.

“What time will Eithan and his mate be arriving?” I ask.

“They’re hear now. We will meet with them after you get dressed, and we have talked to the contractors about the shelters and the orphanage.” He says.

“Ahh hell, we need to change a few things on the plans,” I say as I rush around the room, trying to find the folder before remembering that I left them in my new office yesterday. I let out a groan as I run my hand down my face.

“I’ve already taken care of it.” He says as he wraps his arms around me, pulling me back into his chest.

“How do you find the time to do everything and still take care of me?” I ask in amazement.

“It’s my job, my love. You will get used to it, I promise.” He says, kissing the back of my head.