The coronation grounds, which I now realized was filled with witnesses from both packs, erupted in howls and cheers.
I remained frozen in place, trying to process what had just happened Kaius had admitted I wasn’t his fated mate-a fact I’d suspected but never had confirmed-and yet the moon goddess had accepted him anyway.
What did this mean for us? For me?
As the initial celebration died down, Kaius stepped from the dais, his eyes finding mine immediately. There was something in his expression I couldn’t quite read.
“We would become one; we would be stronger than we had ever been unity would reign amongst us all, he proclaimed to the assembled wolves, though his gaze never left mine.
Commander Dominic stepped forward from the crowd. “If I may, my king, The Ironvale pack could run into total poverty if not presented with a good leader with influence, and we have none of that. We agree to become a part of the Ravenhollow pack, as it had been before the split.”
Murmurs of agreement spread through the Ironvale wolves present. This merger-this healing of the ancient divide-was what Kaius had wanted all along. But I couldn’t focus on the political implications, not when my heart was still racing with fear and confusion.
Kaius raised a hand, and silence fell again. “I would like to introduce you to my mate, your queen. She would always be a part of me, a beacon of hope. Elowen Thorne Valerian.”
Frost gently nudged me forward. On shaky legs, I approached Kaius, aware of every eye in the chamber watching us. When I reached him, I wasn’t sure what was expected of me-should I kneel? Bow? Stand beside him?
Before I could decide, Kaius pulled me to him, claiming my mouth in a kiss that left no doubt about our relationship. It was possessive, passionate, and very public. When he finally released me, I was breathless, my cheeks flushed with a mixture of surprise and pleasure.
“Now do you believe me?” he asked quietly, for my ears alone.
“Yes. Yes I do.” And I did-though I wasn’t entirely sure what I was believing in. That he wanted me? That the goddess approved? That our bond was real, even without fate’s blessing?
The ceremony continued with formal pledges of loyalty from the pack leaders. But my mind was still floating in a state of unreality, struggling to process the fact that Kaius had just declared me Queen in front of everyone.
As the formal ceremony concluded, Thalia approached us, leading the way from the coronation grounds back to our sidence. As we
walked through the corridor, she guided us to one of the rooms. When she opened the heavy wooden door, I froze in place. Inside, at least a dozen young women stood in various states of undress, all beautiful, all looking eager to please.
“I have a special gift for you, Alpha,” Thalia announced, gesturing toward the women with a flourish.
My stomach twisted with nausea. Was this what awaited Kaius as King? A harem of willing women to serve his every need?
Kaius’s face remained impassive as he regarded the scene before him. Then he turned to Thalia, one eyebrow raised. “You do know I have a Luna, right?”
ミ
“It is no big deal; she would never be enough for you and is not an insult; you will need more of them to attend to your every need if you want her to last longer for you. I am sure she wouldn’t be bothered about this,” Thalia replied, as if offering him a selection of desserts rather than human beings.
“I wouldn’t be needing them,” Kaius stated firmly.
Thalia looked genuinely confused. “Not now. But soon. This is the lif every king gets to enjoy.”
