Chapter 21
Luna Aquamarine’s POV
My heart sank as panic clawed my chest.
My eyes went wide as I stared at Alexander. My hands trembled as I gripped the staff tightly.
“Breathe woman,” he murmured, low enough that only I could hear. “You lifted it with ease so no worries.”
No worries? What sort of barbaric act are they practising here?
I didn’t know if I should be grateful or not that I could lift it. But it still didn’t change anything with the scroll still missing!
“I still have 5 days left,” I whispered, earning a low chuckle from him and I glared at him. “You’re enjoying this aren’t you?”
“Don’t act weak, my little mate.” His eyes travelled over my face, and something almost like approval flickered there.
“Though I must admit, you’re stunning when you’re trying to look regal.” His grip on my waist tightened and he growled. “If you’re not careful I would dismiss everyone here and have my way with you.”
Despite everything, heat crept up my neck and my wolf stirred within me.
I definitely shouldn’t be liking this, but the way he said it did things to me.
He leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. “The mark is supposed to be showcased for all to see the Primus’s claim,” he whispered. His fingers brushed against my skin as he pushed my hair to the side.
I rolled my eyes, despite the flutter in my chest and pushed him away slightly, “Let’s get this over with,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
The moment I stepped on the stairs leading to the throne, a strange restlessness began building in my chest.
I glanced at Alexander.
His aura had shifted slightly, becoming more alert, more predatory.
The eider began his speech, his voice carrying across the silent hall as he spoke of traditions, of power, of the sacred bond between Primus and Luna.
But his words seemed to fade into the background noise as the restlessness in my chest grew stronger.
I glanced at the staff in my hand. Could it be because of this? Or the mark Alexander gave me minutes earlier?
Then came the part I had been dreading.
The acceptance of fealty.
One by one, creatures approached to kneel and kiss my hand just like Juliet had told me.
“Vampires,” Alexander murmured as a group of pale, beautiful beings approached. “The tall one is Count Vlad Luke–he’s older than dirt and twice as dangerous.”
Older than dirt? When he looks like a 35–year–old? That’s impossible.
But if they’re really vampires, shouldn’t they burn in the sun?
My eyes lingered on Count Vlad, his pale glowing skin, pointy straight nose and red blood–
Ahand gripped my waist and pulled me backwards, “don’t look them in the eyes.” Alexander whispered harshly, bringing me out of my thoughts.
I blinked multiple times then switched my gaze to Count Vlad’s crown instead, but he chuckled, kissed my hand and smirked at me
My cheeks heated up a little, which earned a low grunt from Alexander.
“Fac,” he continued as shimmering beings that seemed to change appearance with every step came forward. “Never trust a word they
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Chapter 21
say, but they’re useful allies.”
Despite my anxiety, I found myself fascinated by his commentary. I had soo much to ask him and I just hoped he would answer without threatening me.
For all his faults, Alexander was clearly well–versed in the politics of this supernatural world I was only beginning to understand.
“Eagles,” he said as the winged figures approached. “They’re proud but honourable. Show them respect and they’ll die for you.”
Finally, the moment arrived. The elder approached with a crown that seemed to pulse with its own inner light, diamond work set with stones that looked like trapped flames.
“With this crown,” the Elder lifted the crown, “I Derek, 4th member of The Order, name thee Luna Aquamarine of Theriakon Pack, protector of the realm, keeper of the ancient ways and Primus Alexander’s fated mate.”
The crown settled on my head, and immediately I felt a rush of something within me, just like when I touched the staff earlier, but this time, I felt fire flow from the tip of my hair to the sole of my feet.
T
The crown was heavy but at the same time, I felt like I was floating….. Or falu im po
Then, the world exploded into chaos. Then,
falling?
64
–
Windows shattered with deafening crashes as thick, thorny vines burst through the openings. Fear spiked through me, my heart racing like a wild animal.
The vines were back! Angrier than before.
Screams filled the air as creatures scrambled for safety, some shifting into their true forms in panic.
“Stay behind me!” Alexander roared, his body already beginning to shift, muscles expanding.
But the vines were already forming that terrible face I remembered from before.
Ugly and utterly inhuman.
When those hollow eyes fixed on me, time seemed to stop again.
Everything moved as if underwater. I could see Alexander lunging toward it, I could see Levi shouting orders that sounded distorted and far away.
The guests seemed frozen mid–flight. The elves, with their bows. The Eagles with their swords, the lions with their claws and the one that put me off.
The ones I underestimated, those one–eyed people, their eyes glowed red with heat as red flames burst out.
Then the vines wrapped around me, lifting me from the ground roughly. Panic set in, my breath catching in my lungs as the face leaned closer.
“How dare you wear that crown?!!” its voice resonated inside my skull rather than through my ears.
My fear turned to desperation as I struggled against the vines‘ grip. I didn’t have time in my hands to hear its disturbing screams; I raised the staff high above my head, but before I could stab it with the sharp pointy end, something happened.
There was a powerful tug from below, disorienting me and the staff almost slipped from my hands.
I let out a scream. Somehow, the thought of the staff falling to the ground and the pack members killing me feared me more than the
vines
Alexander’s growl cut through the supernatural stillness, I looked down to see him tugging the vines attached to the face, bringing it close to his level.
But something inside me snapped, and a rush of adrenaline coursed through my veins. I took that opportunity.
With my heart pounding in my chest and my hands trembling with fear, I stabbed the vine wrapped around my waist.
Immediately, it made that connection; it screeched like a possessed beast and let go of me instantly.
Alexander caught me just before I hit the ground, his arms wrapping me like a shield. The vines recovered a little and moved withi
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Chapter 21
lightning speed towards us.
But instead of Alexander moving away from its path, the madman ran towards it.
With me screaming in his arms.
He launched himself at the massive tangle of vines. His fist connected with the vines in one thunderous punch that sent shockwaves through the air.
The impact broke whatever spell had slowed time. The hall was instantly filled with that Purple icy flame again.
Especially where Alexander had hit the disturbing face. It might have been the creature’s core because it crashed hard into one of the sculpted pieces.
I let out a shaky breath as I gripped the staff against my chest. My heart was about to burst out from my ribcage.
The vines began to wither and fall away, crumbling to ash as they hit the ground.
But as the last of them withered, they revealed something that made my blood turn to ice. A woman stood in the centre of where the creature had been.
She was beautiful in an otherworldly way, with waist–length curly brown hair, brow
sunkissed skin and eyes like green firé.
She wore robes that seemed to be made of living plants which hugged all her curves. Power radiated from her in waves that made the earth beneath us tremble.
She glared at Alexander, then at me, then at Alexander again.
Then her brows creased and she clenched her fists by her sides, “Alex! Reject her now!”
