To The Ch 22

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Chapter 22

Luna Aquamarine’s POV

What did I just hear? Reject me?

“Alex! Reject her!” the woman’s voice rang out again, her green fire eyes shooting daggers at me. The venom in her tone made my skin

crawl.

I was speechless.

THE

I stared at her in confusion before Alexander’s arms tightened around me, his grip almost… protective? He glared at the woman, his nose flared and his mouth pressed to a thin line. His jaw clenched so hard I could see the muscle ticking beneath his skin.

I could tell he was angry. Very angry. The air around us crackled with his barely restrained fury.

S

“Alexander, you can drop me now,” I whispered, suddenly aware of how exposed I felt in his arms with everyone watching, but he just shot me a look. As if he was telling me to shut up.

And I did. Something in his eyes warned me this wasn’t the time to argue.

“You shouldn’t be here Gaia,” he said, his voice low and rough, each word dripping with controlled rage. “How dare you step foot into my kingdom and destroy my Luna’s Coronation?”

Gaia? So, that’s the vine wielder’s name, And Alexander knows her, that much is clear. He knows the person who attempted to kill me, thrice! The realization sent ice through my veins.

“I don’t care! You seem to have forgotten I have eyes everywhere!” Gaia stomped her foot on the ground like a petulant child denied her favourite toy. “I leave you for 2 months and come back to see you bringing and then crowning a bi-?!”

“Gaia!” he growled, cutting her off before she could finish whatever insult she was about to hurl at me.

His voice was so loud that it sent the foundation of the earth–shaking. I swallowed hard and looked up at him, his eyes were closed, like he was trying to contain himself. Power radiated from him in waves that made my bones vibrate.

My gaze went to Gaia, her eyes went wide and her mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air, then she looked away. For a moment, the fierce woman who had burst into my coronation looked almost… small.

Fear? Anger? Annoyance?

I could not tell but she had this vibe to her that I didn’t like. Like a spoiled, bratty child who had never been told no.

The atmosphere was tense and completely quiet. But I could still feel the presence of others watching the exchange, their collective breath held

I looked around other creatures were trembling slightly, while some were even cowering in fear at Alexander’s tone. Some had even begun backing toward the exits, their survival instincts overriding ceremony etiquette.

1 tugged his robe, “Alexander, the guests,” I whispered, not wanting this confrontation to traumatize everyone who had come to witness what should have been a celebration.

“I apologise for this commotion but this ceremony is over.” Levi’s voice echoed through the hall, smooth and commanding despite the chaos, and that was it.

The cue to leave.

One by one, every creature present in the hall started leaving bowing slightly but still having their guards up. Their movements were hurried, whispered conversations already beginning as they fled the tension.

The only people left were 1. Alexander, Gata, Elders from The Order, Levi and some other shifters from our pack. The vast hall suddenly felt intimate and dangerous.

“Juliet! Aaron” Alexander called out, his voice still carrying that edge of barely controlled power. “Take the tuna and Katherine to their

chambers”

Almost immediately. Juliet and Katherine appeared at my side, along with another tall dark skinned man with grey eyes that seemned to miss nothing.

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3:23 PM

Chapter 22

Aaron, I believe.

As we walked away from the chaos, I took one last glance at Alexander, Gaia and the Elders who were walking towards them with grim expressions. Alexander’s posture was rigid, like a predator ready to strike.

I couldn’t help but feel so disturbed.

What did Gaia mean by her outburst? Reject me? Why would she demand such a thing? And more importantly, why did she think she had the right to make such demands?

The way Alexander had reacted to her presence, the way his voice had boomed through the hall… it was clear that there was something between them. Something that went deeper than a simple acquaintance.

I wanted to go back and hear their discussions so badly, my curiosity gnawing at me, but Alexander had already given his command. And something told me disobeying him right now would be unwise.

Juliet and Katherine walked by my sides. Katherine’s arm was wrapped firmly around my waist. I could feel her fear and discomfort in her creased brows, the way her eyes darted nervously.

Juliet’s eyes were hard and so was her face. Her eyes kept darting left and right as if checking for something or rather keeping watch. Every shadow seemed to hold a potential threat.

I could sense her aura shifting slightly, becoming more protective, more alert.

Aaron walked ahead, his presence clearing a path through any lingering stragglers.

100

As we reached the chambers, he pushed the door open and ushered for us to enter. “I’ll stand guard outside,” he said, his voice deep and gravelly. “No one gets past me.”

Juliet and Katherine followed me into the room. The familiar space felt soo peaceful after the chaos of the interrupted ceremony.

“Don’t worry about the disturbance Luna,” Juliet said, her voice gentle despite the hardness still lingering in her eyes. “Let’s get you out of that crown and gown first. It looks heavy, and you’ve been through enough tonight.”

I nodded gratefully, placed the staff carefully on the table and carefully lifted the crown off my head. The weight had been more than physical–it carried expectations I wasn’t sure I was ready for.

Juliet handled the rest easily.

Carefully removing the jewelleries piece by piece and loosening the gown. I finally felt like I could breathe again.

I released a long breath and sat in the chair in front of the mirror, staring at my own reflection. I looked pale, shaken, but somehow different. The coronation had changed something in me, even if it had been cut short,

“Who is she?” I finally whispered to Juliet, the weight of the question heavy on my tongue. “Gaia.”

“She’s the Queen of Naturellia Kingdom,” Juliet replied, her voice carefully neutral.

Naturellia?

Isn’t that the same Kingdom I overheard Alexander and Levi talking about? The pieces were starting to form a picture I didn’t like.

“She and Alexander had some dealings in the past.”

“Dealings?” I pressed, though part of me didn’t want to know the answer.

“Political… Juliet paused as if weighing her words carefully.

Just that? The hesitation in her voice suggested otherwise.

“And romantic. At least that’s what she called it. She was his last mistress. The words came out like she was ripping off a bandage

Oh, another one.

I felt a pang in my chest but I ignored it, pushing down the unexpected surge of what? Jealousy? That was ridiculous:

“The craziest of all,” Juliet added with a grimace

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3:23 PM

Chapter 22

“Is he still seeing her? She said she left for 2 months,” Katherine asked, her curiosity getting the better of her discretion. I had forgotten that she was here, listening to every word.

Juliet twisted her face in disgust. “No, they broke up years ago but that bitch isn’t the type of person that takes no for an answer. She’s been trying to worm her way back into his life ever since.” She answered and I unknowingly let out a sigh of what felt suspiciously like relief.