Chapter 36

Peace fell back over the Kingdom, the cave system that Klara had discovered lead to unclaimed human land. After scouring text from when they first settled in the area, studying any documents… they found nothing. The council put it down to an oversight, either the Silversmith’s were the first to discover the weakness in the border of the land… or it had never been written down.

They sealed the entrance at the human end, and caved it in at different points. It would never be used to their enemies advantage again. It was hard for the council to admit that the Silversmith’s had outsmarted them, it was a well-oiled plan that they luckily brought to a halt. Strategy was noted and documented for use if ever needed. When you almost fail, you must learn and improve, it had been a good learning opportunity for Marc as King.

Klara’s coronation date was set, her life had settled into a rather pleasant routine. She was still surprised how much a Queen had to do, but it filled her day then her evenings were spent with Marc, who had taken to running her baths, massaging her feet when she had had to wear heels, or like they had before, sat watching a film enveloped in each other’s arms.

As the weeks went on, Klara could barely remember her past life, the scared little girl was no more. She’d grown confident, happy, and Marc only ever added to the positivity. She’d asked Marc to check on Ellie, the girl who had brought her food sometimes, he’d promised to find out as the Kingdom began relocating, offering individuals and families refuge into the packs that were under the Kingdom.

It was the night before the coronation and Klara couldn’t settle, she was nervous. No matter how much the former Queen, Marc, Xander, Wade, Trey, Adelaide or anyone told her what was going to happen and how it was all going to be fine.

She was pooping herself.

“Darling, calm down. You need your sleep.” Marc got out of bed after waking up realising she wasn’t next to him. “I can’t, I’m going to mess up!”

“You can’t mess up, they’re going to put a crown on your head and you repeat the words. That’s it,” his voice coming out kind but firm. “Bed,” he demanded a little less gently as she continued to pace.

He scooped her up midstep, coiling her legs around his hips. “Marc!” she cried in frustration but her protest disappeared with his lips on hers. She could feel him trying to influence her feelings, pushing calm to her but she was too nervous, too worked up. “I can’t relax while you’re like this, everything’s going to be fine and I’ll be right there along with you,” he murmured as he kissed down her jaw. “What will make you relax?” Klara flopped her head onto his shoulder, breathing in deeply to try and allow his scent to calm her. “I can do what I did this morning? That relaxed you.” She giggled and snuggled deeper into his chest.

“I wouldn’t say no, but can we go for a run in the morning?”

“Course, both our wolves would do well to get out any energy before the coronation. Come on, no reason to have a sleepy Queen.” She sighed but relented, allowing him to carry her to bed.

*

Klara fiddled with the tie on her dressing gown absentmindedly. She really wasn’t sure what to expect from the day, despite everyone telling her, she just couldn’t deem it was that simple. Marc had left to finalise arrangements, leaving Klara to sit in her own pit of worry. She didn’t even know what she was wearing!

A knock jumped her from her thoughts, “C-come in!” she called.

“How’s my sister doing?” Adelaide flounced into the room, a large dress bag in hand.

“Er…” was all Klara could answer with.

“Nervous?”

Klara nodded.

“That’s alright, shall we get you ready?” she asked excitedly before pinching her face into something quite snooty, “After all, a Queen must always look her best,” Adelaide stated in a husky, posh, uppity voice.

Klara found it in herself to laugh at her friend. Adalaide also broke out into laughter, “Come on! I’ve got great plans for your hair!”

Klara was soon whisked away into the dressing room to be preened and pampered in every way that Adalaide knew. They laughed and chatted all while getting her ready, which put Klara at ease, if just for the hour. Klara looked at herself in the mirror, completely floored with what was staring back. “Do you remember how you looked when you arrived?” Adelaide whispered from behind her.

Klara nodded, she did, and it wasn’t the same woman who stared back now… for that was what she was. She’d arrived looking like a girl, but now? Adelaide pinned the last lock of hair into place. “You look beautiful, my brother’s not going to know what’s hit him.”

“Thanks.” Klara ran her hand down the intricate applique of the champagne ball gown, it was a spectacular dress.

“There, now, you look like a queen,” Adelaide announced, finishing the final touches of Klara’s hair. “Alpha,” the gravelly tone responded, her eyes instantly switched to electric.

Adelaide just kept her eyes from rolling. She kissed the top of Klara’s head, “Yeah, Alpha. But-” Adelaide spun her around to face her, “You need to work together in this. You cannot jump forward, Alpha, you must allow your human to remain at the front. There will be a point in the ceremony you can talk, but until then, let your human,” Adelaide stated sternly.

Klara looked up, her eyes misting ever so slighting as she conversed with her wolf, ‘We will work together, but I am still an Alpha.’

‘Marc told us, we are to be an Alpha Queen, behave.’

‘If they insult me I will be heard.’

‘No-one’s going to insult you!’

‘We’ll see.’

‘Don’t push forward, you’ll anger Marc,' Klara begged.

‘Don’t want to anger mate… I will be silent.’

Klara nodded, “She’s agreed.”

“Great!”

A knock could be heard on the bedroom door so the two women went back into the bedroom, “Yes?” Klara called.

“Only me.” The Former King’s head popped through the door.

“Hi, Daddy.”

“Your Highness.” Klara bowed slightly.

Xander walked through the door, stopping a few feet from Klara before bowing. “It is I who must call you that.” He bowed with his fist on his heart. “Your Highness, you look truly perfect.” He stood for his golden eyes to be shining in fatherly pride. He took the few steps towards her, gripping her hand before placing a gentle kiss to it. “I’d hug you, but I wouldn’t want to ruin that truly spectacular dress, Elsbeth does have good taste.”

“Eh hem,” Adelaide cleared her throat.

“As do you, my darling child. Now, are you two ready?”

“Do I look ready?” Adelaide asked with a cocked eyebrow.

Xander pursed his lips, “Then go get ready, you have ten minutes.”

“It can’t start without me!” Adelaide replied, running back into Klara and Marc’s dressing room.

“It will start without you!” he shouted back.