Chapter 31

Kelly I cant believe it. Today is the day. The day I am made Derek’s Queen and Luna. It hardly felt real. I felt like I was watching a movie, everything felt like it was in slow motion as I reluctantly got ready for my ceremony. This was not how I imagined being made queen.

“You are going to be the most stunning Luna anyone has ever seen.” Kelsey complimented as she continued to pin my hair up in some elaborate updo.

“Thanks.” I said, forcing a smile.

“Is it because mom and Kylie couldn’t make it?” She asked, picking up on my less than excited mood.

“No, I figured they wouldn’t make it.” I sighed. “Just nerves I guess.”

“There is always time to back out.” Kelsey laughed slightly, not knowing how close I was to actually doing so.

“I made a promise to him and I’m keeping it.” I sighed. “Plus, the last thing I need is a war on my plate.”

“I just hate seeing you so sad looking Kelly.” She said, spraying my hair down. “Did something happen between you and the King?”

“I’m fine Kels. It’s just a big day.”

“Alright, as long as your sure.” She shrugged.

“Knock knock….Oh, look how beautiful!” Dereks’ sister Sierra said, letting herself into my changing room.

“Thank you.” I said, throwing on a fake smile.

“You were just a young pup when I met you and now look, your about to be made queen.” Sierra gushed, giving me a big hug, careful not to ruin my makeup.

“Yes, it’s very exciting.” I smiled.

“It is funny though, how fate sometimes has plans of its own.” She said, going over to my dress that was hanging up. “This is gorgeous.” She complimented.

“I guess,” I said, eyeing her carefully. Kelsey shot me an uneasy look as well.

“Whatever happens in life, know that its for a bigger reason. Even if you can’t see it now.” She smiled tightly.

“Words of wisdom.” Kelsey said, trying to break the awkward tension that was falling throughout the room.

“You were born to be an Alpha Queen Kelly, don’t ever forget that. I will see you out there.” She winked and left just as soon as she had come.

“That was a bit odd, right?” Kelsey asked.

“Totally.” I agreed.

“Way to pick the crazy family.” She snorted, putting a few things away.

“Help me into my dress?” I asked, ignoring her comment.

Kelsey nodded and helped me get my dress on. It was a lovely off-white gown that my mother had picked out. I had specifically requested that the dresses be brought to the palace so she could be part of it. I tried on a handful of dresses first for fun, but once I put this dress on and saw how my mom lit up, I knew it was the one. Almost as soon as Kelsey finished zipping me up, there was another knock at the door. Who now? I thought to myself.

“Come in.” I yelled.

“Your majesty,” Emmett said, taking me by surprise.

“Emmett? What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I’ll give you two a minute.” Kelsey said, quickly leaving the room, shutting the door behind her.

“I had to see you.” He said, carefully looking me over.

“Well, here I am,” I said.

“Yes, here you are. Looking so beautiful, like always, though I cant help but notice how unhappy you seem.” He said, looking at my dresser full of jewelry I planned on wearing today.

“Am I that obvious?” I scoffed.

“Anyone with eyes can see Kelly, you deserve better than to be made a luna to a man who was forced into choosing someone.” He said, picking up my necklace, coming up close behind me and putting it on my neck. “You deserve someone who will cherish you, someone who will love you.”

“Someone like you?” I asked.

“Perhaps.”

“And you are telling me this minutes before my union?”

“Better late than never.” He shrugged, “I just can’t live with any more regrets.”

“What regrets do you have now?” I asked as he grabbed my bracelet next.

“Well, first, I should never have let you go that day.” He said, carefully taking my hand and putting it on my wrist as if it were made of glass.

“Which day was that?” I asked, having an inclination as to what he was referring to.

“You forgot our night together?” He said, pretending to be wounded. “I thought I made quite the lasting impression.”

“How could I ever forget?” I purred. “My voice was hoarse the next day.”

“My next regret is giving you all the medication trials that I did. You might never have become an addict if I had just found the right medicine faster.” He said, picking up my earrings and carefully putting them on me.

“You couldn’t help that. My father would have just found someone else to drug me up and I would have become an addict anyway. At least you helped me through it all.” I said softly, careful not to move.

“And my biggest regret is not telling you how I felt about you sooner.” He sighed. “You are one of a kind, Kelly. And you should never settle for being treated less than absolutely precious.” He said, reaching his hand to cup the side of my face before leaning in and giving me a soft peck on my cheek. “I wish you the best in whatever you decide.”

He looked at me longingly before leaving. I felt frozen in place until Kelsey came back in. I quickly grabbed a tissue to dab my eyes with, hoping she didn’t see me caught in headlights.

“They are ready when you are.” Kelsey smiled.

“Lets go.” I nodded, my brain still absorbing his words.

We walked side by side through the palace towards the back doors where I would be presented. My father and a few servants were there and waiting.

“Kelly, you look beautiful.” My father said, linking arms with me. A proud look upon his face.

“Thanks dad.” I said, nodding at the servants to open the doors.

As soon as the doors began to open, instrumental music began to play and all eyes were on me. Even my mate who stood at the end of the isle had his eyes set on me for once. I kept my gaze forward as we walked down the isle, not wanting to risk seeing someone who might make me rethink everything. As soon as we arrived at the end of the isle, Derek helped me onto the platform where we would become one and my father took his seat next to Kelsey, who snuck in from the far side.

“Thank you all for coming here today to witness this momentous event. The union of King Derek and Princess Kelly.” King Edward began.

Derek’s guests were super excited, clapping and hollering, while my side was a bit less enthusiastic about the matter.

“Before I begin, is there anyone who has any reason as to why these two shouldn’t be joined together, as King and Queen, or as Alpha and Luna? Speak now.”

I dared to look out into the crowd, my eyes landing on three sets of eyes who all looked like they wanted to say something, but didnt.

“Alright then, the hard part is over,” King Edward laughed. I let out a forced breath and Derek smiled. “King Derek, you may begin.”

“State your full name and origin pack.” Derek said, getting very serious all of a sudden.

“Princess Kelly Marie Cook of the Western Pack.” I answered confidently.

“Do you, Valerie-I mean…Kelly Marie Cook, here on this day, give yourself fully to the southern pack?” He asked.

“Why does he say the humans name?” Keres growled.

Why did he say her name?

“Eh-hem.” King Edward cleared his throat. “Her full title.” He whispered, looking a bit unsure of Derek. “It wont take effect unless you use her full title. Princess Kelly Marie Cook.”

Dereks’ face fell and turned pale. This was not going well.

“Is everything okay?” I asked in a clipped tone, trying not to loose it there and then.

“I-” He cleared his throat. “King Edward, may I have a quick word with you?”

“Derek?” I practically hissed.

“We’ll only be a minute.” Derek said nervously before signaling the violinist to begin playing again.

He all but ran out of there with King Edward and Councilman Howard hot on his heels. I stood on stage for a moment, not knowing what to do. It wasn’t until the funny looks and gossiping began that I picked up the skirt of my dress and walked back down the isle from where I had just come. My father was a few steps behind me and I could see Jonas, Emmett, and Thorin all trying to get out of their seats, which made me pick up the pace. I could only deal with one meathead at a time, thank you very much.

It took me a minute to navigate through the palace, but I eventually heard yelling and passed King Edward in the halls, which told me I was heading in the right direction.

“I need to go find her.” Derek said, yanking his tie off.

“Go find who?” Keres voice echoed through the small banquate hall we were in.

Oh no. How is she doing this??

“How are you taking control right now?!” I frantically asked. I know I took a pill this morning.

“Silence.” She warned me.

“Oh…Kelly…I ugh…” Derek stuttered.

“Who are you running off to Derek?” Keres asked again, inches away from Dereks’ face. She looked ready to kill him.

“My mate,” he answered, almost as a plea. “She is in trouble and I need to find her.”

“Your mate?!” Keres yelled. “….It’s that human, isn’t it?” She asked, tears already streaming down our face from my emotions alone.

“What is the meaning of this King Derek?!” My father yelled, having finally caught up.

“Please forgive me for putting you through all of this. You are a wonderful shewolf and I’m sure you will make someone very happy one day. But that someone won’t be me.” He said, taking my hand and giving it a quick k**s before turning to leave.

“You had better make things right with her, Derek.” Keres said, yanking him back to us. “Because if you don’t, consider us at war.” She spat and stormed us out of there.

“War?! What war?! Kelly?!” My father yelled, trying to keep up with us, but we ignored him.

Keres stormed outside, kicking off our heels and tearing off a large part of the skirt of our dress. All of our guests were standing and moving around now, making getting away from my father quite easy.

“Where are we going?” I asked as Keres practically shoved our guests out of the way, earning more funny looks and gossiping.

“We need to leave.” Keres said, heading straight for the woods.

Oh goddess, don’t let her shift. Not here, not now.

“Leave? Where?!” I asked.

My question was answered as soon as I looked forward, taking in a purple hue and four bodies in the distance. When we got closer, I could make out the faces. Jonas, Emmett, Thorin, and….Queen Sierra?

“What is this?” I asked, Keres having given me control back.

“She says it’s a portal leading back home.” Jonas said, eyeing it carefully, same as Emmett and Thorin.

My father once spoke of Queen Sierra and her children and how they possessed strange abilities. But I never saw it first hand, until now anyway. It was…mesmerizing.

“Now might be your only chance to go on your mission for the elixir. It is your destiny, Kelly,” Queen Sierra said with some urgency in her voice.

“Then let’s go.” I nodded, stepping through to the other side.