The Ceremony

Being escorted back to my family by Jamie I felt numb.

“Did you have fun honey?” Mom asked me as Jamie kissed my hand and walked away.

“Yes mom I did.” I said as I rubbed my hand where Jamie kissed it.

What was that? It felt like the sparks Shane gave me on the twins birthday but weaker. A bell rang out.

“The Dawson family invites you to sit and dine now.” We all approached the great table set up with food.

Place cards with names sat at each place setting. My family found their seats but I notice my name is not with them. Standing there looking confused and awkward. Mr. Stanley came up behind me and whispered.

“Come with me your chair is up at the head of the table.” I followed him still confused.

He stopped in front of a chair that was next to Jamie. I slid into the chair and sat quietly with my eyes on the plate in front of me.

“You know we won’t bite, right?” I gave Jamie a quick look as he was leaning back from whispering to me.

“So mother, father this is Scarlett Black. The daughter of the Alpha from Crystal Lake pack.” Jamie said to his parents and brother.

“Hello dear, I am Queen Robyn and this is King Matthew.” The Queen said to me as I nodded and smiled trying to hide my nerves.

“Hello your highnesses.” I said quietly my eyes falling back onto the plate in front of me.

“So you got my invitation.” Shane said with a smile.

I looked up to him where he was sitting across from me and next to Princess Charlotte.

“So Scarlett we have heard a little bit about you from Shane. Tell us what do you do for hobbies?” The Queen asked me.

“I watch TV shows and play video games with my brothers.” I said not being able to think and got a laugh from everyone around me as a response.

“Oh my dear I see why Shane likes you so much. You are normal.” Charlotte laughed making me both blush and ball up my fists with anger.

As we ate the Queen asked me more about my life and family, letting them know the same as Shane Math was my favorite subject and I was considered ‘smart’. After dinner we headed through the palace, to the church attached to the north wing. Being escorted by the royal family made me feel funny. Shane and Jamie seemed to be competing with each other to show me as much as they could. Shane seemed to be completely ignoring the Princess and I felt a tinge of sadness for her even after the condescending comments at dinner.

I finally got to sit with my family again and I snuggled into my mom’s shoulder for the whole crowning ceremony. Shane looked so regal sitting on the throne with the crown on his head. As he rose the whole place erupted into applause welcoming a new generation as the true king. Princess Charlotte watching him from the side of the room with his parents and Jamie. She looked indifferent; I guessed it must be horrible to be away from your family for your fiancé’s crowning and barely being noticed by him the whole time while he fawned over me.

We were about to go back to the hotel to collect our bags when I feel a hand on my shoulder. Turning I see Princess Charlotte. I quickly bow and she tuts me I look up at her and she’s smiling at me.

“Scarlett I wanted to speak to you before you left woman to woman.” She asked softly.

“Yes your highness.” I answered.

“I wanted to speak to you in private if I may?” I looked at my family and waved my hand to tell them I would meet them outside.

“Of course I understand.” I said to her as I follow her to a room she was heading towards.

“I wanted to speak to you about Shane. I heard you two hit it off a few months ago and from what I saw at dinner and on our walk to the church I can now see that the rumors I heard were correct.” She said as she was shutting the door.

I spun around to see her face looked the same as it did during the ceremony.

“We had one interaction at my twin brothers’ birthday. It wasn’t as if we had a date or anything and I never asked to be separate from my family at dinner and I was just trying to not be awkward by ignoring questions.” I stumbled out and she smiled at my uncomfortableness.

“It’s ok I understand, he is very handsome and the king now.” She said making me look at her with wide eyes. Does she seriously think I am trying to steal him just because he’s king now?

“I promise you there is nothing between us.” I said and she nodded in response.

“If you two are mates you will not be able to resist the pull once you turn 18.” She said as I just stared at her.

“I will be marrying him later this year before you turn 18. I will not tolerate being second best in a marriage. This match has been in place by our families since I was 5 and he was 6.” My eyes have become so wide they were starting to hurt.

“I would never interfere in a marriage.” I said trying to breathe normally, wishing someone would come and rescue me from this situation.

As my head became light from my fast breathing there was a knock on the door. My mom appeared and as sweetly as she seemed to muster after seeing my face.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your highness, but we must be leaving it is a long drive back to Crystal Lake and we have young ones with us.” Thanking the Moon Goddess for my mother’s feeling link to her children right now.

I slipped past the Princess who was standing in the middle of the doorway without a word and left the palace with mom. Sitting in the limo with my family I snuggled in between my mom and dad and slipped into an uneasy sleep.