Chapter 15 Part 2 Title

Chapter 15 (Part 2)

SERENA POV

I stood frozen the moment I heard the voice. It was familiar. Too familiar. For a split second, I thought it was Jayden. My heart reacted before my mind did, tightening painfully in my chest. But when I turned, it wasn’t him.

My heartbeat steady when It turns out to be Zora. She was walking toward me with a calm, warm smile, as if the tension in the air didn’t exist, as if the ground beneath this palace wasn’t layered with politics, power, and unspoken cruelty.

She looked relaxed, confident, and strangely kind for someone who had just fought me hours earlier.

“How are you doing?” she asked gently. “I hope you’re good.”

Her tone wasn’t mocking. No challenge. It wasn’t cold. There was no hidden edge to it. Just a simple concern.

“I’m fine,” I replied, offering a small smile of my own. “And you?”

“I’m good, thank you,” she said. Then she gestured ahead. “Everyone is already waiting for you and the Alpha King.”

Her words tightened something in my chest, but I nodded anyway.

We began walking side by side toward the guest house where the visitors were gathered. As we walked, she spoke easily, filling the silence in a way that felt almost natural, as though we were not rivals, as though hours ago we hadn’t faced each other in combat.

She told me a few things about the Royal Pack. Not everything, but enough. Just what she thought I needed to know. I could also sense she also has a powerful wolf though not an alpha it is still powerful and has some authority.

“Things are different here. Strength speaks louder than gender,” she said.

“Female or male, it doesn’t matter. What matters is discipline, control, and endurance. Strength speaks. Discipline speaks. Control speaks.”

That alone surprised me more than I expected.

She went on to explain how the rules here were stricter than in most regular packs. How high-ranking wolves carried more authority and had heavier responsibility. How nothing was taken lightly in the Royal Pack, not power, not loyalty, not weakness.

“No one is spared,” she added. “Especially those closest to the throne.”

Then she paused slightly before continuing, her tone careful.

“There are many females who admire the King,” she added casually. “Not just wolves. Other races too. You should be prepared.”

Prepared. I already know that. How could I not know? Have you seen that man? Jayden was devastatingly handsome.

Powerful. Commanding. Magnetic.

He didn’t need to touch anyone to be desired. His presence alone pulled attention, just standing still, drew longing, ignited hunger. Women watched him openly, shamelessly. Some boldly. Some secretly. Some with eyes full of ambition. They even get wet, by just looking at him.

But none of that mattered.

Because no matter how many eyes followed him, he was mine.

My mate. My other half. My soulmate.

The one person who completed me.

The one the Moon Goddess bound to me.

No matter how much he denied it. He will always be my mate. And I will always love him.

Zora continued talking about the pack system, how it differed slightly from regular packs, how hierarchy here was rigid and unforgiving. I listened quietly, absorbing everything, even though most of it I already knew.

Soon, we reached the open space near the guest house. Cars were lined neatly in rows, polished and waiting. The guests stood in clusters, laughing softly, conversing, preparing to leave.

The atmosphere felt lighter than it should have, too light for what this gathering was meant to represent. My gaze scanned the crowd instinctively.

Then I saw them. My parents. They stood beside their car, dignified as always, faces carefully composed. The same faces that had taught me duty before love. Responsibility before happiness.

I inhaled deeply and excused myself.

“Bye, Zora,” I said. “I’ll take my leave now.”

“Alright, Luna,” she replied with a slight bow.

I walked straight toward my parents.

“Mom. Dad,” I greeted politely. “Good afternoon. How’s your day? Have you packed all your luggage? Do you need anything else before leaving? Just tell me, and I’ll handle it.”

My mother opened her mouth to respond.

But before she could speak, a shift in the air made everyone turn.

Power rolled through the space, heavy, commanding, undeniable.

Jayden.

He walked towards the gathering with his Gamma, the third-in-command at his side. His presence was overwhelming as always. He didn’t say a word at first, but he didn’t need to. The crowd stilled instantly. Every conversation stopped. Every head turned. And bow to him and wait eagerly for him to address them.

He stopped in front of the guests, his posture regal, his expression unreadable. I waited. As his mate. As the woman chose one. As the Luna Queen. I stood ready to move to his side, for us to address the crowd together.

But then he spoke.

“Zora,” he said calmly. My heart skipped violently. “Come forward.” The words echoed in my head. “Stand beside me. Let’s address the people together.”

The world tilted. For a moment, I was sure I had misheard him.

My heart slammed painfully against my ribs. Did he just… call Zora? Not me?

I was his mate. His queen. His chosen one. The one destined to stand beside him. Not Zora.

Not anyone else.

Fury surged through me so fast my hands trembled. I took a step forward instinctively but my mother grabbed my arm, shaking her head urgently, her grip tight. Don’t, her eyes warn. Don’t defy him. Not here.

I froze.

Zora hesitated briefly, her eyes flickering toward me, then she obeyed, stepping forward to stand beside Jayden. Together.

Side by side. He began speaking.

“I would like to thank everyone for taking their time to attend this celebration,” Jayden said, his voice smooth and authoritative. “It is a significant moment for the entire werewolf kingdom.”

Then, he continued, while looking at me.

“Zora and I, as representatives of the Royal Pack, appreciate your presence.”

The words cut deep like a knife. Zora and I. Not my mate and I. Not your king and queen. My vision blurred slightly as murmuring rippled through the crowd. People were whispering. Eyes darted between me and Zora. Confusion. Curiosity. Judgment.

“She’s not standing beside him.”

“I thought she was the chosen mate.”

“Has the crowning ceremony been announced?”

“I don’t recall hearing a date.”

My breath became shallow. My skin feels cold. And then it hit me. I realized something. The mating and crowning ceremony had never been announced.

No marking. No public claiming. No crown. If there was no crowning, then what was I? Just a mate? No not a mate because I am not marked or mated with him yet. Or worse, nothing official at all?

“She’s probably just a title Luna,” someone whispered.

“I heard the King despises her, for rejecting him.”

“Maybe she was chosen only to be punished.”

“Perhaps he's not ready so the ceremony has been postponed.”

Each word carved deeper. My chest tightened painfully. Jayden had always said I wasn’t his queen. Now the world was seeing it too.

“Enough,” his voice rang out suddenly.

Silence fell instantly.

“As for the crowning ceremony you are all whispering about,” he continued, his gaze finally landing on me. “It is not time yet.”

My breath caught.

“I have not decided when it will take place,” he said coldly. “Everything is on hold until further notice.”

On hold.Just like me.

“Understood, Your Majesty,” the guests replied obediently, not daring to defy an Alpha king.

They began getting into their cars. My parents left without another word, embarrassment clinging to them like a shadow. I didn’t stop them. I couldn’t.

I stood there, trembling with rage, humiliated. Burning. Jayden turned and walked back toward the pack house.

I followed. Inside, my thoughts screamed. Is this how I stay silent? Is this how I accept humiliation? No. Never. I won't tolerate it like this.

He reached the corridor leading to his office.I quickened my pace and grabbed his arm.

“Jayden,” I said, my voice shaking with fury. “You have to answer me.”

He stopped. Slowly, deliberately, he turned back to face me.

“Why did you call Zora and not me?” My voice shook, but I didn't let it go. I need an answer, and he must provide it.