Chapter 005: The Coronation

CLARA'S POV

I was a bit nervous. Yes. To be fair, everything had happened so fast that I'd barely had the chance to settle into this new role I was to play.

It all still felt like a dream; that I had married Edward, that I would soon be the Luna of a powerful pack.

All in less than a week.

Sometimes, I pinched myself to know if it was real. The glint of the diamond ring on my finger was real enough. As I looked at it, I thought of Edward.

If someone had told me in high school that I would marry Edward Sterling, I would have called them mad. We were the most unlikely match to ever grace the earth. I wouldn't even have believed that he would ever look my way.

My cheeks warmed at the memory of the huge crush I'd had on him in high school. I had written several letters to him back then, and he had turned me down. Yet, he stuck by my side; defending me at every turn and protecting me from bullies.

Now he was helping me again to get my revenge on Nate, my ex-husband.

I leaned closer to the window to have a better look at the cars of dignitaries that had begun trooping into the estate for Edward's coronation ceremony. It was a sight to behold, truly. I wondered briefly if Nate had arrived already. I knew he must have seen the news by now, and while I knew he would not be very happy to see me, I also knew that he didn't have a choice. Being a Beta, he didn't exactly have a choice. His attendance was law.

I felt goosebumps spread over my skin at the thought of seeing Nate again. I couldn't tell if the tightness in my chest was from pain or anger, and my mind was too foggy to analyze that right now. I struggled to inhale and exhale until the tightness in my chest released.

Just then, the door swung open and I saw Edward walk in. My stomach churned at the sight of him, and I let my eyes rake over him. His expression was stoic, as I'd come to learn was his default look. He wasn't unkind, he just did not smile as often as he used to as a teenager. It was weird seeing how much he had grown. His features were sharper now, he had also gotten manlier, and there was a certain coldness in his eyes that made him terrifying yet honorable.

It was a difficult task trying to place the man in front of me with a teenage boy I'd grown up with. I let my eyes trail down to the suit he was clad in, blue to match the color of his Pack's insignia. He looked clean and smelled of luxury. The Patek Philippe watch on his wrist could not be missed either.

"The guests have all arrived," he said. "The ceremony will start soon."

"Are you nervous?" I asked, rubbing my palms.

"Not in the least. I have lived through scarier days."

I exhaled in a rush. "Well, I am, especially of seeing Nate again." I admitted.

"You shouldn't be. When you see him, look him dead in the eye and think of only one thing; bringing him to his knees because that's what you're going to do." Edward told me.

I nodded.

Edward held out a hand. I put mine in his.

Together we walked out the door, down a long flight of stairs to the great hall where our guests were waiting.

The ceremony started with a speech from the oldest council member of Blue Moon pack. About five minutes in, I spotted Nate in the crowd, with Isla clinging to him. I didn't even need to look for him because I could feel his eyes glued on me.

Isla was staring enviously at my dress, while Nate was gritting his teeth in anger. I felt his gaze even when I looked away.

And then it was time.

"And I crown you, Edward Sterling, Alpha of Bluemoon Pack."

"And I crown you, Clara Sterling, Luna of Bluemoon Pack."

The crowd erupted into cheers as we both rose to our feet.

"Now the new Alpha and Luna will make their first decrees," said the officiator.

He bowed to Edward who stepped forward confidently. "I decree that all underage children on the streets will be enrolled in the special schools I have built all over the territory."

There was applause and cries of 'Long live the Alpha!"

Then it was my turn. After hours spent thinking about my first decree, I had the perfect one. I let the tension in the room build up as I took the stage.

Looking right at Nate, I said, "There will be mandatory quality inspections for all manufacturing companies in the territory. Companies who don't pass the inspection will have their licenses revoked and will also pay compensation to the victims of their fraud." I paused again for effect. "That is my decree."

People clapped. And cheered.

Everyone except Nate.

Nate first went white, then purple with rage.

He looked like he was going to explode any minute now. That was exactly why I had made this decree. I knew it was going to affect him more than anyone here.

I knew all about his shady business deals. Many times in the past he had been accused of using substandard materials to manufacture cars. I had tried to talk to him about it while we were married, but he consistently shut me out, insisting that business was all about profit. All my pleas fell on deaf ears.

Since he had refused to take my advice, I would gladly use it against him. My vengeance had begun, and I wanted to start by hitting him where it would hurt the most; his company. I would personally conduct the inspection in his company and write him off for defaulting with immediate effect. I hid a smile, already anticipating the satisfaction that would bring me.

With the important part of the event concluded, the ceremony morphed into a party. Guests chatted, mingled, consumed food and wine. I got congratulated by a lot of people I didn't know. When I could, I excused myself to adjust my dress.

It was a beautiful dress, but with a ridiculously long train that was hard to carry around. I nipped into a bathroom, adjusted my gown, and touched up my lipstick.

As I headed for to the hall, I almost bumped into someone turning the corner. I looked up to see Nate. For a minute, I couldn’t move.

I started to remember everything. I remembered it like it was yesterday; him shoving me until I fell, me bleeding out on the sidewalk. The pain of those memories hadn't left. It punched a hole through my gut.

It took everything to keep my expression blank but I did it. I started to walk past him but he stepped directly into my path.

"And where the hell do you think you're going?" he said in a deathly quiet voice.

"Step aside." My voice wasn't shaky. Good. "I'm Blue Moon's Luna now so I'll advise you to be very careful how you speak to me."

He laughed. "Luna? You call yourself a Luna? My dear Clara, a pig with lipstick on and fancy clothes and a crown is still... a stinking pig!" He jerked his thumb in the direction of the hall. I could still hear the music and laughter but it was muted by Nate's voice and the blood rushing my head. "To those fools out there, you may be something. But to me, you will always be the stupid, worthless ex-wife that I picked up from the gutters where you belong."

Anger.

Before I could stop myself, I slapped him so hard. WHACK!