Six

The Grand Hall was decorated, ready for the pronouncement.

The pack subjects had already arrived, filling up the spaces in the hall.

Pack Elders, respected Ministers as well and some urgently invited traditional leaders of some local districts also arrived.

The Hall was adorned with Golden tapestries, and embroidered with the Royal crest.

Chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, adding beautiful lights to the hall, and fresh flowers were spread at every corner, filling the air with sweet Fragrance.

"The Alpha of Red Claws has arrived at the Royal Hall!" A guard announced and everyone stood on their feet.

Alpha Maxwell walked into the hall majestically, then bowed his head, greeting everyone, before taking his seat at the throne.

He sat down before everyone else took their seats.

"The people of Red Claw's pack, as you all know. It has been a struggle for me to get my mate, but as the Moon Goddess had destined, it took me long enough to finally find her. I called for this emergency meeting to introduce her to you all and also announce her as my Luna and wife, as well as her coronation." Alpha Maxwell said and his subjects chorused.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, kindly welcome my Mate, Luna Xenia." Alpha Maxwell said and Roselyn immediately walked Xenia inside the hall as everyone screamed and threw flowers at her, chanting her name.

Her misery flashed back to her.

How she went from getting chanted a murderer to getting chanted a Luna.

And how she went from getting thrown with dirt and eggs to getting thrown with roses.

Tears fell From her eyes as she gazed around the hall with everyone happy at her arrival.

Roselyn walked her close to Alpha Maxwell's throne, he got up and held her hand, and walked her up to his throne, his hands inserted in hers.

"Here she is, Luna Xenia, henceforth the Luna of Red Claw's pack and I expect you all to respect her just like you will respect me. I want you to know that disrespecting my Luna is directly a disrespect to me and a slap on my face.

She is new here and I expect you all to welcome her warmly and give her the chance to rule." Alpha Maxwell stated, staring into her eyes.

Xenia had tears in her eyes, only God knows how her heart was filled with pride and happiness and it still felt to her like a dream and she would wake up realizing it was just a fantasy.

"Luna Xenia! Hail! Hail! Hail!" The subjects chanted her name.

"Alpha Maxwell! Hail! Hail! Hail!" They also chanted his name.

Her confidence blossomed like a tree as she saw the amount of love she was receiving.

Alpha Maxwell raised his hands and his subjects already knew what he meant.

The hall was as quiet as the graveyard, even a pin drop would make the loudest noise.

Alpha Maxwell walked through the silent hall as everyone wondered what he was up to, and the same with Xenia.

He walked up to the sword, which means absolute power, and then he carried the cross and stared at it before returning to where Xenia was standing.

The Luna's crown was already brought in but she will be crowned by the oldest Elder of the pack.

The entire subject's gasped as he handed the sword to Xenia who accepted it without knowing why he gave the sword to her or what it meant.

But the loud gasps from the people gave her an uncomfortable feeling.

"Dear subjects of Red Claw's pack, I know you are already aware of what it means to be handed the sword of power, I want to let you all know that, my Luna Xenia, is given the highest rank of werewolves and the Rights to make or amend orders on my behalf." Alpha Maxwell stated.

"What!" Xenia half yelled.

She was trying to mumble, but the words were stuck in her throat.

He smiled at her.

"I know you can do this. I'm entrusting you with this sword because I know with all you went through, you will bring new development to the people of my pack." He said and faced the crowds.

"Just like you all know, you are my priority, that is why I handed the power to my Luna, so the both of us will ensure that you get the best treatment as the subjects of Red Claw's pack." Alpha Maxwell exclaimed.

"Luna Xenia! Hail! Hail"

"Alpha Maxwell! Hail! Hail!" The people chorused.

It's time for the coronation and the oldest Elder, Elder Xavier took the crown.

"As the Oldest Elder of Red Claw's pack, I declare Luna Xenia, as the Luna of Red Claw's pack." He declared and the flag of the pack was raised and two swords were crossed.

Xenia bowed her head as the Elder placed the crown on her head.

The weight of it made her known it was equal to the weight of all the problems of the pack that she was going to bring solution to.

"My Luna." Elder Xavier bowed.

"Our Luna." The people chorused and bowed too.

Episode seven.

After the coronation.

Xenia sat on the Luna's throne next to Alpha Maxwell with her crown resting effectively on her head.

The power of the sword he handed over to her means she can also sit on his throne during his absence and make decisions that stand.

Xenia nervously glanced at Maxwell.

He stylishly held her hand, giving her some level of confidence.

Taking a deep breath, she knew she had to do this, she had to do it.

She got off from the throne and stood in front of the crowds.

As if they were all waiting for her to speak, all their eyes were flashing on her.

This will be the first time something good will happen to her in the presence of the crowds, not getting stoned or humiliated.

Standing before them brought back some traumas, she felt like they will boo her and even throw something at her.

The entire hall was silent and Maxwell feared Xenia wouldn't be able to speak, but she had just crowned the Luna, the first step to proving he made the right choice was her speech.

A subtle vibration ran through her hands as she took the microphone.

"Hail the people of Red Claw's pack." She muttered.

"Hail!" They chorused back loudly, their faces filled with excitement, and that boosted her spirit.

"Hail! Hail!" She screamed this time, getting a hold of her nerves.

"I'm so grateful to be standing here before you as your Luna. And the level of acceptance I received from my Mate, his Highness, and you all as his subjects, the pack Elders too, I'm so grateful." Xenia exclaimed.

"I promise to work diligently, to make you all proud and my Mate for having faith in me. I will never take this love for granted. I will work towards bringing positive changes to this pack, I promise you all." She added.

"Yay!" They clapped.

Mathew winked at Xenia, he was so proud of her.

She said some more words before the coronation speech ended.

*

Xenia was standing a lot by a corner in the huge hall.

The atmosphere was in the spirit of celebration and she felt alone as Maxwell was busy attending to his guest which she understood quite well.

Her Dad would always do that when he was the Alpha.

She recalled the pain she went through in the hands of Pedro, she remembered crying out loud amidst the bouts of pain coursing violently through her veins due to being flogged. And also remembered having to accept a crime she never committed just for her to survive.

Standing amid her coronation party brought so many memories to her and she realized her past was actually nothing to talk about.

"Your Highness." Roselyn's voice came from behind interrupting her thoughts.

"Yes, Roselyn," Xena replied, plastering a smile on her face.

"I noticed you were standing all alone and I thought you would want to do something. Maybe sit or have a meal?" Roselyn asked.

"No, it's fine. I'm just enjoying..."

"Greetings our Luna." Xenia was interrupted by a passer who greeted her. She smiled at the person before looking back at Roselyn.

"Sorry for that." She said.

"It's fine. Expect that a lot. By the way, congratulations on your coronation, the crown looks so good on you like it was specially made for you." Roselyn complemented, making Xenia blush.

"Thank you, Roselyn. But I feel like everything was rushed, and why was gasped throughout the hall when Alpha Maxwell handed me the sword?" Xenia asked as she couldn't help but feel a little bit curious.

"Lots of Luna in the past would do anything just to get the sword of power, but their Alphas would end up refusing to give it to them," Roselyn explained.

"Even the Queen mother, Alpha Maxwell's mother was not opportune to get the sword. It was just one time, the great-grandfather of Alpha Maxwell gave it to his wife for being the greatest Luna to ever exist and that was where the sword originated from." Roselyn narrated.

"But why would he hand me that so easily? Gosh." Xenia wondered quietly in her mind.

"Is there a way I can get the history of the first Luna to receive the sword? I want to know what she did to deserve it." Xenia asked.

"Your wish is my command, your highness." Roselyn bowed and took her leave.

She needed that book so she would learn one or two things from it.

"Hey." Maxwell's voice called.

Xenia turned motionlessly and saw him, she smiled at him.

He was holding a drink.

"I'm sorry for leaving you all alone. I had to attend to the guests. They come just for you." Alpha Maxwell apologized, with a soft smile.

"It's okay," Xenia replied.

"Um, I brought you some drinks," Maxwell said.

"Is there alcohol in there you know I cannot..."

"Of course, there isn't. I had the Maid specially prepared this for you, it was made out of natural fruits. I care about your babies more than you could ever think." Maxwell stated.

"Thank you, your highness." Xenia beamed and took a cup out of the tray of juice.

"How about you call me Maxwell?" He suddenly asked making Xenia coughed.

"You are kidding, right? I will never do that! It's a taboo." Xenia half yelled.

Her reaction made him chuckle, she looked so serious and freaked out.

"But we do call the Moon Goddess name right? Why can't you call mine? Xenia?" Alpha Maxwell said and pulled her to him, gently wiping the hair from her face, staring deep into her captivating eyes, his golden eyes in hers.

He could feel her heartbeat as she was so close to him.

"I...I...give me some time." Xenia stammered and quickly moved away.

She didn't like the heat she was feeling when he pulled her closer.

Yeah, he was so nice to her but she just doesn't feel ready for anything with him right now.

"It's okay, I understand," Maxwell said and still smiled.

"I'm sorry...I...I just..."

"It's fine, I'm not angry at all. I understand you need some time to get over what you went through and also know me better, and I'm ready to wait until that time, the time you will fall in love with me, and even whisper my name in my ears without calling me your Highness. I cannot wait for that day to come." Alpha Maxwell exclaimed and his words kind of made Xenia feel guilty, but she just didn't feel ready.

She is just at the phase where she wants to know him and get used to having him around and her heart accepts him fully, she doesn't want to rush like she did in the first time with Alpha Phaedro.