4

NYLA’S POV

I could feel a lot of eyes on me. They were waiting for me to say something but I was still trying to absorb the turn out of the situation. How did I go from almost being publicly rejected and humiliated, to Alexander declaring me as the pack’s Luna?

What about his mother? I know for sure this wasn’t what she wanted. So, why did he go against her? Xander could try not to break my heart all he wants but I wasn’t the perfect fit for this position. I expect him to know that. To take back his words now that it wasn’t too late.

“Xander, I think…” I moved close, trying to reason with him but his index finger landed on my lips, cutting me off.

“The coronation is tomorrow. Be prepared.” He said simply, the finality in his voice ringing louder than a bell.

Not allowing me any more words, he walked right past me, his long strides screaming satisfaction.

My heart dropped to my stomach in disappointment. How naive of me to think I could get him to change his mind.

Throughout that day, my chest grew heavy with pure fear. I dreaded the next day so much that I wished the time would pause, but the probability of that happening was lower than zero.

Before the day ended, I was given a few minutes to see my child, and it was the happiest I have ever been. I made sure to scan every part of his body, just to make sure he was in a perfect condition and for a split second, my worries dissipated.

But I soon had to let him go. According to the instruction that was passed over from Xander, he was only going to release my pup to me once the coronation was over. If I won’t lie, it was odd Xander didn’t trust me not to run off, but at the same time, a part of me kind of considered it.

I felt conflicted.

Even while I lay in the bed in the guest room, that one question remained peeking in my head like a fire that refused to be put out.

Why would Xander suddenly decide he wants me in his life, despite it not being the wisest decision?

~*~

“Isn’t she an omega?”

“How’s the Alpha King supposed to protect his people if he mates with a weakling?”

“He’s making a big mistake. I can already see the pack ending in a disaster.”

One would think as Xander lifted the crown, placing it on my head, applause would fill the hall. But the only thing that did was mean words hurled at me from different directions. They didn’t think to hide their disinterest, and most of all, spite towards me.

I wasn’t stupid. This was what was meant to happen when an Alpha stubbornly took a lower ranked wolf as a partner. It was going to be considered a threat to the pack’s survival.

And the fact that I doubt I could last long with the entire pack against my installment made it more unbearable for me to accept Xander’s decision. Although he meant good for me. He wanted to take me out of my distress, dust me up and refurbish me, a good intention nobody else has ever had for me. But this was the reality, I needed to face it.

My eyes roamed around the room, finding my words but suddenly the murmurs increased. In the twinkling of an eye, the chairs emptied and every one of them stood on their feet in protest.

If looks could kill, the disgust, loathing and anger they burned holes through my body with, would be enough to kill and bury me in a heartbeat.

No. No, I thought I wouldn’t feel anything if I acted unbothered but fuck it, I couldn’t take this anymore.

Feeling suffocated, I rose up to my feet, swaying as I walked back to the podium. “I’m going to step dow—” I started to say when my mate caught up with me.

Xander’s hand yanked mine firmly, gently swirling me around and I found myself faltering as my eyes locked on him.

When I first saw him step inside the hall, he looked so handsome in his tuxedo, his hair neatly parted to the side in a way that mesmerized me.

But now, he looked utterly furious.

His jaw was clenched so tight the bones looked ready to pop any minute from now if he applied more pressure. I knew I was the cause of his anger. He wasn’t expecting me to pull this stunt, but I felt I had to save my head, and step down if I wanted to survive.

“No, you won’t,” He whispered sternly to me, voice brooking no argument, before walking me back to my seat.

After much hesitation, I gave in and sat down. Then he turned, redirecting his gaze to his pack members.

“This gathering served as a coronation for Nyla Clark, my mate, and concluded with her now crowned the new Luna of Bloodfang pack. Any objection won’t be entertained as I expect you all to respect your Alpha’s decision, and accept her with open arms.” He ordered, his growl shaking the room and instilling fear and order in the pack members.

Suddenly, they all buzzed with excitement. Their voices soared high as they stepped back and bowed their heads in submission.

“All hail the Queen!”

I knew fully well it didn’t reach their hearts. They were doing this to get in good favor of their Alpha but still, it moved me to tears.

|-HOURS LATER-|

I sighed for the umpteenth time after peeking through the door hole again, and Xander still wasn’t coming.

I hated the fact this night was compulsory. According to the werewolf tradition, not only do we have to consummate, Xander has to mark me tonight, fully claiming me as his.

Yet, I have been in his chamber for an hour now, and he’s nowhere to be found. I was asked to wait, constantly reassured he was coming, but I only became more frustrated as time ticked.

How I wish this was skipable, and I didn’t have to wait around for him like an obedient pet.

I turned away from the door, and strode over to the king sized bed. It was exotic, plush looking and a world apart from the hard cold cell floors I was used to.

Come to think of it, if he gets to be late like this, I might as well use some rest too.

I slipped under the duvet, the sound of my breath filling the silence. As I waited, the weight of the uneventful day pressed down on me. When I was guided into the hall, the seat meant for Mrs. Maddox, Xander’s mother, was the first one I passed by, and it was vacant.

She had refused to attend, and kept to her words.

And Xander? He knew about her absence yet ordered the event to continue nevertheless.

As I remembered everything now, my gut twisted with unease and I swallowed hard.

She doesn’t like me one bit. I was beneath her. She made me feel like I didn’t deserve to share the same air she breathed. Let alone be her son’s mate and take up her position as the new Luna.

All of a sudden, my train of thought stopped as a faint chill spread over my skin out of nowhere, wrapping me in goosebumps.

But that wasn’t all. A quiet voice inside me kept whispering in my mind, telling me to glance behind me.

That there was something coming.

A part of me wanted to ignore, defy, call it just a pigment of my imagination. But when I heard a loud bang on the window, that sounded like someone had slammed himself against it, my neck snapped around just in time to see the window split apart.

I gasped in shock, my arms wrapped tightly around me in horror as the shards all fell to the floor.

Shit! Shit!

What should I do?

Don’t tell me someone, or rather something broke in?

I got my answer just a second later as I began to hear movements, and then a big black wolf with glowing red eyes stepped under the chandelier light. My breath seized.

It couldn’t be.

Please, tell me this rogue wasn’t sent after me to take my life? I mean, it could be the reason Xander wasn’t here yet. I…I must have been deceived.

“Who are you?!” I spat in rage, my eyes flickering around discreetly for a weapon. When I found none, my hands roughly grabbed the duvet, fisting it tightly.

Whoever it was that sent him did because they knew I was weak. Just that they didn’t know I wasn’t all that powerless.

If I try enough, I know I can…

“Nyla.”

I broke out of my thought. That voice.

I blinked rapidly. It wasn’t the wolf standing before me anymore. I must have spaced out for a while, giving it the chance to change to its human form. And… It turned out to be Kade.

Not a rogue. Not someone with a motive. Or so I thought.

“Uhm, Kade. How did you know I was here?” I climbed out of the bed quickly, and walked towards him with a neutral expression.

Instead of answering me, his jaw set in a hard line and before I knew it, he had me cornered against the wall.

I haven’t forgotten how I locked him up in the hideout and came here. Including the new change; my coronation. So I know for one there are chances he’s mad at me.

However, this wasn't the place to talk. This was Xander’s room. His territory. I wouldn’t want him to come in and find him here.

“Kad…”

“Forget how I knew, Nyla.” He said in a curt tone, eyes lowering to assess me. That was when I grew conscious or what I had on.

It was red lingerie, short and revealing a lot more than necessary. He scoffed in amusement, his gaze not leaving my exposed cleavage.

My cheeks heated in embarrassment, and I attempted to turn away from him in panic but like a predator, his strong frame closed up the remaining space between us.

“You’re not spending tonight with him,”

He leaned in my face, close enough for me to feel his tingling minty breath. And the hungry desire in his gaze.

He added. “You’re spending it with me.”

Before I could ask what he meant by that, his hand crossed over my face and I blanked out.