The Queen's Throne

The Great Hall had never held so many people. Every major Alpha in the kingdom had been summoned. Warriors lined the walls in perfect rows. Nobles filled the balconies. The royal council occupied the seats closest to the throne.

And at the center of it all stood Ross.

She wore a long silver gown embroidered with ancient symbols. A delicate crown rested against her dark hair. But Ross barely noticed any of it. Her eyes remained calm. Not like she had never wanted this. She had just never dreamed of standing before hundreds of wolves while they bowed to her.

She had wanted something much simpler. Respect. Kindness. A home where she wasn't treated like a burden but then, if this was what she had to face, she would.

Across the hall, Knox stood in black ceremonial clothing. He looked every bit like the terrifying Alpha King everyone feared. Yet, his attention remained fixed on Ross. He couldn't look away.

A royal elder stepped forward. “Today, before the kingdom and the ancient bloodline, we recognize Luna Ross as the rightful Queen of the werewolf kingdom.”

The enormous doors opened. One Alpha after another stepped forward. The first dropped to one knee. “I swear my loyalty to Queen Ross.”

Another followed. “I swear my loyalty.”

Then another. And another. Soon, the entire hall was filled with kneeling Alphas.

Ross stared at them.

Only days ago, many of these same people had ignored her. Some had called her defective. Some had laughed at her. Now they couldn't even meet her eyes. She was reluctant.

Knox watched her carefully. He expected her satisfaction. Maybe pride. Perhaps even revenge. There was none. Instead, she looked almost uncomfortable.

He could tell that she never wanted power. It looked like she never wanted the throne. She looked agitated seeing people kneel before her. And that was all because he made her uncomfortable right from the very beginning.

His chest tightened. She had quietly endured his cruelty. She had lowered her eyes while people insulted her and he had mistaken her silence for submission. He had been looking at her for two years. But he had never truly seen her until now.

The ceremony continued. The royal elder turned toward Knox. “Alpha King Knox, will you acknowledge Queen Ross as the highest authority of the ancient bloodline?”

The hall became silent. Every eye turned toward him.

Knox stepped forward. He stood beside Ross. Their shoulders were almost touching. He stared at her for some moment then, he lowered his head. “I acknowledge Queen Ross.” Murmurs passed through the hall. Knox continued. “Her authority is not granted by me.” He looked toward the gathered Alphas. “It existed before my crown.”

The room fell completely silent.

Ross turned slightly toward him. Their eyes met. Something unfamiliar passed between them. It was respect. They both could see each other at a each other's length and it gave them a lot of pride.

Soon, the ceremony ended shortly afterward but the Alphas remained in the palace for the celebration. However, Ross escaped to the balcony overlooking the gardens. She needed silence but Knox found her there the moment he noticed her absence.

He stopped a few feet away. “You disappeared.”

“I needed air.”

He nodded. Silence claimed their midst until Knox said quietly, “You looked unhappy.”

Ross smiled faintly. “I was.”

“Why?”

She turned toward him. “Because everyone was kneeling.”

Knox frowned. “You don't like being respected?”

“I like being respected.” She looked back toward the gardens. “I don't like being feared.” Knox watched her as she continued. “For two years, people treated me badly because they thought I was weak.” She paused. “Now they're treating me differently because they're afraid of what I can do.” She looked at him. “I never wanted either.”

Knox stared at her. “What did you want?”

Ross's answer was simple. “To be treated like a person.”

The words struck him harder than anything else she had said because he of all people hasn't done that to her. He lowered his eyes. “I should have done that.”

“Yes.” There was no anger in her voice and it always made it worse for him.

He looked at her again. “I wish I had.”

Ross didn't respond. Then she turned toward the palace. “I have something to announce tomorrow.”

“What?”

“You'll hear it with everyone else.”

Knox frowned. “Ross.”

She smiled faintly. “Good night, Knox.”

Then she walked away.

---

The next morning, the entire palace gathered again.

Knox stood beside the throne. He had spent the entire night wondering what Ross intended to announce.

Nash stood nearby. “You look worried.”

His gaze didn’t shift. “I am not worried.”

Nash studied him. “You haven't slept.”

“I had matters to handle.”

“You stared at the same wall for three hours.” Knox glared at him. Nash smiled. “Definitely worried.”

Before Knox could answer, the doors opened.

Ross entered. The hall immediately fell silent. She walked to the center. “My people,” she began. Everyone listened. “I have accepted the position of Queen.” Knox watched her carefully. “But I have also made a decision.” His stomach tightened. Ross continued. “After the coronation, I will leave the royal palace.”

Silence. Absolute silence.

Knox stared at her trying to rephrase her words but the moment it dawned on him, he refused her to speak. “Leave?”

Ross looked at him. “Yes.”

“Where will you go?”

“Somewhere I can live without being treated as someone's political wife.”

The words struck him. Knox's hands tightened at his sides. He looked at her. “Ross…”

She held his gaze. “I've already made my decision.”

At that point, fear gripped Knox as he stared keenly at her. He was finally losing his wolf less Luna.