Chapter 8

    Catalina's POV:

      All of them were staring at me with betrayal shining in their eyes. I wanted to laugh, if only they knew.

"How could you?" Roscoe asked seething

   "How could I what?" I smirked

"How could you betray us for our enemies? How could you let another man except your mate touch you? How could you threaten us for them?" Roscoe said disgust apparent in his voice

    It was then I noticed that Orion, my brother's second-in-command still had his arm wrapped around my waist. No wonder it felt so safe and comfortable. I wrapped my arms around his waist, snuggling into him, taking in a scent that felt so very much like home. I sighed; my family found me.

   "They are my family. I wouldn't think twice before betraying anyone even the werewolf king for them. They touch me for I consent it, they touch me for it makes me feel safe. For them, I can move heaven and raise hell so, threatening you isn't really that hard." I said from the comfort of Orion's arms

     "Those disgusting creatures are your family." Alaric scoffed

  In an instant I had Alaric's neck in my hand and he hovered about two or three feet above ground, choking for his next breath. I threw him aside.

"Make such comments about my family and I won't be so kind next time." I warned

   "You seem a little weak. When was the last time you fed?" Orion's voice reached my ears

"When Alex last came." I answered returning to my place in Orion's safe arms

   "You need to feed regularly. You can't skip meals when you aren't well." Orion chastised me

     "Sorry." I said feeling ashamed

"It's alright. Now, drink." Orion said biting his arm and holding it out for me

   I took in the sweet scent of blood that flowed from his arm. My fangs appeared; my eyes turned red as I stared at the lovely thick red liquid in front of me. My mouth latched itself on Orion's arms, greedily drinking up the addictive liquid necessary for my survival. Taking short and quick gulps, soon I was full. I licked the wound from where the blood flowed, healing it and licking up any excess of yummy red liquid that had flowed out of it. I detached myself from his arm, looking at him. Orion placed a kiss on my temple, holding me closer.

   "You seem quite a bit hungry. One glass at the very least every day." Orion whispered

"Okay." I agreed

   "The rest will be here in a moment. You might want to prepare this pack for it. How you ended with him for a mate, I know not. God knows he is not worthy of you. Alex has also sent a message but it has to wait until the others get here." Orion whispered to me

     "I can wait." I nodded

"Done whispering sweet nothings to each other." Roscoe drawled, I noticed his eyes and realised that Avalon was in control

    "There's more guests coming. I would advise not to attack; it won't end up pretty for you." I informed

"Who?" Avalon asked

   "Wait and see for yourself." I shrugged

"Now, can you detach yourself from the vampire and explain certain things to me? It is very much of a hard work to keep my human in check." Avalon rolled his eyes

   "Soon." I simply answered

    Just as I said that, two portals swirled into existence. Out of one portal stepped out a girl with bright green eyes, black hair with green highlights wearing the covens witch dress followed by various more girls dressed the same. Out of the second portal stepped out a talk, bulky guy with a medium tan skin, ruffled brown hair and blue eyes just like mine wearing a pair of black denims and a black button-down shirt followed by his pack. Once everyone had stepped out, the portal swirled back to nothingness leaving only a faint hum of magic that slowly faded as well.

    "You had this cool portal entrance! Why was I the one stuck dealing with that irritable Alpha?" Orion whined

"Certain things need to play out a certain way, dear Orion." The witch with green highlights said, amusement dancing in her eyes

    "And well, we weren't going to be the ones to deal with a headache." The guy that stepped out of the second portal said with a shrug

"You! Blake and Jovinne are the absolute worst." Orion said pointing a finger at the two

    "Yea yea, whatever. Now, move aside, I have a princess to hug." Blake said pushing aside Orion and wrapping me up in a tight hug

  Just as he let me go, Jovinne came and gave me a hug as well while letting her magic wash over me, checking if I was alright and healing whatever little that wasn't yet healed. Once satisfied, she stepped away too and still had a small frown on her face.

       "Congratulations!" Blake's second-in-command, Axel said enthusiastically

   "Uh... thanks?" I said confused

"You haven't told her yet?" Jovinne asked

   "Nope." Orion shook her head

"Told me what?" I said looking at all of them sporting mysterious smiles

    Just then another guy, James came up to Orion holding a deep red velvet box with gold and silver rims and borders. What's that? Doesn't my brother, Alex has a similar box? He never lets me touch it, he said that he'll tell me about it when I'm ready. I looked at Orion to see that he had a proud smile and tears in his eyes.

    "What is it?" I asked curiously

  "Patience love." Jovinne chuckled

    I flitted impatiently; patience is not my strong suit. Orion finally decided to let me out of my misery and opened the box. Inside on the velvet cushion lay a very familiar yet slightly different crown. I wanted to touch it, I wanted to wear it, it was like the crown was calling to me, attracting me like a moth drawn towards a flame. I gulped and looked at Orion, very affected with the strong magic that the crown exuded.

   "Come closer, this crown won't just fly on your head." Orion said

"No, that... that's Alex's crown. I can't take it." I shook my head clenching my hands into a fist, nails digging in my own flesh

   "It belongs to you. Alex made you Empress the day you were taken by those filthy hunters." Orion explained

"No, I can't. I won't. Its rightful heir is Alex." I said in denial

   Going against the basic need and instinct to not wear the beautiful seven-point circlet of silver that was covered with diamonds, not leaving a place untouched with tear drop shaped deep blood red rubies sitting on each point. There was a single deep blue ocean sapphire in the front and rest six points had amethysts. Every part of me was begging me to just snatch it up and wear it but I knew it wasn't right.

   "Honestly sister dearest, I hoped to see you wearing the crown I made myself when I came back after draining the filth dry and feeding the carcass to the wild animals." I heard the very comforting voice from behind me

  I turned to face the owner of the voice so quickly that it was a surprise that I wasn't dizzy. There he was, wiping his bloody hands clean with a handkerchief, a familiar embroidery of a crown on red rose with black blood dripping from it, my own creation. His red eyes looked at my own purple ones. He wore a formal attire, a black shirt with a deep red tie, undershirt and waistcoat. His blazer and pants were of the same deep red shade. He left his blazer unbuttoned.

    "But it's yours." I said feebly

"It's not. This is yours for you are the Queen Luna; The Empress now. That day when you were taken from us was the day this announcement was made. Vampires respect power and strength the most, both of which you have plenty. The only question remains is whether you are willing to accept it or not?" Alex said softly with so much tenderness and care in his voice

   "Are you sure?" I asked for the last time

If he said yes then nothing would stop me from snatching that crown up and putting it on my very head. It was too tempting.

     "I have been for months, my lovely sister." Axel graced me with one of his rare smiles

"Then you must put the crown on my head yourself." I smiled accepting this honour and responsibility that fell upon me

     "It would be my greatest honour and pleasure." Alex responded

  Orion stepped forward holding the box in which sat my crown. I knelt down in front of Alex as he held the crown delicately as he lifted it on my head. He was just about to place it on my head when a defying growl was heard followed by a commanding voice.

   "You will not touch that crown or wear it." Roscoe commanded