Alec Benjamin Paper Crown Novels & Stories

“Princess Deloris, will you uphold the customs and duties of the crown?” I nod my head. “I will.” The same voice booms again and snaps me yet again to attention. “Princess Deloris, do you accept the crown?” Again, I nod. “I do.” A couple of clergy step forward. One puts the crown on my head, while the other places the royal golden egg with my family’s crest in my hand. My eyelids again dip, but a slight pain in my shoulder has me whipping my eyelids wide open again.

She wondered why Luna was so worried while staring at her son. The hall returned to normal as the guests began to approach Aleric. Freya realized that for Aleric, she was like an invisible person. Maybe he forgot about her and her stupidity. The moment everyone had been waiting for arrived soon. The music shifted, becoming deep and powerful. It was time for the official crowning, the ancient ritual to hand the crown to the new Alpha. Alpha David stood on the raised platform, holding the ancient crown. It was heavy, made of dark, weathered gold and encrusted with raw, jagged diamonds that seemed to glow.

William dropped to one knee before me, indifferent to the shards of glass slicing through his pricey pants. He clasped my shaking hand, his gaze warm and filled with a gentle pity. "Sophia, my dear little Principessa, forgive my tardiness." He slipped off his trench coat, still holding his warmth, and draped it over my shivering frame with precise care. Then, with fingers sheathed in black leather gloves, he tenderly wiped away the dew from my lashes. His voice was a deep, raspy whisper. "The car held a first-aid kit, top-shelf liquor, and three hundred brand-new Brownings.

Ben points at the bed behind me before sliding into the only chair in the room. Quietly, I sit. "Do you need anything?" There's concern in his eyes as he looks at me. "No," I shake my head. "But you look pale," Ben still persists with a slight frown. "How was your coronation?" I quickly change the topic, "It went well?" "Father finally stepped down as Alpha of the Greyhound pack and I am the new Alpha," Ben sighs and rakes his hair with his fingers. "Finally," I try to force him a smile but my lips remain stiff, "you'll be such a wonderful Alpha."

Nova proudly revealed the object hidden behind her back. A crown. A handmade crown. Constructed from paper. Markers. Glitter. And apparently unlimited confidence. The child lifted it dramatically. Then announced: “You are being promoted.” Silence. Interesting. Very interesting. Ava blinked. “Promoted?” Nova nodded. Extremely serious. “Yes.” A pause. “I reviewed your performance.” Another pause. “You have done acceptable work as my mother.” Adrian lost control completely. Laughter erupted immediately. The traitor. Nova ignored him. Then carefully placed the crown upon Ava’s head.

But in the corner— Faint. Almost scratched away— A symbol. A crown. Not gold. Not ornate. Simple. And beneath it— A line. Like something dividing it in half. “Damien.” He crossed the space quickly. Saw it. And went still. “That’s not a royal mark,” Damien said. “No.” “It’s something else.” Caelan opened the ledger. The pages inside were— Wrong. Not records. Not properly. No dates. No official seals. Just— Names. Lists of them.

He held out his hand and touched Ezra held lovingly, he turned his gaze to me and touched my head as well, and I smiled. “The crown!” His father said, the crown was brought forth and carried, his father raised it in the air, and a mic was immediately put in front of him. “Alpha Ezra Lethal of the Lycan and the werewolf has been crowned.” His father said loudly as he dropped the crown on Ezra’s head. The whole crowd went wild as Ezra’s crown was put on his head. “Crown!” His father said and a cute crown was brought forth, he took it from it laid, and a mic was brought to his mouth again.

He stood like a guard at the edge of sacred ground, eyes sharp on everything except us unless one of the babies moved. When Crista finally rose, Alec stepped closer. He didn’t say anything at first. He handed Christina carefully to Crista, then reached into the black paper-wrapped bundle he’d carried from the van. White roses. Deep red carnations. Small sprigs of rosemary. My chest tightened. Alec knelt before the grave. Seeing him like that felt wrong and right in ways I couldn’t explain. The Alpha of Incubi, the monster from every warning story, lowered himself before my papa’s headstone with more respect than most men showed the living.

It only burned hotter. Caleb caught his hand gently. “Do not hurt yourself.” Alexander tried to pull free. “Then tell me what it means.” Caleb’s fingers loosened, but he did not let him go. “It is called the Crown Mark.” The name fell into the room and made the air feel heavier. Alexander shook his head. “No. I am an omega. I have no crown. I do not want one.” “It does not mean you are a king.” “Then what does it mean?”

“Let’s open it together.” “No.” His tone was razor-sharp. “I’ll open it. You stay behind me.” He lifted the velvet covering slowly. Inside the box lay a single object. A crown. Silver. Narrow. Elegant. Laced with obsidian and moonstone. Crafted with sickening care. It was delicate, unmistakably shaped for a woman. A queen. Aria’s breath caught. Kaelen snarled—a sound so vicious the very air seemed to recoil. Attached to the crown was a small rolled parchment. Kaelen snatched it and unrolled it. His hands shook as he read it aloud: