51

Ivy’s POV
I smooth my hands down my dress in an attempt to reign in my raging nerves, it being mere moments before Nate and I are to go down into the throne room in the packhouse. I’m so thankful that Nate decided to do this at the pack where it’s smaller and more controlled, but even in saying that there are an estimated 2, 000 people attending the packlands today in various time increments.
It’s going to be a long day.
I’ve fully accepted my position and the need for me to be a strong person beside my mate, but going from being strong to weak and back to strong has me feeling some sort of emotional whiplash. I had given up on everything, and here I stand about to be welcomed as the Queen of our race in a matter of what, half a year? Nathaniel’s coronation is mere months away once winter hits and it’s been a whirlwind of a time to say the least.
“Evie told me that you chose a black dress, but damn baby you look good.” Nate emphasizes the last word loudly as he walks up behind me as I turn to face him, my gown sweeping with my movement.
“Why thank you, Alpha. You look striking yourself.” I step back and take him in, my eyes wandering over his entire ensemble. He’s in an fitted all black dress suit with a small red scarf tucked into the chest pocket, with a clasped chain that extends from the pocket to his collar. I look closer at the chain and its clasps, which I notice now have his family crest on them.
I step closer and run my fingers down the collar of his suit jacket, tugging ever so gently. “This makes me want to not entertain all these people today and just stay with you in bed.” He chuckles lightly at my words before leaning down to whisper in my ear. “Oh, believe me, songbird. You’ll be bent over, still in this dress while I take you later this evening.”
I blush madly as he takes my hand and places it over his now obvious bulge in his pants and I bite my lip.
“I look forward to that.” I state before Nate backs away and looks away from me seemingly distracted, but I know that he’s in communication with someone via mind-link.
“They ready for us?” I ask and he brings his attention to me and nods before reaching out and I place my hand in his.
— –
I look around the throne room and marvel in its decor, still very much the work of Daciana I’d assume. White and black marble flooring with a wide dark grey carpet that leads up to the front of the room, with a massive assortment of greenery throughout the room, bursting with colour against the ash-coloured walls.
As Nate and I walk up towards the front, I notice the thrones sitting upon a raised platform with a three-step small staircase surrounding the entire platform. The thrones themselves are very simple gold framework with black fabric for the seating, adorned with some jewels and molded branches of gold vines with leaves. It reminds me of Nathaniel’s forearm tattoo, and I smile.
“It’s beautiful in here.”
“It rarely gets used, but yeah my mother did it again with the design.”
“She should do it as a job, seriously.”
Nate laughs. “I agree with you.”
It’s then we step up and stand in front of our thrones. I notice a few other pack members and guards take their places. Some for crowd control, some for protection. A small rope fence is placed just ahead of the staircase with a podium to the right side for announcing our visitors before they come and meet Nate and me.
As all this comes together quickly, I see a few familiar faces approach us, walking down the carpet.
Kane, in his regular tuxedo, hair styled messily.
Evie, in a blue fitted mermaid gown, her hair artfully placed upon her head.
Tobias, in a similar ensemble to Nate, his hair tied back securely, with a chain donning his chest exactly like Nate’s showcasing the family crest.
Finally, Althea in a long black dress with a black cloak settled on her shoulders, her blonde hair braided back.
I smile as all four of them join us up on the platform and take their places. Tobias and Althea on Nate’s right and me on his left, with Evie and Kane together on my left. All four of them stand slightly angled behind us, but not far.
“Are we ready?” Nate asks before looking around to all of us and we all agree.
“Let’s do this.” I say and Nate gives the signal for the doors to open and the first set of people start to walk in and line up, waiting for their turn to approach.
Announcement after announcement is made, some Alpha and Luna’s from packs within the Northern continent, also some who travelled from the East, South and West continents, to give us well wishes.
After a while, I notice the next three who approach look oddly familiar and it’s only when their names are announced do I recognize them.
“Lord Thyrius, Eastern Reign.”
A tall older male with a grey suit and black floor length cloak, dark eyes, grey hair/beard with chiselled features.
“Lord Sebastian, Western Reign.”
A more boyish looking guy with black shaggy hair and piercing grey eyes, dressed in black casual pants and a white dress shirt that is slightly undone.
“Lady Athena, Southern Reign.”
A small lady with bright blue eyes and blonde hair that falls effortlessly in curls down her back. She wears a purple sequined gown that accentuates her body, tailored to perfection.
Oh my god. These are the other wolven leaders of the neighbouring continents. They’re high-ranking royal wolves just like Nathaniel and his family, but rule under them. Nate takes my hand as we step down to approach them. Lady Athena embraces me with a soft hug and smiles as she releases me. “Well, aren’t you a pretty thing.” Her southern accent accentuating her words. Nate shakes all three of their hands and chuckles.
“Thank you for coming to visit us. Surely you didn’t have to.”
“We wanted to see the special lady that has captured our King’s heart.” Sebastian says softly, his grey eyes glancing at me and back to Nate.
“She is a beauty. Welcome.” Thyrius states and holds his hand out. I place mine in his and he kisses it gently.
“Thank you. I appreciate you all coming to see us.”
“We’ve got some other things to discuss as well, after all this do you think we could have a meeting?” Athena states and Nate and I nod. “Of course. I was already planning on calling you all down anyways so might as well while you’re all here.”
“Splendid. Well, we wish you both the best and we will all chat again soon.” Sebastian says and with a few brief embraces and waves, the Southern, Western and Eastern Reigns take their leave, heading back the way they came.
— –
I yawn softly as the day finally comes to an end, the last few people trickling out the doors. I look around and see the piles of gifts that were left for us and the pack and smile in adoration at how well everything has gone today.
Nate had stepped away for a moment to speak with Tobias and Evie and Kane are sitting on the steps, clearly just as exhausted. I approach them with a soft smile. “Thank you for standing with me today.”
“As exhausting as it was. It was a pleasure.” Kane states and he stands and hugs me tightly.
“So many people came! I bet it must have made you feel good.” I nod. “It was nice and reassuring. I was worried but….” I’m cut off as I hear loud clapping coming from behind me and I turn and inhale sharply as I see who’s approaching.
I clench my jaw as Cole walks up to Kane, Evie, and I, smirking slightly. He drops the smirk and glances behind me as I feel Nate’s presence.
“Congratulations, Alpha King on finding your mate. I hear she’s a resilient one.” Nate growls low and steps slightly in front of me and Cole steps back slightly.
I place my hand on Nate’s arm and step forward, standing right in front of Cole, head held high.
“Thank you, although I know you’re here for other reasons, aren’t you?”
“And what reasons would there be other than to support you and Nathaniel?” I glare at him. “I’m not believing for a single second that’s all you’re here for.”
I see another person walk up behind Cole and I don’t recognize him, but Nate clearly does.
“Kaiden. Nice to see you.” There’s some tension in his voice, putting me on alert.
He bows in respect and stands straight again. “I’m sorry I am so late. But it seems I am interrupting something.” I look at this man with short blonde hair, tall stature, and green eyes like mine. I look at him with confusion, as he walks past Cole with only a dirty side glance and approaches me, bowing slightly in respect.
“Luna Queen, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Kaiden, the somewhat leader of the rogue wolves.”
I freeze in my spot. “Rogue wolves?” I say softly, and he rises and nods.
“He oversees a majority of the rogue wolves in the Northern Continent.” Nathaniel states plainly and the gears in my head finally start to turn.
He many be responsible for the attack that started my whole downward spiral that was my life.
“Do you rule them?” I ask curiously and he shakes his head. “No not at all like an Alpha or say a King, but I just make sure that no one gets hurt and resolve issues. Speaking of that, I would like to have a word with you Alpha King, in private if you don’t mind.”
“Hmm… okay. Well, it’s nice to meet you.” I say sweetly, feigning happiness and positivity as Nate nods.
“Will you be okay?” Nate asks me and I nod as Tobias, Kane and Evie stand beside me. “Yes. You can go.” With another swift nod, he walks away with Kaiden and exits the room. I turn my attention back to Cole and clench my jaw as I look at him.
Evie growls lowly. “You’re not wanted here. I don’t even know why you bothered to come.”
“If you think the three of you can just up and leave Red Moon with no consequences, you’re sadly mistaken.”
There he is. There’s the asshole we all know.
“We can, and we did.” Kane states plainly as he steps in front of me to get in Cole’s face. “You’re stupid coming here after what your idiot thugs did to Ivy. Don’t think for one single second that we don’t know what you planned. You’re going to get what is coming to you.”
“Is that a threat, Kane?” Cole says with a smirk.
“No. It’s a promise.” I say with the most unwavering voice I’ve ever used with him. He chuckles lowly.
“Guess we will see, won’t we? Don’t try too hard. You may regret it.” He says before he turns and walks away with a backhanded wave. I step forward in anger, but Evie pulls me back.
“Let him go.” I scoff and stay put.
I promise, asshole.