AVA
Just about within the two hour deadline, I was ready, courtesy of my makeup artist. She’d even
managed to tame my hair into tidy curls and used a lot of hair pins to keep the curls bunched on the
back of my head (excluding a couple she let frame my face), and keep the crown in place too.
The boys hadn’t seen me getting ready, I’d been in my dressing room the entire time. When I walked
out finally, they all stopped to stare at me, mouths open.
I’d picked a dark green dress that had a lace bodice and glitter detail in emerald green to match the
crown. It was a floor length Princess-style gown so you couldn’t see the stunning black heels I’d
chosen, but I knew they were there.
My mum was the first to react, running over and pulling me into a hug, tears in her eyes. “You look so
beautiful, Ava,” she wept. “You look every bit the future Queen tonight.”
I smiled against her hair, before kissing her forehead.
By that point, everyone else had reacted, and both Amy and Izzie had joined the hug.
Someone came up to gather them all shortly after, leaving me and my Kings and I alone in our suite.
The four of them looked unbelievable. They were in matching dark blue three-piece suits complete
with white shirts and blue ties. I couldn’t see them at the time, but I knew the four of them had
cufflinks that had my monogram, and I could just about see the white gold tie clips that had emeralds
on the end, matching the crown I’d chosen.
The four of them didn’t need to know it yet… but I’d picked out my lingerie with the four of them in
mind, and I was definitely looking forward to showing them after the ball.
One at a time, they all embraced me, told me they love me and kissed my forehead, careful not to
disturb my hair or makeup.
I might have been dreading this, but in between the four of them, I felt like I could do anything.
Half an hour later, Michael reached out again. “It’s time, my Queen.” When we reached the ballroom,
the guards on the door bowed to the five of us, before opening the doors wide, the ballroom ahead
falling silent.
“We’ve got this,” I murmured through our mate link. “I love you all.”
“It’s my pleasure to introduce to you all, her Highness Queen Avelina Wroblewski, and her Consorts,
Kings Callum and Oscar Lewis, and Kings Noah and Theodore Hughes.” Michael stood on a platform
at the end of the hall, a five-seat table behind him with unnecessarily over the top chairs. Not quite
thrones, but not far from it.
Everyone dropped to one knee as we walked past, and I could feel my Kings getting increasingly
uneasy through the bond. I still didn’t like it, but I’d apparently gotten pretty good at
compartmentalising. If you asked anyone, though, they’d say it’s because it is my ‘birthright’, and
despite the fact it was fated to my Kings, they didn’t grow up with that knowledge like I did.
“You all look incredible, Ava,” my mum’s voice came through my mind. She was happy crying again.
As before, I insisted on each of my Kings sitting first, before sitting myself and giving Michael a nod
to continue. He rose, having knelt when we reached the stage, motioning for the guests to all be
seated.
“My Queen, my Kings, Lords, Ladies, pack leaders and distinguished guests, I thank you all for
joining us tonight to celebrate the forthcoming ascension of Her Highness Queen Avelina, and to
celebrate the finding of her destined mates. Before we dig in, I have something I’d like to say.” He
paused, and turned towards me with a smile. “My Queen, it is my great honour to have been the one
to welcome you back to Eclipse Mountain after all these years, and I look forward to serving with you
going forwards.”
I smiled back, giving him a small nod. At that point he took his seat with the other leaders of Eclipse
Mountain, and waiters and waitresses started filling wine glasses, whilst others brought the soup
course; which came with fresh ciabatta and a small copy of the menu for the evening.
Since it was a ‘special occasion’, this was an incredibly over the top event. Michael had arranged a six
course meal. Because of course he had.
Soup and bread, starters, lemon sorbet as a palette cleanser, a fish course, a meat course and finally an
enormous dessert course. And somehow, after this lot, we were all expected to dance. With a food
baby.
Each of those courses even came with its own wine selection.
“Ava…” Amy’s voice came through my mind. “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have eaten so much cake
earlier.”
I fought back the laugh that threatened to break free as I took a sip of wine, well aware that everyone
was watching me intently. As soon as the last person was served, I picked up my spoon, giving
everyone else the go ahead.
I hate that custom. I’d be doing away with that as soon as I was officially crowned.
Of course the soup was delicious, as was every other course that followed. By the time dessert came
around, we were all stuffed. Fortunately… The sight of what can only be called a dessert buffet
quickly had my body deploying its second stomach.
Dessert was something else. Cheesecake, profiteroles, trifle… and that was just what I actually had.
Artemis was rolling around happily in my mind in a chocolate-coma.
Four hours after we sat down, dinner finally ended. But that meant it was time for speeches…