CALLUM
I was beyond grateful that I didn’t have to give a speech.
Ava didn’t even expect us to stand behind her, she knew the four of us were really uncomfortable with
the whole thing. As soon as Michael finished his speech and Ava stepped forwards to give hers, the
faces of the crowd were… varied. A lot of people were looking forward to hearing what she had to
say, but there were definitely a few that still weren’t best impressed that she would be taking the
throne.
And those faces that already weren’t happy looked like they’d been slapped when she announced
some of the laws she was planning to revoke to better protect young girls who were in similar
situations to the one she was in, but didn’t have the chance to get out of it.
The younger audience members and most of the pack leadership loved her and they loved her vision
for the Kingdom, it was just a handful of older wolves and Lycans that weren’t happy. If it hadn’t
been such a serious occasion and topic… I would have laughed at them, and a lot.
Once Ava took her seat again, Michael bowed, before taking the stand once again.
“I have one final announcement before the dancing can begin,” he started, a smile on his face. “I’m
delighted to confirm that the coronation of Her Highness Queen Avelina and her King Consorts will
take place in five weeks’ time on the night of the Full Moon.”
Well, that suddenly became very real.
AVA
In hindsight, I probably should have told my Kings that Michael and I had agreed on a date for the
coronation…
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” I said through the link between the five of us. “The date was decided
whilst I was getting ready, and with everything going on… I just completely forgot.”
The four of them were painfully quiet for what felt like an eternity but was probably only a couple
minutes.
“It’s fine, Ava,” Theo started, voice uncertain. “It’s just a shock that it’s all happening that soon.”
“I know, I’m sorry… I planned to tell you before Michael could make the announcement, I just lost
track of reality whilst we were all getting ready.”
I sighed, my eyes closing before I suddenly jerked back to reality when I heard my name. “My
Queen,” Michael’s voice cut through my thoughts. Goddess damn it, I forgot I had to dance with him.
Stupid first dance tradition.
He held out one hand towards me. “May I have this dance?”
I gave him a small smile and nodded, before walking around to join him.
Fortunately… A few minutes later, Callum was cutting in. “You really do look incredible, little one,”
he whispered, his lips against my forehead.
I tilted my head back to smile up at him. “I love you, Callum Joseph Lewis.”
“And I love you, Avelina Wroblewski,” he leaned down, pressing a chaste kiss to my lips. I was
suddenly very aware of the camera flashes all around us.
Before I could get too wrapped up in Callum, Oscar cut in, followed by Noah and then Theo. There
was definitely going to be photos of each of us published all across the internet by the end of the day.
That’s definitely one of the things I was not looking forward to about officially taking the throne. I
like my privacy.
After all of our first dances, we mingled for a while, talking to the pack leaders from across the
Kingdom. I was attempting to avoid the elders who had a problem with me… but I knew I wouldn’t
be able to forever.
Better to rip the Bandaid off, as it were.
“My Kings, can you all mingle without me for a while? I’m going to find Michael and get the elders
over and done with.”
“Of course,” they all replied in creepy synchronisation through our link.
“Good luck with that,” Callum chuckled just before I closed the link, before opening one with
Michael.
Michael took my arm, leading me over towards the first elder. Minister Chiswick. Chiswick is
someone I expect to have a problem with. He’s supposedly the minister for environmental welfare, but
from what I can tell… he’s probably corrupt.
If I get proof, he’s gone.
“Minister Chiswick, it’s good to see you,” I gave a small smile when he bowed his head.
“Likewise, my Queen,” he attempted to smile, but I could tell it was forced. He doesn’t particularly
like me either. “I look forward to seeing your plans for the Kingdom come to fruition.”
“That’s a lie,” I murmured to Michael through the mindlink.
“I agree, my Queen.”
“And I look forward to working with you to make it happen,” I forced a smile back at him, before
encouraging Michael away from him.
Most of the elders were the same, just an awkward few minutes of them claiming to look forward to
what I had planned when really they were talking out of their backsides.
I thanked Michael for his assistance, before making my way towards Jacob and Alex. I knew fully
well they expected a dance too, as did my dad, especially since Amy was working her way around my
Kings, as was my mum.
“I’m so proud of you, Ava,” my dad whispered in my ear when he pulled me into a hug. “This all suits
you, you’re going to be an amazing Queen.”
“Thanks, dad,” I smiled, trying to ignore the tears that threatened to well up.
Fortunately… Two hours later, we managed to make our escape, my Kings and I getting back to our
suite as quickly as possible to get away from the nightmare that is a Royal ball.
At least I had five weeks to mentally prepare myself for the coronation, I guess…
But tonight, I just wanted to enjoy the company of my four mates.