Kieran’s POV
Breathe Kieran, breathe. I tried to calm myself and loosen my airway.
But it wasn’t working. I couldn’t breathe. No matter how hard I tried, I struggled. My palms felt clammy and I felt hot all over.
Were my clothes too tight? Was it just me or was it hot in here?
I suddenly felt like the fabric of my dress had become three times heavier. If that were true, then it would make sense why I was suddenly feeling so heavy and on the verge of passing out.
Breathe.
I chanted the word in my head over and over again, but one look at the crowd was all it took to take away the little relief I had managed to get a hold of. A million and one eyes stared at me, each one of them judging, their mouths whispering.
It was easy to tell what they were thinking though, they all wanted to know who I was.
Who was this “Luna”?
I wasn’t royalty myself, but I had served under them long enough to know how they functioned. At functions like this, the only reason why they were so eager to find out who I was, was so they would figure out a way to bring me down. It was like a dog eat dog situation and if you weren’t careful, you would be chewed down to the bones.
Maybe I shouldn’t have come here.
The thought had barely registered in my head, before Xander caught my eye. For a moment, I had totally forgotten he was still standing there and that I was still standing in a crowd full of people.
“Kieran.” He whispered into my ears. Despite the loud music, I still found it easy to hear his voice and it calmed me down.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“No.” The answer was out of my lips before I could even think.
He chuckled as he stared at me like I was an object of amusement.
I shook my head and swallowed.
“Can we go back?” I whispered as I stared around awkwardly.
We were just there standing at the entrance as everyone murmured and stared at us.
“No.” he whispered and I squirmed at his response. If he thought this was the time to be cute and funny, then he was mistaken.
“No love, we can’t. You’re my Luna, Kieran. You’re the Luna of this pack. There’s no turning back now. Take your rightful position by my side” he explained and although he was right, I was still scared shitless.
Maybe, just maybe, I had dug my own grave.
“Xander, wait…” the rest of my words died on the tip of my tongue as Xander interlocked my hands in his. Without so much as a warning, he pulled me deeper into the room.
His grip on me wasn’t tight. Instead, it was feather-like and his palm felt warm, but it was firm enough to give me the strength I didn’t know I needed.
“Just ignore them.” Xander whispered to me as we walked slowly in their middle, as everyone bowed to us.
“Focus on me and me alone.” he said.
I listened like a lost puppy and did as he asked. It felt like he was walking me through it, his gentle tone helping me take one step at a time.
I heaved a sigh of relief when Xander and I finally reached the end of the room. I wasn’t sure the kind of arrangements Xander had made before my arrival, but the sight of two thrones, placed side by side stirred something in me.
He put a throne there for me.
My heart raced as happiness filled my chest.
From what I knew, I mean, from the research I had done about the town, I found out that since Xander had been without a mate for the longest time, they didn’t ever bother setting up a throne for her. I mean, people assumed she was never coming and Xander ordered for it to just be his throne. But now I was here. Me. His Luna.
Before I could assess more, Xander helped me into my seat, holding my hand as I lowered myself onto the elegant furniture.
I flinched slightly as I pressed my bare back against the throne.
I could make out the intricate carvings etched into it. It was absolutely breathtaking.
The carvings were mostly symbols that marked just how powerful the Deathshade pack was and how powerful their royals were.
Like I said, I did my research.
Xander stood in front of me, facing the still bowing crowd.
The music stopped abruptly.
“You may rise” he ordered and everyone straightened.
“Thank you all for coming here.” His loud voice boomed all around the quiet hall, jerking me out of my thoughts.
It was amazing the kind of respect he commanded. It was admirable. He just had that aura. I mean, he was the King but still, I could see the genuine respect they had for him. I searched the eyes of everyone in the hall, and how they were trained on Xander. I could see how highly they regarded him and how loved he was too.
“Just like this day every year, let us party and get merry” he said and people laughed.
“But not too much,” he added and everyone laughed again. I cracked a small smile.
I didn’t think I had ever seen this side of him. The funny side. It was quite the spectacle.
The hall went quiet again.
“I have an announcement to make later but for now, let’s party!” He said the crowd erupted into a series of wild cheers as the music filled the hall again.
A loud but fruity tune filled the air, as Xander relaxed beside me. Our table was filled with several things and our cups were constantly being filled with wine. It was quite the party.
The wine did nothing to stop the feeling of people’s eyes constantly on me. If anything, it made me more alert.
Call me crazy or whatever, but I could swear that a handful of the people dancing had been stumbling upon each other because they were so distracted staring at me.
I could even swear that I overheard one of the guards standing near me asking his partner if he had any idea who I was or if he had seen me before. His partner, of course, was stumped, but I didn’t expect his answer at all.
“I have no idea.” His voice held no emotion.
“If she’s by his side, then she’s definitely royalty and worthy of our king,” he said.
I swallowed.
I wasn’t royalty…
I wasn’t worthy…
I pulled my attention back to the crowd. After a while, I slowly began to ease into my seat. Yes, the stares still came in occasionally, but I decided to keep myself occupied with other things. Like taking in the decorations that had been setup for the party, the beautiful dresses that adorned the party guests, even the food. Everything had been designed to perfection.
Xander made it easy to be distracted. We spoke, he cracked jokes that made me struggle not to laugh. He made me feel comfortable.
My smile suddenly faded. I froze as something caught my eye.
For the umpteenth time that night, I felt my heart drop to my feet. I swallowed.
I paused, silently praying and waiting for the lady who had caught my eye to turn in my direction. When I realized it wasn’t who I was expecting, I let out a breath I had no idea I was holding.
I knew she was definitely going to be at the party, but I just wasn’t quite ready to see her yet.
“That was close.” I muttered to no one in particular.
My eyes began to roam automatically, now frantically looking for Sabrina.
For a moment there, I thought I saw Xander’s mother. I knew she was going to be here too, but I guess it never crossed my mind until now.
I soon lost the person in the crowd.
I continued scanning for Sabrina until I finally gave up.
Memories of our last encounter flashed briefly in my mind and I shrugged. Knowing Sabrina, there was no way she would have missed this.
Right?
Did she recognize me yet? If so, was she really going to sit back without doing anything? Where was she?
I remember the look in her eyes the last time. She meant war.
Xander’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
“Let’s dance after the announcement” he said and before I could process it, he was on his feet already.
My eyes widened. Shit.
He tapped a wine glass with a spoon to get everyone’s attention.
“Gather around.” Xander spoke up as everyone turned towards us and the music stopped. This was really happening.
Once he had everyone’s attention, he turned to me and smiled warmly as he stretched his hand out to help me up. I took it gratefully and forced a smile as I got up.
“As we all know, we’re all here for the annual celebration. A day to celebrate our pack coming out victorious and still standing strong despite all that has happened. But we’ve always had a missing part of us,” he paused as he turned to me with a smile.
I held my breath.
“A Luna. The final piece to the puzzle of our strength.” He said, before he turned back to the crowd, letting everything he said sink.
His gaze fell on me again and I felt all the color drain from my face.
This was it. This was finally going to happen. Xander was officially going to announce me as the Luna and Queen of the pack.
“Everyone, I have the pleasure of introducing my-” he started but just like magic, he stopped.
Of course.
“Wait!” A voice cut him off.
I should have known it was suspicious for things to be this smooth and without any hiccups.
A series of gasps erupted at the interruption that had just stopped Xander. It was a crime punishable by law to ever interrupt the King.
Everyone turned towards the culprit.
I clenched my fists at my side as soon as my eyes landed on her.
My eyes widened in shock as she strolled gracefully towards the center of the room, the crowd parting for her.
Sabrina.