Alora’S POV.
“Are you ready to take a look at yourself in the mirror now?” Cynthia asks with a beaming smile and I calmly nod my head. I’m eager to see how I look. I asked her to do what she thought would be good for me because I know nothing about make-up and dressing up for a party.
My make-up has been done already and I have on my dress. It’s a form-fitting full-length dress made from a shimmering red fabric. It has a low neckline and hemline that flushes on the floor. The dress hugs my curves and the fabric is so soft and silky, it feels like a second skin.
I love it and I can’t wait to see how it looks in the mirror.
Cynthia leads me to the mirror where I take a stand before it and my mouth drops to the floor when I see my reflection. I can hardly recognize myself. I look stunning!
“What do you think? Do you like it?” Cynthia asks by my side and I turn to look at her in surprise.
“Like it? I love it! I look like … like… I don’t even know.”
“You look like the queen you are.” She’s still smiling as she says that. I chuckle and look back at the mirror.
Indeed, I look like a queen.
“Cynthia, you did a great job. This is perfect!”
“Thank you very much Luna. I’m happy you like it. It is such a great honour to serve you.” I keep smiling as I look at myself in the mirror.
My mind travels to Alpha Jayce and I smile even more. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he sees me. He has told me I’m beautiful even when I’m in pyjamas. He has never seen me glammed up. I wonder how he’s going to react when he sees me like this. I’m eager to see his reaction.
“Thank you very much.” I tell the girls and they all bow to me.
Thirty minutes later, a maid comes in and announces that Alpha Jayce is waiting for me outside so we can leave. My heart starts beating abnormally.
It’s time.
Cynthia leads me downstairs and out of the building where I meet Alpha Jayce standing in front of a car. I have no idea what car model it is, but it’s huge and looks expensive. My eyes travel back to Alpha Jayce and I almost freeze when our eyes lock.
I smile.
The look on his face is priceless.
He’s shocked. Surprised. Impressed. Confused.
I bet he didn’t know I was this prepared.
“My God Alora…” He whispers as I stand before him. “You look ravishing.” I chuckle. “Goodness, I feel like taking you back inside. All these people don’t deserve to see you like this.” I laugh softly as I keep looking at him.
He’s impressed and it’s making my heart swell.
“You look magnificent, gorgeous, beautiful… you look everything nice Alora. Jesus Christ!” His eyes are searching all over my body. I keep laughing softly. The guards standing around must be wondering what’s going on.
“Thank you. Cynthia did a great job, didn’t she?”
“She’s going to be rewarded for this.” He keeps looking at me. “I swear to God AloraI could eat you up right now. I’m sincerely jealous that other men are going to see you like this? I’m going to kill man who looks at you for too long. All of this is me alone!”
Alpha Jayce is going to make me crack my ribs with laughter.
“You look cute when acting jealous and have you seen yourself? You look amazing!”
And he does!
He’s putting on a black tuxedo that doesn’t fail to show off his perfect physique. Alpha Jayce is the most handsome man that ever graced the earth. Argue that fact with your ancestors.
“Shall we?” He asks and anxiety builds up in the pit of my stomach, but I calmly nod my head. He opens the door of the car and I get in. He then closes the door and walks to the other side where one of his guards opens the door for him to get in too.
Throughout the ride, he keeps assuring me that everything is going to be alright and I know it will because he’s going to be by my side always.
**********************************************
TWO HOURS LATER.
All the formalities of the coronation ceremony are over. I have a crown on my head and I’m sitting on another throne beside Alpha Jayce.
The enormous banquet hall is filled with people from not only the pack, but other packs who have come to witness the coronation of the Supreme Luna.
The other Alphas are seated on a table that’s slightly below ours with their various mates. A while ago, they all came to greet me one by one and I almost died when Alpha Myles and Daphne showed up In front of me. Daphne was so shocked to see me, she couldn’t talk.
I can’t believe I’m above her in rank now.
How things have turned around.
“Are you alright?” Alpha Jayce leans closer and whispers. I smile and nod my head.
“I’m very fine.” I am not lying.
All the nervousness I was feeling a while ago has dissipated. Maybe it’s because I’m now the Supreme Luna.
There’s a group of very cute five year-olds performing a cute dance before us and I’m enjoying them. I’m smiling from molar to molar and cheering up. I wish I could go over and hug them one after the other.
Alpha Jayce won’t let me do that. I have asked before.
“Don’t worry, they are your pups, you can hug them all you want after this party. Right now, it’s too risky for you to leave my side.”
That’s what he told me when I asked. Such a killjoy.
I give him a nervous look when he reaches out for my hand and takes it up to his lips.
“What are you doing?” I ask fiercely. He chuckles and kisses the back of my hand.
“I’m showing the world that you are mine alone.” I chuckle and shake my head.
“You’re crazy.”
“I sure am. For you.” I swiftly seize my hand from his hold and give him a gentle smack on his arm.
It’s so hard! I bet he didn’t feel anything.
My mood changes when Reed shows up beside Alpha Jayce.
“Reed, what are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay home and rest because of your injury?” Alpha Jayce asks fiercely. I give Reed a brief glance. He scoffs and shakes his head.
“I should stay at home and miss my Luna’s coronation? Impossible!” He folds his arms and takes a firm pose.
“You have a wound on your leg, you can’t stand here for long.” Alpha Jayce cautions.
He seems to care a lot about Reed and the way they interact, one would think they are siblings. It’s cute.
“Says whom?” Stubborn Reed asks and that makes me chuckle. It feels good to know I’m not the only one he takes pleasure in frustrating.
“I’m serious Reed.”
“And I’m serious too. I’m fine. I promise. Just let me perform my duties here.” He looks straight ahead. Alpha Jayce shakes his head and turns to look at me.
“I need ideas on what to do with him.”
“I think you should let him be.” I say nodding my head.
“He’s so stubborn!” I laugh lightly and look up at Reed whose gaze is fixed on the crowd below us. He’s so opaque. You can’t tell what he’s thinking or feeling. He’s the most mysterious person I have ever come across.
After the presentations, the MC announces it’s time for gifts and Alpha Jayce tells me to brace myself because this will be the most tedious part of all. It could take up the entire night. I have to open every gift that has been given to me because it’s a tradition in the pack.
“Wow!” I exclaim in surprise. That’s going to be hectic.
“I’ll do the opening of the gifts.” Reed says, taking a stand by my side. A few guards are bringing the gifts to where we are seated. They seem to be a lot. “You never know what could be wrapped in one of these boxes. I’ll show it to you once I confirm it’s safe.” I calmly nod my head.
He is right.
Not everyone likes me. Who knows what could be waiting for me in one of those boxes?
That thought alone makes me break a sweat.
Almost one hour later, we are still opening gifts. The entire banquet is in total silence as they watch me present what each of them has gifted me.
I still don’t understand this tradition or why it was created in the first place. It makes no sense. It’s hectic!
“If you’re tired you can stop. More than half the gifts have been opened. They won’t crucify you if you stop now.” I shake my head in denial. I have to unwrap all these gifts. If I stop now, they’ll think I’m a Luna who easily gives up when things get tough. That’s not the kind of impression I want them to have of me.
“Fuck!” Reed curses aloud and when I turn around, I almost faint when I see two big snakes sliding out of the box in his hand. He drops the box to the floor and that’s my cue. I fly from my seat and Alpha Jayce holds me. Guards immediately flood the stage while Alpha Jayce and Reed take me away from the hall. I’m shivering in fear and my face is buried in Alpha Jayce’s chest as he leads me out of the banquet hall through the emergency backdoor.
About ten other guards have joined us and Reed is shouting orders to them as he leads the way out.
“It’s okay baby, you are safe now. Everything is alright.”
We step out of the hall and there’s a car already waiting for us in the premises. Reed walks over to one of the cars and opens the door. I quickly step and shift to the side to give space for Alpha Jayce who also gets in. Reed takes the wheel and drives kicks off at top speed.
Alpha Jayce takes me in his arms and keeps reminding me that everything is alright.
“I promise to get to the root of this issue.” Says Reed as he drives on.
He sounds very angry.
Who on earth sent me snakes?
How come I already have enemies in that castle?
Why do I feel like this is only the beginning?