The room erupted into chaos, whispers, and gasps spreading like wildfire. The old man’s eyes widened, his face pale.
“A werewolf?” he repeated, his voice trembling. “How? Isn’t she a human?”
“No, she’s not.”
I stood frozen, my heart racing. What is Aunt Margaret trying to do? Why did she only mention my werewolf side and not my witch part?
Her eyes locked onto mine, a hint of mischief sparkling within. “Welcome back, my queen. I have been awaiting your presence.”
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes once more. The old man took a step back, his expression calculating.
“This changes everything,” he muttered, looking at me like he was seeing me for the first time. My blonde hair and blue eyes seemed to work in my favour as I didn’t have the common silver eyes of witches.
Once more, the murmurs in the room started, prompting me to stop it. I raised my hands, attempting to regain control. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. I’m still the same person-”
Aunt Margaret interrupted, her voice commanding attention. “No, my queen. You’re not. You’re the key to our survival. The last of the noble werewolf bloodline.”
The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on me. I felt the weight of responsibility settling upon my shoulders. What did it mean to be the last of the royal bloodline? And what did Aunt Margaret plan to do with this revelation? Why didn’t I know my father was the last royalty?
My mates’ eyes met mine, their expressions questioning. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead. “I accept this,” I said. “But I need your help, Aunt Margaret. Teach me who I am, what I’m capable of.”
Her smile widened. “Ah, my queen. You have no idea what you’re capable of. It’s an honour to serve you.”
As I stood before my people, Aunt Margaret’s words echoed beside me “Claim your throne, my queen. And rule with wisdom. This is your birthright, the place you belong to. It’s time to do what your parents couldn’t do. Unite the entire kingdom and be the best queen anyone had ever seen.”
With a deep breath, I began. “My people,” I said, my voice clear and strong. “Today marks a new era.”
My tone was surprisingly loud. It didn’t shake or anything. It seemed like all my fears had been muffled, and they were. At the moment, I wasn’t seeing people with stony expressions on their faces as they watched me. What I saw was hope. A light from a distance. I knew what they expected of me, to step forward and lead my people to a place where no other ruler had ever taken them, and I did.
Taking a step forward, I looked down at my subjects, feeling a renewed hope as I peered into their faces. The room fell silent, awaiting my next words.
“I promise to protect and serve this kingdom, to unite our peoples and strengthen our bonds.”
Cheers erupted, and I smiled.
“But I cannot do this alone,” I continued. “I need your trust, your loyalty, and your support. No one forms a kingdom alone.”
The old man stepped forward, his eyes shining. “We will stand by you, our queen,” he said. “Through thick and thin.”
It was funny seeing someone who opposed my leadership a while ago, seeming ready to stand beside me. It was almost suspicious. Just remind me never to give him my back during a battle. Someone like him isn’t trustworthy at all.
My mates stood beside me, their hands on my shoulders. Together, we would face the challenges ahead.
‘We are proud of you, Bunny. You are just the queen we need,’ Fred said through the mate bond before he placed a kiss on my left cheek, while Blue did the same on my right.
I felt loved. Standing in front of my people, with my mates and my aunt. It felt like everything I had ever hoped for was coming to pass.
And I knew that with Aunt Margaret’s guidance, I would uncover the secrets of my past, and forge a brighter future for our kingdom.
As I finished speaking, the room erupted into cheers and applause. The old man, once sceptical, now knelt before me. It took him some time to do that -that old geezer. I didn’t blame him, though. I would have done the same if the kings who should have kept the kingdom safe disappeared one day only to show up with a queen. Who does that?
Okay, that was exactly what my mates did. I guess they are the only ones in the entire world who can do something like that and leave scott-free. Or did they actually go scott-free?
“My queen, I pledge my loyalty to you,” he said, his voice filled with conviction. “As long as you will be there for the kingdom, to sacrifice for the future, I will always follow you.”
Others followed, kneeling and pledging their loyalty. Aunt Margaret smiled, her eyes shining.
“You have their hearts, my queen,” she whispered.
My mates stood beside me, their hands still on my shoulders. Together, we watched as our people swore fealty. Their faces were filled with hope and determination. I knew most of them had been waiting for a time like this. For years, they had been without a ruler. It was the beginning of a new dawn. And I knew with my mates, Aunt Margaret, and my people by my side, we will soar throat it.
“Rise, my people,” I said, my voice loud and clear. “Let us begin our journey together.”
As they stood, the room filled with renewed energy. I smiled, my heart swelling. This was where I belonged, with my mates, my aunt, and my kingdom.
Together, we would forge a brighter future. And I knew that with Aunt Margaret guidance, I would uncover the secrets of my past and become the queen I was meant to be – the one I was born to be.