Alari's pov
I woke up first this time and took the opportunity to drown my senses with the sight and smell of my mate.
Just like my own scent, his was now infused with mine and how salivating it was.
The mark on his neck was something I prided myself in. Knowing he would carry my initials on his neck for the rest of his life and everyone would know he was mine made my chest fill up with pride.
“All mine” I whispered, tracing the mark with my fingers.
“Mmmh” he moan, a smile etching across his thick, luscious lips. His eyes fluttered open and I was met with gorgeous brown orbs that never failed to entrance me.
The specs of gold in them a lot more prominent now, making his eyes look a lot more honey than brown.
“Good morning baby” he murmured, his voice thick and husky from sleep.
“Good morning” I smiled, running my hand down his hand.
He snaked his hand around my waist and pulled me closer, resting his head on the space between my neck and shoulders, breathing in my scent.
“Are you ready to meet your pack my lady?” He asked, making my heart lose rhythm for a few seconds.
“Yes, yes I am” I answered, breathing deeply and pushing down the anxiety that suddenly hit me.
I couldn't let fear stand in the way of my duty, it was time for me to take my place.
He lifted his head from my shoulder to look me in the eye, a little worry in his gaze. “Are you sure? I can feel your anxiety” He asked and I nodded, smiling to reassure him.
“I can do this, plus I'll have you right next to me” I said, watching his lips turn up into a smile.
“You'll always have me beside you” he said, bringing my hand up to his lips and kissing my knuckles.
We cuddled for a bit more but eventually had to get up and get ready for the day. I was okay the entire time we were getting ready, the problem started when we had to leave.
“I'm a lot more nervous now than I was earlier” I giggled nervously, smoothing out my dress.
“We don't have to rush this, take your time” he said, kissing my forehead.
“Okay” I sighed, taking in deep breaths.
“Are you absolutely sure the dress is okay?” I asked for the millionth time and he chuckled.
“The dress is perfect, you are perfect” he reassured me again.
It was a pale green, with long sleeves that were cut open from the elbows and ran longer than my hands. The plunging neckline revealed my soft skin and the rest of the dress flowed down my shapely figure to the floor, concealing my four inch heels.
I had put my hair into a fish bone braid with a few loose strands framing my face. I looked good, very elven if I said so myself.
“Let's do this” I said, holding my hand out and he took it, kissing it before walking outside.
Outside our door stood Lucien and Mason, who were dressed formally in black suites.
“Alpha, Luna” both greeted with a bow.
“Now now, no need for all that” I said with a giggle, making both men smile at me.
They walked a good distance behind us, allowing us space to whisper between ourselves.
We walked past another set of guards at the end of the corridor, making me raise a brow at Damien.
“You can never go wrong with extra security” he said, squeezing my hand a little.
“I'm guessing this is going to be our new normal?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
Of course he'd increase security, with the pack knowing who I am, it would only be a matter of time before the entire Kingdom knew.
And the enemy would, without a doubt, find out.
“I'm sorry love, just until we know the threat hanging over your head is dealt with” he said and I just sighed.
“It's alright, I understand” I said, giving him a small smile.
We ran into more guards at every turn, the reality of my situation becoming more real with every pair.
We finally made it outside and we had to walk for about fifteen minutes through the forest behind the castle before people came into view.
They parted like the red sea when we got closer and their loud chatter died down to just soft whispers.
Sapphira pushed forward and it felt like she was walking right beside me. I knew I was walking a little straighter, head high and shoulders square.
I could feel the power radiating off of me in waves and everyone bowed respectfully as we walked past.
I noticed a small podium as we got to what I assumed was the middle of the clearing. The elders stood there, waiting for Damien and I reach them.
Pearl and my parents stood at the bottom of the steps and their faces lit up when they saw me and my lips pulled up into a smile at the sight of them.
It felt like I hadn't seen them in forever, the last time I saw them was the night of my shift, having slept all day yesterday.
“Oh sweetheart” mom cooed when I was close enough and I fell into her arms, holding her like she'd evaporate from my very eyes.
I missed her, so much. Meeting my biological mother made me realise how blessed I was to have such strong, powerful women have my back.
“I missed you so much” I whispered to her before breaking the hug.
“I did too my love, was worried sick when you wouldn't wake up” she said, her gaze growing fond as she put her hand on my cheek.
“There's much to talk about, let me get this done” I said and kissed her cheek, to which she nodded and ushered me past her.
Dad gave me a quick embrace and so did Pearl before I found myself stood in front of hundreds of people, children sat firmly on the shoulders of their parents to get a good look at me.
“Your highnesses” the elders acknowledged with a bow and Damien only nodded in their direction before facing the crowd.
“Black Moon” Damien's voice boomed over the clearing and the whispers died completely, the pack giving their Alpha their undivided attention.
“Two decades, that's how long we thought the Goddess blessed line had ended. That's how long this Kingdom has gone without its royal line on the throne. That's how long the princess and heir to this Kingdom has been in hiding” he said, making most of the people turn their heads to me.
“And now she has finally come home” he said then turned to me, ushering me towards the crowd looking at me expectantly.
“Our Queen has returned to reclaim her throne and lead us to a new golden era, she has returned to bring her Kingdom back together” he said, a smile stretching across his face as he kept his gaze on me while he spoke.
“Black Moon, I give you princess Alari, the daughter of the former King Miles and Queen Lylla” he said, this time with a bow and everyone else bowed without question.
Sapphira and I stood tall as everyone gave us their respect, honouring our title and place within the pack.
They raised their heads and I knew they were expecting me to say something, of course I knew I had to say something, I just hadn't decided on what to say yet.
“I don't how to be your Queen just yet, until a couple of weeks ago, I didn't even know who or what I was” I said with a small giggle.
“But I have a mate that knows how to lead you and I will learn from him, and I will learn from all of you. If you'll have me as your princess, I will do everything in my power to protect and fight for you. Just as my ancestors fought for our freedom against the witches, I will follow in their footsteps” I said, my aura leaking furiously, vowing by my word.
I will be the leader they deserve!
“Your Highness” Damien said and took the knee, making my breath hitch but only seconds after, the entire pack went down on one knee.
I could feel a bond forming as they acknowledged me as their Princess, their Luna.
Even though it wasn't official, their wolves submitted to Sapphira accepting her command as law and that made her stronger, it made the both of us much stronger.
The power an Alpha gets when their pack submits flowed through me and I could feel my fingers tingle, and my powers pushed forward.
Damien stood first and the pack followed, their admiration felt deeply.
“As happy a day as this is, we mustn't forget the danger that looms over our Kingdom to this day. We must be cautious, we must protect our Princess, our Queen. So I ask you, try by all means to keep news of our Princess within pack borders” he said and I could see the understanding on their faces, the determination to ensure my safety.
“As you can all see, our princess is just as special as our former Queen, putting her in more danger. And so we must be prepared to face anything, at any point to protect her as she would us” Elder Raven said, showing their support of my claim as the council.
“We must all work together to protect the throne” Damien said and they whispered their agreement.
Damien soon dismissed everyone and many went about their way, mostly the warriors and the children and their mothers stayed behind and we interacted with them a bit.
We were back at the castle when I remembered what I wanted to tell my parents and with a smile on my face, I broke the news to them.
“I saw my mom, my birth mother” I said, looking at my mother.
“Really?” She asked, shocked at my revelation.
“Yes, when I was asleep after my shift. She said she used magic to bind her life force to me before she was… killed” a bitter feeling filled my chest as I thought back to the last nightmare I had.
“Oh sweetheart” mom's voice was a little sad as she stroked the few rogue strands of my hair behind my ear, her palm on my cheek.
“We always knew her spirit was always watching over you, we could feel it especially when you got mad and your power would leak out” dad said, making me emotional.
Her words rang in my head and I remembered that she'd been with me the entire time. She experienced everything with me.
I could feel her presence in my mind, alongside Sapphira and happiness flooded me. This whole time I had all I'd been searching for, it was all within me. And I had my parents here with me as well.
How lucky can one girl be.
Much later, after breakfast, Damien introduced me to two people who looked very happy to be there.
“Alari, meet the Winter twins, our very best trainers and your trainers from now on” he said and the twins bowed respectfully.
“Princess, it's our honour to be in your presence, and to be your trainers” the one with black hair said and I smiled his way.
“I'm very honoured to have the pack's very best train me” I said and they bowed again.
“Starting a little later today, they'll be showing you how to use your all that power and strength” he said and I smiled, feeling excited.
Learning how to fight is something I'd always wanted to do but was denied back at Silverlake, but not anymore.
“I can't wait” I said, a huge smile on my face, making everyone in the room smile too.
“But right now, you have magic class” mom said, getting up from where she sat.
“Come, let's teach you how to use all that magic within you” she said leading the way out of the castle and I followed after kissing my mate goodbye.
“And don't think for a second that I'll go easy on you just because you're my kid” she said, making me laugh.
“I didn't think you would” I answered, ready to be the badass my mothers were.