Chapter 153

Chapter 153
  Six months had passed since Laura's coronation. The world looked different now. It even felt different too.
  Laura stood at the balcony of Moonhaven's main hall, watching the sun rise over their kingdom. Children played in the courtyard below. Their laughter echoed through the morning air.
  "You're up early," Lucian said behind her.
  She turned to find him in the doorway. His hair was messy from sleep. His eyes soft with that look he got when he watched her.
  "Couldn't sleep," she said.
  "Bad dreams?" he asked, moving to stand beside her.
  "Good thoughts," Laura said. "Too many of them."
  She leaned against him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and they just stood together in comfortable silence.
  "Look at them," Laura said, nodding toward the children. "They're not afraid."
  "Why would they be?" Lucian asked.
  "When I was their age, I was terrified of everything. Of Alphas. Of being punished. Of not being good enough," Laura said. "But them? They just play."
  "That's because of you," Lucian said. "The world you built for them."
  Laura felt tears in her eyes. Happy tears. The kind she'd learned to accept.
  "We built it," she corrected. "All of us."
  The new laws had changed everything. Omegas could own property now. They could speak in pack meetings. They could refuse unwanted advances without fear.
  Alphas had to earn their positions through service. Not just strength. The old ways of ruling through fear were gone.
  "Remember when you first told me about the changes you wanted to make?" Lucian asked.
  Laura smiled. "You said I was crazy."
  "I said you were ambitious," Lucian corrected. "There's a difference."
  "You thought I'd fail," Laura said.
  "I thought you'd try," Lucian said. "And that was enough."
  A soft knock interrupted them. Dante appeared in the doorway. He was already dressed for the day.
  "Morning meeting in ten minutes," he said. "The council is waiting."
  Laura nodded. She'd started having morning meetings six months ago. A way to keep track of everything happening in their kingdom.
  "Any urgent matters?" she asked.
  "The usual," Dante said. "Trade disputes. Border issues. A few rogues asking for sanctuary."
  "Rogues?" Laura asked.
  "Three of them. From the eastern territories. They say they're fleeing shadow corruption," Dante explained.
  Laura's chest tightened. Shadow wolves were still a problem. Not as bad as before, but they appeared sometimes. Usually in small groups.
  "Are they clean?" she asked.
  "Zephyr checked them personally," Dante said. "They're clean. Just scared."
  "Then we help them," Laura said. "Like we always do."
  The meeting room was already full when they arrived. Zephyr sat at the head of the table. Nikolai beside him. Various pack leaders and advisors filled the other seats.
  "Good morning, everyone," Laura said as she took her seat.
  "Good morning, Our Queen," they replied in unison.
  Laura still wasn't used to the title after all these months. But she'd learned to accept it and to use it when it mattered.
  "Let's start with the border reports," she said.
  The next hour was spent reviewing updates from all corners of their kingdom. Trade was thriving. Crops were growing well. Most packs were adapting to the new laws.
  "What about the resistance?" Laura asked.
  "Smaller every day," Zephyr said. "Most Alphas are seeing the benefits of the new system."
  "And the ones who aren't?" Laura asked.
  "Are learning," Nikolai said with a slight smile. "One way or another."
  Laura knew what that meant. Some Alphas had needed more convincing than others. Her mates had been very.....very persuasive.
  "Any word from the eastern territories?" Laura asked.
  "Alpha Garrett sent a message," Dante said. "He's requesting a meeting. Says he has news about shadow activity."
  Laura frowned. Garrett was reliable. If he was concerned, it was worth hearing.
  "Set it up," she said.
  "Already done," Dante said. "He'll be here tomorrow."
  The meeting continued. They discussed everything from new housing projects to improved healing centers. Laura felt proud of what they'd accomplished.
  "One more thing," she said as the meeting wound down. "The omega education program. How is it going?"
  "Better than expected," Zephyr said. "We have over three hundred students now. They're learning everything from basic reading to advanced healing techniques."
  "Any problems?" Laura asked.
  "Some resistance from older pack members," Nikolai said. "But the younger generation is embracing it."
  "Good," Laura said. "Change takes time."
  After the meeting, Laura walked through Moonhaven's streets. She did this every day. It kept her connected to her people.
  "Your Majesty," a young omega said, bowing as she passed.
  "Please," Laura said. "Just Laura. And you don't need to bow."
  The girl looked confused. Then smiled. "Thank you, Laura."
  It was small moments like these that made everything worthwhile. Laura continued her walk, greeting people. Listening to their concerns. Being the leader she'd always wanted to have.
  "You look happy," Sarah said, falling into step beside her.
  Sarah had become one of Laura's closest advisors. The only survivor from the Silver Moon pack who'd chosen to stay in government.
  "I am happy," Laura said. "Are you?"
  "Getting there," Sarah said. "Some days are harder than others."
  "I understand," Laura said. "The past doesn't disappear overnight."
  "No," Sarah agreed. "But it gets easier."
  They walked in comfortable silence. Laura noticed how much Sarah had changed. She was stronger now and more confident. The broken woman who'd found them in the ruins was gone.
  "I have news," Sarah said eventually.
  "Good news or bad news?" Laura asked.
  "Good news," Sarah said. "The memorial committee approved your request. We're going to build monuments in all the territories. For everyone who died in the shadow war."
  Laura felt her chest tighten. "All of them?"
  "All of them," Sarah confirmed. "Even the ones who fought for Kieran. They deserve to be remembered too."
  Laura nodded. She'd insisted on this. Everyone deserved to be mourned. Even their enemies.
  "When do we start?" Laura asked.
  "Next month," Sarah said. "If that's acceptable to you."
  "It's perfect," Laura said.
  That evening, Laura sat in her private study. She was reading reports when Nikolai found her.
  "Still working?" he asked.
  "Always," Laura said. "These trade agreements won't review themselves."
  "They can wait," Nikolai said. "You've been working non-stop for weeks."
  "I'm fine," Laura said.
  "Are you?" Nikolai asked. He moved closer. "You look tired."
  Laura looked up at him. Really looked. His green eyes were full of concern.
  "I am tired," she admitted. "But good tired. Like I'm actually accomplishing something."
  "You are," Nikolai said. "More than you know."
  He sat on the edge of her desk. "Do you remember what you said to me once? About trying again tomorrow?"
  "Yes," Laura said.
  "You don't have to carry everything alone," Nikolai said. "We're here to help."
  Laura smiled. "I know. And I'm grateful. For all of you."
  "Show me," Nikolai said with a playful grin.
  Laura laughed. "Not here. Someone might walk in."
  "Then let's go somewhere more private," Nikolai said.
  He pulled her to her feet. Laura let him lead her to their bedroom. Dante was already there, reading a book.
  "Finally," Dante said. "I was starting to think you'd moved into that study."
  "Almost," Laura said. "The paperwork never ends."
  "That's why you have us," Dante said. "To remind you that there's more to life than work."
  Zephyr appeared in the doorway smirking."Is this a private meeting or can anyone join?"
  "Depends," Laura said. "Are you here to talk about work too?"
  "Definitely not," Zephyr said with a smile.
  Lucian was the last to arrive. He took one look at Laura and shook his head.
  "You're exhausted," he said.
  "I'm not—" Laura started.
  "You are," Lucian said firmly. "Sit down."
  Laura obeyed. She was too tired to argue. Lucian knelt behind her and started massaging her shoulders.
  "Better?" he asked.
  "Much," Laura said. "Thank you."
  "You don't have to thank me," Lucian said. "Taking care of you is not a favor. It's a privilege."
  Laura felt tears prick her eyes. Even after all this time, they still surprised her with their devotion.
  "I love you," she said. "All of you."
  "We love you too," Dante said rolling his eyes. "More than you'll ever know."
  They spent the evening together. Talking, laughing, just being. Laura felt the tension leave her body. The weight of responsibility lifting from her shoulders.
  "I have something to tell you," she said suddenly.
  Her mates looked at her. Their expressions curious.
  "What is it?" Zephyr asked.
  Laura took a deep breath. Her heart was racing. 
  This was big. Life-changing big.