"April, just stay still, for God's sake!" Janeen pleaded in an annoyed tone as she pulled at my hair again.
"Ow." I groaned. "This hurts."
"Seriously, Ap, can't you tolerate a little pain?" Gabrielle said with a roll of her eyes.
"Ha. Ha. Very funny, Gabe," I replied sarcastically, making her narrow her eyes at me for calling her Gabe. She always hated that nickname since it made her sound like a boy.
"Just five more minutes, April, and I'll be done," Janeen murmured as she continued her work.
We had already gotten Janeen and Gabrielle ready, and I was the last one to sit on that dreadful chair. We were getting ourselves ready for Hugh and Gabrielle's alpha ceremony.
I was moving with Lucian to the castle and becoming queen, so it was only logical that I assigned Hugh as the new alpha.
A knock on the door made our heads snap in its direction.
Gabrielle sprinted to the door as Hugh's scent filled the room. And just as she opened the door, there stood a neat-looking Hugh in a black tuxedo.
He smiled widely at his mate, and Gabrielle replied with one too.
Janeen and I shared a look, our own smiles gracing our lips. It always made me happy seeing them happy.
"Aren't you ready yet?" he asked softly, his gaze switching from Gabrielle to me then to Janeen.
"I am. April is being a crybaby back there," Gabrielle replied, pointing with her thumb towards me.
I growled playfully at her, to which she just turned and stuck her tongue out to me.
"Let's go." She ushered Hugh as she grabbed him by the arm and pulled him with her out the room.
"Let's just go, Janeen," I said and pulled myself out of the chair.
"But I still have to do the final touches."
I looked at myself in the mirror to find my straight hair curled up into a half neat, half messy bun above my head and a few strands falling to frame my face.
"Nope. It's good. Let's go," I said, turning around and marching to the door with Janeen following, much to her dismay.
The packhouse was buzzing with people running around, getting ready for the ceremony.
"I'll go check the food in the kitchen." Janeen tapped my shoulder.
I nodded and watched her walk down the hallway to the stairs.
With a deep breath, I started walking down the hall when suddenly, two arms wrapped themselves around my waist and pulled me into a hard chest.
A smile graced my lips at the familiar touch and stomach butterflies.
"What took you so long?" Lucian murmured against my neck, placing a chaste kiss on my mark, which made me shiver.
"I was being tortured inside." I sighed as I remembered the painful tugging.
Lucian chuckled lightly. "But the outcome was worth it." He smirked.
"I'm always beautiful. I don't need all that." I scoffed playfully and crossed my arms over my chest, making Lucian chuckle and kiss my neck once again.
"Come on. We'll be late for the ceremony," he said as he came to stand next to me, offering his arm for me to take.
I grinned widely at him before slipping my arm into his.
Thankfully, we went out in time for the ceremony to start. Well, it couldn't really start without me speaking first and officially handing down my alpha position to Hugh.
Everyone was already seated in their respective places, ready and anxious to start.
Lucian led the way to the makeshift stage and the mic.
"Welcome, everyone, whether you belong to this pack or not," I started, glancing at Alpha Rosewood, Janeen, and Travis as I spoke the last part.
"Today, I'll be officially letting go of my position as Alpha of this pack and handing it over to Beta Hugh. In all honesty, I would never find anyone as good and trustworthy as him to take over and look after this pack. We've been through a lot together, and he never failed to have my back. And I guess with Hugh taking control, I can live my life in the castle with a light heart and an eased mind." I looked at Hugh and smiled warmly at him. He smiled at me in return as he wrapped an arm around a teary-eyed Gabrielle.
Marta, one of the kitchen ladies, approached and handed me the alpha seal. It's something like a crown but for normal pack alphas.
"Hugh," I called and motioned for him to come on stage.
He took rather large steps, almost too excited for his new position, making everyone laugh at his anxiousness.
"I hereby announce Hugh Grant as the new Alpha of this pack," I said as I handed him the seal.
"Thank you," Hugh spoke, his grin reaching past his ears if that was even possible.
Cheers and claps echoed through the air. The beautiful sunset added to the happy atmosphere that draped over us all.
"Thank you all so much for accepting me as your new alpha," Hugh started speaking into the mic as I got pulled back into Lucian's arms.
I tuned out whatever Hugh was saying as my eyes scanned for a certain person. However, I came out empty-handed, which struck sadness in my heart.
Lucian must've felt my emotions as he turned me around to look at my face.
"Freya still wouldn't come?" I asked, answering his unasked concerns.
Lucian sighed with closed eyes. "She still needs time, April. She was always a daddy's girl, and even after she tried running with him, he attacked her. Just give her some time," he spoke with a small, reassuring smile at the end.
I mirrored his smile before turning back to look at the scene playing.
Hugh was announcing Gabrielle as the official Luna and his mate while the whole pack cheered nonstop.
It was a happy moment for all of us, and things couldn't get more peaceful.
"Now, since this is all over," Hugh started before a smirk rolled its way to his lips. "Who's ready to party?"
The crowd cheered along with him, the same excitement filling their faces. And that's when the actual party started.
Music started playing all around, and people didn't miss the chance to go out and dance. Even Lucian and I joined in the fun, and it didn't even surprise me that Travis and Rosewood were dancing too.
"Alpha!" Our heads snapped to Ryan's voice, and we watched as he ran breathlessly towards Lucian and me.
"Alpha, F-Freya...I just got a call from the castle...sh-she disappeared," he spoke between breaths.
I felt my heart start racing a million miles per second, and all scenarios to ever be thought of swarmed inside my head.
"What happened? How? I thought we—" Lucian started asking, his anger and worry rising by the minute.
"Relax. Can't a little girl just wish to attend a party?" I gasped at the familiar sound and turned to watch Freya coming our way, a bored look on her face.
Lucian marched towards her, meeting her midway with me hot on his tail.
"What were you thinking?" Lucian snapped angrily.
"Calm down," I whispered as I grabbed his hand. Freya was still very fragile right now, and I was sure he didn't want to lose her just as much as I didn't.
I noticed Freya avoiding my gaze, and even though it broke my heart, I still got where she was coming from.
"You should've told someone," Lucian spoke after a couple of deep, calming breaths.
"Yeah, sure. Sorry," she replied, unbothered by her brother's worry.
"Freya, I—"
"So, don't you have any food here? I'm starving," she cut me off as she turned around in search of the buffet, leaving us behind.
"Don't worry. She'll come along," Lucian said as he gently started massaging my shoulders.
"She hates me, Lucian." I sighed with a heavy heart.
Lucian sighed, too, not knowing what to say. Freya's hatred was obvious, and it wasn't like he could lie about it.
The music changed to a slow song, and everyone hurried with their date in hand.
Lucian came to stand in front of me. A smirk played across his face.
"Would you allow me this dance, Your Highness?" he asked as he bowed down and reached his hand for me to take.
A small chuckle escaped my lips at his antics.
"I'd love to, Your Majesty," I replied, making him chuckle in return.
Hand in hand, we made it to the center and started moving with the slow rhythm.
After the dancing, it was time for the feast—everyone's awaited moment. We were werewolves; what would you expect?
Everything was moving peacefully, and everyone was happy.
I stood with Lucian, Alpha Rosewood, and Hugh by a corner discussing some pack business.
Travis and the serpents weren't considered a threat anymore, and we were even thinking about becoming allies with them.
We were in the middle of the conversation when our heated discussion was cut short by an arrow hitting the wall I was leaning with my side against, the arrow's tail right in front of my face.
A couple of gasps echoed, people noticing what just happened.
I was shocked. I didn't know how to react or move until Lucian pulled me away and into his arms, a growl vibrating from his chest.
Hugh and Rosewood started barking orders at warriors to catch the culprit, and the men didn't miss another second before running towards the woods.
"April, are you okay?" Lucian asked as he pulled me away from him slightly, but another growl left his lips when his eyes caught my cheek.
I raised my hand to it then brought it back down to find blood staining my fingers.
The arrows must've cut my cheek on its way.
"It's just a scratch, Lucian. I'm fine," I said before quickly turning around to the arrow, my senses coming back to me.
I was hoping to find some scent on the arrow to help with the search, but instead, I found a piece of paper tied to it.
I snatched it and opened the paper with Lucian, Travis, and Hugh looking with me.
'When people become greedy,
When lies are frequently told,
Trust is broken, and stories unfold,
You may have won the battle once,
But your child will bear the war.'
I felt my blood drying up in my vessels, and I found it really hard to breathe.
"Child? What child?" I heard Hugh ask in confusion.
"My child," I whispered, the words sending chills down my spine.
"My child," I repeated in a higher voice.
I turned to look at a confused Lucian, feeling my eyes start to tear up.
"I'm pregnant."