Chapter 98

Chapter 98
“Nina! It is time!” Autumn called from behind me. “Are you ready?”

I was standing in front of a long mirror, trying to recognize myself. My hair was flawless, pulled to the side and braided. Loose curly strands of hair framed my face and neck. The makeup was light and elegant with a little more dramatic eyeliner. Nude covered my lips, fingertips, and toes. The shoes matched my jewelry perfectly. The girls had placed a shimmering lotion on my arms, chest, and back, making me slightly sparkly when the light hits my skin. The dress fit me perfectly and was the right balance of my personality and what a queen should look like. The only thing that could make this better would be if my mother was here.

“Oh yeah, I am!” I said, giving myself one last look. This was it, it was time! I turned and saw Autumn with a smile on her face and a tear in her eye.

“You are so beautiful! I know your mother would have been proud of you. Thank you for letting me make these things special for you. It is truly an honor,” Autumn said as she grabbed my hand. I could feel the sincerity in her words.

“I appreciate all you have done for me. It means the world to me to be accepted into your family,” I said, trying not to cry myself.

“Come now, they would like to start the ceremony!” Autumn guided me out of the room and down to the backyard. I got a glimpse of the area. They already had a couple acre backyard and they had decorated every inch of it. At this short notice, this was what they were able to pull off, and I was thankful for it. The sun was high in the sky, but they still hung strings of lightbulbs for when it gets dark. They had a large party-style tent up with greenery hanging from the ceiling with white hanging flowers. A mason jar chandelier hung from the middle with twinkling lights. I was sure in the dark it would be perfect.

“So, when we open the doors, you will see a large white runway. It will lead you to the stage where the ceremony will take place. We will pass through each guest, so be prepared to see a bunch of faces. I know we went over this already, but I wanted to make sure you were ready for that. And honestly, who is ever ready for that!” Autumn said, waving her hand dismissively. She wasn’t wrong though. “I will walk you to the front and let Wyatt take you the rest of the way. Do not worry about anything else other than the ceremony!” She finished with a stern motherly glare.

“Okay!” I said, taking a deep breath. We were standing in front of the door, waiting for our cue. I took a few deep breaths as I was starting to feel very anxious. My hands were getting sweaty, and my heart started to pound. My dad would always remind me to breathe and relax, so I tried just that. I pictured my dad in front of me, using his hands to demonstrate breathing in deeply and exhaling slowly to calm my heart and nerves.

After a couple more breaths, I felt more relaxed, and I nodded to Autumn that I was ready. The piano started playing, and the doors opened up. The heat from the summer hit me fully in the face as we entered the ceremony space. Everyone was standing, and as Autumn said, looking directly at me. I kept my arm securely around hers as she guided me down the white fabric pathway. Wyatt was not visible yet, but I could feel him close to me, so I focused on his emotions and blocked everyone else. He was happy and excited with a hit of nervousness.

Finally getting the courage up, I started looking around at everyone. Some people I recognized and some I didn’t. I kept a smile on my face and nodded to those who waved at me. Some were even from my old pack, I realized. However, I made that connection a second too late as I connected eyes with Damian. Holly was standing right beside him as she clung to him like a leech. He looked miserable and pissed off. Holly looked like she lost thirty pounds she didn’t have and was a shell of herself.

This was not my hill to die on, so I kept my eyes moving and saw who else was there. It was surprisingly easy to do so. I didn’t feel anything towards them. Now that I had the love of my life, I could care less about Damian. There wasn’t anything he could do to stop me now.

Finally, after what felt like an hour, Wyatt finally came into view. The stage was elevated with a white cloth covering the stage. Theresa, Ed, and Harry stood in the middle, wearing the most lavishing gowns of white and gold. Wyatt was standing on the right side in a tux, looking delicious as ever. Everyone had on bright smiling faces as we approached. Wyatt walked down the stairs and over to me. Taking my hand, he led me up the stairs while Autumn took a seat next to Paul, Brooke, Zach, and Kelly. I briefly wondered where Reed was.

“You look amazing,” Wyatt said quietly as we got situated in front of the stage.

“Thank you!” I whispered back. Theresa walked up and stood directly behind us. We stood facing each other.

“You may be seated!” Theresa said into the microphone. We probably didn’t need one with wolf hearing, but it was also onscreen, so we kept the audio on, too. “Thank you all for coming and witnessing what is a historical event! After years of searching, we finally have found the true heir to the throne and couldn’t be more pleased to be placing the crown on her head today. We will start the ceremony with the vows. Please repeat after me,” Theresa said looking at me. I nodded in return. “I, Nina McCoy, accept my bloodline’s rightful place as the queen of werewolves.”

“I, Nina McCoy, accept my bloodline’s rightful place as the queen of werewolves.”

“I acknowledge the power that is bestowed upon me.”

“I acknowledge the power that is bestowed upon me.”

“And I promise to rule by the laws by which we are governed.”

“And I promise to rule by the laws by which we are governed.”

Turning to Wyatt, she said, “Repeat after me. I, Wyatt Evens, accept that my mate is the queen and ruler of the werewolves.”

“I, Wyatt Evens, accept that my mate is the queen and ruler of the werewolves.”

“I will rule beside her as king and acknowledge the power that is being bestowed upon me.”

“I will rule beside her as king and acknowledge the power that is being bestowed upon me.”

“I promise to assist the queen in every aspect needed to help her uphold the laws by which we are governed.”

“I promise to assist the queen in every aspect needed to help her uphold the laws by which we are governed.”

“Nina and Wyatt have vowed to accept their positions as king and queen. Nina is the last descendent of the royal bloodline and has accepted to take what is rightfully hers. Wyatt has been chosen by the Mood Goddess as her mate. Let us bow our heads and thank the Moon Goddess for everything she has given us and ask her to bless the newly found king and queen!” Theresa said. Immediately, everyone bowed their heads in silence. The only sound was a baby crying in the distance.

“Thank you! Now, Nina, will you please say your vows to your people?” Theresa said, taking a step back.

I turned to face the crowd and was met with hundreds of eager faces. I took a few deep breaths before I began.

“I grew up being a loved child of amazing parents who did everything in their power to protect, support, and teach me everything they knew. I promise as your newly crowned queen to do everything in my power to protect, support, and teach everyone the new way of the werewolf race. We will be united in a way that we haven’t been in a long time. The time for lies, stealing, and murder is over. I promise to be fair, approachable, and understanding to those in every situation. Together, we will thrive and grow. I have seen destruction and power-hungry people. I have known starvation and abuse. I stand before you as not a privileged woman, but as someone who has known and understands the hardship that has been going on. I stand before you as someone who is saying enough is enough. I vow to you to bring a brighter future for our children.”

I took a step back to Wyatt as the crowd erupted into applause and cheers.

“Thank you!” Theresa said, quieting everyone down. “Please quiet down as we begin the unity of the blood.”

Theresa walked over to the table and grabbed the chalice and a vial of blood. “This blood holds the blood of each pack alpha. Today, they will be mixed with Nina’s blood, and both Nina and Wyatt will drink from it, sealing their positions as king and queen.”

The room stayed quiet as Theresa unstoppered the vial and poured the blood into the chalice. Placing the vial back, she picked up a knife and walked back over to us. She handed me the knife and I slit my hand over the chalice, letting my blood drip into the cup. The blood began to steam and sizzle. I looked up at Wyatt, but he seemed unfazed by it.

Theresa swirled it a few times and held it up to me to drink. Taking the chalice, I looked at the blood. There was a greenish tint to it again. Hmm, I wondered if that was my blood doing that? Taking a deep breath, I brought the chalice to my lips, swallowing a little.

It was warm going down my throat, but my head started to spin, causing me to gasp. I would have dropped the chalice had Theresa not grabbed it first. I felt all the connections form between each and every pack. I felt all the emotions and every single person in the world that I was now connected to. Thinking quickly, I built that door up.

By the time I finished, I was breathing heavily, and Wyatt had a concerned look on his face. It took a couple of seconds before I was able to stand on my own and get my breathing under control. Only when I was steady, did Wyatt take a sip as well. He groaned quietly as his eyes rolled back, also feeling the connections form. He took a few minutes to gather himself before he was able to continue as well.

Theresa had an apologetic look on her face, and I realized she didn’t tell us on purpose. I should have known though, any time a major connection formed, it stunned the person. This wouldn’t be any different.

Theresa took the chalice from Wyatt and returned it to the table. She then walked back to where Ed and Harry were standing. Ed then moved forward and stood behind us.

“Please kneel,” he said to us.

Wyatt helped me kneel with my dress before he kneeled beside me. Ed pulled his sword from the holster and held it in front of him.

“Please say ‘I do’ to each question,” he said to us.

“Do you promise to uphold the laws?”

“I do,” Wyatt and I said at the same time.

“Do you promise to put the werewolf race above all else, including yourself?”

“I do,” we repeated.

“Do you swear to be loyal members and mates?”

“I do!” Again, we said at the same time.

Placing the sword on my shoulder and then moving to the other shoulder, he said, “I, Ed Harrison, of the Royal Committee, hereby announce you, Nina McCoy, queen of the werewolf race. You will hereby be known as Queen Nina.” He took the sword off my shoulder, and Harry moved forward with a stunning crown. It was all silver with green emeralds lining the middle with diamonds covering every inch of the vine and greenery theme to the crown. He placed it on my head, stepped back, and bowed to me before returning to his spot.

Ed then moved to stand in front of Wyatt. Pulling out the sword and placing it on each shoulder, he said, “I, Ed Harrison, of the Royal Committee, hereby announce you, Wyatt Evens, king of the werewolf race. You will hereby be known as King Wyatt.” Ed holstered the sword as Harry moved forward with Wyatt’s crown. It was similar to mine but more straight up and had a green fabric around the bottom of it. The vines and greenery intertwined as the jewels shined in the sunlight.

“Now is time to finalize the ceremony with the rightful royal bloodline to hold the royal crest on their chest. Queen Nina will be branded with the symbol of royalty. Like a mating mark, the queen must hold a royal mark. Please stay in your seat and be quiet as your queen needs to focus now,” Harry said and then walked off the stage and around back. Theresa guiding me to a cot on the side of the stage I didn’t even realize was there. She helped me lay down as Wyatt held my hand.

As I was getting myself comfortable, I heard the shocked gasps flood the crowd, so I knew Harry was approaching with the branding iron. I immediately put a hand over my belly and sent a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess. Imagining my dad again, I took deep breaths and steadied myself.

Harry came into view. “Ready?”

Wyatt held one hand, Theresa the other, and Ed was at my feet, just in case. Was anyone ever ready for this? Fuck, fuck, fuck! One last deep breath and I nodded yes. Harry wasted no time in placing the branding iron over my heart. My back immediately arched, my hands clasped around each hand, and my toes curled, but I never cried out. My teeth were clenched so tight together that I was surprised one didn’t fracture. The smell of burning flesh filled my nostrils, and the screams of the women and children filled my ears. I lost track of time as black spots decorated my vision. My breathing was erratic, and my pulse was elevated. I felt numb.

“Nina!” I heard from my head. “Come back!”

Wyatt! I focused on his voice and felt myself come back to reality. Opening my eyes, I saw Wyatt leaning over me, running his fingers down my cheeks. I was still on the cot, still at the ceremony. “It’s over, Nina. It’s over,” Wyatt said in my ear.

I looked down at the branding. They had placed ointment on it and placed a bandage on top to keep it from getting infected. Theresa and Wyatt helped me sit up and eventually to stand. I felt weak, and my stomach was upset. I felt like I needed to sit down. Wyatt must have noticed my discomfort as a chair suddenly appeared behind me, and I was able to sit down. It was then I looked out into the crowd. The women were crying, and the men were pissed off. They were all standing, trying to see if I was alive.

“Please, sit!” I said loudly. Everyone listened instantly. “I was aware of the branding beforehand. It was my choice to follow through with it, and I will uphold the traditions of the queen ceremony. I am okay and will be back in perfect health after some food!” I said. I was rewarded with some laughs, smiles, and a lighter mood.

It was about five minutes before my stomach calmed down enough that we could proceed on. I looked over to Theresa and nodded. She moved forward. Wyatt helped me stand but kept his arm around my waist, supporting my weight.

“Ladies and gentlemen! It gives me great pleasure to present to you, your new King and Queen!” Theresa announced.

Right after her announcement, a gun went off.