Chapter 167

"And with the power bestowed on me as the greatest priestess of this realm, I now declare you the Luna Queen of this Kingdom!" the priestess of the Pacific declared and wore the crown on me, and the entire pack went into a loud cheer.

I smiled broadly, my heart filled with so much warmth that this day has finally come after so many tribulations that fought to keep it from coming to fruition.

It's been two weeks since I was rescued by my mate from the claws of his brother, and the fight between them took place. We came back home safely and everyone was delighted that I was rescued without acquiring any harm. Turned out news flies and no matter how much we tried to hide it, they still found out I was abducted. However, we were glad nobody found out about Alfred being the Vampire King. We decided to keep it to ourselves and our friends.

Theresa eventually came back to the palace after I had appealed to my mate to forgive her trespasses since come what may, she was still his mother and has learned her lesson. But that is as far as it goes. Alonso doesn't speak to her, nor does he ever want to hear a word about her after her return. He was still shaken from his twin brother's betrayal and blames it on his mother for supporting all his evil vices.

I believe with time he would learn to forgive her and maybe someday, he might even forgive his brother. The first day we came back, he was head bent on declaring war on the vampires and killing his brother so that he would put an end to the vampire menace once and for all, but I fell on my knees and cried so hard. I apprised him that if he declared war on them, I will be dejected.

He bulged after so many entreaties and over the days, he appealed to the aggrieved elders that he has handled the vampire invaders and assured them it won't happen again. After that, when his mother insisted on coming back, he struck a deal with her, to convince her favorite child never to step foot in his kingdom in his entire life, and if he signs the agreement he sent over to them, then she could bring it to him.

Alfred signed it, which was what brought Theresa back. I hope time heals our own wounds and help us forgive ourselves. It's been a lot and something that might not just happen overnight.

The full moon festival was to be declared open following the Luna ceremony which is today. This means that this entire week would be filled with diverse pack activities and visitations from top-ranking wolves. Many have already arrived and others would be joining us during the week. The pack house had been cleaned and dusted for their accommodation and the mansion is also available in case the need arises.

"Your highness, please come forward and perform the final ritual," the priestess said and Alonso who was sitting on the throne-like chair in front of the stage came down to us, and stood in front of me. The priestess brought a knife and started muttering some incantation to the moon.

She twirled about as though under a spell and when her eyes snapped open, it was shimmering a sharp black, she smile eerily, handed him the knife, and said in an alien voice, "Strike your palm and place in her mouth to drink of your blood which signifies she is willing to rule beside you, afterward you give her the knife to repeat the process."

Alonso nodded, took the knife, and slashed his palm, a large rush of blood gushing out, and he extended it to me and I placed my lip to consume it. It tastes neutral and the minute I swallowed, I staggered as though something hit me. Alonso's hand grasped mine and held me steady before I recovered, smiled at him, and took the knife to slit my palm. I hissed at the stinging bite and quickly reached my hand to him to taste. He did and when he finished, the priestess took the knife and continued twirling and making the incantation.

"The goddess is pleased with your choice, my King. This day had been destined to come to pass long before you were born. Everything leading to this day was a test to confirm your resolution which you passed. Congratulations."

When she opened her eyes once more, her eyes color has gone back to normal. Alonso tumbled me to him and placed his lip on mine, the taste of our blood merging as our tongues entangled each other. My tears slid down our mouths and the salty taste made me start chuckling as we split.

"All hail the King and his Queen!" the priestess declared. And the pack repeated in uniformity. I was still lapped against my mate, my eyes roaming over the large crowd with a sweet smile. Not only have I gotten my number one wish, but I also got a crown.  I was still trying to believe it. I looked up at Alonso as his eyes came down on me and he said, "Mine!"

It was just like the day he found me.

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.

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"Aww, I love the crown!" Nadia tilted my head to the side to take a close look and I took the opportunity to rid it from my head. "What are you doing, my Queen?" Her eyes flashed in panic.

"I am giving it to you to have your fill of it so you don't break my neck." I quipped and commenced shaking my legs to rid of the shoes that is starting to bite my ankles.

"Finally our dream has come true!" Mary flung her hands up. "So what next now?"

"The baby!" Nadia inserted, bending to touch my tummy. I smiled and leaned my head towards her hand. I can't wait to have my baby. I keep imagining how he would look like his father because I'm sure it's a male. I just know.

"um... Not to be a joy killer, when do you say we are going for the vacation, again?" Mary asked, going to fall on the bed. I twisted around and scrunched my face at her.

"That would be after the full moon festival, I guess," Nadia intoned and began removing the pins holding my hair up. Mary stood and joined her and I pivoted back to the mirror. Mary is finally staying here with us. She came immediately after we returned from the Vampire Kingdom and since then, when I'm not with the King, they were bustling my ears- including at the infirmary. I am considering placing a ban on the places they are not allowed to follow me to.

Even the King is now jealous of how close we are attached.

"Talking about the full moon festival, I heard the new Alpha of the pack that was newly established, will be joining us..." Nadia crooned. "I also heard he looks like a demigod!" she said in a hushed tone.

"Nadia!" Mary careened. "Could there be any man that could be more handsome than the King and his twin brother?" I rolled my eyes at that. I thought she was about to censor Nadia's comment, not knowing she was about to explode another bomb on my head.

Nadia snorted. "The King certainly, but not his brother. He stopped looking dashingly handsome to me the minute he rebelled!"

"Yeah..." Mary drawled, "still..."

"I can't wait to meet the new Alpha!" Nadia interrupted, seeming too happy for someone who might never acknowledge her.

"Why are you-"

A sudden tap at the door interrupted our conversation, causing all three of us to shift our attention toward it. I silently said, "Come in." I thought it was my mate who had initially excused himself to attend to some of the guests. He couldn't have come back that fast.

The door opened and my astonishment intensified when Theresa came through the entrance. It appeared I wasn't the only one dumbfounded as one of my friends unintendedly gasped. I hope she wasn't here for trouble. We have avoided that for some days now.

"Can I have a moment with you, Danika?" she asked demurely and I contemplated whether I was willing to risk being with her alone even for a second. Well, knowing my friends, they will not go far from the door. So, I nodded and they bowed and scurried out.

She covered the remaining distance and I stood abruptly and removed one of the flowers I had received from a guest that I had kept on the armchair. She sat down in her elegant design.

I sat nervously and waited. This would be the first time we were speaking alone.

She sat up and touched her chest coquettishly. "Danika, I know we started on the wrong path," she started, "after I found out that you connived with my son to lie to us, I became angry and bitter towards you." She stood up and came to sit by me on the bed and took my left hand in hers gently. "I am terribly sorry for everything. I was foolish and did so many wrong things out of spite. Will you and my son ever forgive me?"

I wet my lips, caught off-guard, and smiled at her, then used my right hand to cover her hand in mine. "To be frank with you, I was hurt by your behavior towards me because I thought I have found a mother in you... I lost my mother the day I was born and since then, the only mother figure I had for a little period in my life was my grandmother who died some years later. All I desire is to live in peace with you and your son." Tears brimmed in my eyes. "Nobody is above mistakes. Hopefully, with time old wounds would heal, and eventually, forgiveness would abide."

In a flash, she engulfed me in a big hug. We were in that position, my body shaking with sobs when the door opened sometime later and Alonso and my friends came in, their faces registering amazement at our position.

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