Chapter 280: The Alpha King's Rejected Mate

Amara’s pov

I realized that I could use more of the little pep talk I gave Orian when I got to the hall where the coronation was to take place.

Yikes, there are a lot of people, Cora chimed in ad I peered nervously outside the carriage window seeing how large the number of people teaming into the hall was and I wondered if it was going to contain them all. I could also perceive the scents of different creatures that I never imagined I would come across in my lifetime.

"You are nervous." A hand reached out to mine holding it and I turned my attention to Penelope-Iris, "You should be calm."

"I am trying to be." My chuckle betrayed my words as it sounded with all the unease to ever exist but I was glad to have her here by my side.

She came around and I know she'd still hold some resentment in her heart but she's ready to give this new development a chance and she isn't hostile.

I was with her in the carriage and she was to walk me in, Orian is with Ares in another carriage, and Nexus, the other leaders, and other high ranking creatures that were to be conferred new titles were lined up in front of us in their previous carriages as they would go in first before us.

"I like the nickname you gave me." Penelope cleared her throat as she dabbed a white handkerchief over her face, "Penny was it?"

"Penny." I smiled remembering that night, "It was penny."

"I like it."

"You can call me snow, it's my middle name."

"Suits you."

I gave her a small smile as I looked out the window again and just then a carriage rode past and guilt struck my heart as I recognized the familiarity of it. It was Cyrus's carriage and I quickly turned away to avoid being seen by him as this was not the place.

"You make him happy, I see it. He smiles these days which had always been a rare sight and he is more flexible." She turned to me, "I hope my little boy Ares finds someone that makes him like this too."

"He will." I haven't even had time to have a proper discussion with Ares because of how hectic things were going today.

Penny reached out and took my hand in hers, "It was hard for me to try putting everything behind me and come to terms with this, for Orian, he deserves happiness and for you, you are an angel."

"Thank you, Penny." My lips stretched in a smile as I realized that I just made another true bond with a person since I was brought here against my will.

The carriage door was flung open when she pulled away and there stood Hector fuming like he was just robbed, he said something to her that I couldn't understand as it was in a foreign language that sounded a bit harsh and then she came down at his words leaving us both as he climbed into the carriage and slammed the door shut.

"You." He growled glaring daggers at me.

"You are too old for this." I rolled my eyes leaning back against my Seat, "What do you want? Make it snappy, you make it stuffy in here."

"You have your stepfather's pride, you bitch!" He remarked with resentment in his tone, "You have forgotten that you were a result of r-"

"Rape, abuse, unwanted coupling?" I gave him a choice of words he could use to complete his sentence, "I have heard this too many times for it to affect me and like I said, what do you want?!"

"You have to be careful." He snorted relaxing against the seat with fingers tapping on his thigh, "The crown isn't even on your head yet but you sound high and mighty."

"Why wouldn't I?" I leaned in with a fierce look on my face, "I almost inherited a werewolf kingdom from my stepfather and now, I am about to be crowned Queen of the underworld realm, I have every reason to have my head in the clouds."

He let out a bitter laugh, "You are just a placeholder for Orian's queen just as he is a placeholder for me."

"Glad to know we play important roles in your ascension to power." I nodded agreeing with him, "Live, love, laugh delusion."

"Watch your tongue." He barked thinking he'd scare me, "You are treading on thin ice bastard! I know many ways to kill and hide a body without a trace and I wouldn't hesitate to get rid of anyone in my way."

"Hector." I reached out preparing myself to cringe as I took his hand, "Listen and listen carefully!" I used my authoritative alpha voice, one I hadn't used in a while, "If anything should happen to Orian, even as much as a nick on his skin, I will torture you so

Much that you would beg for the sweet release of death and when I am done, I will skin you alive and make a coat out for your disgusting hide! Don't test me!" My claws were drawn out and I pierced his skin drawing blood while he stared at me wide-eyed with horror drawing over his face.

"You are crazy!" His lips trembled as he held onto his injured hand as I pulled away with a smirk on my face knowing he was shocked at being compelled by my voice, "This isn't the end."

"Oh, I am glad it hasn't even started."

"No matter what crown you wear on your head today, you will never know the true power or the loyalty of the people here, you are an outsider."

"Get out!" I managed not to yell out enough to attract attention and he got out of the carriage slamming the door as he left.

"Didn't you hear me say get out!" I half screeched when the door opened again and this time it was Cyrus and not Hector, "Oh."

"You seem to be in a bad mood." He gave me a wry smile as he climbed into the carriage with a box in his hand, "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." I moved farther towards the end attempting to give him a bit of space and not think about what had gone on yesterday and what would possibly happen afterwards.

"I got you this, I thought it would look great on you." He handed me the box and I collected it. It looked like a jewelry box, "Orian doesn't have to know, it's customary to give gifts to the coronated couple but this is specifically for you." He flashed me a smile I placed the box on the opposite seat, "About yesterday-"

"You should get going Cyrus, I am pretty sure we are about to be called in."

"Yea." He gave me one last look like he was unsure of how to depart and then he left with a curt nod leaving me to drown in self-guilt.

Even when Penelope came back in and tried to strike up a conversation, I couldn't dare look her in the eyes, I only looked out the window quietly trying not to let my thoughts wander and disturb me more than they already did.

____________

Penelope held my hand as we prepared to go through the doors that were already being drawn open, we were the last to walk in and when the doors fully opened, she gave me a reassuring smile and signaled that we could step in.

The atmosphere was filled with eerie silence as we entered, all eyes were on us from the people crowded in the hall filling in the spaces to the max, the sounds of our heels clicking against the ground and the surprised gasps coming from some people were the only noises to be held.

It was strange to them, seeing the daughter of their sworn enemy, a stranger to the underworld get walked in by the widow of their count and I was about to be crowned Queen.

I remembered how my mother had faced worse but she still managed to pull through despite everything she had against her, we have to be as strong as mom is, Cora reminded me and I held my head high with a soft yet determined look on my features, I walked down the aisle hoping they wouldn't hear me breathing unsteady.

I fixed my gaze on the person that mattered most to me, he was standing at the podium with Emery and they were waiting for me. I had my eyes on him as I continued to walk, ignoring the gazes lingering on me and being confident in the small smile that Orian offered me.

I got to the base of the steps leading to the podium and Penelope stopped there, she a slight nod she walked over to where Nexus and the rest were. She joined them where to stood which meant I would have to walk up the stairs alone. Nexus gave me a thumbs up and a wide smile, Ares grinned and I made the mistake of meeting Cyrus's eyes as he watched me intently.

I quickly returned my gaze to my mate, waiting for me to ascend and be his Queen.

I took the first step, the second, and then the third, my sword carrier was already in place as I reached the podium and faced Emery as rehearsed. The lady placed the sword in my outstretched hands and I accepted it reciting and repeating the words Emery read out for me.

It was an oath pledging myself to Orian and his kingdom, an oath stating that I wouldn't use my position as Queen for injustice nor would I exercise my power unduly, an oath stating that I would do whatever it took to make Avalon prosper and the throne came before my personal wishes and interest.

Orian had taken his before I entered and when I was done, I handed the sword back to its carrier and Emery produced a knife and a bowl. She sliced Orian's wrist first taking his blood before mine and then we joined our wounds together and as they healed with our palms collapsing to each other, she joined us before everyone as a couple and as their rulers.

And next, we had to sit on the thrones, we were honored with our royal sash and were worn our robes. we sat waiting patiently for the crowns to be placed on our heads and as that happened, I couldn't help but feel a sense of betrayal towards my family and my kind. I pushed aside the thought and accepted the orb and scepter being offered to me and after Emery was done with the rituals, Orian stood up and walked before the crowd, and in unison, they all bowed before him paying their respects after they did that, it was my turn.

I stood with the fear of them rejecting me churning my insides and I walked right where Orian had stood silently pleading that they give the respect that they had given him to me.

And then the unexpected happened.

Orian took steps down and turned around backing the crowd and then he took an action which was accompanied by shocked gasps.

A king bows to no one but he did, he bowed before me in front of them paying respects to me before anyone did and I just stood wide-eyed watching as it all unfolded.

Nexus and the rest didn't waste time in following suit and so did the rest of the crowd following the manner of their king and as they did, my heart surged.

And they continued to bow, with reluctance but they gave in slowly and more heads bent, more backs bent paying their respects to more apart from a few which included Hector and Imelda. I caught their gaze from afar as they glared daggers but that didn't matter because as I gazed at the number of people submitting to me, the urge to howl in happiness was strong but I stopped myself and looked at them while I stood there in my robe holding my scepter and orb with the crown heavy on my head and a new sense of pride growing within me.

And despite Hector's words, for the very first time since coming here, I felt a true sense of power.

What do you think Amara feels guilty of and who is loving their relationship growth?