Chapter 19 Chapter 19
Chapter 19
\- Aria -
There was a knock on the door and Alpha Jason walked in.
I was not expecting him though but my eyes lit up
"Good morning Aria," he greeted and walked in fully, holding a parcel in his hands.
I followed with my eyes as he dropped it on the table, wondering what it was.
"Good morning, Alpha."
"How are you feeling this morning? For your first appearance, there will be a council meeting, and I want you to be there. Then I can also introduce you to my elders."
My heart skipped a beat.
"You mean this morning?" I asked even though the answer was obvious. "Can we do it another time, maybe when I am settled and ready?"
Jason shook his head.
"There is no perfect time to be ready," he said. "The earlier the better. I am not a man who wastes time when I need to do something and I want this to be over with."
"Okay," I nodded slowly.
"Good." Then his eyes went to the parcel on the table. "I specifically chose this dress for you, very suitable for a Luna. I will have the maids attend to you and dress you up."
"You don't have to worry about that," I quickly interjected. "I can do it myself."
"Well, you are Luna, you don't have to," his tone did not leave any room for arguments, so I did not bother.
Something made my heart warm, and it was the thought of him bringing a dress for me himself.
I mean, he didn't have to. He could have sent the maids with it but he brought it himself. It made me feel... special
"I had to bring this myself because I haven't spoken to Natasha about her role of guiding you through the palace," he said, and my heart sank to my stomach. "And I don't trust the maids to do it perfectly. But I will talk to her soon."
It was very ridiculous of me to think the gesture was something special.
"See you in the courtroom," he said before walking out.
My hands felt very sweaty as I looked at my reflection in the mirror after dressing up
I was very beautiful, it was the best I have looked in days, but I was nervous.
What will the elders say? They might not easily accept me. I was not from their pack, a refugee who came from nowhere, presented to them as their Luna
I took a deep breath, hoping that Jason would handle it.
When I walked into the courtroom, all heads turned to me and I kept my head down.
It was all I could do to prevent myself from turning back and running away
"Come right in, Aria," Jason called out and I walked straight up to him, careful so I don't trip and fall.
He stretched out his hand to me and led me to the chair closest to him.
The silence in the room was heavy, and the peering of eyes was too much to handle so I just kept my head down, not daring to have any eye contact.
Not long after, Natasha arrived as well. She must not have noticed my presence and headed straight to the chair I was sitting on
She stopped dead in her tracks when she eventually did.
She stared daggers at me, and I could tell that was where she wanted to sit, but I was there already.
She found another chair with the elders, but the fury radiated from a distance.
The meeting started and I just felt like a Shadow in the room. I had nothing to say and could not help feeling self-conscious
I knew they were all waiting for the moment Alpha Jason would say something about me. He eventually did.
"Lastly, I would like to introduce my new wife and Luna of this pack to you all. Meet Aria."
There was a murmur before someone spoke.
"Just Aria? No family background nor pack name?"
"Aria Jason," he replied simply. "She's my wife and she bears my name."
"So the rumours were true?" Another said with stressed disappointment. "Who would have thought you'd easily take someone as a wife within the twinkle of an eye when you spent five good years alone after the death of your wife, Elena?"
At the mention of Elena's name, I felt Jason stiffen, his fists folded together in a visible effort to steady himself.
"For five years we persuaded you to get another strong and powerful she-wolf to be by your side. We paraded princesses from very royal packs across the regions but you rejected every one of them. Only for you to pick one we don't even know her identity, as your queen."
My chest tightened, and my breath hitched. I knew it. I knew they'd never accept me.
"Elder Simon," Jason addressed the elder who'd just finished speaking. "I appreciate your concern as well as the other elders who'd tried to find a balance for years. Now I have found one. I think there is no need to go through that again."
"It is not about you finding one, but if that one is good for you. We're only pointing out that a woman without identity is like a threat to the throne and pack. We don't even know what to expect," the elder looked round the room for support from the others and they nodded in agreement."
Jason did not reply immediately, and his expression was hard. Then he stood up and held my hands, making me stand with him.
"I have chosen and marked my new mate," he declared. "Whatever your fears and worries are, put them with me. I will take any blame or consequences, let me deal with that, for it is my decision. But for you and the pack, she is my wife and from now henceforth, your Luna. You must regard her as such."
And all of them in the room, bowed, including Natasha. I did not know what to do or think. But in Jason's hands, I felt protected, respected, and seen.
"A ceremony would be held to celebrate, and I would present her to our people. Sent words and invitations. Alpha Jason, has finally gotten his queen."