Chapter 42

My cheeks hurt from grinning so widely. Tiara can't stop jumping in my head.

I'm welcomed with smiles and cheers. I talk with different pack's alphas, lunas, betas, gammas, and some other members.

Lawrence has been by my side all along, smiling and welcoming everyone.

"Can I have this dance?" Lawrence asks, grinning widely.

"You can, your highness," I say, laughing lightly. I take his hand and move towards the dance floor. He wraps his hands around my waist while my hands wrap around his neck.

Everyone stops dancing to watch as we dance slowly to the soft music playing. Our eyes lock intensely, and we smile sweetly.

I can't stop admiring the way his eyes sparkle as the light shines in the room, the strand of hair resting on his forehead and his lips drawing me to them. Sparks run through my body when he touches me. I will never feel this same way or ever be this happy again.

"Thank you," I say, placing my head on his chest and hugging him tightly, trying to keep the tears from coming.

"For what?" he asks, stunned, one hand brushing my arm and the other wrapping around my waist.

"For everything," I say, burying my face into his chest.

"It is my duty to protect you, and I will keep doing so," he says, raising my chin to make me look into his eyes that were filled with love and respect.

"Mi vida, I love you. Don't you ever forget that," he says, searching my eyes.

I pull him into a kiss. Our lips move together to show how we feel.

~~~~~~~~

Lawrence leaves to talk with some alphas while I can't find the girls or even the boys anywhere in the big hall.

I grab some food. When your stomach keeps grumbling, you just have to listen.

"Virago," Hunter calls, walking towards me with that stupid smirk of his. I hate when he calls me that, but will he ever listen? No, of course not. He says I deserve it because of how I treated him after finding out his plans with Grace.

I scowl. His black hair looks a mess like he ran his hands through it constantly like how he always does, saying it makes him look handsome. His gray eyes, just like my dad's, stare back at me. He is dressed in a black tuxedo and black pants.

"What?" I ask, walking towards an empty table. I place my food on the table before taking out a chair to sit on.

"What a nice way to greet the brother you haven't seen for months," he says sarcastically, taking a seat beside me.

I glare at him. "The last time I checked, you were happy I was leaving."

"Virago...come on. I actually miss you," he says, wrapping his hand over my shoulders. "I miss making fun of you, and your angry and sassy replies," he says with a smile.

"Like I believe you. And stop calling me that," I say, pushing off his hand, but his grip is tight, not painfully tight, but in a gentle way.

"What? Virago?" he says with a smirk.

"How I wish to punch that face of yours," I mumble under my breath, but of course, he heard—damn werewolf hearing.

"See, that's why I call you Virago. Always angry," he says, laughing.

But before I can give him a sassy comment, someone makes his presence known, someone I am never ready to see.

"What do we have here?" Dad says, taking a seat opposite me with his face as emotionless as ever.

"Dad," Hunter says, glancing at him before looking at my face for any sign of anger.

I smile weakly at Dad, but I get a hard stare as a reply.

"I sent you here, but you ended up seducing the Alpha King and becoming the Luna Queen," he says coldly. His words should have stopped getting to me but hearing what he thinks about me hurt my heart. "Very impressive."

I look down at my food, losing my appetite. I feel anger building in me, but it isn't mine. I look around and see Lawrence staring at me. He must have sensed my sadness. I give him a nod to assure him everything is okay. He smiles before his anger subsides a little.

"Dad, not here, please," Hunter says softly.

He glares at Hunter before putting his focus back on me. "Get ready for your surprise tomorrow," he says, giving me a last look before leaving the table.

What surprise? Oh, Moon Goddess, help me.

"Bye, Virago," Hunter says, leaving the table.

I look down at my food. "Thanks for making me lose my appetite," I mumble sarcastically and throw the rest of my food in the trash.

I walk towards Lawrence. "Can we go now? I am really tired," I say with a smile, trying to hide my irritation.

He nods, taking my hand before saying goodbye to his guests. We walk to his car waiting by the entrance.

He opens the door for me to get in before getting in himself and signaling to his driver. He pulls me on top of his lap before bringing his face to my neck, breathing my scent in.

"What did your dad say that got you all tense?" he asks, his breath on my neck sending my heart into overdrive.

"Nothing, he was just being his usual self," I say casually.

He didn't reply or talk throughout the drive home.

When we get to the mansion, I sigh because I am barely holding myself back from jumping Lawrence.

The driver opens the door before helping me get down. The house is silent since everyone is still at the party.

Immediately when the door of his room closes, Lawrence pulls me into a deep intense kiss.

He breaks the kiss, looking into my eyes as we breathe heavily, his eyes clouded with lust.

"I have been longing to do that," he says before pressing his lips to mine hungrily.

~~~~~~~~~

I wake up feeling happy. Since Lawrence had some pack work, he left early. I enter the bathroom to do my daily routine. I let my hair fall freely on my shoulders before putting on jeans, a black crop top, and a sweater. I walk out of the room, going towards the kitchen.

I walk in to find Levi and Ethan eating breakfast, but what shocks me is the last person I ever expected to be standing here with a mischievous smile.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, stunned. Here is Hunter in the kitchen when every guest was expected to leave yesterday after the coronation.

"You've got a really nice way of greeting me," he says sarcastically, taking a bite from his toast.

"Oh, I am so sorry. Where are my manners? Can you please tell me what you are doing here?" I ask, smiling before taking a glass and filling it with orange juice.

"Virago, no need for you to worry," he says, smirking. "I am just here for training."

"What? " I say in shock while spilling my juice on the floor.

"I am here for training," he says again, drawing out each word.

"Why?"

I don't want him here. His being here means trouble for me. Our relationship is not like a loving brother and a sweet sister relationship. We don't get along; we are soul enemies.

"Because I need the training to be a better alpha than Dad," he says smugly.

"Your ego must have taken a fall," I say, rolling my eyes.

"So you two can't stand being under the same roof?" Ethan asks in amusement.

"You two are very entertaining to watch," Levi adds, laughing.

Hunter and I send them a playful glare before I focus on cleaning the mess I made.

"Katie..." Grace calls, entering the kitchen. Oh, this is not good. She has no idea Hunter is here.

She stops in her tracks in shock and fear, looking at Hunter, who didn't even spare her a glance or look affected seeing her here.

I pull her out of the room towards the back of the mansion. I sit on the bench, pulling her down with me. I look into her eyes; she looks confused.

"He came here for training."

"What?"

"Hunter. He came here for training, so don't let him get to you," I said, smiling warmly.

I sniff the air, feeling a slight difference in her. I glance at Grace once again.

"Your scent is different," I say, confused. A pink blush creeps up her cheeks as she smiles dreamily.

"You completed the mate bond," I say, grinning widely. "I am so happy for you."

"Thanks," she says, smiling happily.

I grin happily before hugging her tightly.

"As Lillian would say: welcome to the mated group," I say, laughing.