Chapter 217 Coronation Plans

Chapter 217 Coronation Plans
Adrian’s POV

And all that happened yesterday.

She’s still not awake yet even with all the blood.

I sat beside her bed, elbows on my knees, staring at her peaceful but unnaturally still face. 

The monitors beeped steadily in the background…a constant, mocking reminder that her body was fighting even if her mind hadn’t returned to me.

Sheila had placed a gentle hand on my shoulder last night when I demanded that they give her more blood. 

“The blood was enough, Your Majesty. Her body didn’t reject it…that’s the biggest victory. Now it’s left for her to wake up. That was always going to be the fifty-fifty part.”

I had cleaned her up myself after the transfusion, wiping away the sweat and traces of fear from her skin, changing her into one of my softest shirts. 

Then I left her surrounded by the best healers and machines, but every second away from her felt like torture.

She needs to pull through this. If she doesn’t… I’ll die too. I can only exist in a universe where she is.

I kept trying to give myself hope, repeating the words like a prayer. ‘She’s strong. She’s my warrior queen. She survived a battlefield yesterday. She can survive this.’

I mind-linked Thomas. ‘Have the arrangements for the coronation been finalized? Have the letters been sent?’

His voice came back concerned. ‘Your Majesty… how are you planning a full coronation ceremony when the Queen is still unconscious?’

I growled low and dangerously, warning him to watch his words.

Thomas apologized immediately. ‘Forgive me. I’m just concerned. People in the palace are talking. They think you’re losing your mind, pushing forward with celebrations while she's still unconscious.’

“They can think whatever the hell they want,” I snapped. “Are the preparations coming along well or not?”

Thomas cleared his throat and gave me a full report, step by step.

“We’ve sent formal letters and emails to all the allied kingdoms in the North, South, and East. Every Alpha, pack, and royal house has been notified…even our human partners. The invitations are being prepared with the new royal seal. Decorations are underway exactly as you instructed…everything designed to match what the Queen loves. Trucks of fresh camellias will arrive tomorrow evening. The entire palace courtyard and grand hall will be covered in them. We’ve also received the customized diamond ring you ordered. It’s…breathtaking, your highness.”

I walked into the side chamber where the designers were working. 

The royal gown they were crafting for her hung on a mannequin, glowing under the lights. 

I had demanded the finest white silk blended with threads of gold and silver, embroidered with delicate wolf motifs and blooming camellias along the hem and sleeves. 

The bodice was fitted with crystals that would catch every light, making her look like starlight given form. A long, flowing train with subtle lunar patterns. It was regal, feminine, and powerful…everything my Queen deserved.

I stared at it, throat tight. ‘Princess… wake up please. I’m waiting for you.’

The royal doctor entered the room quietly and examined her again this morning.

“She’s breathing well, no complications. The pup has fully adjusted to the new blood and accepted it. Everything is stable. It’s now truly up to her to wake up.”

Could it be that she's just pranking me? Intentionally playing hide and seek? Why the hell won't she wake up?

Thomas’s voice came through the link again. “Your Majesty, about the fireworks display for the ceremony…should we go with the silver and gold or add the crimson to represent the Draven bloodline?”

“Add the crimson,” I said without hesitation. “She is a Draven now. Through and through.”

Your coronation ceremony is in three days, my love. Please wake up.

My phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket. I fished it out and gave Thomas one last instruction. “Make sure the throne dais is elevated exactly as discussed. She deserves to be seen by everyone.”

After getting a confirmation from him, I moved toward the study, glancing at the caller ID.

Frederick.

Uh!

I had almost forgotten someone like him still existed in this world. I picked up but said nothing.

“Mr. Draven!” Frederick’s voice boomed through the speaker, equal parts frustrated, angry, and desperately hopeful. He sounded breathless. “Thank God you picked up. I thought you had abandoned me.”

I stayed silent, letting him squirm.

He must have seen the changes…the company signage updated, the name changed from Summers Group to Kira Draven’s Group. 

I had discussed it with Kira long ago. I didn’t want any ties to her painful past.

“Mr. Draven, please… this wasn’t what we agreed on. You were supposed to step up after some time. I’ve lost everything. My daughter has been medically assessed as insane. I’m on the run right now. My wife… Evelyn is dead.” His voice cracked. “They’re calling me a murderer because my print was all over her body. The police are looking for me everywhere.”

I found that interesting. “Why did you kill your wife, Frederick?”

“I didn’t!” he cried. “We were together, yes, but some crazy, scary-looking man tracked us down. He said nonsense about ‘mate’ or being Angela’s mate…I don’t even know what he meant. He was delusional. Said a mate for a mate. That he was going to take what I took from him. Right in front of me, he killed Evelyn. His men held me down while I watched. Then they put the murder weapon in my hand and made sure my prints were all over her. I’m so confused and scared, Mr. Draven. You have to help me. Forget about the company…you can have it. It was never mine to begin with. Just help me prove my innocence. I didn’t kill Evelyn. Some monster guy did. And the reporters are saying I killed Angela and her daughter too. I’m being charged with three murders! Look, I will sell my soul to the devil if it means being saved from this.”

I stifled a laugh. Tristen. Of course. He's the scary man Frederick was talking about. I'm guessing Kira told him everything that they did to her and her mother.

And poor Frederick… he wants to sell a soul that wasn’t even his anymore? What a joke.

I cleared my throat. “Are you sure about what you’re saying? You saw them killing your wife?”

“Yes! Yes, I swear!”

“Okay,” I said calmly. “I’ll help you just this one time. Where are you right now? I’ll send someone to bring you to a safe place soon.”

He rattled off an address, voice trembling with relief. “Thank you. Thank you so much…”

“Expect someone shortly.” I hung up and immediately reached out to one of my people in L.A.

The moment I hung up, I contacted one of my people in L.A. and ordered them to notify the police. I gave them the exact location and made one thing crystal clear…no sirens.

If he heard them coming, he'd run long before they got close enough to catch him. The element of surprise was the only chance we had of taking him down.

I exhaled as I ended the call. Finally. That’s done. Kira would be so excited to hear this when she wakes up.

I leaned back in the chair, closing my eyes and swirling slowly. 

I had barely slept. I stayed up all night watching her, monitoring every beep. My body was still recovering from the massive blood loss, but I refused to rest. Not until she opened her eyes.

I must have drifted off despite trying to stay vigilant.

In the dream, Kira was smiling down at me. Her eyes twinkled with love and joy. It looked like the sun was right behind her, making her face glow clear as day. She muttered something, but I couldn’t make out the words.

“Please wake up, Kira,” I begged, cradling her cheek. I pulled her down toward me, holding her tight. “Wake up and look at me, please.”

She said something back, but I couldn’t hear it. I gripped her waist, nuzzling into her neck. Her lips kept moving, but no sound came out.

I was confused. Had I gone deaf? Was this dream world on mute?

Then I felt a sharp ringing sound…