Chapter 221 The Coronation

Chapter 221 The Coronation
Kira's POV 

I felt the delicious ache all over my body as I shot him a cold stare afterward. “What have you done? How am I supposed to walk straight down the aisle?!” I shrieked.

Adrian just smiled, getting off the bed like he’d won a gold medal. “That was the whole point, my love. I want you walking toward me with that ache, knowing I can be very, very useful.”

I threw a pillow at him. “No one asked if you can be useful, you psycho!”

He caught it effortlessly and came over, kissing my cheek sweetly. “Should I help you shower?”

I almost fell for it because I was sore in the best and worst ways. But this was Adrian. A shower would never end at just a shower. 

I pushed him away and staggered up. “Get away from me before you ruin my legs completely! Why are you so obsessed with me?”

He threw his head back and laughed…that rich, deep sound that always made my heart flip. “Because I can't help it. You're my world,” he added with a giggle.

“You can. Go take self control classes,” I said and he laughed harder as I began walking to the bathroom, limping slightly. The discomfort settled heavily and I stopped to throw him another death glare.

He blew me a kiss, looking very unbothered by my cold glares. “I can’t wait to see you at the end of the aisle,” he said sweetly.

I hissed and banged the bathroom door shut. I heard him moving around, picking up his clothes, then the main door closed behind him and I  exhaled. 

‘That man is a monster. I might have to run away for a few weeks to somewhere he’ll never find me.’

But even as I thought it, I knew I couldn’t stay away from him for that long.

Stupid mate bond!

I eased into the bath tub gently, exhaling at the feel of the water.

The hot water soothed my aching muscles and throbbing body. 

I sat inside the tub for a long time, letting it ease the soreness. My mind drifted to Abby. I wondered if she was finally at peace now, wherever she was. Somewhere kind. Somewhere she won't remember the pain.

I closed my eyes and memories crept in before I could stop them.

Back when I was still Kira. Back when I still believed family meant safety.

A bitter laugh almost escaped me.

How stupid I had been.

I used to think love looked like sacrifice. Like obedience. Like shrinking yourself until you barely existed so other people could shine.

Frederick had taught me that.

No.

Not him alone.

Evelyn too.

The woman he married barely a year after my mother died.

I still remembered the first day she walked into our house with her daughter beside her. Soft smiles. Gentle voices. Pretending kindness while they slowly dug their claws into everything my mother left behind.

At first, it was small things.

“Kira, don’t you think spending this much on clothing is unnecessary?”

“Kira, your mother raised you better than this.”

“Kira, there are people starving outside while you live like a princess.”

I was barely sixteen. Grieving. Lonely. Desperate for affection from the only parent I had left.

So I listened.

God, I listened to everything.

I stopped asking for things. I stopped buying dresses I liked because my stepmother would stare at the price tags with disappointment etched all over her face like I had committed a crime.

Meanwhile, her daughter walked around carrying designer bags bought with my mother’s money.

But somehow I was the selfish one.

I swallowed everything down back then. Every cruel word. Every manipulation. Every moment they made me feel guilty for existing comfortably in the life my mother built with her sweat and blood.

And the saddest part?

I truly believed I deserved it.

I thought maybe I was selfish. Maybe I was spoiled. Maybe I really was disappointing my mother somehow.

So while other girls my age traveled, laughed loudly, made memories, went for sleepovers, and lived freely… I stayed trapped inside that house trying to earn affection that was never going to come.

Trying to become smaller. Quieter. Easier to tolerate.

And what did I get at the end? Death.

I opened my eyes slowly, staring at the water.

It suddenly felt too cold.

By the time I came out wrapped in a towel, the women were already in the room, chattering excitedly. Victoria was there too, beaming.

“Your Highness! You will be the most beautiful queen ever crowned!” She launched into stories about how the academy students had prepared a special gift for me, how she was graduating next weekend, and how her father had promised her and Antony a little house of their own.

I listened, smiling and nodding, chipping in here and there while munching on a bowl of cereal. The baby apparently wanted food right now.

Once my hair and makeup were done…soft waves, glowing skin, subtle but regal eyes…the dress, crown, and accessories finally arrived. I was speechless. 

The gown was pure magic…white silk with gold and silver threads, delicate wolf motifs, blooming camellias along the hem and sleeves, crystals sparkling like starlight. 

The crown was breathtaking…elegant, powerful, with a central moonstone that seemed to glow. The matching ring was a masterpiece of diamonds and rubies. I could feel Adrian's love as I looked at each of them and my chest tightened.

My eyes grew moist immediately.

“Don’t ruin the makeup, your highness!” all the women said at once.

“It’s divine,” I whispered. “Everything he prepared for me…they are all divine.”

Victoria sniffed, nodding. “In the past, we all mocked you for being a worthless, wolfless girl who wanted to be queen. We were so mean to you. But look at you now… utterly stunning and right where you were always meant to be.”

I returned her smile, eyes still on the dress. “It’s all in the past now, Victoria. We can only look forward to creating new happy memories.”

Minutes later, I was fully ready. The veil was pulled down gently over my face. Someone placed a beautiful bouquet of camellias in my hands. Victoria and two other women helped with the long veil as the women escorted me down the hall, whispering compliments the whole way.

The decorations had become even more stunning…beautiful flowers were everywhere, crystals catching the light, banners waving softly. My heart overflowed with happiness and excitement.

Now I stood alone in front of the closed double doors leading into the grand ceremony hall, clutching the bouquet tightly. 

The others had left. As per the tradition, I was supposed to be led in by a blood relative.

I thought about my mother and how proud and happy she would be if she could see me right now. Then I thought about my father and how I’d wanted him to walk me down the aisle.

But that is not happening…right?

My hand trembled slightly as I felt utterly alone standing there and clutching the bouquet tighter as though it was a stress relief ball.

Just then, I felt a hand land gently on my arm and I held my breath as I turned.