Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
ESTEE
T hree days have passed, yet it feels as though time itself has folded in on me, rushing to this singular moment. My coronation. My heart beats a steady rhythm of nerves and excitement, but above all else, there’s a sense of purpose—a need for this ceremony to mark not just my new beginning but a fresh start for Selaris as well.
Isla fusses with the curls around my shoulders while Drea meticulously presses the last wrinkle out of my gown. Both have been like mother hens with me all morning, but even with all their poking and prodding, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
When Drea stands back up, I reach for her and then my sister, pulling them into a hug. Their warmth is an anchor, their presence a reminder that I’m never alone. “Thank you for being here with me,” I whisper, an overwhelming appreciation for them thickening my voice.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” Isla says firmly, her arms tightening around me.
“Agreed.” Drea smirks, stepping back with a wink. “You’re stuck with me now, you know.”
Isla lets out an exaggerated sigh, crossing her arms in mock exasperation. “I want to hate you for getting to stay here with Estee, but honestly, I’m just glad my sister won’t be alone.”
I shake my head, chuckling. “You know I’m staying because my mate is here. I wouldn’t be alone either way.”
Isla scoffs, though there’s a glimmer in her eyes. “There’s nothing more important than having that one woman in your life who not only accepts you for who you are but embraces every part of you.”
The truth of her words hit hard, and I realize something I hadn’t before. I’m leaving her. I’ve always been that person for Isla, her confidante and constant, and now I have Drea. But who will my sister have?
“Oh, Isla,” I whisper, pulling her into another hug. “I’m so sorry.”
Her soft laughter fills the room. “Why in the world would you be sorry?”
“Because I’m leaving you without your person,” I reply, guilt curling in my chest.
Isla steps back, placing her hands firmly on my shoulders. “I love you more than all the stars in the universe, Estee, and no one will ever replace you as my soul sister.” She hesitates, her cheeks flushing slightly as she adds, “But I do have someone in Polaris.”
I blink in surprise. “Who is this ‘someone?’” I ask, feigning insult even as a grin spreads across my face.
“Her name is Maegan,” Isla says, and her face lights up in a way that makes me want to both cry and laugh. “She applied to be one of the royal guards. The way she spoke to Asher when we met her… You’d have been in love with her right then and there.”
I smirk, though jealousy nips at me, irrational as it is. “I look forward to meeting her,” I say, though my tone must betray me because Isla bursts into laughter, her joy infectious.
“Liar,” she teases, wiping a tear from her eye. “But I promise, when you do, you’ll love her just as much as I love Drea.”
Before I can reply, a knock at the door startles us, and my stomach flips with anticipation. The three of us exchange a glance before I nod. “It’s time.”
“You’re going to be amazing,” Isla says, her voice firm and filled with sisterly pride.
“What if I trip on my dress the second I walk into the great hall?” I ask, half-joking, though the fear is real. It’s a scenario that haunted my dreams last night.
Drea loops her arm through mine, her grin confident and reassuring. “You’re going to be fine. I promise.”
With a deep breath, I straighten my spine and push away the last of my nerves. She’s right. “Let’s do this.”
“As you wish, Queen Estee,” Isla quips, her grin mischievous as she ushers me toward the door.
Jerome is waiting in the hallway. He bows deeply as we step out. “If I may say, Your Majesty, you are breathtaking.”
“Thank you, Jerome.” My palms lightly glide over the multiple layers of fabric.
The dress is…extravagant, but the moment I slipped into it, I knew this wasn’t just a gown—it’s a declaration. The pristine white fabric, flowing and heavy, makes me feel like I’m draped in energy that comes directly from the gods themselves. The golden embroidery along the top of the bodice also circles around my waist, then splits the top layer of the skirt, continuing the intricate design beneath. Every stitch screams royalty, as if the dress alone could command a room.
And then there’s the cape. A deep red, bold and dramatic, cascading from my shoulders as though it’s trying to remind me of the responsibility I’m accepting today. This isn’t just about me—it’s about a kingdom, a future, a throne.
Jerome gestures for us to go ahead, and as we make our way to the great hall, where Theo and the rest of the pack await, I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face. This is real. This is happening. I’ve found my mate. I’m about to become queen. And I have my family here with me. For the first time in much too long, everything is exactly as it should be.
When we reach the grand double doors, Cecil is there, his expression a mixture of pride and warmth. He knocks once, and the doors creak open slightly to allow my parents to slip out. Their eyes shimmer with unshed tears, and the sight of them nearly undoes me.
“Our precious girl,” my mother whispers, pulling me into her arms. Her embrace is welcome and familiar, and for a moment, I’m not a soon-to-be queen, I’m just her daughter.
“Thank you for being here,” I say, my voice steady but soft.
Their arrival with Isla and Asher was the best surprise of all. When they stepped off that ship, I’d never run faster to get to them.
“We wouldn’t be anywhere else today,” Dad adds. “Plus, I needed to see for myself that Theo was good enough for my little girl.”
That makes everyone chuckle, and I swipe at my eyes before I can ruin the work Isla and Drea did on me.
“All right,” Isla says with a clap of her hands. “Shall we?”
I inhale deeply. “Absolutely.”
The rest of them enter the room, and I remain behind by myself, waiting for the sound of the trumpets. It comes only seconds later, giving me no time to spiral. Though, I don’t think I would have.
The doors part, and everyone stands, staring at me as I walk toward Theo where he waits at the end of the maroon runner.
Sunlight streams through the towering stained-glass windows, casting vibrant hues of blue, green, and deep purple across the polished marble floor. The air hums with energy, a mix of anticipation and hope from the hundreds of shifters gathered to witness this moment.
My heart pounds in my chest as I put one foot in front of the other, but not with nerves. Only eagerness.
Theo’s gaze locks on me, and I easily lose myself in his stare. His essence brushes against mine, a quiet reassurance that keeps me steady. He looks every inch the king, dressed in a tailored charcoal suit, his crown gleaming atop his dark hair. The pride and love in his eyes nearly threaten to undo my composure.
The dais he waits for me on is flanked by two statues of wolves, carved from gleaming obsidian stone, as though they’re watching over the ceremony with stoic poise. At the center is a stone pillar with a velvet cushion holding my new crown.
The gold points catch the light, casting off a soft, ethereal glow that highlights the garnet stones set within them. It feels ancient and sacred, a symbol of a legacy I’m now part of.
As I ascend the steps, the hall remains silent except for the faint rustle of my gown. Theo reaches for me, his hand warm and steady around mine. His lips curve into a small smile once I’m standing in front of him, and he murmurs, “You are the most stunning being to ever grace these lands, my queen.”
My cheeks heat. “Thank you.”
Asher joins us, taking the lead in the ceremony as the next-most powerful Alpha King present. Though Sloane is here somewhere, I’m glad it’s my brother-in-law up here with us.
“Estee,” he begins, his voice clear and strong, carrying easily through the hall. “You have proven yourself in ways that go beyond what’s required of a queen. You’ve fought for this pack, not only with strength but with wisdom and compassion. You’ve brought hope to Selaris in its darkest hour, and it is my honor to bestow upon you the title of queen.”
Asher gestures for me to kneel, and I lower myself onto the velvet cushion provided, folding my hands in front of me, bowing my head as he continues.
“Do you vow to protect Selaris and its people, to lead with courage and fairness, and to uphold the honor of this kingdom above all else?”
“I do,” I say, my voice steady despite the lump in my throat.
“Do you vow to stand as a symbol of strength, unity, and hope for your pack, to guide them through light and darkness alike?”
“I do,” I repeat, feeling the certainty of each word settle into my soul.
I sense Theo reach for the crown, and this is it. There’s no going back. Not that I’d want to, but the power of finality seeps through me, my energy and the bond I share with Theo pulsing wildly throughout my body.
As if the entire room holds their breath, the only thing I hear is the rapid beat of my heart and Asher’s next words. “Then by the will of the gods and the trust of your people, I declare you Queen Estee of Selaris. King Theo, crown your queen.”
Theo’s behind me and he lowers the crown onto my head, its weight surprisingly comforting, as if it’s always belonged there. He steps around to face me, kisses both my cheeks, then offers me a hand. “Absolutely perfect,” he murmurs with a dazzling grin.
As I rise, the room erupts into cheers, the sound a deafening roar that shakes the very walls of the hall. My vision blurs with unshed tears as I turn to face my people, who are clapping and cheering with an energy I can feel in my bones.
Theo stands beside me, my hand still firmly in his. “Your Majesty,” he says softly, his voice filled with pride.
“My king,” I reply, the words feeling right as I look into his eyes.
We step forward together, facing the pack as one. I see familiar faces among them—Drea and Orion standing near the front, their smiles wide; Jerome and Cecil looking proud and relieved; even Elyn, who nods at me with what almost looks like approval. My parents and Isla remain close as well, their support meaning the world to me.
But it’s the rest of the pack, the ones who don’t know me, yet would fight alongside me just the same. Their essence begins to unfurl within me, my bond as their queen coming to life. I sense their resilience, hope, and acceptance, reminding me that I’m exactly where I was always meant to be.
Theo raises his free hand, signaling for quiet. The cheers gradually die down, and the room falls into a reverent hush. “Selaris,” he begins, his voice resonant and steady, “today marks the beginning of a new era. A stronger present and future. We’ve faced trials that could’ve broken us, but instead, they’ve united us. And with Queen Estee by my side, I have no doubt that our lands will thrive.”
The crowd erupts again, their cheers filling the room with a palpable sense of duty and hope. I squeeze Theo’s hand, my heart full, and as I look out over our pack, I know we can face anything that comes our way.
Even the gods.