A Crown of Fates (Wolves of Lunara #2)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

ESTEE

B eing a princess sucks. No amount of luxury can make up for the torment my dearest sister has inflicted on me. Damn Isla for dragging me into her mess, no matter how important it seems. She wanted me to set an example, but I didn’t sign up for this, and no matter how much I adore her, I can’t even muster a hint of a smile as I walk toward the ship like a sacrificial lamb.

The warm ocean breeze teases my dark hair as I approach the wooden plank leading up to the ship. If I could find a reason, outside of my stubbornness, to flee back to the castle, I would. But the eyes of the pack—the entire kingdom—are on me. Isla might be queen, but I’m still a princess in my own right, and I’m expected to represent the strength of Polaris.

Great. Just great.

The massive ship looms before me, its sails billowing against the pale blue sky, carrying the hopes and ambitions of far too many women—most of who are here for one reason: to parade themselves in front of the Alpha King of Selaris, Theo Northcroft, hoping to be his fated mate, or possibly his chosen one if all else fails.

I scoff inwardly. If these women want to throw themselves at some king’s feet, they can be my guest. But me? I’d rather jump into the frigid waters below than spend my life tied to a lazy, pompous ruler who couldn’t be bothered to leave his kingdom and find his mate on his own. Instead, he’s summoned us all to present ourselves like cattle at auction.

My black heels click sharply on the sturdy gangway as I make my way toward the guard standing at the top.

“Estee.” Isla’s sharp, firm tone sounds behind me. “You didn’t even say goodbye.”

I pause, turning slowly, as though this conversation is an inconvenience. Secretly, I’m glad she’s here. I might’ve been wallowing a bit too much in my woe-is-me attitude by not going to see her this morning. A choice I would’ve regretted later this afternoon.

Just below me on the dock, Isla is magnificent in her royal attire, her pinkish-auburn hair glowing in the sunlight. Her blue eyes, always so piercing, narrow in disapproval.

Another wolf shifter named Drea stands between myself and my sister. I only met her briefly yesterday—there are plenty of pack members I haven’t gotten to know since returning just a few weeks ago—and I address her before my sister. “Excuse our queen,” I say with a wry grin. “It seems she left her manners back at the castle today.”

Drea tucks a strand of brunette hair behind her ear and averts her hazel eyes as she bows deeply. “It’s quite all right, Your Highness.” She turns to Isla, curtseying. “Your Majesty.”

Once the young woman passes, I offer my sister a saccharine smile. “Did you need something?”

Just as I step within reaching distance of her, she grabs my wrist, jerking me toward her with unnecessary force as she chooses to mind speak with me instead of airing our drama for all to hear.

“I asked you to set an example. The least you could do is show a little grace.” The sharp look she gives me matches the terse tone echoing through my mind.

“Yeah, well, this is ridiculous,” I reply honestly. “I don’t want to go. Plenty of these women want to be here. They don’t need me to pretend I’m thrilled with the prospect of two full days at sea followed by an afternoon of primping to stand before a king I want nothing to do with.”

Her brow arches, that knowing expression creeping into her gaze. “So you keep saying.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I love my sister more than the moons and all the stars, but ever since we came back to Lunara and she officially took her place as queen of Polaris, she’s become stronger and more intuitive. While I’m thrilled to see her finally find her footing, I don’t like these new abilities being used on me.

“It means there’s a chance King Theo is your mate, and after centuries of doing whatever you want, the idea of settling down terrifies you,” she says, her voice filled with more compassion than I probably deserve after the way I’ve been acting these last few days. “It’s okay to admit that you’re scared.”

My chest tightens. She’s not wrong, and that’s the problem. The vulnerability of the truth claws at me, but I refuse to let it show. “I’m not scared. I’m annoyed.”

That’s a lie, and she knows it. Still, she wraps her arms around me, pulling me in for a hug that feels like home, and finally speaks out loud. “I love you, Estee. Whatever happens over there, you’re going to be okay. I feel good about this, and once you get to Selaris, I think you will too.”

I snort softly, muttering under my breath, “Slim chance.” Once I pull out of the hug, I tell her, “I love you, too.”

She lifts my chin with her fingers and grins at me. “Slushies and shifters on me when you’re back?”

I bark out a laugh and shake my head. “I thought Asher destroyed all those human-made supernatural movies you had smuggled in?”

Isla winks. “He might be the king, but I’m also the queen. He can burn as many copies as he wants. I’ll keep getting more. It’s good entertainment.”

Again, she’s not wrong.

I wrap my arms around her, and any irritation I felt before is gone. “I’ll be home soon, we’ll have a night of gossiping about my travels, and then things can go back to normal.”

She holds me tightly, her joy a palpable warmth. “In the meantime, I’ll enjoy watching Declan mope around the castle because you’re not there for him to chase after.”

Oh, that man.

He’s exactly what one would think I’d want. A sweet guy on the inside, mischievous on the outside, and more than three hundred years ago, he was rather talented between the sheets, but he’s held no interest for me since I returned.

In fact, nobody has. I’ve wanted nothing more than to spend time with Isla and our parents. The three of them are all I need in my life now that I have them back. Not a mate, not a good time , and certainly not a lazy king.

With a soft sigh, I pull away from Isla and offer a smile that doesn’t feel quite right. “I’ll be back in less than a week.”

If I keep saying it, the words will be true. The universe and gods will bring me back home to my family. I won’t somehow get stuck in Selaris. King Theo won’t be my mate.

I control my own destiny and my thoughts are powerful, filled with their own kind of magic.

These are all things I’ve been telling myself more often as of late, and one of the few things I’m thankful for discovering while I was on Earth. Manifestation and tapping into the power of my subconscious isn’t something I’d ever have learned in Lunara, but now that I know how impactful my thoughts can be, I wield them wisely.

Well, most of the time.

Sometimes a girl needs to conjure a chocolate cake to make the world right again.

With one final glance at my sister, I step away from her and make my way onto the ship. The plank’s drawn up behind me, and the engines come to life beneath the wooden deck. A sense of finality washes over me as I lean on the sleek railing, watching the horizon slip further from my grasp.

Isla blows me a kiss then folds her hands regally in front of her, her bright blue eyes seeming to glow under the morning sun as she gives me one last piece of advice. “Just remember what you used to tell yourself every morning while getting ready for the day: Everything is always working out for me, and I’m on the path that benefits my highest good.”

Damn her. My chest grows heavy as I repeat the words to myself. For the first time in years, I don’t believe them. Still, that’s something to sort out later. I’ve committed to being on this ship, and there’s no going back now.

The deck behind me is already abuzz with activity. Dozens of women bustle about, most wearing expressions of excitement or nervous anticipation—though some cling to the side, pale-faced and ready to hurl into the sea. I’m not sure which group I fit into yet. Probably neither. I’ve never been good at masking my emotions, and it’s going to be a struggle to do so in the coming days.

My sister might think this is some grand adventure, but it’s an unnecessary, ridiculous tradition. Still, the people of Polaris are watching, and there are those who’d love nothing more than to see Isla fail as queen. I refuse to give them any excuse to question her leadership.

Geena, one of the handmaidens, comes rushing toward me. Her cheeks are flushed, and her rich brown eyes are hidden beneath her onyx hair as she bows her head, the strands falling forward. “Your Highness, I apologize, but it seems there’s been a mix up with the rooms.”

“If there’s no room for me, I’m happy to swim back to shore,” I tease with a soft smile, leaning casually against the exterior wall of the ship, but she doesn’t seem to appreciate the joke.

Her gaze widens. “I don’t think that would be wise, Princess Estee,” she stutters. “The waters are frigid, and people would?—”

“I was only kidding, Geena,” I tell her before she can spiral much further. “Whatever the mix up is, I’m sure we can work something out.”

Her shoulders slump in relief. “Currently, you’re sharing a room with one of the other ladies, Your Highness. Drea has offered to sleep on the deck so you can have your privacy, but Captain Peters is refusing to allow that, and?—”

I place a hand on her shaking shoulder and give her a reassuring smile. “I don’t mind sharing. I promise. If you’ll show me where the room is, I’ll tell Drea myself.”

I might be a princess, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a heart.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Geena bows before turning sharply to lead the way.

The hundred-foot vessel is already cutting swiftly through the waters now that we’re away from the dock. As we hit a wave, I shove my arm out to catch myself on the wall before we get to the door leading to the rooms.

Please, be a smooth trip.

The handmaiden turns the wheel on the steel door to disengage the lock, opening it for me and gesturing for me to enter first.

The hallway has whitewashed wooden slats on the wall and dark floors. Between the windows to the closed-off areas, there are framed photos of past captains and the crew on different excursions. All the doors down this hallway are shut, but through the glass openings, I see we’re passing the laundry and food storage before going by the kitchen, where I can smell fresh baked goods that have my mouth watering.

We go down a narrow set of stairs, with Geena in the lead this time, and we get to the next level of the ship, where most of the sleeping quarters are located. Halfway down another hallway, Geena stops at a door that’s ajar and moves aside. I enter to find Drea picking up her suitcase.

“I hope you don’t mind top bunk,” I tell her cheekily. “Heights of any kind aren’t really my thing.”

She gapes but still bows. “Your Highness, I was just leaving so that you could have your privacy.”

“Not necessary,” I promise with a warm smile. “Plus, being alone on a ship for the next couple of days doesn’t sound very fun to me.”

Drea swallows thickly, not seeming thrilled about getting to know one of the royal members of her pack. “Of course not, Princess.”

I wave a hand. “Quit with the formalities. I’m not in line to be queen of anything at the moment. Consider me just one of the women forced to be on this boat with you.”

She clutches the handle of her suitcase, shuffling her feet until she’s further back in the modest room that contains one bunk bed, a small dresser, and an overhead light that flickers above us. “As you wish.”

Well, this should be interesting.

I turn to Geena. “Will you find out if the sugary smell coming from the kitchen is brownies or cake? If so, bring some for me and my new roommate, please.”

Geena curtsies. “Yes, Princess Estee.”

She closes the door behind us, and I address Drea again. “Please, don’t feel weird around me. I’m not as royal as some think. Sure, I was in line for the throne in one of my past lives—and my sister is the queen—but right now I’m perfectly content to be a wolf shifter within the Polaris pack.”

Her breath comes out in a shudder. “I’m just glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t want to be here. I wouldn’t be if my mother hadn’t threatened to burn all my clothes.”

A bubble of laughter builds within me as I feign horror. “That’s sacrilege. How could she?”

Drea finally giggles, dimples forming in her round cheeks as her shoulders relax. “I don’t know, but I couldn’t let it happen, so here I am.”

I walk toward her and throw an arm over her shoulder. “No, here we are. I actually really am glad I’m not going to be alone. Or with someone who’s salivating at the thought of being the next queen.”

Drea’s face twists. “No, thank you.”

And just like that, this voyage is a little better. I’ll gain a new friend, one who might even help me to blend in easier with the other women, and make it out of this week without too much excitement or drama.

Before I know it, I’ll be back in Polaris, and everything will go back to normal.

Do you hear that, Universe?

Everything will go back to normal.