Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
ASHER
I sla and Estee have been sequestered for hours in the bedroom. Despite my numerous attempts to reach Isla through our bond, each of her assurances does little to relieve the uneasiness in my heart. Yet when I’ve said as much, my mate has merely reminded me that it’s been a long, emotional day, and that she’s distracted with making sure Estee is okay.
While she’s not wrong, every instinct in me is saying to go be with her.
But that’s not possible at the moment and I wonder if Isla is taking advantage of that. Five centuries isn’t long enough for me to forget that when my mate and her sister are together, trouble has a way of following.
“The sun is setting, Your Majesty.” Malimorte’s voice breaks through my reverie as he stands at my office door, a subtle reminder of the evening’s obligations. “We should be heading out soon.”
“Where is my father?” I ask because Isla isn’t the only one I’m concerned with. After speaking with him, and also being unable to find my mother, I need to know that they’re okay.
I don’t know how I’ve missed that they’re struggling, but I know I want to fix this somehow. I know mates aren’t meant to get along for all eternity just because the fates deemed them a perfect match. So a fight between them isn’t surprising. I just don’t want to see either of them suffer if I can help.
I’ve been so wrapped up in Isla and making sure she’s protected that I’ve ignored many of my responsibilities. Not only to the pack, but to my parents. Now that answers are starting to come to us, hopefully that will all change and things can go back to normal.
Well, the new normal that will include Isla as my queen.
After all these years, the thought still makes my stomach swirl with excitement and anticipation. I never stopped loving that woman and even now, I know how lucky I am to call her mine.
I just need to make sure nobody can take her away from me again and that the pack doesn’t question our bonding.
In all the history I’ve learned, never once have I heard of two mates completing their connection like we did. Yet I know without a doubt in my mind that our bond was blessed by the gods earlier today.
The shared energy between us thrums like a live wire that brightens my mind, fills me with strength, and solidifies my resolve regarding what must be done.
“Gideon and Sosheena have already left for the pack run, my king,” Malimorte answers. “They wanted to make sure everything is perfect for your announcement tonight. Your father insisted that we not only have the standard stage set, but that flowers are brought in, along with the royal banners for the new queen.”
Well, that was kind of him. Considering his mood earlier, I didn’t expect much from him, but this is how he’s been my whole life, showing up when I need him most.
Now, I just need to go find my mate. It’s time for us to make our first appearance together as the King and Queen of Polaris.
“I hope the two of you are ready,” I tell her through our connection. “I’ll be at Estee’s door soon.”
She replies immediately, her tone confident and full of love. “I’ll be waiting.”
Those three words fill me with a trilling sense of urgency. Gods, I love her more than should be possible.
Glancing in the mirror on my closet door one last time, I double-check I haven’t forgotten anything. My navy-blue slacks are pressed and the seams of my matching suit coat hang from my broad shoulders perfectly. The white dress shirt beneath is mostly covered by the blue sash I’m required to wear on these occasions. One last look, I confirm everything is as it should be as I press my palm over the medals pinned to my left shoulder, making sure they’re all secure.
I turn to Mali, who’s also dressed up for the occasion with his medals on display and a silver sash over his chest, marking his role as my head advisor.
Meeting his steady gaze, I nod. “I’m ready.”
He opens the door for me, standing aside until I exit my suite first. Together, we make our way through the castle, my steps quicker than usual after having spent the afternoon away from Isla. Having the bond intact helps to relieve the ache distance can cause, but still, I don’t think a day will pass that I won’t desire to be in her presence for every moment of every day for the rest of our lives.
Knocking on the door, I hold my breath until Isla answers.
As she’s revealed to me, my heart races and my fingers twitch to grab on to her hips, pinning her against the wall.
Her rose-gold hair is pinned half up with soft curls framing her face. Her crown rests proudly atop her head and there are diamonds that drape around her neck to match.
Blue silk covers her body but falls so perfectly over each of her curves that she might as well be wearing nothing. With the heels she has on, our height difference isn’t as substantial and when I look into her bright, cobalt eyes, I lose myself within them all over again.
“Fuck, Isla,” I breathe out, my hands aching to touch her.
She steps just out of reach and smirks. “Don’t forget. We’re not alone.”
I don’t give a damn who’s around. I’ll never hide my feelings for this stunning creature.
Not caring that Mali and Estee remain nearby, I close the distance between us and bundle the soft fabric of her dress within my grasp as I press my lips to hers.
The moment she kisses me back, I slip my tongue forward, needing a taste of my mate if I’m expected to get through this evening with few public displays of affection.
Though whether I touch her or not, someone would need to be blind not to see the attraction I hold for this woman .
“All right, lovebirds,” Estee says, placing a hand on each of our shoulders. “How about you pick this up later tonight, in the privacy of your own bedroom?”
“Oh, I plan to,” I whisper against Isla’s mouth before I step back, adjusting my suit. I hold a hand out to my queen and grin. “Shall we?”
“We shall.” There’s a glow about her that hasn’t been there since her return and I want to take all the credit for that after us having bonded, but my mate has always carried her own strength. She was born to be queen. Hell, she could rule this kingdom possibly better than I have.
As I watch her now, owning the role she was destined for, my body relaxes and I stand a little taller.
There may still be a threat out there that we need to deal with, but for tonight, I’m proud to be the mate of Isla Blackwood, the Queen of Polaris.
Estee and Mali walk behind us. When I glance back to check on them, I feel for my advisor, who remains rigid. Estee has her arm looped through his, making it look as if he’s her companion for the evening run. Mali, seasoned in the ways of royal etiquette yet always a background figure, looks distinctly uncomfortable with the unexpected attention. Despite his discomfort, this might be good for him, and perhaps for Estee too.
Though Declan will surely be heartbroken when he sees us exit the castle.
“I know I didn’t mention this before, but you need to know—you look absolutely stunning tonight,” I whisper to Isla as we approach the towering front doors of the castle.
She responds with a playful wink. “I think the fact that you couldn’t keep a safe distance away from me said enough.”
“But you deserve to hear the words as well.” I give her hand a soft squeeze. “And I will spend the rest of our lives making sure you know how special and perfect you are.”
“Keep that up, and we’re not going to make the pack run,” she replies saucily.
The thought is tempting, but tonight is pivotal. The people of Polaris, and even Lunara as a whole, must recognize her as my queen, a declaration too critical to delay. Should anyone dare to challenge us, they would be wise to think twice. Together, Isla and I make this kingdom stronger than it has been in centuries.
“Tonight will be soon enough, love,” I tell her as we walk outside, heading around toward the back of the castle, where I can sense the entire pack waiting for us.
Over five hundred wolves stand united and their collective strength empowers each step forward. My heart beats with unveiled exhilaration, but mostly pride.
Pride for my pack, pride for my mate, and pride for who we are as a people.
As we near, a murmur ripples through the crowd, their senses tuned to the newly forged bond between Isla and me. It’s a stirring confusion, one I intend to address directly.
“You’ll have answers soon enough, I assure you all,” I tell them all at once through the mind link I have to the pack.
As my words register, most of them bow their heads in respect and quiet. The excitement of the pups still sound, but that’s nothing we’re not used to.
“This feels unreal,” Isla says privately. “I don’t think my memories could have prepared me for this moment. Seeing them all together like this, it’s…”
“Powerful,” I finish for her.
“That’s one word, but also, inspiring,” she says. “I want to be the best version of myself for no other reason than to be the queen they deserve.”
And this is why I’ve always known she was meant for this role, meant to stand by my side.
“You’re already all that and more, Mate.”
We approach the stage that’s been prepared for us at the edge of the forest, facing the castle. Blue and silver banners stand tall with our royal insignia and flowers at the base of each stand.
The pack pushes in, each member eager to be close, all of their lifelines pulsing within my chest. Though none brighter than that of my mate.
“Our moons are full and our pride runs strong,” I begin with a booming voice. “Yet I sense your confusion and, while I understand that, I hope by the time I’ve finished, you’ll feel as at peace as I now do.”
I pause, waiting for anyone to voice a stronger opinion, then I breathe a little easier when none comes.
Glancing at Isla, who stands tall and strong beside me, I continue. “As I’ve already shared, Princess Isobella Blackwood, now known as Isla, has returned home. While her memories were missing upon her arrival, causing discord and unease, today an elder wolf from Selaris helped my mate to unlock the knowledge of her past.
“During this time, something unforeseen yet welcome happened. We’re not sure how or why, but during Isla’s healing, our bond was sealed and blessed by the gods, as I’m sure you can now sense.” I place a hand on Isla’s back, urging her forward. “Please welcome your queen back home.”
“Long live our queen.” Only about half the pack murmurs the sentiment and I’m neither surprised nor disappointed. They have every right to question this situation and that’s exactly what someone does.
Bernard, a man to whom I’ve spoken on numerous occasions and who has even worked in the castle, steps forward. “If she has her memories back, will we be informed as to why she left us for so long? And how are we to believe it won’t happen again?”
“Thank you for your question, Bernard,” I tell him sincerely, then I grin. “It’s nothing I didn’t expect. Though I won’t lie that a part of me hoped you’d merely accept her return and we’d move on.”
Laughter moves through the crowd, refueling my determination to be the leader they deserve, while also keeping Isla’s safety as my priority.
“My mate was taken from us over five hundred years ago,” I state clearly. “While her memories have returned, there are certain aspects that remain unclear. I understand this information is important to you in order to be truly at peace, but I ask you that you also extend grace toward our situation.
“I can confirm there was foul play involved, none of which Isla had any knowledge of. A fact I trust her word on, just as I’m asking you to. If you’re unsure if you can take our word, what of the gods? I don’t believe that they would have allowed our bond to be complete today if there was anything to be concerned about when it comes to Queen Isla, as she shall now be known as. ”
Most heads nod, but I can sense there are still others who wish to know the full story.
“All I can say beyond that is that there was a danger to Queen Isla that we weren’t aware of before, but we are now. I will do whatever I must to keep her safe, but that doesn’t mean I will forsake the pack in order to do so. I have stood as your king even when half my heart was missing and I will continue to do so now. Soon, you’ll see an even stronger unity between our people and I assure you, that will be because of my mate.”
Someone cheers then another begins to clap until nearly everyone joins in. I try to watch for those who seem too suspicious or possibly nervous, but I also don’t want to seem obvious.
“Your Majesty,” Malimorte says, interrupting my thoughts. “Do you see Declan or Noen?”
Slowly, I move my gaze around the crowd, expecting to find them up front as part of my team, but Mali is correct. Neither is present and that’s not acceptable. For many reasons, but most importantly, their absence is a slight to their queen.
After what my father said earlier, I still didn’t want to believe that Noen could have been responsible for Isla’s disappearance and subsequent death, but I need to think logically.
“Where are you?” I demand to Declan through my alpha connection.
Interesting. It’s almost as if he’s sleeping. I can’t get through to his consciousness.
“Find them both,” I say to Mali, “but don’t make yourself known. If they see you, make up a reason as to why you’re there. Then let me know what they’re up to. ”
“Yes, my king.”
I catch his nod of respect out of the corner of my eye and put my attention back on the pack waiting for me.
“Please join us, your king and queen, for the pack run,” I shout above the cheers. “Let’s all embrace our inner animals and let the power of the pack unite us, as it has for centuries.”
“You and I will be shifting first,” I remind Isla since she’s never run with the pack as the queen. “We need to lead them now and show them that they have nothing to fear.”
She stiffens next to me and nibbles at her lower lip. “What about Estee? Her wolf hasn’t returned. After today, I don’t want to leave her alone.”
While I can understand her hesitation, there are some sacrifices that come with our positions that can’t be forsaken.
“I’ll ask Grayson to stay behind,” I tell her. “I need you by my side for this, Isla.”
She glances at Estee, then me, and nods. “Always.”
I tighten my hold on her hand before raising our arms into the air. More cheers erupt through the crowd, and just as it always should have been, I turn with Isla and we lead our pack.