Chapter 23 | Roses Stained In Blood
Blushing profusely, I smile at her. "There you go, dear.
You look heavenly gorgeous," Mrs. Allard gushes over me making my cheeks heat up again.
She was in charge of getting me ready today as a top beautician and hairdresser.
She kept saying that I was bewitchingly striking and did not need any add- ons.
But apparently her brushes, sticks and all those tools did not think so.
Since six o'clock in the morning my body had been ripped apart.
All the hair on my legs, arms, underarms, eyebrows and elsewhere were waxed off.
Not a single hair missed the elder lady's eyes.
My tanned neutral under toned skin was almost red now.
Everywhere sore and raw. But to say, I actually loved the bath part.
That was nice. All bubbly and relaxing.. .
Here I am now, as Mrs. Allard finally lets go of me after caking my face with makeup.
Well, not exactly. She had opted for a minimal makeup and had gone for a natural look, enhanced with winged eyeliner, a pale blush, and some nude but slightly glossed lips.
I looked... well me. My hair was swept into a low, slightly-messy bun accessorized with a pearly diamonds hairpiece.
She pushes me into the closet as she enters behind me and flourishes her hand motioning me towards the massive zipped cover bag holding my dress for the ceremony.
"Darling, it's yours. It's traditional for the Queen to open it and view first," she says beckoning me forward.
I move forward and zip the cover down as my mouth goes dry. Oh my...
It was an illusion neck-lined, full sleeved, natural waisted, covered low back, off- white ball gown with silver accents. I tag off my ivory silk robe as Mrs. Allard helps me to slip into the hand stitched breathtaking fabric of a dress.
She buttons me up from the back, her knuckles slightly brushing the back of my neck, sending tingles through my nervous self.
As she adds finishing touches to my makeup, Sienna goes through the whole ceremony, occasionally drooling over my attire.
A rough tap on the door interrupts us as a guard enters curtly, "Ma'am, his majesty requires Luna's presence.
" I inwardly
cringe at his royal accent, but brace myself fast reminding myself that I soon have to adapt to it.
"Luna, are you ready?" Mrs. Allard asks me politely.
I nod at her, "Yes, Mrs. Allard," but my voice comes out a bit squeaky.
"You can do this, dear. Show them what they've been missing. Show them who's in charge. Remember we'll all be with you no matter what. Stay strong. Darling, make your parents proud," she smiles warmly.
"How do you-"
"Your mum was my best friend. Then she left for her coven. And later met her mate," she explained. "She would've been proud of you. Both of them."
She gives me a warm smile and hugs me, surprising both of us. Her hug reminds me of sweet apples, orchards and my mom. Just as she pulls back, Sienna flashes me a bright, excited smile. Her expression reminding me of a four-year old, lighting up when he sees a candy shop.
Rick looks at me his eyes widening and I at him in his navy blue royal uniform with a silver mantle attached.
A gold crown, with symmetrical hoops, rising from the crown ring and intersecting at an orb of blue enamel accentuated with pearls and gems on his usually messy hair now tamed.
"You look..," he searches my eyes as words fail him, "breathtaking. "
My cheeks heat up in response as I brace myself and take up the chance to tease him, "Says the Adonis of a King." He gives me a megawatt shy smile as he takes my hand in his and his lips brush my knuckles as a sweet gesture.
"Man, it's time," a smirking Jake intervenes as Rick shoots a glare at him. I loop my right hand through his left arm as he looks at me, "You'll be fine. I'll be with you," his assurance washes over me and a profound confidence instills in me.
The congregation rises to its feet as we enter the hall.
All the Royal pack members seated in pews while the front most pew were occupied by the Alphas and Lunas of different packs.
I recognize Xandro and a couple of other Alphas.
A group Elders stay huddled at the alter in their robes.
After the rituals to the moon goddess finished, Rick was summoned forward by the Elders.
Elder North's familiar face warms me down a bit.
"Luna Blythe Reyna Archer, step forward," Elder North's voice reverberates across the premises.
Jake strolls gracefully up to me from his position next to Rick, a step behind.
He gives me his arm, which I accept elegantly, I suppose.
He leads to the alter and I stand next to Rick, my shoulders back and my chin raised.
"Do you Blythe Reyna Archer accept your duties and responsibilities imposed on you as The Queen of the Werewolves?"
"I do."
"Do you Blythe Reyna Archer promise and swear to govern the Werewolves of the world, both pack members and rogues equally irrespective of their breed, clan, pack status according to the respective laws and customs?"
"I solemnly promise to do so."
"Do you promise to work towards the welfare of the Werewolves and instill justice in all your reign to the Werewolves, Vampires, Witches, Warlocks and Mundanes?"
"I do."
"May Selene, our Moon Goddess, invest in you her spirit of love, patience, understanding, justice, grace, honesty and goodwill as you rise in reign and sovereignty.
I'll now announce you as the Queen of Wolves," Elder North announces and turns to the crown as a three women dressed in long pale silver dresses step forward.
They surround the crown placed on a cushion holder and hold hands, their lips moving rapidly in a sync. I realize that they're the representatives of the Royal Coven of Witches and that they were blessing the crown. They step back and nod at the Elders.
Two of the Elders step forward and lift the crown holder to Elder North, who picks it and holds it high above. A cushion is brought and settled before me as I kneel down on it. Elder North places the crown on my head as silence lingers.
Accepting Rick's extended hand I rise up as Chris and Ken bring forward the Royal Platter. Elder North beckons me and I pick the Scepter on my right hand and hold the Orb on my left, turning to the congregation.
"I present to you the Queen of Wolves, Blythe Reyna Archer," North's voice echoes throughout the space as the congregation cheers.
"May I cut in?" Xandro intervenes with a courteous smile as I waltz away with
Chris. Chris narrows his eyes at Xandro as if he doesn't like the other and turns to me gauging my expression. I give him a confident nod, although I am not sure whether the reassurance was for him or me.
Chris nods at Xandro, "With pleasure," and steps back. It's funny how his words contradict his face.
"Congratulations," he wishes me taking Chris' prior position. "Thank you, Xandro," I retort back. At his name his eyes snap to mine as I don't mention his title 'Alpha' and I turn agonizingly slow to his.
"You know anything about my past, Xandro?" I ask him. He looks at me in an oblivious expression and nods at me. "What?" I demand. "That you lost your family and pack at a very young age. And that my dad was the reason behind it," he says quietly, his signature smirk out of sight.
"I see. But then, what do I know about you?" I ask him inaudibly. He looks at me without replying. But I beckon him to do so. "That I'm an Alpha?" he asks. "Ah! Yes, apart from that?" I ask him again. "That my father was involved in your pack attack?" he replies again.
"Yes," I nod sardonically grave at him. "Also one thing you need to know about me is," I pause gauging his reaction, "That I believe in gut feelings." He gives me a confused look.
"The only thing I know about you is that you're the son of my pack's attacker and that fact leads me to have a strong gut feeling that you're not exactly virtuous as you seem," I enlighten. "Your Ma-ajesty-y, you mu-ust ha-ave understood me mistakenly," he stutters.
"Really, Xandro Hale? Your acting skills seem to be impressive, I guess?" I shoot back sweetly.
"You guess? You're not supposed to guess, being the Silverette and Queen and everything?"
My eyes snap to his. His tone that suggested of honeyed words of courtesy and politeness now reeked of evil and danger.
"You know what? Maybe you're right, Maybe I'm not this much genuine? Maybe I'm just like I'm just like my dad or more evil than him as you would as you would call it?" His cocks left eyebrow with a smug smirk. "What are you going to do about it?" he asks me, his smirk growing larger.
"Remember who you are talking to Xandro,"I warn him, who he asked me back with mock seriousness. "The Silverette? The prophesied wolf? The mate of the king? The queen?" he lists the titles as worry blooms in my heart trying to choke me.
Xandro Hale, an Alpha, was challenging me in the royal pack territory, my pack territory, in the midst of a ballroom within hindsight of my mate, the king and many other powerful Alphas and pack members.
What gives him the audacity?
This is bigger than I thought.
"I can kill you within a snap of fingers, Xandro. I've already had my suspicions on your involvement with the blank threats, rogues' arrival and the pack fire incident. You are just confirming them. Besides are you trying to challenge me?" I ask him as he dips me down with grace.
"Me? Challenge? You? Of course not gorgeous. All I want is to be the master of your heart and soul, not anything else," he shrugs grinning. My heart and soul?
As I open my mouth for a better comeback, he beats me to it, "what are you going to do, Blythe?
Run to the Hills that I insulted you? Create a ruckus in this room and have me executed?
Or complain to your mate and cut my head off?
" I look at him dumbfounded, all my comebacks burning to ashes at the base of my throat.
His words an infernal nuisance in my ears.
"Xandro!" The word comes out as a growl. "Chill down," he says winking at me and I resist the urge to puke.
"I am giving you some choices actually two choices. You get to choose between your mate and your family," he says in a monotone, his eyes fixed on mine. My family...
"The Norwells are your family, right? I suppose they are in their home well why people are watching some right Mr. Norwell is washing his car and his Mrs. Is cooking some chicken soup, want to check?
" His smirk irritates to hell. But one question keeps nagging me at the back of my head.
Are the Norwells fine? What has he planned?
"Xandro! You're definitely crossing your limits. What do you want?" I ask impatiently, masking my fear. "I already told you what I want, didn't I? You."
"Or rather something from you," he scowls briefly.
"What do I have that you don't?" I ask him baffled.
"A locket. The locket. I'm sure you know which one I'm talking about?" Sarcasm dripping from his cold voice chills my bones as an image of a crescent shaped locket crosses my mind.
"No, I don't," the words escape my lips as an act of strong defiance and his eyes on mine turn cold, his hold on my waist tighten.
"You're sure, you don't? Because someone somewhere told me that you surely have it," his tone hinting of something I don't know.
"You give that locket to me, I leave your family, your mate and your friends to yourself, what do you think?"
"My mate is the King. And I am the Queen. You think you can overrule us?" I ask him desperately searching his face for some clues.
"The King and Queen, huh?" he lets out an airy laugh.
"Well, he was indeed the king and you were indeed the Queen when blank threats appeared, rogues' showed up and the pack fire kindled.
And you think I can't overrule you all. You underestimate me, Blythe.
I know people, I get stuff done. What do you do?
Report them to your idiotic ass of a mate?
Come on, you could've done better than that. "
"Better than what?" Rick cuts in. Both of us look impaled but Xandro braces himself first.
"Oh no, your majesty. I was just telling our Luna that she could've done better than choosing that marshy land for her new construction. I'm into architecture too, you know," he covers up.
"I see," Rick nods. "I'll take leave then. By the way, Luna Blythe, think about my proposition."
"What was all that about?" Rick asks me as Xandro gets out of earshot and I give him a nonchalant shrug, trying to tame my racing heart.
Rick brushes it off as I lay my head on his shoulder and we slow dance.
"I'll see to the Alphas staying in and comeback," Rick embraces me and kisses
my forehead, taking leave.
Kay and Mae told that they'd stay in my room, to help me undress out of this
heavy gown. I open the heavy doors and cross the threshold to find no one in. But they said they would... maybe they are not here yet, I shrug to myself and head to my closet, depositing my shoes.
Something was off. The room was silent. Too silent and cold as if the walls were listening to each of footsteps.
Settling down the hairpiece on my vanity, I pull the pins out of my hair and my deep brown hair tumbles down my shoulders. The scent of blood wafts into my nostrils as my eyes register the blood splattered on the vanity mirror, and I stumble back.
Gulping hard I almost fall down, on the bed only to balance myself at the last moment. Turning on my heels, I catch sight of two long stemmed white roses stained in blood drops placed on the sheets and my blood runs cold.