At 2:30 Lucas and I are standing in front of the pack house, scratch that, Palace is the better word for it. I remember walking through these doors with Adaline and Jordan but I don't remember coming out of them. When I woke up I was in Lucas and I's room.

"Lucas? Before we go on I have a question."

"Sure baby. What is it?"

"How did I get from the ballroom to our room the night we met? And who changed me?"

Lucas scratches the back of his neck while looking everywhere but my face.

"I may or may not have kept everyone away from you... Sorren and I were so excited to meet you and when you were scared we wanted nothing more then to protect you. Lenna and Kendra were the ones who changed you. It took some convincing, like Kendra lighting me on fire... I carried you to our room. So yeahhhh... Are you mad?"

So Kendra lit him on fire? Wish I could have seen that. That would have been freaking hilarious.

"So I take it your not mad since you are talking out loud?"
"Crap."

"Don't say that. I don't like those naughty words slipping past your angel lips."

"Yes Alpha."

I can't help the sarcasm in my voice, or the smirk that resides on my face.

"You will be the death of me."

Kenna whimpers at this and I can't help the tears that dance behind my eyes.

Why are we so emotional?

How am I supposed to know!?

"Oh baby. Don't cry princess. It's okay. I'm not going anywhere. I promise! I didn't mean to upset you!"

"I don't know why but I've been overly emotional today."

"I don't either. We can ask Doc later if you want."

"Okay but let's go in. The pack is waiting."

So we do just that. We walk up the grand staircase to the front doors. Two guards open the doors before Lucas and I make it to the last step.

"Alpha King. Queen Luna."

The guards bow down onto one knee with their fist over their heart.

"Marcus. Mathew."

After small introductions with the two grizzly bear sized men, whom I learned are two of the best warriors in the pack and head of security.

Lucas and I make our way down the familiar hallway and stop in front of the ballroom doors. The howling wolves seem to shine and look like their fur is being rippled with a gentle breeze.

"Kendra and Lenna thought it would be a nice touch. But we aren't going through these doors."

"What do you mean?"

"We have to use the Royalty Door. Only Royals can pass through. Interesting enchantment actually. Plus this way you can prove to anyone who doubts who you are that you are in fact a queen. Even though the crown your wearing should do it."

So Lucas taps a panel near the doors and it slides open. With Lucas leading me, we make our way through the secret tunnel. The tunnel looks like a normal palace hallway, clean and well lit. Utter perfection.

Winding around we make our way to a gold door with the symbol of the pack with the King and Queens crowns above.

Lucas pushes the door open and silence falls over the entire ballroom. Then simultaneously the men fall down to one knee and the women on both with putting their fist over their heart.

Pride washes over me at the sight.
"Rise."

Lucas says the same word he used at the ball. The same word that stirred something inside me that I now know was Kenna signaling that he was our mate. That one word holds so much authority that I can't help but smile at Lucas till he starts to speak again.

"Welcome Moonlight Eclipse! Thank you all for gathering here today to meet your new Luna Queen, my mate, Audrey Shepherd!"

Applause ripples through the room, growing to a deafening roar as people start to yell. I flinch for a moment but relax when I remember that Lucas is next to me.

A feeling of peace covers me at the feeling of acceptance. Lucas pulls me closer to his side and I can't help but shiver at the sudden contact. I was feeling warm but being at Lucas side I feel cooler, but warm from the buzz of the mate bond.

"Are you ready to go to the floor?"

"Of course."

We make our way to the floor and slowly meet with pack members. All of the pack members congratulate Lucas and I for finding each other and tell me they are so excited that I am going to be the new queen. All of the pack members we get close to gasp in surprise when they see the crown sitting on my head. Some drop down and give me the symbol of loyalty and respect.

My confidence grows after each new introduction. That is until Lucas and I somehow get separated.

"So your his 'mate' huh? You don't really look like a queen. Definitely not a True Luna Queen. I bet that's fake. My guess is that you are some runt that has made a witch, probably those hybrid twins, put a spell on him to trick him into thinking your his mate. If anyone should be queen, it should be me! I have known the King since we were toddlers!"

Half way during this persons rant I turn around to meet the face of a striking redhead. 

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude but I must ask. Who are you?"

The young woman slowly gets red in the face, with her eyes swirling with hatred.

"I'm Aella. The rightful queen."

Lots of attention was on the interaction between Aella and I. Pack members watching me, studying me, trying to figure out how I was going to respond.

Rip her throat out!

No Kenna. If she is going to challenge us and our authority then we will handle this with grace and authority she doubts we have.

"Aella was it? Are you challenging me for the throne?"

Silence and tension covered the ballroom like a heavy fog. Aella's answer would decide what happened next.

"Yes."

"Very well."

This woman has a death wish.

"Lucas. You are needed for this."

A small gasp made its way through the crowd because I used his name, not his title. Apparently no one besides his family and beta can do that.

Audrey 1. Aella 0.

"Aella. You have challenged Audrey, future Luna Queen for her throne. Do you approve of these claims and are ready to fight on the conditions set by me, your Alpha and King?"

"Yes Alpha King."

"Audrey. You have been challenged for the right to the throne. Do you accept the challenge and conditions set by me,your mate and Alpha King?"

I look to Lucas and see clear worry in his eyes before masking his features into the face of a king.

  "Yes."

A murmur starts in the crowd before being silenced by Lucas.

"Very well. The challenge will be held in the clearing at 4pm today. This gives each female a chance to prepare. These two will battle in wolf form till one surrenders. All pack members will be in attendance and the sentence for the she wolf who surrenders is for the winner to determine. Dismissed."

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