Five Months Later
I stood on the stone balcony and breathed in the warm summer air as I looked out over the kingdom.
I laid my hands that were still gray-but lightening every day- on the railing and sighed as a gentle breeze combed through my dark locks.
My hair was longer again, now down to my hips. I didn't do much with it these days besides let it fall where it may.
Two strong arms wrapped around my torso from behind and caressed my white cotton dress.
"It's time to get ready, my love," Valen purred in my ear.
I leaned my head back and exposed my neck to him as he peppered it with kisses. I reached back and tugged on his hair and chuckled when he groaned.
"Keep that up and we'll be late for our coronation," he muttered in a husky voice.
I turned to face him full on and smiled. He was as handsome as ever, but he'd decided to grow his hair a little longer as well. It now fell just above his icy eyes that were regarding me with warmth.
"Now, we can't let that happen, can we?" I smirked.
He threw his head back and laughed. Truth be told, we had rescheduled this day twice already and the new council was beginning to get anxious.
Anton, who was the head of the council, had stormed into my room the last time Valen had delivered the news and demanded an explanation.
I had explained to him that I still needed time to rest. Apparently taking in the darkness had effected me more than any of us had imagined it would. I was weak and sickly for a while, and my moods would change on the flip of a dime. I wasn't strong enough to be a queen yet.
I wasn't worthy.
Anton had finally relented when he saw for himself just how bad of shape I was in.
I sighed and stepped around Valen to walk to my closet. We had rebuilt our palace on top of the old ruins and construction had completed just a few weeks ago.
We were now able to hold all of our pack and Moonlight in the ball room where the coronation would be taking place.
Valen wrapped his arms around me and pulled me back to him once more.
His lips met mine with a heated passion and my head was spinning from lack of oxygen. He pulled away and smiled before lowering his gaze to my swollen belly.
I put my hand over it and felt a small kick. I gasped and grabbed his hand, placing it exactly where mine had been.
We waited for a moment with bated breath until finally, a small thump could be felt.
A warm smile covered his face and his eyes lit up. He leaned down so that he was face to face with my stomach.
"You two need to settle down in there, it's a very important day for mommy and I. We can't have her being any more uncomfortable than she already is," he purred.
My heart tightened at the touching sight before me and tears pricked my eyes. He placed two delicate kisses to my abdomen and stood back up.
"Shall we?" he asked as he held his arm out for me.
***
"I'm so nervous, I think I might puke," Artemis whispered into my ear.
I giggled at her and took her hand in mine. We were waiting outside of the ballroom while Anton and the princes-soon to be kings- addressed our packs.
It had been decided shortly after Von's recovery that Moonlight would now be his to rule. Without any successors from Alistair, the pack had agreed wholeheartedly.
Well, most of them had.
My step mother, sisters, and Alexander had vehemently opposed the idea, but they were overruled by the overwhelming support that came from everyone else.
Alexander had disappeared shortly after the announcement and my old family was currently in a cell until Von decided what to do with them.
I was sure he'd be merciful and wouldn't kill them, but I also knew anything other than the lifestyle they were accustomed to would be worse than torture in their eyes.
Artemis squeezed my hand and I realized she had been speaking to me.
"I'm sorry, what? I zoned out for a moment," I apologized. She smiled sweetly at me.
"It's okay. I was just saying that you look beautiful. I can't wait to meet the pups." I smiled at her in return.
"Neither can I."
"I can't believe you guys don't want to know the genders. I'm dying to know what we're having."
Her hand settled on her stomach. Artemis and Von were also expecting, but she wasn't as far along as I was and there had been no signs that she was having twins.
I thought she was lucky, I had already blown up like a balloon.
"I just want it to be a surprise," I shrugged.
She started to say something else but we heard our names being called.
"Show time," she smiled and led me through the doors.
My eyes immediately found Valen's and his smile made me feel brave.
I put each foot in front of the other with confidence. The walk felt like miles, but I was soon standing next to the love of my life.
"You look amazing," he leaned down and whispered in my ear.
"So do you," I said while eyeing him in his suit.
He was dressed in a dark red suit with a black silk cape. I was practically drooling.
He chuckled and gave me a quick peck. I heard a chorus of "awwws" ring through the crowd and Anton cleared his throat to get everyone to settle.
His speech passed by quickly and before I realized it, Aislinn was approaching me with a tiara.
It was a beautiful piece made of white gold and decorated with diamonds, amethyst, and rubies.
Valen's was similar to mine, but his was larger and the gems went all the way around it.
Once they were placed on our heads, Celia stepped forward and placed an almost identical ones on Artemis and Von.
The only difference was the color of the gems. Theirs were dotted with sapphires instead of rubies.
I smiled at my best friend and made eye contact with Celia.
Things had been a little awkward between us, but we were trying to move past it.
Valen and Von trusted her, and I was working on doing the same. She gave me a small smile and stepped back to take her place next to Anton.
He smiled proudly at all of us before turning back to the audience.
"I'm happy to announce for the first time, your new kings and queens,"
He gestured to Von and Artemis and they stepped down next to him.
"Von and Artemis, rulers of the Moonlight pack."
A roar of cheers went up on one side of the ball room and I saw Von chuckle.
Once they quieted down, Anton gestured back to Valen and I.
"Valen and Indigo, rulers of the DarkBlood pack."
We stepped down into our places and Valen captured his hand in mine. The room erupted once more and he leaned down to whisper in my ear.
"Welcome home, my Queen."
Fin
Author's Note:
I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT'S THE END. I'M NOT CRYING, YOU ARE.
But seriously, what did you think! The main story is finished, but their will be an epilogue (Or two). Do you guys have any questions you want answered? Anything you'd like to hear more about?
Please, please let me know what you thought of the story! And tune in next week for the rest!
Comment and Vote to show our new rulers some love!
Xoxo,
CrimsynIris