Six Months Later
Callyn
It’s been busy the last couple of months. We graduated high school, found out I wasn’t pregnant, and basically took over, becoming the Alpha Queen and Kings. When I broke the talisman is started to restore power and balance to shifters. The ones that were hurt during the battle started to heal faster than they normally did, and there has been an increase of shifters finding their destined mates. I couldn’t be happier about that.
But today is the day that we’re making it official; the day Elder Harris is handing over the reins. It’s our coronation. I smooth my hands over my gown. Instead of going with something modern, I choose to throw it back, way back. Plus, this gown makes me feel like a queen, and it’s how I pictured my ancestor looked two hundred years ago.
The gown is green velvet around the shoulders, down the arms, and the front of the bodice. The cuff of the sleeve is slightly flared and made of silk, like the rest of the dress. There is a filigree pattern on the silk. A fake corset design is in the front of the dress. There are little loops with a grey ribbon woven between and it’s tied off at the bottom. The dress in floor length, and I paired it with my favorite black ankle boots. The ones with all the straps and studs. No way was I wearing high heels.
I’m wearing the necklace that has been passed down for generations. The only piece of jewelry I have on. My hair is parted down the middle. Two braids adorn the crown of my head on either side, meeting in the back. The rest of my hair is cascading down my back in waves. My aunt did my makeup, giving me a smoky eye. Overall, I think I look the part of a queen, and I’ve been doing my best to act the part as well.
One of the things we have done is re-establish Elder Councils all over, with us being the main council. We made it known that shifters can come to us if they feel like their council isn’t doing their job. And that we will replace any member if they are found not fit to the job. We will not have a repeat of what I went through, not if I can help it.
There is a knock on the door. “It’s open.” I turn around and see my guys walk through the door.
Max whistles. “Damn, our queen looks fine.” I roll my eyes.
“You know, a simple you look nice would have sufficed.”
“He’s right though,” Zeke says.
“Yeah, well, you guys don’t look so bad yourselves.” In fact, they looked better. They agreed to wear outfits that would match mine or the time period I was aiming for, and let’s just say they don’t disappoint. Each of them wears a black pair of dress pants and boots. Their doublet colors vary. Graydon’s is black, Max’s blue, Zeke’s red, and Lucian’s green. They’re all wearing a white undershirt.
“It’s almost time. Are you ready?” Lucian asks.
“As I’ll ever be.” He holds out his elbow and I wrap my arm around his.
He leads me out to the hallway. We kept the old Elder Council chambers. We changed it up a little bit, made it more welcoming. Also, we changed the chairs, or should I say Max did. In the center is a big ornate chair for me and similar but smaller chairs for the guys, two on either side. It’s that room that we are headed to. Zeke and Graydon each grab a door, opening it. The room is filled with shifters. There is not an empty pew. Our families fill up the front. We walk down heading for Lucian’s grandfather. Once we stand before him, he says a few words.
“This is a day we didn’t think would come. The crowning of the next Alpha Queen and her mates. The words that were spoken were lost long ago. Instead, we simply ask for your guidance, your fairness, and your love. To do right by shifters and to make this a safe place for all. We also wish you blessings and hope in many years from now that we watch you pass this crown and your knowledge down to the next Alpha Queen.”
He reaches on the table, lifting up a bronze crown. It has fleur-de-lis sticking up all around. The bottom is decorated with jade green jewels. The guys have similar crowns but a more masculine version. One by one he places the crowns atop our heads. We stand as one facing the shifters in the room.
“We promise to uphold any laws we put into place. To be fair and just in any dealing or judgements we may give. We promise to always put what is best for shifters first. We promise to be the best damn kings and queen we can be.”
The room erupts in cheers. Man, this is still weird to me. The guys follow me out of the room.
“Now, it’s time to partay.”
“I think we should take our mate home first and show her just how kingly we can be.” I look at Lucian, my sly fox.
“Let’s go. We have to be quick our families are expecting us at this get together.”
“We can be quick.” Max takes my hand, dragging me out of the building and to the car. I giggle.
“Eager, are we?”
“All of us have been thinking about it since we walked in that room. You have no idea how hot you look. Also, we’re fucking you with the crown on.” And they do.