Chapter Eleven
Louise's POV
Sunlight filtered through the curtains as I stood before the full-length mirror, taking in the reflection of the woman I had become. Tess hovered behind me, adjusting the folds of the emerald silk gown that hugged my frame just right, her hands brushing gently over the fabric.
"You look… stunning," Tess breathed, stepping back to admire her work. "Every eye will be on you today, Louise. And they'll see exactly what a Luna Queen looks like powerful, regal, unshakable."
I allowed a small smile, pride swelling within me. Compliments had never been my goal, yet hearing them from Tess, who didn't even know me that much, felt like an affirmation of everything I had survived and built for myself.
"You make it sound like I'm fragile," I teased lightly, catching her reflection in the mirror.
"Fragile?" Tess laughed. "No one could mistake you for fragile,but today you are cause you're about to be under the protection of the entire werewolf Kingdom".
With a final adjustment, we left the room, stepping into the grandeur of the pack council hall. The four royal elders awaited with that asshole King Kyle sitting on his throne with that annoying smirk I love but will never admit it.Elder Mareth, Oslo, Bella, and Kappa. Their eyes swept over me, over Kyle,each elder offered their blessing in turn. Words of unity, strength, and prosperity flowed, but beneath their ceremonial tone, I could sense the expectation but unfortunately I wouldn't be meeting it, I refuse to, I would never love a man who hated me, and Kyle made no secret of it.
Kyle's posture remained rigid, red eyes burning into the floor as if the elders' words were nothing more than noise. I mirrored his composure with my own silent defiance. Pride, dignity, self-worth, I owned them all.
The council concluded, and we moved to the Great Hall. The Moonwhisper led the marking proceedings, his chants filling the cavernous space. Kyle's hand brushed against mine as he drew near, the mate bond thrumming like a living thing between us.
When Kyle marked me, a sharp intake of breath escaped me. Only he could hear it, but I hated that he did. How could he make me feel like this so exposed, so raw and remain indifferent?
When it was my turn, I traced my fingers along his neck, teasing, teeth grazing lightly as I taunted him. A low groan rumbled from him, sounding in my ear alone, joy rushed. Patterns of our crests formed in the sides of our necks, symbol of the supreme Luna on his and the symbol of the supreme alpha for me.
The gathered nobles, delegates, and pack members erupted into applause, but all I could feel was the pulse of his presence, the weight of the bond between us. We ascended to our thrones, receiving gift after gift, greeting after greeting. Each mention of heirs made our mental banter flare.
"I will never carry your child," I thought sharply.
"Then why does it bother you?" he replied, teasingly, yet with a low edge.
"Because I will never share a bed with you. Don't count on anything tonight."
"Why should I? Many would kill for me. Why bother wanting you?"
"How dare you you piss of shit"I retorted and he chuckled darkly.
The ceremony of praise dragged on, seemingly endless. By the time the major feast began, I had learned to maintain composure even as the gifts made me flinch internally but my mouth was tired from holding up my fake smile.
Later, we were expected to leave for… the deed, and naturally, it didn't go well.
"You're shallow," I snapped, voice echoing slightly across the hallway. "You refuse to give this relationship a chance!"
"A woman cannot control me," he replied, icy and precise. "Your such a coward" I said
"Mind your tongue, Louise. I wouldn't hesitate to snap your head off if I chose to."
With that, he stormed to his office, leaving me to retreat to my suite. Some time later, Tess joined me. We talked, we chatted, laughed, and gossiped friends in the truest sense, for the first time in days.
Then, a loud scream ahhhhhhhhh!!!!
From Kyle's office. A maid's terrified voice followed by another, shrill and panicked. My heart seized in my chest. Deep, agonizing pain rippled through me, and I stumbled forward, nearly collapsing. The mate bond screamed in agony.
I knew in that moment that Kyle was hurt. My wolf lunged, my instincts screaming, but I clenched every ounce of my power and blocked the bond's flood, slowing my steps just enough to maintain control.
Seconds later, Tess and I reached the office. Dave and Lypon were already there Dave crouched protectively over Kyle, Lypon rushing to call the physician.
And then we saw him.
Kyle, pale,white, almost gray like a corpse with strange green patches all over his skin. Patterns etched on his face like a dark mockery. The room froze. Even I couldn't process it at first.
Tears escaped before I could stop them, and Tess caught me, grounding me as I nearly collapsed.
Why am I crying? I thought, furious with myself. He was the same man who I had argued with just a while ago . The same man who refused to show care. Yet here he lay vulnerable, in danger and I felt every shard of it.
Leaning closer, I traced the strange markings forming across his skin. Recognition hit, shalroce poison, crafted by witches to kill demons. My mind raced. Who here could do such a thing? Who knew such potent potions? Who wanted Kyle dead?
Confusion, fear, and rage mingled into a singular determination. Whoever did this had made a grave mistake.
I tightened my hands, blocked the pain from my own heart, and prepared to act. I had to do something about this.