noun ~ the action or process of getting ready

Before I knew it, it was the day of the coronation. It was just Phoenix, Charlie and I attending, being the main wolves of the pack. Surprisingly, they had taken it in turns to drive, and I must admit watching Phoenix drive was strangely attractive.

We had left early this morning and it was coming on lunchtime when Charlie pulled the car down the long driveway. I was sitting in the back, having the most room out of the three of us, just how I liked it. And like the time before, I found my face pressed against the tinted window, the rain outside ruining my chance of a better glimpse. It was magnificent as always, despite the season change. Colours were overcome with reds, purples and browns, the remaining greenery falling victim to the season.

Charlie pulled the car up and a small cluster of wolves immediately came to stand by. My door was opened, as was Phoenix's but Charlie stepped out himself. I wrapped my coat around myself as the rain pelted the umbrella that the wolf was holding for me. I had noticed the relief when he saw how short I was, compared to the tiptoes of the wolf holding Phoenix's. If I hadn't felt bad, I would've laughed.

Phoenix's dark eyes met mine from across the car and I hurried my way around Charlie who was demanding our suitcases to be taken from the car. I ran into Phoenix's warm embrace and together we huddled our way into the castle. The doors opened for us, like something out of a fairy-tale, and we were welcomed into the warming hallway.

I looked around, shrugging my hood off my shoulders. The castle looked the same, just as clean and pristine as the last time. I could not sense the soon-to-be King anywhere but I was happy he had finally found his mate so he could take the throne so easily. We had been stopped in the foyer; Phoenix's hand clasped in mine as we looked around the room.

Footsteps sounded behind me and I turned to see Charlie enter, a scowl on his face as wolves carried in our bags. I had to remind myself that whilst we were in the presence of other packs, he changed his persona. It was rather marvellous but this Charlie was frightening. It reminded me of when I first met him; stern, dominating features. Even his chocolatey baby eyes were harsh.

His gaze was centred on in front of him but flickered down when he caught me staring. He said nothing as he came to stand beside me, his front breathed lightly against my back. I looked to Phoenix to see his jaw set as a small female approached us.

She bowed before us, her hands slightly shaking with nerves. "Good afternoon, Alpha Titan, Luna Titan, Beta Evans... It is a pleasure to welcome you. My name is Liliana, your rooms have been set up and your baggage is already there. If you'll follow me, I will take you to your rooms."

"Where is the King?" Phoenix wondered.

She licked her lips, her eyes staring at the ground. She was a very submissive wolf; that or Phoenix was being extra mean. I leaned to look at him better, to find it was a mixture of both. I squeezed his hand and his jaw twitched.

"I was under the impression he would be greeting me." He continued, making me roll my eyes.

"Y-yes, sorry Alpha Titan, he has been caught up in the coronation detail. Things are not going as planned so far." She gushed before her eyes widened at her admission.

Phoenix hummed, and I squeezed his hand again in an effort to have him play fair. It was like I was handling a bulldog or a child.

"I understand." He grunted, "Please, show us our rooms."

I sighed, Cel huffing at her mate's domineering talk. Charlie stayed silent, falling into step behind us. I felt like if I stumbled or took one step too short he would step on me; he was that close. Liliana led us to our rooms, claiming there was only one other on this end of the hallway and it would remain vacant as per our request. We thanked her and she practically ran away, her head bowed.

I watched her go until she rounded the corner before I stepped out of the wolf sandwich. I crossed my arms and glanced between the two of them, Phoenix's eyes were hard as always but Charlie's had softened slightly.

"What was with the offence?" I asked, eyeing Phoenix.

He shrugged. "I am a top Alpha. I have to keep up appearances."

I sucked on my tongue, knowing he wouldn't change his attitude to keep up that manner. "You sound like my twin."

My mind ran to Pollux and his all-mighty ego. He had stayed behind, invited to the party but weirdly declined. I didn't blame him; we both didn't like large functions apparently.

He smirked, winking at me. "We are both strong wolves."

"Cocky too," I muttered.

He grumbled, "I can show you cocky-"

"O-kay, I shall gladly depart before you two get to the coc-"

"Charlie!" I gasped but he just chuckled. "I have to ask you something too."

His eyes seemed to sparkle in interest. "Oh yeah?"

"Why were you on my heels like a chihuahua?"

He barked a laugh, "Wolf politics. Now goodbye, I gotta use the bathroom."

I grimaced as he ran away, his vague description not helping my naivety. I turned to Phoenix, my crossed arms dropping in defeat when he tilted his head to our bedroom door. He unlocked it and gestured for me to go in first, so I did so without thinking. It was the exact same room we were in last time, with grand windows, white and gold décor and silk bedsheets.

"What did he mean by wolf politics?" I wondered.

He chuckled, his hands coming to rest on my hips. "Beta wolves have a distinct need to protect the Luna female."

"So his ankle-biting was due to his wolf?" I snorted. "He was practically holding me."

Phoenix smirked, kissing my neck. "It's just what will happen. He will have your back when you're out of pack land, if his wolf doesn't demand it, I'm sure Charlie will. He cares for you too much to let anything happen."

Sounds like the male wolf can't understand the female can handle herself. Cel barked.

True that. I laughed.

"Now, we can rest for an hour before we need to get ready." He announced, pulling away from me.

Cold air brushed against the wet marks on my skin, making me shiver. I looked around the room again, finding my small suitcase by the door, my dress bag hanging from a coat hook. I took off my coat and went to hang it up to dry.

"Are you sure you don't want me to call in the prep?" He asked from the bathroom.

I shook my head despite the fact he couldn't see. "I will do my own makeup and hair, it's too much hassle."

It's going to be televised; are you sure about that? Cel yipped.

I scoffed at her teasing, just as Phoenix rounded the corner shirtless. I drank him in eagerly, a flush of heat encompassing my body. Would I ever grow tired of this? Of him? Every time I saw him I could happily jump his bones. His chest, his waist, his hips that lead to the delicious member beneath...

He grinned, suddenly coming over to grab at my hips again. I gasped as he forced me backwards until I fell upon the bed. His lips found my neck again, placing sweet caresses into my skin.

"Now we can rest, or I can show you how much you make me want to jump your bones." He teased.

I had no reason to be embarrassed at his mind intrusion, instead choosing to laugh. He pulled away at the sound, breathing rhythmically in time with me. I gazed up at his unruly hair, stubbled jaw and raised my hands to his cheeks.

"I suppose I could do with some rest." I nodded, patting his arm gently.

He growled playfully and before I could move away, my hands were grabbed and I was pinned against the bed. His mouth nibbled at my skin, sucking love bites into my collarbone as he ground his hips to mine. I giggled and gasped at his tormenting movements, my hands straining against his grip. The fact he could hold both of mine, above my head, in only one of his, seemed to fuel my fire even more.

I arched my back into him, and he took it to his advantage as his other hand danced along my exposed skin. I groaned in protest when his lips disconnected from me, and his body moved away, only my arms left pinned.

"I thought you wanted to rest?" He breathed.

I growled this time, Cel backing me up in being displeased. "Don't stop now."

* brief mild sexual content *

He grinned, his hazel eyes narrowing with lust. His lips found mine and our bodies finally came back to one another. I wriggled despite my restraint and was happy when he finally gave me the freedom to remove our clothes. He moved me up the bed, joining our bodies in the most sensual way. My hands grabbed at his bare skin, clawing at his shoulders and his hair. I moaned his name, my voice coming out in short gasps with every thrust.

I tried to keep quiet, I really did, but whenever he would moan, or breathe my name, I squealed in delight. He engulfed every piece of me, lighting me on fire as always. I felt the pressure build as he found that sweet spot and I came undone beneath him. My legs shook and my head fell backwards in a large moaning gasp of his name. He growled, his teeth nipping at my breasts until he too, moaned his finish.

* end of sexual content *

We lay beside each other, catching our breaths, me more than him. He was so damn fit and full of stamina, it made me envious. He lay beside me now, our naked bodies seeking each other's warmth for a while. I sighed in contentment, my pulse at a steady level once more.

He shifted, his head coming to rest on top of the side of mine. "When Alex found you in the rain that day, I had carried you to the hospital."

I tensed at his sudden conversation choice, my mind trying to force away from the terrible memory. His voice was soothing, however, gentle, and low.

He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing against my ear. "I had tried to keep you warm, forcing heat into you through touch. I had stayed by you, so frightened you may never come out of it... Sometimes, I am reminded of that day, of how cold and lifeless you were. But when I feel your warmth now, it soothes me, and chases away...the bad memory."

I inhaled deeply, my hands covering his. "Thank you for telling me."

I was thankful. Only because he never chose to speak of his emotions, nor his trauma. It felt like a steppingstone was reached, even if it was about something that I realised upset us both deeply. He kissed my temple as I chose to roll over into his embrace and just enjoy the peace before the craziness of later tonight.

After a while, Phoenix sighed and pulled away from me. I knew that meant it was time to get ready so I stretched away from the tiredness and stood to my feet. I wandered my way to the bathroom and got myself washed, leaving my hair as I had washed it yesterday. I didn't want it too soft and fluffy for tonight. Besides, Phoenix was adamant about not letting me have a full shower because he liked my current smell. In return, he had opted for a smaller wash too, to smell of me. Our wolves were pleased, that was what mattered.

Time blurred as I prepared myself. Phoenix sat on the bed watching me calmly, his arms behind his head against the headboard. I was carefully taking my time, reading the instructions I was given by Holly the make-up artist/salon owner. Molly had made sure she got them for me in advance because apparently, I would forget.

After about an hour of careful precision, I was happy with what I had chosen. A gentle smoky eye that took me a few attempts and discarded make-up wipes, with mascara and nude lip gloss. I had tried my best at contouring and highlighting, choosing the more natural approach. Once that was done, I moved on to brushing and curling my hair before pinning the sides to fall behind my ears.

Phoenix had moved when I was finishing my hair to pull on his suit and tie. He was over the bathroom sink doing something with his hair as I did mine. When he stepped out my eyes widened in delight. He had left most of his hair unruly, only a small amount held backwards as stray curls fell around his temple. The rest were curled behind his ears, with only the faintest hint of hair spray.

His suit was black, of course, but he wore a dark green shirt to match my dress, and it looked silk, even better. I couldn't wait to take that off later... No, getting distracted. Green shirt, black tie, black shoes and trousers. Yes, delicious.

"You know, if I didn't know any better, I would think you are in heat with all the mixed signals I'm receiving." He chuckled.

I blushed as I stood from the vanity. "I can't help it when you look this good."

He grinned, as I came to stand in front of him. "Thank you, my love."

"And you're all mine too?" I gasped in surprise which made him laugh.

"Go get dressed, we have to leave soon." He murmured, kissing my cheek.

I made my way over to my suitcase and dress and with naughty thoughts on my mind, dropped my robe to the ground. I heard him curse before a shuffling of fabric met my ears. I glanced over my naked shoulder to give him an innocent expression as I pulled the dainty underwear up my legs. When I bent over, he had growled and cursed again which made my excitement grow. Charlie was right, we really are hormonal teenagers.

With a small giggle, I pulled down the zipper to my dress. It glided out effortlessly, not a sign of a crease anywhere. I sighed in satisfaction before climbing into my small heels and then the dress. I managed the zip myself, despite Phoenix's approach as he was too late. I adjusted my chest, smoothing the fabric down my body.

I turned to get his approval only to be met with his darkened eyes.

Oh, he likes it. Cel mused.

He does. I giggled.

"And you're all mine too," Phoenix grumbled.

I laughed, "Okay Mr wolf, are we ready to go?"

He stepped closer to me to devour my lips in a short moment of passion. When he pulled away, he pulled my lip with him before letting it fall back with a gentle drop. He smiled down at me, his hand coming to rest on my waist just as a knock sounded on the door.

"Come on love birds, time to go," Charlie called.

My nerves were creeping but I remained focused on the task at hand; walking in these heels. So when Phoenix opened the door and I was met with Charlie I had my best game face on. He was wearing a black suit, with a black shirt and a matching green tie. It seems we all were dressed in some sort of cult fashion, but I liked it.

"Wow Nova, you look wonderful." He complimented.

"Thank you," I blushed. "You look good too."

He grinned. "I always do."

We laughed and Phoenix, always the leader, began to push me down the hall. The familiarity of Charlie's change in personality was instant and he fell into step behind us once more. I breathed in deeply as we carefully walked down the stairs, reminding myself that it would be okay. Phoenix's warm hand was the best reminder, the gentle thrumming of the bond a good distraction as we approached the main hall.

Liliana was there, dressed the same and bowed to us. "Allow me to escort you."

I nodded the same time as Phoenix and with a smile, she lead us down the halls to the ever foreboding ballroom.

•••
Love a big fat chapter haha

word count: 2820

Question of the Day:
When reading a book, not saying about changing mine, but do you prefer longer books with some fillers or shorter books that get to the point ?

I prefer the longer, hence my writing style. I like the little day to day bits makes me feel connected more to the reality of the book

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