A/n> I have a discord where you can discuss my books and the writers could share resources. If you'd like to join then the link is at the bottom of my bio.

-HER-

I didn't know what the Queen had planned to do to make Ezekiel pay but whatever it was, she didn't hint anything to me. All she told me to do was to not think too much about him. To help me with this, she made sure to keep me busy enough around the palace.

After a few days of urging and fighting, even Regulus had stopped asking me the same question again and again. Although I was sure that he hadn't given up yet.

The method employed by the Queen to keep me busy enough around Zaeris so that I wouldn't have time to slug around and think too much about a certain lycan proved to be successful. Very successful actually.

I didn't realize how a couple of months had passed by ever since the incident. Everything seemed to be slowly turning back to normal and I did feel normal but there were very uncertain moments here and there where I was caught off guard by my feelings and the memories of the incident.

One night, I was laying in bed, waiting for sleep. Even though my body was completely worn out by working all day, sleep was nowhere to be seen. I was exhausted but not enough to collapse into a dreamless sleep like other days.

That night, I stayed awake, and even before I could realize it, my mind had already started to conjure thoughts about that certain lycan. I clenched my jaw and closed my eyes. Instantly his tall, dark figure flashed in front of my eyes. His long dreadlocks rested very lazily collected over his shoulder before flowing down to his back. His black eyes held me captive and even in a dream, he managed to send a shiver down my spine and make me feel things just by setting his gaze upon me.

Without realizing it, I started dreaming of his hard body pressed against mine and his demanding lips enveloped around mine, staking their claim. For a moment, it felt so real. It felt like he was actually there, kissing me, devouring me, torturing me with the help of the mate bond.

All the incidents relayed in my dream and the dream... it was so vivid. It almost felt like I was going through this all over again, this time, knowing I was going to face in the end.

'B-because you're ugly!'

His words rang in my ears and instantly, my eyes snapped open and I sat up in my bed, sweating. Tears were already running down my cheeks but I didn't let a sob escape my lips.

You will not cry for this again! I told myself but the tears kept rolling down my cheek. Pax woke up due to this sudden commotion and instantly moved beside me before sniffing my face. His rough tongue brushed against my wet cheeks before he purred and rubbed himself over me to comfort me.

My arms instantly wrapped around him before I cured my face in his fur and took a long drag of his familiar scent. He licked my face a couple more times as I laid in the darkness, holding him dearly.

~

I woke up late the next morning and was scrambling around to catch up. Today there was going to be an important court session so everyone was expected to be there.

"What took so long?" Regulus asked when I managed to reach the court just on time. He was waiting outside the court with Augustus. It was only the three of us today. Ares was away for a few days, attending an important event.

"I was feeding Pax," I lied before the three of us entered the nearly filed courtroom. The Royal couple showed up just a few moments after we took our places in the seat. I was already bored and dazed out as soon as the court session started.

So far there wasn't anything special being discussed there. I was constantly drifting in and out of what they were talking about. I could sense that Regulus and Augustus were equally bored. My eyes threatened to flutter shut while I heard Regulus and Augustus playing tic-tac-toe under the table.

I was about to fall asleep when the Queen finally spoke up, "Now, on to the main topic of today's session," This instantly claimed all of our attentions. I blinked several times to keep the sleep at bay while the Queen spoke, "We're getting close to Calantha Ceremony," she announced. I straightened up at her words. My heart was now ramming in my chest. I thought the Queen slightly glanced in the direction I was seated.

Even though she hadn't said anything controversial, I sensed the tension in the air all of a sudden. The knowing look on her face suggested that she was up to something. She continued, "This year, I want my son to part take in it," she announced and pin-drop silence followed. "Which means that members of his court would have to part take in it too,"

I was sitting up as straight as a road and looking at the Queen with wide eyes.

Are you serious! I wanted to ask out loud but I didn't dare question the queen in a court full of wolves. It took me a moment to snap out of my shock. I was quick to notice that it wasn't only me who was impacted by the Queen's words. A low mumble broke out in the courtroom as the wolves started discussing. I glanced at Regulus and Augustus to find them sharing the same reacting as well.

"Your Highness," A minister spoke up. He stood from his seat and bowed slightly before asking, "How is that possible? The Prince hasn't found his mate and neither has any member of his court,"

Ha! Only if you knew...I thought to myself as I crossed my arms on my chest and slumped back in the chair. Even though we were sitting far away from the throne, I swear, I saw a look of amusement in the Queen's eyes. Her blue eyes simmered with mischief.

"I know," she answered. I could hear the amusement dripping from her voice as she glanced my way again. I looked around to see if anyone else noticed this. "But I still want them to take part in it so that they are prepared," she added with the same amusement.

I felt Regulus and Augustus becoming a bit uncomfortable beside me. Only Ares was missing. I was sure had he been here, he would have thrown a fit in front of everyone.

"Does anyone have any objections?" The Queen asked. The courtroom was instantly plagued with a grim silence.

Her lips curled up into a smile.

By the mischief in her eyes, I could tell that she had thoroughly planned this out. She announced this when Ares wasn't present at the court. She knew that it would be only Ares who would object to this but without him, her path was clear.

I swallowed hard.

She was doing this for me!

"Wonderful," she commented when no one spoke up, "We should start the preparations then," She smiled slyly.

~

"Ares will go ballistic!" Augustus commented when we walked out of the court.

"He sure will," Regulus nodded.

"When's he coming back?" I couldn't help but ask.

"This evening," Regulus responded. "Now..." He trailed off, looking at the two of us grimly. "Who's going to tell him about this?" Regulus asked. A shiver ran down my spine and I saw the same anxiousness on Augustus' face.

"Erm..." I shifted on my feet, thinking of an excuse, "I think I should go look for Pax. He must be hungry," I rumbled and instantly turned on my heels and ran away. I thought I heard Augustus growl after me because he'd have to deliver the news to Ares.

He was his second in command anyway.

Augustus was right.

Ares did go ballistic after learning what the Queen had planned. The next day at the court, steam was puffing out of Ares' ears and nostrils because he was burning from inside. It turned out to be more interesting than I thought.

"Your Majesty," It was the turn of the seer to inform the court about any visions from the future. It was an old witch named-

"Cynthia," The Queen smiled down at the witch.

"The future has not visited me since the past few days but my daughters have read the stars and it's their saying that we should not hold Calantha ceremony this year," Her words were followed by several gasps from around the room. A low murmur instantly coated the silent air of the courthouse.

I felt somewhat relieved after hearing that but not everyone shared the same response as me.

"What are you saying, Cynthia?" The King spoke up. His words made everyone somewhat tensed.

"Cynthia, I would like you to tell me further what else they have read in the stars," The Queen commanded. Her aura instantly cut the tension in the room.

"Your majesty..." Cynthia lowered her head, "They have read many things in the star and I am very much anxious to tell you that most of the things are not good,"

"I would still encourage you to tell me more, Cynthia. I trust your words no less than the goddess' herself. You have saved Zaeris from many ill fates in the past. I know that you only have Zaeris' best interests in your heart,"

"Your majesty, they have read that the evil will set foot on our land to claim the lives of several wolves. The alignment of the planets is very inauspicious. In fact, it has been considered the worst day that Zaeris will ever face in its whole duration of existence." The courtroom was silent when the witch was done speaking.

"Your majesty," My father broke the silence, "I will put my best warriors in the line and increase the security. I will take responsibility for the safety of every wolf in Zaeris but I insist that the Ceremony take place,"

"Thank you, Lyco but it's the stars... we cannot change them!" The Queen tried to reason.

"Calantha will be celebrated this year and I believe Lyco will stand true to his words as he has been always. We cannot abandon a tradition like Calantha for the fear of evil. Calantha is all about our faith in the moon goddess and the decisions of the pairer to help us lead a good life. It would certainly upset the two. The absence of our participation would only show them that we are not thankful for the mates they have bestowed upon us," I couldn't help but snort lowly at the King's words.

...faith in the moon goddess and the decisions of the pairer to help us lead a good life- So far I didn't see anything good about being paired to that bastard.

"After being infertile for a long time, it becomes more important for us to celebrate Calantha. I hereby order that the preparations for the ceremony should continue," The King ordered.

"Before this session ends, does anyone have any subject on which they wish to put their words in front of the court?" The court speaker asked. My eyes instantly drifted to Ares who was sitting beside the Royal Couple.

He looked ready to burst.

"I wish to present the concerns of the future court regarding the very Ceremony that was in the discussion just moments ago," Ares finally spoke up.

"Here it comes," I muttered loud enough so that Regulus and Augustus could hear me. Augustus snorted in response.

"Your highness, the court has your attention," The speaker spoke before he bowed and stepped aside. The look on Ares's face told me that he was ready to murder.

He spoke after gathering all his patience, "Your majesty has ordered my participation in the Calantha Ceremony without the consideration that I am yet to find my mate,"

"Oh, my prince," The Queen spoke with a sly smile playing on her lips, "We understand your frustration," Some wolves chucked at this. Ares' ears instantly turned red and the side of his lips slightly twitched.

I wouldn't lie. I was enjoying this. Everyone was. It wasn't every day we got to see the Queen dragging her son in front of the whole court.

I glanced at Ares. He looked ready to punch the person standing closest to him. His patience was the thinnest and it was often fun to see him in these situations.

"It is not only you who awaits the arrival of your mate. Every wolf of Zaeris is equally eager for you to find their future queen,"

His ears turned even redder. I was finding it hard to hold my laughter back. Augustus and Regulus were already throwing him suggestive looks. I was waiting for Ares to glance at me. I wanted to mouth some very sweet words but that dog didn't look at me. He knew my ways.

"Now... now," The Queen waved her hand at the crowd for them to calm down a bit before she continued, "I surely have ordered your participation in the ceremony but I did it to fulfill the wish of the pairer. She wrote to me the previous week, requesting that you participate in it as well. I am aware of the state of the members of the future court. They are very young to find a mate yet. I hereby clarify that only you are required to participate in the ceremony compulsorily. Others can participate if they wish to do so" The Queen's eyes burned into me as she spoke.

Instantly, the smirk slipped off my lips and I leaned back in my chair grumpily before crossing my arms on my chest.

What was she really planning to do?

_

I'm sure most of you all know what's going to happen next 😏

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