Jae and Syri were sucked into the crazy whirlwind of coronation planning the moment the midday meal concluded. Armina was busy orchestrating the ceremony's arrangements as best she could. She would have preferred to have been able to spend a few months at the least preparing for her son's coronation as Crimson Night's Alpha, but it was best for the pack to have Jae coronated as soon as possible to avoid the pack being in a grey zone when it came to their Alpha. As Jae's coronation was not the traditional passing down of rites from father to son, Armina did her best to bring everything together for the eventful day.

Estan, Yejin, and Syri did their best to aid in the planning and preparations while Jae spent several hours in the afternoon going over as many documents and records as he could find that stated the rules and guidelines for amending or removing a pack law. Jae did not get to spend as long as he would have preferred going over all the procedures related to pack laws as his mother dragged him out of his study the moment the preparations for the ceremony had been completed.

The sun had just begun to set when Jae was cleaned and dressed and stood before the doors of the King's Hall. Jae released a breath and closed his eyes as he waited to be announced to the crowd gathered inside the hall. The true blood's mind was completely still as he stood before the oak doors.

The past days had been such a blur that this was the first moment Jae's mind had time to breathe. He was not in the middle of fighting to survive and save those he loved; he was not being punished for protecting two wolves who loved each other besides not being fated; he was alone in front of the hall in which he would be crowned as Alpha of Crimson Night. Jae cherished that moment of silence as he heard his name being announced by the pack sigma.

Syri stood with wide eyes as he craned his neck to admire the King's Hall. He was positioned beside the Luna in the front left row. The hall had been transformed. The long table had been switched for rows of chairs that led up to the two thrones and filled the hall in two sections that provided an aisle to the thrones between them. Banners with Crimson Night's crest hung in abundance from the wooden rafters of the ceiling just below the stone roof, and candles lined the rows of chairs while the torches anchored in the stone walls were lit, filling the hall with a warm glow.

The sigma rose from the chair she had been resting in once the hall was filled and came to stand before the thrones to greet those in attendance. "Welcome, family of Crimson Night. We have gathered to celebrate the rising of an Alpha and entrance into a new era of reign. Victorious through duel, Jae, Prince of Crimson Night, has shown his valor and worthiness to step up and lead this pack. So, please, join me in welcoming Jae, Prince of Crimson Night, to enter and accept his position as Alpha of Crimson Night."

With the conclusion of the sigma's announcement, the heavy doors were swung open to reveal Jae standing at the entrance. The true blood kept his gaze toward the sigma as he confidently walked past the numerous rows of attendees and made his way to the front of the hall. Syri's mouth hung in awe as he watched Jae advance down the aisle. He was regal and captivating. The prince's hair had been styled up, exposing his forehead and strong brows and taking Syri's breath away. The zeta took in every detail down to the fabric and material of the prince's exquisite clothing.

Armina looked on proudly as she watched her son approach the sigma. Once Jae had reached the bottom of the steps where the sigma stood, he bowed his head respectfully before lowering onto one knee. "By seeing through your challenge and coming out victorious, you have shown bravery and resolve enough to lead this pack." The hall was silent as the sigma addressed the true blood. "Those present today shall stand witness to your response and acceptance of the role of Alpha should you so choose to take the path as Crimson Night's leader. Let them be your guiding factor to your future decisions as you begin caring for the pack...should you accept. The role as Alpha holds great responsibility and consequence should you prove to be a poor leader."

The sigma's voice lowered as she emphasized her next words. "The council was formed by Crimson Night's first Alpha and has served to guide the Alpha to bringing the pack peace and prosperity for centuries. The council cannot remove you from your position as Alpha, but they do hold the right to sponsor another wolf to challenge you should you be deemed unfit to continue your role. Understanding now the responsibility of becoming Alpha, do you accept the role as Alpha of Crimson Night?"

The hall grew silent as the crowd waited for Jae's answer. Taking a breath, Jae looked down before responding, "Ae, I do." Sighs of relief and small exclamations of excitement filtered from the crowd as the sigma smiled approvingly. "Very well," the sigma voiced. "Then, rise, Alpha of Crimson Night."

Applause broke out through the hall as Jae rose to his feet and turned to face those to came to celebrate his acceptance of Alpha. After turning to quickly smile at the zeta who was looking at him through love-filled eyes, Jae turned back around to face the sigma and bowed his head as she approached him with a golden crown in her hands. Keeping his head bowed, Jae humbly bent down to allow the sigma to place it atop his head.

"It is my great honor to present to you your Alpha of Crimson Night!" The sigma's voice rang throughout the hall and was answered with cheers and whoops as Jae turned back to face the crowd and bowed to his pack. Accepting Jae's bow to them as their new Alpha, those present bent to one knee and gave their first bow to their new Alpha. Jae received their bow humbly with an incline of his head before leaving his spot at the bottom of the steps and hurrying over to the zeta who had watched the ceremony from beside the now *Prime Luna.

Stopping to bow to his mother, who smiled at him and nodded in affirmation to continue what he wanted to do, Jae immediately took Syri by the hand and pulled him into a tight embrace. Oohs and awws sounded throughout the hall as everyone saw Jae pull the zeta into his arms. The crowd was happy to see the first person Jae wanted to share his accomplishment and new position with was very clearly the wolf he wished to be his future mate. Jae earned some brownie points from those in attendance as they saw their new Alpha was a loving and caring man.

Jae smiled down on the zeta as Syri gazed up at him with loving eyes. The true blood was filled with joy and relief that he now had the power and authority to protect the one his heart belonged to. Jae knew the next few days would be filled to the brim with meetings and negotiations and him working to change that damned law, so he decided to cherish every second he was able to spend with Syri that night.

Throughout the remainder of the celebrations, Jae never left Syri's side. Though he was constantly greeted by royals from all five packs, Jae never let them distract him from doting on Syri and ensuring the zeta was comfortable and had everything he needed and wanted. The more he drank, the more attached Jae became to the zeta, and before long, Syri found himself trapped in Jae's arms for the remainder of the night, and no matter who came to talk to Crimson Night's new Alpha, Jae never let his arm fall from around Syri's waist.

We're almost there, love. All the while he was being bowed to and bowing to those of his pack and the visiting ones, Jae could not stop thinking of how close he was to being able to call Syri his in front of the moon goddess and everyone. Just a few more days. I can't wait to announce to the world that you are my mate.

Prime Luna - Title given to any living Luna who no longer holds the position actively and now functions as a guide to the new Luna who will rule with their mate. Lunas who step down to allow their heir, or heir's mate, to take their position and are still living will become Prime Luna.

Prime Alpha - Title given to any living Alpha who no longer holds the position actively and now functions as a guide to the new Alpha who will rule with their mate. Alphas who step down to allow their heir, or heir's mate, to take their position and are still living will become Prime Alpha.