by Karen Ruth
Lucas let out an audible chuckle. I slapped his arm in retaliation and let out my own chuckle. At this point, we didn’t even care if the crowd could hear us laughing.
“Forget how to walk?” Lucas asked me within my head.
“Have I ever known how to walk?” I questioned him back, flashing a smile.
“Touché,” Lucas responded to me.
What felt like an eternity, we finally arrived at the end of the aisle. Amelia and Devlon went to the center, while we were instructed to part ways and go to the outskirts. Lucas gently kissed my hand and looked me in the eyes.
“I love you. Be safe.” Lucas muttered to me.
“I will see you soon, my king,” I muttered to him jokingly.
While still holding eye contact with me, Lucas rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, how bout we don’t say that,” Lucas muttered.
I laughed out loud at the response.
“King, king king,” I said joyously in my head.
“Imma make you pay for that,” Lucas said smiling.
“Too late, gotta go,” I said pretty much skipping to the spot next to Amelia.
Lucas visibly shook his head, rolled his eyes, and moved to the spot next to Devlon. The area was dead silent as the elderly man with the book began the ceremony.
“On this day, we are recognizing the many years' King Devlon has spent being our leader, our protector, our king. The time has come for him to step down and let his son take over. We all mourn for the death of Octavius, The King, and Queens eldest son and the older brother of Lucas.”
I gently grabbed Amelia’s hand who was in front of me and squeezed it. I could tell that she was devasted by the way her shoulders slumped at his name. It was difficult to calm someone going through something like that. I knew it wasn’t much, but I had to do something. I looked around the whole pack. Everyone looked saddened by the death of Octavius. Lucas himself looked to the ground and avoided all eye contact. His hands knotted together at the front of his body.
“I’m so sorry,” I said to Lucas through my head.
Lucas slowly looked upwards and met my eyes. His golden eyes swirling in tears threw a wrench through my heart. Seeing Lucas with so much emotion made my heartbreak for him. He tossed me a gentle smile and looked to the floor once more.
“For those of you who don’t know, Octavius was killed by no other than Seth himself. They tried taking over the pack and Octavius fought strongly against him. He was gravely injured during the battle and unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. Seth took many of our werewolves away through the years, Nina’s and Catherine’s mother included.”
My heart wrenched at the thought of my mother. I glanced over at Cath and saw her eyes spill with tears. I hated that I wasn’t able to talk to her. To comfort her. I watched as Reed pulled her into a hug and held onto her as she cried. Her body racking back and forth in sadness.
“Thank you,” I muttered to Reed.
Reed just nodded his head to me, never letting go of Catherine.
“Luckily, we no longer have to worry about Seth as he is now dead. Nina herself took Seth down. For that, we are all eternally grateful for what she did.” My face lit up in embarrassment as the crowd cheered my name.
“Uhh, can I say something?” I asked raising my hand.
I heard Lucas chuckle within my head. I so wanted to stick my tongue out at him but I didn’t want to look like an idiot.
“Of course!” The elderly man said to me.
“I didn’t take Seth out by myself. If it wasn’t for the rest of my pack, I wouldn’t have been able to stand a chance. I feel like Catherine was the real hero through the fight. She risked her life for us to be able to take him down.” I protested.
“That is very honorable of you Nina,” Devlon said to me smiling.
I flashed him back a small smile. “It is all true,” I said holding my head up high.
“Very well.” The elderly man said smiling at me, “No matter who made the victory, it shows that we are a strong pack. No werewolf will be able to take us down!” The man roared.
The crowd cheered in excitement. I couldn’t help but to cringe a little as my ears rang from the level of loudness. At least I didn’t cringe as bad as Cath. I noticed she placed her hands over her ears and sunk into the chair. Reed laughing at her as she did so.
Devlon took the mic from the elderly man. “Thank you old friend, I will take it from here.”
“Yes, my King.” The elderly man said while inclining his head to Devlon. He patted Devlon on the back as he made his way over to the nearest chair.
“Even though Lucas was never meant to be our King, the second born that he his, I know with no doubt in my heart that my son will be able to watch over all of you, protecting you, and leading you. I am proud to call him my son. He has been obedient to me from the moment he was born. My noble and proud son. Only recently has he been disobedient, since he met Nina to be exact.”
My heart sank at my name, my eyes going wide. My mouth fell at the mention of my name. Oh god, what have I done? I thought to myself. I looked around the crowd. Everyone’s eyes furrowed in confusion. I refused to look at Lucas. I felt Amelia’s hand squeeze mine.
“You see, as King, I tried to put the pack over everything. Including my own son. I tried to make Lucas marry Adelina. Her being of the Britain pack descent, I thought that the union between the two would strengthen the pack. Then Nina came into the picture. From the moment Lucas laid eyes on her, I knew that the deal would be compromised. What Nina and Lucas have is special. They are fated to be together, they are true mates. It is one of my biggest failures as a king. I should have known that something was wrong with the union when the elders blessed them together. Instead, I refused to listen even when more and more complications came into view. Even my own wife, Amelia, tried to convince me to change my ways. It is I who almost caused a war at the wedding. For this, I am eternally sorry to everyone at play. For this reason, I must step down and let Lucas take over. Lucas, please step forward.”
Lucas raised his head high and walked over to Devlon. “My son, it is time for you to be crowned the King of the Crimson Moon Pack. Are you ready?”
“Yes, father.” Lucas said to Devlon.
“Do you promise to watch over the pack, no matter the cost?” Devlon asked.
“I do,” Lucas responded.
“Do you promise to protect this pack, no matter the cost?” Devlon asked.
“I do,” Lucas responded.
“Do you promise to fight to the death to remain the king? Devlon asked.
My heart and stomach flipped at this question. I couldn’t help to close my eyes as Amelia squeezed my hand in comfort. “He will be ok,” Amelia whispered to me. I shook my head at her thankful for the confirmation.
“I do,” Lucas said back never missing a beat.
“Very well.” Devlon said to Lucas. “It is time for me to step down and let you take over, my son,” Devlon said while his eyes locked on to Lucas, showing how proud he was of his son. “I, Devlon, relinquish my title of King of the Crimson Moon pack, and bestow it upon my son, Lucas William Crimson,” Devlon said while removing the crown from his head.
The elderly man stood behind Lucas and started to remove the crown from Lucas’s head.
“Everyone, please welcome your new King, Lucas!” As Devlon yelled, the elderly man placed the crown upon Lucas’s head.
As everyone cheered, Lucas looked me straight in the eyes. The world spun away from us once more as I smiled right at him.
“Congrats, my king,” I said awestruck by him.
“Thanks, love.” He responded to me. “Although, please don’t call me your king,” Lucas said to me. “We are equals after all.” My heart fluttered at what he said.
“Always?” I asked him.
“Forever and Always.” He cooed back to me, smiling.
Once the cheering died down, I felt Lucas and my connection rip away.
“Thank you, every
one! I promise to protect and lead you no matter the cost!” Lucas roared to the crowd.
This caused everyone to roar right back while chanting his name.
“Hold on!” The elderly man yelled while he walked to the front. “Nina and Lucas, please come over to me.” He retorted.
I looked over at Lucas. He shrugged his shoulders in confusion as well. I slightly lifted my dress and walked over to the elderly man.
“Even though you two aren’t getting married today, the wizards are here. They would like to give you two your present early. It is time for you to feel one another emotions and physical pain.” I looked over at Lucas confused.
“Since when do they bend the rules?” I asked Lucas, my head spinning.
“They don’t,” Lucas grumbled in anger.
Lucas severed our connection and glared at the elder. “No.” He responded to him.
“Lucas…” Devlon started.
“No. We will wait until the wedding is over.” Lucas said while crossing his arms.
“Lucas, you don’t get it. Either you do it now or you won’t get the gift at all.” Amelia said shaking her head.
“Why?” Lucas questioned. I placed my hand on Lucas's shoulder to try and soothe him. His anger radiating off of him.
“Because, they made a separate trip to make it here. It was part of the deal. Either they come and give you the gift early, or you marry Adelina.” Devlon spoke.
“And nobody decided to let me know any of this,” Lucas grumbled.
“If you did, things wouldn’t have worked out the way they did,” Devlon responded.
“I am not putting Nina through the pain of tomorrow. She doesn’t need to feel that. That isn’t fair to her. Why are you ok with that?” Lucas narrowed his eyes.
“I’m sorry son. That wasn’t the plan. Although that in itself shouldn’t stop you. I’m sorry to say but Nina will be going through that a lot.” Devlon muttered while looking at the floor.
“I’d rather not have the gift then,” Lucas said while starting to walk away. The crowd gasping in shock.
Quickly, I grabbed Lucas’s arm, stopping him in his track.
“Give us a minute,” I responded to the elder, not waiting for a reply. I grabbed his arm and walked Lucas away. Yes, I could have spoken in our minds right there, but it just didn’t feel personal enough.
Once we got a distance away from the group, I stopped Lucas and sat on the floor.
“Sit,” I muttered while thumping the forest floor.
Lucas closed one eye and looked at me.
“You heard me,” I instructed him.
Lucas let out a small chuckle. “Very well.” He responded.
Once he sat down I began to talk.
“Lucas, do you really not want our gift?” I questioned him.
“It’s not that I don’t want it, Nina. It’s that you will feel every single pain that I am in. Do you understand that? Tomorrow when I am in the fight, you will feel everything. I don’t want to hurt you.” Lucas mumbled while holding both my hands and looking me in the eye.
“Lucas, every time I am hurt you will feel it too. Don’t you think that scares me as well?” I questioned him, our eyes dancing.
“Nina, I can handle it,” Lucas responded to me.
“And I can handle it as well.” I countered him.
Lucas let out a huge sigh. “I know that you can Nina. It just scares me to have to think about it.”
“I know Lucas,” I said while taking one of my hands and placing it to his cheek. “But you are thinking of it all wrong. I am excited to be able to feel all the happiness between us. Not everything is going to be bad. I am excited for you to be able to feel just how much I love you. How happy you make me by just being near you. How when we are apart I know that you are safe and won’t have any worry in the world. Doesn’t that mean anything?” I questioned him, my face getting closer to his.
“Oh, Nina. I can’t wait for that either.” Lucas let out a huge sigh. “You are right. I’m acting ridiculous aren’t I?” Lucas questioned me flashing me a small smile.
“That you are,” I responded while grabbing his face in my hands and giving him a quick kiss.
“That’s it?” He pouted at me.
“We gotta go do this thing,” I responded at him, quickly jumping to my feet, grabbing his right hand, and walking him back to the ceremony.
I heard a bunch of talking at the ceremony. Concern etching the werewolves tones.
“Sorry, we are back,” I responded while standing face to face with the elder. “Please forgive us,” I said while giving off a small smile.
“Of course. What have you decided?” The elder questioned me.
I shrugged my shoulders and looked at Lucas for his answer.
“I apologize for the way that I acted. We are ready for the gift.” Lucas responded.
“Exciting!” The yelled jumped in glee. “I can’t remember the last time that we did one of these. I don’t even think I was alive the last time.”
My eyebrows rose as I looked over at Lucas. “I told you they were rare, especially for ones of the same pack.” He laughed in my head.
“You don’t say,” I responded at him.
“Will the wizards please step forward.” He beckoned to the wizards sitting in the chairs.
Slowly they arose and walked over to us. One stopped in front of me, the other in front of Lucas.
“Please, Nina, give us your left hand, palm up.”
I did what I was told.
“Lucas give us your right hand, palm up.”
He did what he was told.
The wizard in front of me pointed his finger at my hand. Slowly, without touching me, he sliced my hand open with his magic. Blood oozed from the wound, unto the forest floor. I squeezed one eye shut from the pain. Lucas growled in protest from the pain they caused me.
“Shhh,” I muttered at him. “Behave.” He squinted his eyes at me, not like being told what to do. The crowd laughed at us.
The wizard gently placed a cup underneath my hand and let the blood seep into it. Once there was enough blood, they let me close my hand and the wound closed. They did the same thing to Lucas. I looked at him questioningly.
“What are they doing?” I asked him.
“Better for you not to know.” He responded to me.
“In other words, I’m not going to like it.” I retorted with a sigh.
“Not at all.” He chuckled.
“Great,” I mumbled out loud.
The wizards were chanting some foreign language together, each holding their cup with both hands staring at the blood. When they were all done with their chanting, one-handed me Lucas’s blood, my blood handed to Lucas.
“Drink.” They said to us.
“You’re kidding right?” I questioned back.
Lucas let out a laugh. “I told you you wouldn’t like it.”
I glared at him.
“Do you realize how many diseases are in blood?” I questioned him.
“Yeah, diseases werewolves don’t get,” Lucas said rolling his eyes, still laughing. “Plus, you’ve swallowed blood numerous times.” Lucas corrected me.
“Yeah, in my wolf form.” I glared at him.
“Oh Nina, just drink it,” Lucas muttered while starting to swallow my blood.
“You’re in trouble for not warning me.” I protested.
I slowly started to drink the blood. Warm hot liquid running down my throat. I felt nothing during the whole process. Once I finished drinking the blood, I handed the cup back to the wizard. In unison, they looked at each other and said a word. All of a sudden, the world spun around me and the wizard in front of me caught me before I could fall. I looked over at Lucas and he was in the same state. The feeling of dizziness quickly evaporated; in its place, I felt a burst of love shoot right through me. Tears encompassed my eyes as I realized it was Lucas’s emotions I was feeling. I looked over at him and he had tears in his eyes as well.
“We
did it.” He said to me while taking me in his arms.
“I feel you,” I said back to him. “You really do love me,” I said as one tear escaped my eyes as I quickly wiped it away.
“Of course, I love you my dear sweet Nina. I would never lie to you about that.” Lucas cooed in my ear while brushing my hair.
“Although I do have one slight problem,” Lucas muttered to me. I pulled my head away and looked at him in confusion.
“What?” I questioned him.
“Someone has been hiding how much her ribs hurt. I think you need to go lay down and rest.” Lucas joked to me.
“Oh, shut up,” I said as stood up onto my tippy toes. Lucas lowered his head to mind, and we kissed each other passionately. I felt every emotion he had during the process as I knew he felt mine. Ways of love after love struck me in the heart, causing me to smile as big as I possibly could. The world slipped away as we found our euphoria.
Chapter 23
I stared at the ceiling while laying on Lucas’s bed, my arms crossed behind my head. I heard Lucas shuffling in the bathroom, the sound of the shower shutting off.
“You know, I’m surprised you are still in this room. Weren’t you supposed to take over your parents’ room once you were crowned king?” I spoke loudly enough so he could hear me. Luckily, with the werewolf hearing, I didn’t need to talk that loud.
Lucas opened the door and walked into the room. His only apparel was a towel wrapped around his naked waist, droplets of water escaping from his soaking black hair. My face lit up in embarrassment as I tore my eyes from his gorgeous body.
“They are moving things around right now as we speak. Usually, it would have been done by now, but Adelina didn’t want that room. She hated it for some reason.” Lucas answered while searching through his dresser to find something appropriate to wear.
“Figures,” I muttered, rolling my eyes, as hatred dripped through the tone of my voice. “You know, I’m going to miss this room.” I sighed at Lucas, the memories of our time together seeping through.
Lucas let out a sigh as he walked over towards me, still in the towel may I add, and sat at the side of the bed. He hung his head down low, closing his eyes.
