Justice, “Who is that?”
Really, I didn’t care, unless he said—
“Clive, alpha of Daybreak.”
That. I just didn’t want him to say that.
Justice led us in through the family entrance and then down the hall toward where the crowd oozed through double doors. He opened a single unobtrusive door, and we crossed into a massive ballroom.
The walls and floor were polished gray stone. To the right, two large fireplaces lay unlit, but lit sconces provided a soft, almost cheery glow. To the left, a wall of windows and glass doors let in the waning light of sunset through the white flowy curtains. A lush red carpet ran the length of the room all the way up to the dais, which occupied the middle portion of the opposite wall. A podium was positioned at the forefront of the dais, and a large banner of black silk with a silvery full moon hung from the wall. To the right of the podium, I spotted Kian and the other High Mages, including Grandpa Geoff, taking their seats.
Whatever doubts I’d had about his health increased a hundred-fold as he leaned into Reyna and wiped his forehead.
My attention skimmed over the others, to see if any were wearing seafoam green robes, and snagged on the high mage of water. Kian glared at me, and I dropped my gaze to his robes. Blue. In fact, none of the council wore seafoam-green robes.
I had no idea what my grandfather had told the other high mages to remove the bounty on my head, but I was grateful.
“I need to stand at the head of Crescent,” my father said and then gave me a quick kiss before going to stand with our pack at the back-right corner of the ballroom.
My gaze flitted past the mages, past the podium, and to the left side of the platform, to two gilded thrones. And there was my amazingly sexy mate. He stood tall just in front of the bigger of the two thrones, his chin held high. Wearing a crisp charcoal suit and legit gold and ruby crown, he was every inch a king.
‘Damn,’ I called from the crowd. ‘Looking good. Nice crown.’
I watched in delight as he scanned the crowd, and then his gaze landed on me before his eyes went half-lidded with appreciation. ‘That dress looks even better than I’d hoped. The crown is a gift from King Ozark. I had Declan’s head delivered to him early this morning.’
Grinning, I tipped my head. ‘Who would’ve thought he’d have such an eye for fashion.’
‘Har har.’ He slid onto his throne and patted the seat next to his. ‘Get up here, woman.’
I blanched. ‘What?’
‘You’re my mate. I want you by my side. For everything. I’ll not rule a kingdom that doesn’t respect our bond.’
Legit swoon.
‘Okay,’ I replied—even my mental voice was all breathy. Marry me now. My heart swelled with his declaration. Love and pride.
Working my way through the crowd, I noticed the packs grouped together, one in each corner, with their alpha at the front. The center of the room remained primarily unoccupied except as stragglers entered and crossed to their pack. The bare circle reminded me of an arena—or a theater.
Justice wished me luck and peeled away as he stood in front of Midnight Pack, facing my father, who had all of Crescent Pack behind him.
‘So many people,’ I told Rage.
He nodded, watching me walk toward him.
Sweet Honor remained at my side, almost like an extension of myself.
‘Incoming,’ Rage warned.
My heart jumped, and I spun, preparing for an attack from Mallory or worse. Instead, the twins Audrey and Sadie plowed into me, laughing as they hugged me. I relaxed and squeezed them back.
“Thank the Mother Mage you’re alive! We were so worried until we got the invite for the coronation.” Audrey said.
Sadie shook her head. “Mom legit lost it. She tried to get Dad to send in an entire rescue team, but by the time we hiked to Selkie Cove, you were gone.”
That was the sweetest most loyal thing I’d heard. Sara and John stepped up behind them, their daughter Lizbeth in tow.
“I’m so glad you’re alive,” Sara said, giving me a radiant smile. “We were surprised to get the summons from Prince Courage. Surprised and thrilled, right, John?”
We both looked to him, but his attention was fixed … glaring daggers at Mallory’s dad Clive, but John nodded.
“Is Clive your…?” I looked at John’s hardened expression like he legit wanted to rip Clive’s head off.
“Younger brother,” he all but spat, and my