Chapter 29
I'm nervous. I can't rest here in this room. I walk back and forth as my heart starts racing. Today is the day. This is the first time I will be speaking in front of many people, or should I say…wolves?
Today is Alpha Devon's death anniversary. Everything is ready for the event. I am also wearing a white dress for this event. The dress is so elegant on me. It has a fitted bodice that features a high neckline with a dropped shoulder seam above double puffed sleeves. The bodice front is shaped by four darts and the closure is in the front with covered buttons. The back bodice has a center back piece and 2 side back panels. The very full skirt is gathered smoothly into the bodice at the waistline.
Until now I'm still not really used to the clothes here in the Kingdom of Agama. Their clothes are more long elegant dresses. It's like I'm going back to the Victorian Era.
I looked at the bedroom door when Anna entered there. She is now wearing her usual uniform as my handmaid. She bowed her head to me in respect.
"The Alpha is now waiting for you, Luna..." she informed me. I nodded. I remembered what Damon told me the other day. This day is not just about remembering the death of the former Alpha Devon. It was also the day of a bloody battle.
He told me yesterday what could happen. He told me that this often happened on Alpha Devon's death anniversary. But they have never been successful. Damon told me that these are rogues who defected from the kingdom of Agama. These wolves dislike the rule of the Scots.
They tried to confront that group and catch one to ask who was leading them, but they caught him stubbornly. Until his death he said nothing. This is when I realized that Damon's opponent was strong. If its people are that strong and loyal to whoever leads them, their leader may not be just anyone.
That's why besides facing a lot of people I'm also nervous about what might happen. I know that Damon won't just join the fight because he's the Alpha but I'm sure that Damon is their target.
Damon's life is in danger.
I left the room and immediately saw the crippled guards who were going to take me to where Damon was. Anna came behind me to join me. A guard opened a door and there I saw Damon. I gasped when I saw how handsome he looked. Under his red royal cloak are a steampunk trench coat and shirt vintage prince overcoat medieval jacket. I saw how he fits his position in this kingdom.
His eyes bore into me, and a smile crept on his lips. My cheeks flushed as he surveyed me with my clothes. When he looks at me, I lose all my self-confidence. And I'm disgusted with myself for why I react so strongly when he looks at me.
Our gaze was interrupted when Stone entered carrying a box. It was a black box, but it looked so heavy. I looked at it curiously and was just as amazed to see what was inside when Stone opened it.
“A-A…crown?” I mumbled to myself.
"We need to be presentable as we step in front of our people, my Luna..." I swallowed hard when Damon said that next to me. I didn't know that he heard what I said.
Stone approached Damon. Damon bends a bit so that Stone could put it on his head. I was just amazed when Damon finally wore it. The gold shining crown is suited for him. There is no doubt about it. Damon is an Alpha king. And I can't believe I'm the…
"Luna..." Stone called me and smiled as he gestured for me to bend down as well so that he could put my crown on me. I swallowed hard as I did it. And when I felt the crown on my head, I can't help but feel...nervous but at the same time...overwhelmed.
If back then I was furious that Damon had abducted me to take on a responsibility I never dreamed of, now I'm just amazed. I can't tell myself if I still don't like it or if I'm starting to like it.
“Shall we…my Queen?” Damon extended his hand to me who was now wearing white gloves. I also have white gloves on my hands. Now, we literally look like a King and Queen.
I accepted Damon's hand. Stone opened a door in that room. A light dawned on us. Damon and I went out there and I couldn't stop being amazed as I watched the thousands of people standing in front of the palace while Damon and I were here on a large terrace.
The trumpets blew loudly as we came out. The people cheered. The wolves roared and howled. It was...amazing and breathtaking. I held Damon's hand tightly as we stood in front of the wolves that Damon had under his control.
"Let's bow our heads to our Alpha King and his Luna...our Queen!" someone announced. Everyone bowed and paid their respects.
"It is nice to see you all again in the palace my fellowmen. I know that in the past few days we have faced many problems. But as wolves...we are strong...and giving up is never our choice," a loud howl of wolves and shouts of people in human form was heard all over the place after Damon said that.
"And as we gather here, we will remember my brother...our friend...a king...and an Alpha..." I felt the sadness in Damon's voice. I held his hand and intertwined our fingers. It hurts me whenever I see Damon hurting.
"Today...is Alpha Devon's death anniversary...and he may not be here with us today...or even tomorrow...we know that he's still guiding us through our journey. And as we remember him...my Luna...prepared a message to him..." I took a deep breath when Damon said that.
This is it. I shouldn't be sloppy here. This is my chance to prove to everyone that even though I'm human...even if I can't transform into a wolf...I'm still worthy of Damon.
"I know you all know me...but I still want to introduce myself..." I looked at the crowd. They are all looking at me, even those who are in their wolf form. "My name is Athena Solitaire Madrigal...a human...a girl who came from a very different world..." I swallowed hard. I am nervous but I need to finish this. "I was scared, and fear consumed me as Alpha Damon introduced me into this world...back then...I didn't know humans turning into wolves are existing, but Damon makes me believe that you are all true..." I remembered those times that I almost killed Damon in my mind while my feet were locked in the chain.
"But it was not expected that I would learn to love this place. And because of that, I didn't even meet Alpha Devon alive I met him through Alpha Damon. And I know he is a great leader, great Alpha king, a good son, and a loving brother...because until now...I may not have seen him or talked to him...I can still feel his presence all over the palace. And it is enough to conclude that he lives his life...according to what he wants...to what he wants to become. As Alpha Damon's Luna...I thank you Alpha Devon for taking good care of him...to this kingdom...and to your men. That's all…” I smiled at everyone, and I didn't expect loud applause and the noise of the wolves after I spoke.
I felt Damon reach my hands and intertwined our hands again.
"You're...awesome..." he whispered to me. I looked at him and saw his eyes softly staring at me. Something touched my heart, and I don't know why it's aching. I didn't know that I could feel the pain while I'm happy.
But our gaze stopped when a gong and the bell at the palace gate thundered loudly.
“Rogues are coming! They are on their way to attack the palace!” someone shouted out of his lungs. My heartbeat faster as Damon's eyes turned like a hawk.
"Stone...bring Athena to the basement," Damon's words widened my eyes. What? Basement?
“Damon—”
"Just listen to me, Athena, or else you'll be hurt," he told me firmly. I gritted my teeth. I want to help him. I want to do something to help him.
"Stone, take her inside," he ordered Stone and I couldn't complain anymore when Stone took me by the arm. And before I was finally brought inside, I saw Damon change into a wolf form and the last thing I heard was his howl and the words he whispered in my mind.
"I love you..."