The Crown

23 - Grace

The cold from the stone below me seeped past the material of my dress and into my knees. It had been a few minutes since the Priestess had spoken and I was growing weary. I knew something had to be wrong for the corination to be paused but unfortunately until I was told to rise as the newly crowned Queen I had to keep my head bowed and kneeling.

"Grace. You are here in front of all these witnesses to become Queen. Is this correct." Her voice finally fills the silence and it takes everything in me nit to sigh in relief.

"Yes if the Moon Goddess will allow it." My reply is sincere and honest as i close my eyes, a silent prayer being sent to the Moon even though the sun was high right now.

"Do you promise to uphold the laws and protect every wolf from pack mate to rogue from any harm and dangerouse peril." Again her voice was strong, commanding. I knew my answer would seal my fate as either the next Queen or as a lonely pack wolf. With a deep breath I open my eyes and peak up at the window of the Goddess, her sapphire ones capturing my own and a rush if energy fills me.

Go ahead child

A voice whispers into my ear and I smile.

"I, Grace Harvest, vow that as long as I shall be allowed to rule I will protect everyone equally. I will listen to every plea until the last concerns are heard and I will make sure no harm comes to the wolves who look to me for guidance. This is my vow as Queen." My head was held high, eyes staring at the Priestess with determination. I would keep this vow with my life because nothing would change if I failed. These wolves needed me. The pups who were already hearing the stories of The Run needed me to keep them out of that horror show. I needed to make this nation one our ancestors would be proud of.

The Priestess looks down at me, her face void of any emotions as nerves slowly take hold. What if that had been the wrong thing for me to do. Then she smiled, her eyes lighting up as she motioned for Caden to do something.

[Close your eyes love.] Caden links and I do as I am told.

More silence envelopes the room, the energy from the onlookers buzzing around the room. Then I feel an object placed upon my head, the weight light and the shape formed perfectly to fit me.

"Grace Harvest, I crown you as Alpha Queen to the Werewolf nation of North America. Please stand and face your nation with pride." The priestess states and relief washes over me as my legs move and I am stood facing the guests.

Everyone was cheering for me and pride swelled from Cadeb behind me. This was it. I was now Queen and a member of the Royal Pack. With a smile I take a step towards everyone. Members from my pack bowing respectfully to me before the others follow their movements.

"As Queen I accept any challenges now. If no one wants to challenge me then lets go enjoy-" my words were cut off as a punch to my face silences me.

"I, Audry of Wölfhaven challenge you for title of Alpha Queen." This blonde was about to die as I turn and glare at her, taking my crown off and passing it to Zander who stood between me and Audry the moment she had punched me.

"Bring it bitch." I growl out. I knew Karina would kill me for this but in a quick motion I rip the bottom of my gown off. The material would only get in the way as I fought this shewolf. Before the torn fabric could finish falling she lunged, her claws extending towards my face and I barely had enough time to dodge as I jump to the side, landing with a roll of my body and turning fast with my fist hitting her back.

She cries out in pain and stumbles, giving me an opportunity to grab the back of her head and bashing her face into the stone stairs. The crowd gasps at my brutality while I yank her hair and throw her into the wall behind me, a thickening thud echoing the throne room.

"I will kill you Grace!" Audry screaches while she gets to her feet. Her movements were frantic as if she was a broken puppet and I prepaired myself when she lunged again, leaving me no room to move out of the way while her claws sink into my shoulder and her fist collides with my nose. But this gave me a chance to lead an uppercut into her jaw, watching her bed over from the pain and allowing my knee to aim into her stomach until the sounds of ribs break and once again I throw her to the other side of the room, her body colliding with the thrones.

"Caden." I call out.

"I know get new thrones." My mate chuckles out and my lips curl into a grin.

Then the sounds of bones snapping catch my attention just in time as I roll out of the way of a blond wolf with ferral eyes, her jaws snapping at where I once stood.

"Grace don't you dare shift." Maddie warns but it was too late as the rest of the gown tears away from my body and I stand on all fours, my silver fur standing with the rage I held for the she wolf Audry. Claws met skin and teeth met bones as we attacked.

Her focus was my crown and mate.

Mine was protecting my mate and pack.

Blood and fur went flying and I could tell that if I stayed in this form too long it wouldn't end well for me.

"Caden stop this Grace is pregnant!"