Corinne's POV
"Corinne! Have you heard?"
I turned to face my best friend, "Heard about what?" I replied confused. I had no idea what she was talking about,
"The Queen is visiting our school today."
I looked at her in shock, "Queen Calliria?"
She nodded, "Apparently, she hasn't found her mate yet so she's going to visit every town she can until she does."
"She's only nineteen though, why is she so adamant on finding her mate already?"
Hollie rolled her eyes at me, "You know that royalty find their mates when they're fifteen. It's been four years, she's impatient."
"So I've heard."
Queen Calliria Cecilia Remington was Queen of the wolf world. She is one of the youngest Queens ever to be on the throne. The previous King and Queen unfortunately died in battle two years ago, making Queen Calliria seventeen when she took to the throne. I've heard that although she's young, she's extremely strict and impatient. She hates to be kept waiting and her rules are her rules, she doesn't bend them for anyone, no matter who you are. People are hoping that she finds her mate soon so that whoever they are can tame her. Hard task. There have also been many rumours that the Queen is in-fact bisexual but it's never been confirmed. She tends not to publicise her private life so much, so everything is merely here-say.
"Will all students please make there way to the front of the university to welcome the Queens arrival."
I jumped back into reality from that announcement, "Come on Corinne."
I took Hollie's outstretched hand and let her drag me to the front of the building. Everyone was already out there, lined up in two single file lines on either side of the university gate. Once we saw the limo pull up everyone went silent. It was quiet enough to hear a pin drop.
The driver got out of the limo and proceeded to the back so that he could open the door for who I presumed was the Queen. It was.
The first thing I saw was a tone and slender leg before the rest of her followed. In pictures she was beautiful but in person she was absolutely breathtaking. No words could describe how gorgeous she actually was. All I know is, whoever her mate is, they're a lucky person.
She was elegant and poised. Head upright and back straight with the crown placed perfectly on her head. She was perfect,
"Ladies and gentleman, please bow before your Queen!"
Everyone did as they were told and bowed before her briefly before looking up again. She had a very stoic expression and didn't give away any emotion. She was blank canvassed but I found it to be quite intriguing.
She started to walk slowly down the middle of the two lines, looking briefly from side to side at everyone in the line, hoping to make eye contact with her mate.
Unfortunately for me, today was not my day. As she was nearing closer to me in the line, I got pushed from behind, straight into the path of the Queen.
I was immediately grabbed by two of her guards and made to stand up straight, but I kept my head down. It was extremely disrespectful to look the Queen or any member of the royal family directly in the eyes,
"You dare to get so close to your Queen?!" One guard shouted, making me duck my head even further,
"William," The Queen spoke gracefully, "Unhand her."
"But your majesty-" The Queen cut him off abruptly,
"I said, unhand her."
I was released but I did not move. I dared not to. I wasn't going to get on the wrong side of the Queen, I've heard it's not a pretty sight.
I felt the Queen walk towards me but I didn't dare look up, "Raise your head."
I immediately followed her instructions and lifted my head up to face her but I avoided her eyes at all costs,
"Look me directly in my eyes." The crowd gasped quietly. No one and I mean no one has ever looked Queen Calliria in her eyes, and she especially has never demanded it,
"It is disrespectful to look you in your eyes your majesty." I replied.
She hummed in agreement, "It is also disrespectful to disobey my orders. Look me in my eyes."
I took in a deep breath before slowly lifting my head to look her in the eyes and once I did, she whispered a word that I never thought I'd hear come from her lips,
"Mate."
This time the crowd gasped even louder. I'm sure this was just as shocking for them as it was for me. Me, Corinne Matthews, was the mate to Queen Calliria Cecilia Remington.
She lifted her hand and ran it down my cheek gently, "Two years I've searched and I have finally found you. You are beautiful indeed." I blushed slightly, "You must come back with me."
"I can't!" I blurted out without thinking. She wasn't impressed,
"What do you mean you can't? We are mates. Is there someone else?" She asked angrily,
"No! No, definitely not your majesty."
She sighed and turned to face the crowd, "Leave us!"
The crowd immediately dispersed into different directions, leaving just me and her. Alone.
"I wish to know your name." She said formally, to which I replied, "Corinne. My name is Corinne Matthews your majesty."
"Please, call me Calliria, or Callie if you prefer."
I rubbed the back of my neck nervously, "I'd rather not. It's just too informal. You are a Queen and I am, well I'm not."
She took a step towards me, "You are my mate. You are automatically Queen by my side. Look, I've searched city after city trying to look for you and now that I've finally found you, I don't plan on letting you go. I am a Queen, I always get what I want." She stated possessively. I found that to be rather sexy actually, the way her voice changed. Very sultry,
"I can't just up and leave. I have family here, my friends are here and I can't leave Hollie-" She growled at the name of my best friend. That was a wrong move on my part,
"Who is this Hollie you speak of? Know this Corinne. No one and I mean no one will ever take you away from me. You are mine, do you understand me?"
I gulped and nodded, "I understand. Hollie is just my best friend, I swear nothing has happened between us and nothing will ever happen between us."
"I know it won't because you are coming back with me whether you like it or not. I'm not an evil Queen Corinne, you may bring whoever you want with you later but as of right now, you are coming with me."
I knew not to argue so I merely nodded, which made her smile slightly before it disappeared. She took my hand in hers and turned to face the gates,
"William!"
The guard William immediately came running towards Callie, "Yes your majesty?"
"Call ahead and tell everyone to prepare the castle for their new Queen's arrival. Note, if I see one thing I dislike when we arrive, there will be hell to pay."
He nodded, "Of course your majesty, everything will be ready."
"It better."
He bowed to her before facing me and bowing to me as well, which was slightly uncomfortable for me. We then followed him towards the limo, where he opened the door for us. Callie gestured for me to get in first so I thanked her kindly and slid into the limo, with her following right behind me. We then took off towards the castle.
*At the castle*
We pulled into the gates and I couldn't help but stare in awe at the beauty of Remington Castle up close. It was truly a sight to see,
"Do you like?" I nodded my head in reply to Callie's question,
"It's beautiful."
She hummed in agreement, "It is. Not as beautiful as you though."
I blushed again which made her chuckle lightly. The doors opened and she got out first before stretching her hand out for me to take.
I took it and I was going to let go once she helped me out of the limo but she had quite the grip. She didn't want to let me go.
A woman came running out of the castle and bowed before us, "Your majesties, the castle is ready."
"Thank you Evelyn. Have you set up her chambers?"
Evelyn nodded, "I have."
Callie raised an eyebrow, "Where exactly?"
"The room next to yours, like you requested your majesty."
Callie nodded, "Good, you were listening."
"Of course, I only aim to please you."
"And please me you have Evelyn. Inform the staff that their Queen has arrived and we are not to be disturbed. I shall introduce her a bit later."
Evelyn bowed to her, "As you wish."
She turned and bowed to me before running back into the castle. Callie then started to walk forwards so I had no choice but to walk at her pace, seeing as she refused to let go of my hand anytime soon.
I assumed she was taking me to my 'chambers' as she delicately puts it. As we were walking to the room, everyone we passed bowed to us,
"How do you handle people bowing to you all the time?" I asked Callie curiously. To be perfectly honest, I found it quite weird but I wanted to know what she thought about it,
"I am their Queen and now so are you. They bow out of respect and loyalty, not because I tell them to. I'm fairly used to it now."
I nodded, that made sense I guess. She led me towards a room on the third floor and when she opened the door, I was awestruck, I've never seen a room so big in my life,
"If you do not like it, I can have it remodelled to your liking. Anything you want, I will grant it to you."
I looked at her as if she was crazy, "No way, I love this room! It's amazing!"
"I'm glad you are happy my Queen, this is only the beginning. I live to make you happy."
I couldn't help but smile. As straightforward and blank as she was, she was a sweetheart. I knew with a little love, she would open up a bit more. I just needed to get there first,
"Callie!" A voice rang out through the castle, making her groan in annoyance and mutter, "I thought I told Emmanuel to get rid of her, may the Goddess help him when I see him."
All of a sudden, a girl around our age ran into the room. I immediately let go of Callie's hand which made her growl. The mystery girl then placed her lips on Callie's and that's when I growled, loudly I must add, making the girl pull away and turn to face me,
"Who are you?"
Callie pushed the girl away from her, "She is your new Queen. Never again place your lips on mine, do you hear me?"
"But, I thought we had something!"
"One time Annalise and you followed me around like a lovesick puppy. I have found my mate and she is more that what you could ever be, get out of my sight."
"Callie-," Callie cut her off, "It's Queen Calliria or your majesty to you. I said, get out of my sight!"
Annalise ran out of the room crying and before I could even question what was happening, Callie shouted out through the castle, "Emmanuel!!"
In no more than five seconds, a man came running into the room, "Yes your majesty?"
Callie was furious, "I remember specifically telling you to remove Annalise Hastings from the castle. Did I not?"
He gulped nervously and nodded, "You did your majesty."
She took a step towards him, making him take a step back, "Then tell me why she ran into my room no more than two minutes ago! Did you intentionally disobey my order?!"
He shook his head, "Of course not. I would never!"
She walked towards him, backing him up into the wall, "Hmmmm, I beg to differ." She grabbed him by the throat, making him yelp slightly, "When I give out an order, I expect it to be followed down to the tee! I don't like being the strict Queen that everyone makes me out to be but when someone chooses not to follow my orders, so be it!!"
She tightened her grip and lifted him off the ground slightly. For a nineteen year old female she was extremely strong, I could feel the power radiating off of her in waves. It was kind of sexy in a weird way actually, but before I could think any further, I knew I needed to stop her before she got out of control,
"I don't like to show this side of me Emmanuel, especially not in front of my mate but I will teach you a lesson for not listening to your Queen!!"
I had no idea what she was about to do but I didn't want to find out. I walked up to her from behind and wrapped my arms around her waist. We were roughly the same height, with her being just a few inches taller so I leaned up to her ear,
"Let him go, please."
"He deliberately disobeyed me. I do not tolerate such a thing."
I decided to go a step further. I lightly nibbled her earlobe, "You're extremely sexy when you're angry my Queen."
She growled and immediately let go of Emmanuel, letting him fall to the floor before turning to face me. Her eyes had darkened slightly, meaning my words certainly had an effect on her,
"You must not start something you do not plan to finish Corinne."
I smirked slightly, "And who said I wasn't going to finish?"
She growled lowly, her eyes darkening even more. From the corner of my eye, I could see Emmanuel try to sneak out of the room and Callie noticed the same thing,
"You have not been dismissed Emmanuel."
He immediately froze on the spot and Callie turned to face him once again, "Be grateful to your new Queen because if it was down to me, you'd be dead. Let this be your first and final warning, disobey my orders again and I will end your life faster than you can blink. Have I made myself clear?"
He nodded fearfully, "Yes Queen Calliria."
"Good. Now you are dismissed."
He bowed to us both before literally running out of the room. She turned to face me and I frowned at her,
"That was harsh."
She shrugged, "If I am not harsh with them, they will never learn. They need to know that I'm not someone they can just walk all over. Young or not I am their Queen and they will respect me."
I purred slightly at her formality. I found it so hot. Everything about her was hot. I still couldn't believe she was my mate. She was mine as I am hers. She was perfect, despite her anger but that could easily be tamed, I have my ways,
"Callie, can you take me on a tour of the castle?"
"Well, I actually have a meeting today," I frowned at that, until she spoke again, "But I will cancel everything for you."
I smiled widely, "Are you sure? I don't want you to change your schedule for me, as much as I want to spend time with you."
"Like I said earlier, whatever you want, I will grant it to you Queen Corinne."
Queen. I'm Queen of the werewolves alongside Callie. I don't think I will ever get used to hearing that,
"Are you ready?"
I looked up at her and smiled before nodding. She took my hand in hers and this time I didn't try to pull away. We were werewolves and naturally, meeting our mates is love at first sight. As Callie is a born royal, her feelings will be even stronger towards me. I like her, I can't deny that but I don't think I love her just yet, it may be a different story for her though.
She led me out of the room, "I will tour you around the outside first to prevent boring you. The only important rooms inside are the kitchen, dining area, meeting hall, ball room and throne room. You shall see those a bit later. What I really want to show you is the training grounds, see how my warriors train. I need to check up on them anyway so is that okay?"
I nodded, "Of course. It is your castle, whatever you say goes."
She frowned and shook her head, "I do not like how you talk about the castle only being mine. Do you not want to be my mate?"
I looked at her shocked, "What? No- I mean yes! Of course I want to be your mate! I just mean that you are officially Queen, born and raised as one. I am not, therefore I am below you am I not?"
She stopped walking and turned to face me. Her eyes were now clouded over with anger,
"Whether or not I was born as a royal, you are my mate and you are now a royal. I am never your superior so don't look at me like I am. We are equals and from this point onwards, no decision is final without both our approval, understand?"
I licked my lips. She was seriously so sexy when she spoke like that, formality was a huge turn on for me,
"I understand Queen Calliria." I replied seductively.
She groaned and closed her eyes briefly. When she opened her eyes again, they were back to her normal piercing blue,
"You're playing with fire Corinne."
I smiled and shrugged, "I'm prepared to get burned."
She chuckled and continued to lead me through the castle. Once again, everyone we passed bowed to us. I don't think I would ever get used to that either.
She led me outside onto the castle training and I could see hundreds of men fighting each other, some with weapons and some without.
At sight of our presence, one of the guards spoke up, "Everyone stop what you're doing and bow before your Queen!"
Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and stood in a single file line in front of us before bowing in sync. One of the guards then walked up to us both and bowed briefly,
"Queen Calliria, to what do we owe this pleasure?"
Callie let go of my hand, "I am merely doing a check up Drayton, no need to look so tense."
He visibly relaxed which made me laugh slightly. It was clear as day that everyone feared their Queen.
Callie walked forwards towards the line in front of her and looked over everyone,
"Head up! Back straight! Heels together! Eyes forward!"
Everyone did as they were told, "Yes Queen Calliria!"
I looked at her in awe. When she was in Queen mode, she was not a force to be reckoned with. I've learnt that in the very short time I've been here.
As Callie walked up and down the line, a pair of men started laughing lightly, which didn't go unnoticed by her. She backed up slightly and stopped in front of the two men,
"Is there something funny gentlemen?"
They both sobered up once hearing her voice, "Not at all your majesty."
She cleared her throat slightly, "Now, I'm going to repeat myself one more time. This time, I want the answer I am looking for. Is there something funny gentlemen?"
I knew if they didn't give the answer she wanted, she was going to go ballistic so I decided to lend a helping hand. I was probably overstepping my boundaries here but I wanted to try. I walked forward and placed my hand on Callie's lower back so that I could calm her down slightly. I then looked at the two guys who were laughing to see that they were visibly shaking.
I spoke up, "Gentlemen, I'd advise you to think carefully before you speak. I myself will make sure that Queen Calliria will do you no harm, understand?"
They looked at me wearily but nodded anyway before looking at Callie,
"Your majesty. We just noticed the contrast between the two of you and couldn't help but find it funny."
Well, that was true. Calliria was wearing a flowing blue dress, the colour of the royal symbol. I was just wearing black skinny jeans, my black and white jumper shirt and my black and white vans. There was clearly a huge contrast between the two of us but I didn't care and neither did she. However, I don't think that was the answer she wanted because she growled loudly, making everyone flinch,
"You dare to laugh at not only myself but your second Queen?!"
They looked at her shocked at that revelation. They clearly had no idea that I was her mate, it was evident on their faces,
"I- We didn't know your majesty, please forgive us!"
She scoffed, "Forgiveness. You do not deserve such a thing!"
I could tell she was about to do something out of hand so I stepped in front of her and cupped her face in my hands,
"Look at me." She refused and continued to look straight ahead at the men, so I forcefully pulled her head down to look at me,
"You need to calm down. They are obviously sorry for their actions."
"They need to be taught a lesson, then they will be truly sorry for their actions."
I decided to be bold and leant up slightly so that I could lightly press my lips against hers, "Please," I murmured against them before pulling back again, "For me?"
She ran a hand through my hair gently and sighed, "Curse your persuasiveness Corinne."
I smiled and gave her a peck on the lips to thank her before stepping back again and standing next to her. She adjusted her crown slightly before addressing the men again,
"You are in luck today gentlemen. If not for your second Queen, I would have punished you where you stood. One more slip up from you or anyone else, I will strip you of your title, have I made myself perfectly clear?!"
They, along with everyone else nodded, "Yes Queen Calliria!"
She gave them a single nod, "Good. Say thank you to your new Queen for sparing you your title."
Everyone turned to face me and bowed briefly, "Thank you Queen Corinne!"
I smiled and nodded. Callie took my hand in hers, "Continue as you were."
She led me away from the training grounds back around to the front of the castle, "I have a question."
"Go ahead." She replied.
"Why are there no women warriors?"
"For many years it has been against the law for women to become a royal warrior."
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, "Why? Women are just as capable as men to fight in battle."
She smiled at my persistence, "I agree with you, that's just how it's always been."
"You are Queen, can you not change the law?"
She nodded, "Of course I can, I just never had the need to. Would you like me to erase that law?"
I shook my head, "I'm not officially Queen and I seriously don't want to overstep my bounds here so leave it."
"It clearly bothers you Corinne so if you want it gone, it shall be done."
I blushed slightly which made her laugh, "You are extremely cute when you blush."
"So what am I when I'm not blushing?"
She smiled down at me, "You are absolutely breathtaking."
I smiled and looked down at my feet embarrassed, which didn't go unnoticed by her as she gently lifted my head back up again,
"A Queen must always look up to show her confidence and power. Looking down is a sign of weakness and vulnerability."
"Maybe a little bit of vulnerability just shows that you're human."
She sighed, "We aren't human though. It took me two hard years to get to where I am now. I had to earn the respect of my kingdom and I didn't get that through being weak and vulnerable. I got it through being confident and powerful, showing them that even at nineteen, I was not to be messed with."
"I understand that but maybe you should just let go every now and then. Forget you're a Queen for just one day and let loose."
She shook her head defiantly, "There would be uproar. My job is to rule not only a kingdom but a world of werewolves. What would they think if they saw me let loose as you say?"
"Whatever they think is whatever they think, the only thing that matters is what you think."
"As well as what you think." She stated.
I shrugged and we continued to walk through the castle. A set of double doors opened before us to reveal what I believed to be the throne room. I knew this because there was a huge stage at the far end of the room with two thrones in the middle side by side,
"Has there always been two thrones?" I enquired. Callie shook her head,
"No. When I told everyone to prepare the castle, they brought out the second throne for your arrival. One of them is yours."
I let go of her hand so that I could walk up to it, "Which one?"
"Whichever one you want my Queen."
I smiled and sat down on the red throne. The other one was blue so I naturally assumed it was Callie's throne. I would sit on the right side of her,
"You will have your coronation in here, where you will receive your crown and officially become Queen."
I ran a hand over the arms of the chair, "Queen Corinne Alexandria Matthews. It has a ring to it but it sounds weird."
"Well, later on you will become Queen Corinne Alexandria Matthews-Remington."
I laughed, "It's a long title, especially with the double barrelled last name."
She smiled and sat down in her throne, "I for one love it. But of course, if you prefer to keep your last name, that is fine."
"You're jumping ahead Callie, let us just take this relationship a day at a time."
"Of course of course, just wishful thinking for the future."
"I will make it come true one day, that I am sure of."
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The picture on the side is Corinne, played by Kelli Berglund :)