Chapter 136: Chapter 136

All night, Azraiel and Charlotte switched between making love and talking just about everything.

They knew they should have slept but they couldn’t help it. The fear that they might have no time to tell each other the million things they wanted to share just didn’t let them sleep a wink that night.

They cuddled, they talked, and in between they even ate some of the ice cream and leftovers. She would have done everything she has ever wanted to do with her partner if it were possible.

They were both aware of the sun rays peeking through the curtains indicating that it is time to get up but they ignored it and sank further into the mattress.

He watches as Charlotte draws circles with her index finger on his chest.

With a sigh, he presses a soft kiss on her head and grumpily says, “I think we should wake up.”

“Mhmm…we should.” She kisses his chest tenderly.

Sighing, she gets up and walks to the bathroom. While she is showering, Azraiel prepares breakfast. Charlotte wanted to spend the morning with Azraiel and Ayleen. The two of them have grown close despite the very less time they spent together. He had to constantly remind himself to not be greedy for her time.

After showering, Azraiel, Charlotte and Ayleen sat together in their garden on a picnic quilt and enjoyed the breakfast he made. It felt nice. The sweet little family in the garden. He wanted to freeze the time when he saw his mate and his sister laughing together.

But he couldn’t!

Soon it was 10 in the morning and they had their respective duties to do. Azraiel and Charlotte went ahead to the office. On their way, they were greeted by their pack members who wished them luck with encouraging smiles and he was grateful for that.

Theo and Matt were already waiting for them in the packhouse.

“Alpha. Luna.” They bowed when they saw them.

Charlotte smiled brightly.

“Everything as per orders?” Azraiel quickly got into his work mode.

“Yes, Alpha.” Matt said.

“Would you like to say something to your pack before we escort them to the Queen’s Palace?” Theo asks Charlotte.

“Yes.” Charlotte replies quickly. “When are you taking them?” She asks.

“We were actually waiting for you. Our preparations are complete.”

“Great then…” She stands up. “I’d like to address them now. I want them to have the rest of the day to themselves.”

Everyone follows her out. Daniel joins them outside the woods and they go to the woods together.

Charlotte watches as her pack hustles to make everything ready for the shift. The full moon has already begun. She could feel the energy surging through the pack like a current. It is only a matter of time before everything begins.

The end….

Or the beginning….

Whatever it may…

She’ll give her best…

For herself…

For him…

For them…

As soon as Nicholas spots them, he walks to them with a smile. Kira follows him. These past few days, Nicholas and Kira have worked together to make the arrangements for the shift and she’d be lying if she said that she didn’t notice the spark between them. She has been hesitant in pushing them together because of their respective pasts. She understands that they’ll need time to process the hurt and anger and then let go of the same in order to welcome something new.

“Are you feeling alright?” Nicholas asks softly. He has been worried about her.

Charlotte smiles, “I am fine. Stop worrying.”

People from her pack have started gathering around, probably because they saw all of them together.

“I’d like to address the pack.” She says to Nicholas.

“We’ve been waiting.” He smiles.

“Good morning everyone!” She steps in the middle with a loud unwavering voice.

The crowd murmurs “Good morning, Alpha!”

“Thank you for your patience and hard work. I want you all to know that whatever happens tonight, you’ll find me by your side. I can’t control the events that lead to life and death but I assure you that if I come out alive from this shift, you’ll have me as your Alpha. But in case anything goes wrong, I’d like to propose a name that could lead the pack.” She pauses to look at Nicholas.

He looks visibly taken aback.

“Nicholas!” She nods at him to come in the front.

“If I am not here after the shift, I declare Nicholas as your Alpha. Anyone opposed to the decision can come to the front without any fear.” Her eyes scan the crowd to see them murmuring and whispering among themselves. They wait for solid two minutes before she speaks again. "I take that no one here has any objection to my decision?”

A chorus of “No” brings a smile to her face.

“Great then!” She cheerfully says. “After the shift, depending on the species you turn into, it’s up to your sole discretion to stay here with the pack or find a pack of your species. If you choose to stay here, I or in my absence Nicholas will help you in every way to cope with life here. In case you decide to leave, we’d still try our best to assist you in finding the right place for you to stay. You have the right to make that decision after your shift. For the rest of the day, till the shift begins, I want you all to be stress-free, happy, and filled with hope and love for the coming future, whatever it may be. I know that every one of you is strong and resilient. I KNOW that you’ll be here after the shift. I wish you all the very best. May the Moon Goddess bless us all with her love and strength.”

As soon as she finishes the crowd starts clapping and a surge of joy erupts. They hug each other and slowly move forward to meet their Alpha. Charlotte patiently waits smiling at the electric energy around her. One by one they come forward. The werewolves, the vampires, the werecats, the tigers….one by one she greets every individual. She says some kind words to every one of them and assures them that they’ll be taken care of. Their Alpha will not disappoint them…not when the rest of the world has already disappointed them enough.

Looking at the crowd around her, she knows she’ll be alright…she has to be…for them!