Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Third Person's POV

It was announced that the visitors had come. They were waiting for the newly born royals to show themselves at the hall. Tia, the witch, came down first the stairs, and with a flick of her fingers, a speck of gold was raining down on the stairs.

Everyone was amazed, especially the visitors. They were even more surprised that the rumors of the Silver Growlers pack gaining a witch was true. They became nervous at the sight, anxious that the royals would reject them. Vincent, the pack's beta, cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention, then went down the stairs and bowed. Seeing the beta bend made everyone follow his actions.

Clara and Erik walk down the stairs, Erik holding Clara's hand to support her from going down the stairs. The visitors can't help but take a peek and raise their heads. The royals released their aura, and the whole werewolves that were present were stunned. They instantly understood who it was, their rulers. Instead of bowing, they crouched down and kneeled on one knee with their hand on their chest.

"No need to be so formal, my guests. We are still not crowned," Erik said, showing his stern voice. Everyone trembled at the power of his voice. No one could say a word, even move a single finger.

"Rise. Instead of kneeling, let's go to the kitchen to have dinner. You guys must have been tired," Clara said, using her stern yet sweet voice.

Vincent rose, and everyone followed. Seeing the royals the second time didn't change anything. The visitors are still nervous, moving carefully not to make any mistakes in front of their ruler. Vincent raised his hand, showing the way to the rulers. Clara and Erik walked towards the kitchen, where the long table was.

The visitors keep looking around, amazed at the design of their pack house. They positioned themselves on the chairs one by one, and when the royals sat down, they followed. After sitting down, warriors went inside and set themselves on the sides. The last one who entered was Ian, the third in command, the Gamma of the pack holding his mate's hand. The Alphas gulped, telling themselves not to make mistakes. When Ian and his mate Lia sat, Erik cleared his throat and smiled at everyone.

"While waiting for the food to be served, I will ask some questions," Erik said, showing his calmest tone. Everyone relaxed for a second, seeing that Erik suppressed some of his aura. They all looked relaxed and looked straight at Erik to listen to his question.

"What do you want?" Erik said, showing his authority, releasing all of his aura and mixing it with killing intent.

The visitors stood, surprised and intimidated, crouched down on one knee. They were all sweating when one Alpha spoke. It was Erik's best friend, Alpha Roy. "Of course, we are here to see our rulers and ask for their plans for the country," He said. Glancing at the other Alpha, checking their situation. Another alpha forced himself to talk, "Some of the Alphas are curious if you are going to unite the packs or leave it as it is," The Alpha said, sighing in relief when there were no violent reactions.

"Sit. I want to see the faces of our mighty Alphas," Clara ordered. She held Erik's hand, and in an instant, Erik suppressed and showed a friendly side to him. Feeling that the aura that intimidated them was gone, they stood and sat down on their perspective chairs.

Clara smiled at them sweetly. "I hope you won't think badly. You understand that we just had war and lost countless warriors, right?" Clara said. She was talking elegantly, and her voice was so sweet in the ears of the visitors. Alpha Roy smiled at Clara, "Of course, we understand, our Queen," He said and glanced at the omegas who entered the kitchen pushing some carts full of food.

"Let's save the talk for later. For now, let's eat," Erik ordered, then served some food to Clara. While eating, some of the Alphas and their mates kept glancing, trying to take a peek at the royals. Clara, who felt the stare, glanced at them and smiled. Their eyes grew big, and they avoided eye contact, feeling embarrassed. Clara giggled at their reaction, shook her head in disbelief, and continued eating.

Tia, who finished eating, glanced at her mate Vincent, giving him a signal. Vincent then mind-linked his Alpha.

"Tia fixed the pack hall for your meeting with them," Vincent reported.

Erik smiled and glanced at his mate, checking if she had finished her food. When Clara took her last bite and wiped her mouth, Erik stood and offered his hand to Clara.

"We will be waiting for you at the pack hall. Enjoy your food, my guests," Erik said and walked towards the hall while holding Clara's hand.

Alpha Roy: I accept them as a ruler.

Alpha 2: Of course, we are already connected to them even though they are not yet crowned.

Alpha 3: We cannot deny that they are indeed royals.

Alpha 4: The prophecy is accurate.

These four Alpha who are having a conversation are the second, third, fourth, and fifth best leaders in the country. While the other Alpha and Luna's kept on whispering, talking about the new King and Queen after a hundred years.

Clara's POV

"This is amazing, Tia!" I squealed, seeing the pack hall. We have our throne, the more oversized chair is for Erik, and the smaller one is mine. I even remembered when Erik introduced me; it was now in this place. It is for us to meet our guests. I still have doubts about being a Queen, a little scared at the responsibilities I will be carrying but seeing that these werewolves are close to me, I feel like everything will be okay, especially when my mate is here.

"Remember Clara, you can act the same as before but never use formalities when talking to them and always give pressure, okay?" Tia said. She reminded me of her instructions earlier when she was helping me change.

"Yes, mother," I said sarcastically and rolled my eyes at her.

"Oh please, I'm your great-grandmother," She said playfully, and we laughed.

"Both of you settle down. The guests will be here any minute now," Vincent said, scolding us both.

Tia tried to talk back, but Vincent avoided her, not even trying to hide it. They must be fighting, I thought. Angeline would be thrilled when she sees this, and I am starting to miss her and worry. She still hasn't responded to me after the war. I should talk to Tia later after this.

Tia rode her broom and flew above our throne. Erik and I sat down on our throne, and Vincent was standing behind Erik. I closed my eyes and concentrated on releasing my aura. The door opened, and Ian entered. He walked towards me and stood behind me.

Erik and I released some of our aura when the guests entered. Their calm and relaxed expression vanished and was replaced by serious faces.

"Now, let's talk about my plans that you are so curious about," Erik said using his sternest voice. I just sat there and smiled at them.

"My pack, the Silver Growlers pack, will be the center of this country and will be our palace" He started telling his plans.

The guests stayed quiet, listening to every word Erik. "And my pack will be the Royal Guards that will only answer to us," He added. Some guests' faces showed confused looks, and one man stepped forward.

"I'm sorry to interrupt our King, but what do you mean that they will only answer to you," He said, ensuring that every word he says will not offend the King.

"It is what I said. I will explain further," Erik said. The man bowed and stepped back.

"The Silver growlers pack will be the royal guards. I will be picking four different packs to move in the north, south, west, and east, every corner of the country. That will be the first boundary of our country. The second boundary is for the other Alphas, and the third would be the center of this land. This pack will be the beta, while the pack which protects every corner of our country will be the third in command while the other alphas on the second boundary will be the omegas," Erik explained in detail his plans.

"What is your name?" I asked the man who mastered his courage to step forward to ask a question to Erik.

The man was surprised by the second, but he instantly masked it. He stepped forward and introduced himself. "I am Rick, Alpha of Ash Moon pack" He presented his name and bowed.

"The Silver Growlers will only follow our orders, and you will follow theirs. They will be our hands and feet," I said, trying to intimidate him.

"Understood, my queen," He said, bowing and stepping back.

"Manuel, Ross, Kyle, and Rick," Erik announced some of the names of the Alpha. I was surprised that Erik knew their names. He must have been reading some information about them. Vincent is good at gathering information, so he must have prepared it for Erik.

The alphas whose names were called stepped forward with questioning, edgy looks. "In the four of you, who would want to protect the east?" Erik asked and looked at them one by one.

The Alpha called Manuel stepped forward, "If it's alright with you, I would want to guard the east since my pack is near."

"I see, then Manuel will guard the east, Rick on the west, Ross on the south, and Kyle, in the north" After Erik finished his sentence, the four bowed and stepped back.

"Lia," I called. Since everything was set, I called Lia to show the Alphas their perspective rooms.

"I ask all of you to stay here until the coronation," Erik added. I was surprised at what he said. I immediately masked my surprised face and waited for Erik to finish talking.

Lia entered the hall, walked towards me, and stood beside her mate Ian.

"If you don't mind me asking, my king," Ross started talking. Erik looked at him and nodded, signaling him to continue. Ross gulped, feeling nervous.

"When will the coronation be?" Ross said after taking a few breaths.

"Full moon," Erik said with a finality in his tone. Ross bowed again and stepped back. The moment Erik said the full moon, my head started to ache, and I couldn't help but pinch the bridge of my nose. Erik noticed it and stood.

"It seems my mate is tired, dismissed," Erik said while accidentally releasing all of his aura at once, making the guests sweat. I stood up and smiled at them, I signaled Lia to move, and she started talking to the Alphas not long after the guests went out in the hall.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" Erik said, moving fast to get close to me. He touched my cheek and looked me straight in the eyes with worried looks.

"I am fine, just tired," I said, trying not to worry him any longer.

What was that? Angeline, please answer me. I said, praying that Angeline had answers. Whenever I think about the full moon, my head hurts, and it can make me unconscious at any second now.

I smiled at Erik, who was still observing me, not convinced I said I was okay. I caressed his cheeks and smiled at him. "I am okay," I said with finality. He sighed then offered his hand to me, I took his hand, of course, and we started walking towards our room.

As we walk, Erik still glances at me from time to time. I sighed and looked at him thoughtfully.

"What, babe? I am okay," I said, trying to convince him that I was okay.

"Nothing, it's just that," He said and leaned closer to me, trying to whisper something.

"I want to tear your clothes now," He said and winked at me.

Oh, my moon goddess.