Chapter 200

Ethan

The doors at the back of the throne room open, and the King steps into the room. I gently pull Fiona closer to my side, not wanting her to move away from me.

I don’t need her to see anyone else look at her with disgust, especially if the King decides to send the same kind of look to her. The King is usually fair and unbiased, but I saw how the people around us looked at her. While it wasn’t unexpected, it was still unwarranted.

We all watch as the King walks down the aisle toward the throne. The man looks as regal as always, other than the slight pale pallor to his skin. I’d heard that the reason he was stepping down as King was because he’s sick.

His navy suit and salt and pepper colored hair make his skin look paler, but he still walks with confidence like a King should.

“Does he not have a mate?” Fiona whispers, looking around.

“No. His mate passed several years ago, early into his Kingship around the same time his sister disappeared,” I answer, keeping my voice as low as possible. I don’t want the King to hear. He’s not a sensitive man, but anyone would be upset with someone talking about their family that isn’t around anymore.

Fiona’s eyes rise to mine, searching for something in my eyes. They turn down at the corners, her smile falling at the news.

“That’s so sad. Did they ever find his sister? Why didn’t he ever remarry or mate again, or whatever?” The curiosity in her tone is shadowed by the sorrow, as it should be. The loss of a mate is devastating to any Lycan.

I meant what I said. It’s incredibly difficult for a Lycan to move on when their mate dies. Almost impossible, really.

Shaking my head, I squeeze her waist, realizing she feels sad for the King. I don’t know anyone that would look at a King and feel sorry for him, but then again, Fiona is thoughtful, and the tragedy was years ago. Plenty of people probably felt sorry for him at that time, though most people have undoubtedly stopped thinking about it by now.

“They never found his sister, which means she could still be out there somewhere. As for remarrying or mating again, very few Lycans move on after their mate dies. Most can’t,” I tell her.

“Why not?”

“You have to understand Lycans aren’t like humans. If they do move on, there’s an extremely high likelihood that the emotional connection with their next partner will always be overshadowed by their feelings for their true mate,” I explain as the King steps up to the dais. He moves across the platform to the throne and turns to scan the crowd.

Fiona looks up at the same moment the King’s eyes sweep over her, but he doesn’t continue to look around. His eyes stay on Fiona, inspecting her like she’s a bug under a microscope, and my wolf stands on alert as he continues to look at her for too long.

“Our mate,” Zev growls, but I hold him back.

“The King isn’t after our mate,” I tell him. There’s a spark of something in the King’s eyes, but I can’t place it because a minute later, the King pulls his gaze off my mate and levels it on the crowd again.

“Everyone, thank you for coming today. I commend every Alpha and Lycan who fought in the Challenges for your dedication and hard work,” he announces, nodding to the crowd. “There were many amazing candidates for this Selection, but one stood out beyond all the others. A King should display many characteristics, such as being a good leader who is strong, patient, trustworthy. He must be someone who has the dedication and desire to help people as well as someone who is wise, sacrificial, humble, protective, and righteous.”

Whispers sound through the room, but no one interrupts the King as he describes the new King. Fiona squeezes my hand, her fingers laced through mine as she looks up at the King. I can scent the anticipation on her as well as hear the rapid thundering of her heart.

Fiona may not have admitted it, but the announcement of the new King is just as interesting and nerve-wracking to her as it is to the crowd that surrounds us.

“There are many Alphas who could fit these requirements, but after much consideration, I would like to announce that your new King will be Ethan Montgomery, the Alpha of the Silverclaw Pack. Ethan, will you join me on the dais?”

My body jolts at the announcement. The King looks right at me and motions me up to the platform where he stands. The entire crowd turns to look at me, and it takes everything in me not to show the surprise and excitement I feel.

Everything I’d trained for has come full circle. The years of hard work, belittlement from my father, and isolation have finally paid off.

“I’ll be right back,” I whisper to Fiona, even though I don’t want to leave her alone. My gaze connects with Aaron’s, and he nods, weaving through the crowd to stand with Fiona. She looks up at him, surprised, but stays silent anyway.

Fiona POV

He did it.

Ethan really is going to be King.

I watch Ethan walk through the crowd and up to the platform to stand by the King.

“Everyone is welcome to attend the coronation in two days where Ethan Montgomery will be crowned as the new King,” the King announces, clapping Ethan on the back.

My mate smiles as the crowd begins clapping. I clap as well, glancing at Aaron to make sure I’m doing what I’m supposed to. He’s clapping too, and then he whistles loudly in the midst of the cheers. The excitement that Aaron shows tells me that he and Ethan are closer than I thought they were, or at least that they are friends on some level.

Pride swells in my chest even as anxiety climbs through me. I try not to let the unease take over because this is what Ethan wants. Several emotions hit me all at once along with even more questions.

If Ethan is going to be King, does that mean I’ll be Queen?

Will people accept me as their Queen? I mean, they’re barely accepting me as a Luna, but a Queen… that’s so much more than what I signed on for. There’s a lot of responsibility, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to fit into the title. I don’t think I’m good enough to be a Queen.

“Stick with your mate, and everything will fall into place,” the woman’s voice from my dreams whispers suddenly, making me gasp.

Aaron looks at me, and I duck my head in embarrassment.

“He will be your partner and your rock. Trust in him and lean into his guidance,” she says softly, her voice floating above the crowd’s cheers.

Lifting my head, I look to Ethan and smile when I find his eyes on me. The comforting voice and the attention of my mate ease the worry sitting in my chest, and I feel a bit better.

Everything will be fine if I have Ethan by my side.