Chapter 222

Fiona

This time when Ethan and I step up to the dais, my family is with us.

Cameras flash, microphones are planted in front of us, and recorders are held out in waiting. After a week of getting to know my family, I learned that our family goes back many, many generations, just like my mom said. They also told stories about how they have always used their wealth and power to help people, like Ethan does.

Easily, I found myself feeling more connected to them.

My grandmother has the same kind attitude my mother had while my grandfather is a bit more domineering, yet soft when he’s with the family. My uncle is serious but knows how to joke when he’s in the mood. Aaron is a lot like my uncle with a little less seriousness and a lot more joking, and he’s already become insanely protective in the short time we’ve known each other.

I can’t wait to see how he reacts to the announcement. I hold back my giggle and glance at him to find he has his serious face on. Then my eyes land on my father who stands on Aaron’s other side.

My father. He’s strong and silent yet always offers a smile when I look his way. Just knowing he’s there is a comfort. It’s something I never felt with the man I grew up believing was my father. I didn’t know how to ask him at first, but when I gathered the courage yesterday, I asked him if he’d seen my mom.

He told me he had a dream the night we met and that he’s seen her in his dreams every night since.

It made me happy, knowing that they at least get a bit of happiness still.

“We have gathered everyone here today,” Ethan declares, getting my attention, “To announce two wonderful pieces of news to everyone.”

The crowd cheers, and my family glances at me. They only thought we were announcing my heritage. I wanted to keep the other part a surprise.

Smiling, I take Ethan’s hand and step up to his side so I could be front and center.

“My mate, your Queen, is of Lycan blood,” Ethan declares. The entire room goes silent, gasps rising into the air. “We have discovered and confirmed that she is descended from the Alexander line, the niece of former King Arthur Alexander, and the daughter of former Princess Elizabeth Alexander.”

I’d learned that my mother had the title of princess, which was pretty cool. I also learned that when she married my father, he took her last name instead of her taking his, to keep the royal name.

So, I now know my name is Fiona Alexander.

“The Alexander family is here as validation of my mate’s lineage.”

Camera flashes nearly blind me, but it feels good to have the truth out. It’s almost like announcing this is a new start for me, especially when the crowd breaks out into cheers. Reporters throw questions at us, but I can barely hear them as cries and shouts of excitement fill the throne room.

It’s the opposite of how the people reacted when I was first crowned Queen. A good kind of opposite that makes me smile when confetti bombs burst above us. Colorful confetti flutters down around us, landing in my hand softly when I reach out.

I look up at Ethan, and he silently shrugs. Then I turn to my left and spot the guilty. Aaron grins, and I shake my head. Of course, he did it.

Ethan raises his hand, motioning for the crowd to ease and calm down so he can make our second announcement. It takes a moment, but when they finally quiet down, Ethan grabs my hand and laces our fingers together.

Nerves rocket through me, but I stand confidently beside my mate. With him here, I won’t cower. I can do this. It’ll just be odd for everyone to know now since we’ve been keeping it quiet.

“As for our second announcement,” Ethan starts once everyone is silent. Everyone seems to lean in, waiting for Ethan’s next words just as much as I do. I take a quick peek at my father and brother, finding curious expressions on their faces as well.

“Fiona and I would like to announce that we will soon have a baby and—”

Before he can say anything else, everything erupts.

“You’re sneaky!” Aaron hisses, poking my arm. I smile at him as I take a bite of the little party sandwich he gave me.

“A baby,” my father says, looking at me with a blank yet surprised stare. “Do you know what it is yet?”

“Not yet. We still have a few weeks before then,” I answer, smiling. He takes a deep breath that has me and Aaron looking at him with a bit of worry.

“Sorry. Sorry. It’s just, I’ve only had you back for a week and now this… I still see you as that little baby girl I lost,” he says before pulling me into a gentle hug. “Your mother would be happy for you, too.”

His whispered words make me squeeze him back. I love having them near, even though we’re still getting to know each other. Having them here with me and Ethan makes me happier than I realized I could be. After everything that happened, things are falling into place and I’m finally feeling like I belong somewhere.

The celebration is in full swing when Ethan sweeps me away to meet people. A few reporters ask us some very personal questions, to which Ethan answers that they should stick to more respectful questions. Some of the reporters greet me kindly, telling me that they’re glad they were invited today.

Several people I don’t recognize welcome me as their Queen, touching my hand to their foreheads like the people in Ethan’s pack have done when I meet them. It doesn’t feel as awkward as before, and now, I smile at the people, thanking them for their kindness.

The only people who don’t seem to be happy are Ethan’s parents, his brother, and that hissy cousin of his. They were invited, but they’ve been holding themselves back, not talking to anyone other than each other the whole time.

Every now and then, I look over to find them glaring darkly at me. I thought they would be happy since I’m Lycan now, but I realize that’s not helping. Ethan didn’t want to invite them, but I told him it would be a good time for all of them to make up. It was a chance, anyway.

“A baby!”

A body slams into mine, nearly taking me to the ground before large arms wrap around me and lift me up.

“Nova! Put her down! You almost knocked her over!”

Peeking over my shoulder, I find the bulldozer that is Nova holding me almost a foot off the ground.

“How are you going to protect her if you flatten her?” Laura hisses, smacking Nova on the arm. Sophie rolls her eyes, Claire bites her bottom lip in worry, and Laura narrows her eyes at Nova.

“Sorry, Luna,” Nova says, putting me back on my feet. She makes sure I’m steady before bowing her head in apology. I’ve found that her name really suits her. She’s like a bright burst of energy all wrapped up in an excited puppy that is inside of a woman.

I pat her head, making her look up as I say, “It’s alright. I’m fine.”

“We’ll get her out of your way,” Sophie says, kissing my cheek. “When you’re done greeting your adoring fans, come find us.”

After another hour of greeting and thanking people for their support, I sneak away for a bathroom break and a snack. I’m just about to eat my second sandwich when a shadow falls over me.

“Lying to everyone like this won’t work,” a rough, angry voice startles me. I spin around and find Ethan’s father standing there, cornering me. There’s no one around, I realize, and I’m out of sight of Ethan.

“I-I’m sorry you feel that way, sir.”

When I go to step around him, he grabs my wrist in a painful hold. I gasp and look up at him to find the deadliest glare pointed at me. My heart jumps in my chest, sending a shot of fear through me.

Would he hurt me?

Surely, he wouldn’t. Not with all these people here.

“You are not fit to be the Luna Queen. A liar, thief, and whore don’t belong in this family, and neither does a human,” he growls, his grip tightening to the point where I swear my bones grind against each other. “You will regret tearing our family apart.”

Then, he releases me and stalks away. I slump back against the wall, taking a moment to catch my breath before going out to find Ethan. I want to tell Ethan what happened, but when I see the wide smile on his face, I feel like I should hold it in.

I don’t want to ruin today for him because he looks so happy as he laughs and talks to his friends. So, before I reach his side, I steel myself and plaster my smile back on my face.

I’ll tell him later.