37

After the funeral and the weeks of mourning Maxwell and I returned home. Yet, my first day back at the pack was met with a chaotic scene unfolding in the living room.

"What is going on," I ask as I step into the living room.

The living room was filled with people and binders stacked tall sat near them. Some were opened and on the coffee table as these people spoke among themselves.

"Good morning, Luna," an older man greets.

"Good morning, now can someone explain to me what is going on?"

A lady stands, dressed in high heels and black pencil skirt dress. "We were informed about the ceremonies taking place soon. We were asked to help to prepare and plan for them."

I slap my palm on my forehead. It would've been nice if Max informed me that we were starting to plan. Taking a seat in the open arm chair I start to pick at the breakfast trays set upon the tables.

"Now, Natalie. We are going to start with the marking ceremony. This is what humans call, a wedding. So it'll be planned and set up like a wedding. Flowers and a big white dress," the one designer tells.

"I'll be preparing the catering and pastries and the cake," a chef tells.

I nod.

"Next is the mating ceremony which will be done privately. Before this happens, the elders will bless the couples bed. We'll take you away from the party and few minutes before it ends to prepare you."

"Prepare me?"

They giggle. "Yes, remove the makeup, reapply some. Change your clothes and brush out your hair. It's the mating ceremony. Duh."

"Oh, yeah."

"And lastly is the Luna ceremony which will take place the next morning. This is just a casual breakfast where the Alpha will confirm that the mate bond has been complete and you are now their Luna."

"Seems easy."

Another giggle arises from them and I pout. "What? It doesn't seem that difficult."

They shake their heads. "Of course it's easier said than done. Everything must be perfect. You only mate once."

I was already getting a headache and the planning hasn't even started yet. I rub my temples and lean back in the chair, sipping the coffee.

I turn my head when one girl squeaks. "Oh my, she's going to be our Queen! She needs a tiara. I know the royal jeweler, we can have him draw something up."

As the discuss the certain pieces of jewelry I am going to be have made, I doze off. I truly do not care for any of this today. I just wanted to curl back up in my bed and go to sleep.

I know this is an important day for everyone including Max and I. But I truly did wonder if he wanted this. If he wanted to be king and have all this attention on his life. I honestly don't think I'll ever become accustom to my personal life being broadcasted to the world now. I never understood why people are so obsessed with a royal family.

I haven't even forgiven Maxwell yet for not consenting next first about accepting. Yet, he goes behind my back and sneakily calls in a team of planners.

My heart or head wasn't in this.

"Luna," one calls.

I perk up and hum and respond. "Yes?"

"Are you listening? We asked you a question," she snaps.

I send them a threatening glance. I stand from the chair and round the table.

"What was that," I bark.

She pushes herself into the back of the chair. "Nothing- Luna."

"That's what I thought, please don't speak to me like that."

Calm and composed now, I look at the sketches for dresses before me. They talk about flower arrangements and themes for the banquet hall. Along with that they discuss the night closes for that evening and what will be in the bedroom. The worst is picking the menus for the dinner and the breakfast. Especially since I have to do this all on my own, where the hell is Max in all of this. Why isn't he here?"

"Excuse me," I cut them off. "But where is the Alpha?"

"He didn't tell you? He went down to the cells to talk to Desmond and get some information out of him," the gentleman tells.

Of course.

I flip through the binder choosing a blush dress with off the shoulder sleeves and that drops a little bit before the knees. This will be for the morning we emerge as a bonded pair.

After hours of the first planning session they pack up and leave as Maxwell and some advisors enter the estate.

I lay back on the couch hearing the irritating voices of the advisors that I am getting so tired of hearing. Just hearing their chatter makes my head want to explode, only one can deal with these old men for so long. I believe I have met my limit with hanging around these old men. Sadly, I'm going to be stuck with all these old men until they step down.

"How was the planning, my Queen," I hear Max ask and sit down beside me, setting my legs on his lap.

"Horrible," I bark. "It would've been nice if you warned me last night or this morning."

He shrugs. "Thought it'd be a nice surprise."

"Max, I didn't agree to all this so quickly. As much as I love you, this is all too sudden."

"I want to secure your position if I die in the challenge."

"But you won't!"

"You don't know that! No one knows how this battle will play out. Desmond is dangerous and always has a trick or two up his sleeve. I know he is going to pull something during it. This is for both of our safeties."

"I'll be fine."

He shakes his head. "Who knows what he'd do to you if he become king. I can't allow that. I won't be able to forgive myself if something happened to you and I could've stopped it."

How he is speaking, this isn't going to be a normal challenge. It sounds like it is going to be a fight to the death. In which one has to die for the challenge to be over or they can be severely wounded where they can't fight anymore. They can forfeit at that point in time or let the other finish them off. Knowing Desmond he'll not forfeit, he'd rather die than be a prisoner of the royal family.

Max would be more than happy to have Desmond as his prisoner. Desmond would be his trophy for his victory. This is common in the royal family to keep your losing opponent as a live trophy. Many King's have done it before and Max won't miss that opportunity. If it was up to me I would've killed him eight there on the spot. No hesitation. Sadly that isn't how the court system works and we have to go through the process. Also we have to punish accordingly and we have to accept any challenge that comes our way.

"And what were you so busy doing," I tease.

"I was busy planing your transition into power. It is a long and tedious process. You'll have to learn protocol and what not," he tells.

"You're joking, right?"

He shakes his head. "This process is sacred. To get from point A to B is a lot."

"Which is?"

"Obviously point A is the marking ceremony. Then the mating ceremony and lastly is introducing you to the pack. After the pack accepts you, I will have to announce to the whole kingdom of you arrival. From there grand parties and many alphas will come visit and meet you. This will determine a lot if they like you or not. So this is why you must learn protocol so you don't say something wrong or offensive to an alpha."

"Why does all that matter," I whine.

"Because one thing that doesn't offend one alpha from say the East may offend one from the south."

"I see."

He clear his throat. "We- we also talked about your safety plan if he becomes King."

"Plan?"

He nods. "The plan is to hid you until it is safe for you to come out and reclaim your position as queen. This is for your safety, so he can't find you once he takes over. Goddess knows what he'll do to you if he becomes king."

"So what is the plan?"

He swallows hard. "You'll be moved to a safe house deep in the forest or an allying pack will take you in. You'll remain safe under their care. Your residence will be protected by a spell and it will also be hidden. The spell casted will make it invisible with the magical force field."

I silent pray to the goddess that we won't need to use this plan. I don't want to go into hiding because my mate is dead. Can you imagine? When an Alpha dies there is a big mourning period and I'll have to go through it alone. Alone and potentially pregnant with no comfort since I can't be seen leaving or entering the residence. This is just in case the pack I take shelter in has a loyal member to Desmond and rats me out.

But for now, we must take it one step at a time and be hopeful that by the end of this, I'm standing by my mate and not a pig.