Chapter Epilogue
Prince
Reagan
I watched with hooded eyes as my brother and his mate both swear an oath to take their new position seriously and guide all beasts with devotion, fairness, equality, and all the other s**t I don't care to listen to. My parents stand aside while the head council does this as he is in charge of conducting the ceremony. Two other members are behind him, each holding a cushion with the crowns meant for the King and Queen placed on them.
It wasn't rare for sovereigns to step down before their death because of our unusually long lifespan. If we decide to wait for the monarchs to be dead before naming another, then we would have a single ruler for a very long time. My father and mother had already been ruling for almost four hundred years, and they still looked young. They deserve a break like a long vacation, and the people deserve a new regime.
I hear Ellie fidget beside me, shifting in her seat and fiddling with her fingers. I turn to see her biting on her poor lip, an action I'm supposed to do instead of her. My hand comes up to cup her jaw and separate her teeth from her bottom lip. Her eyes dart up to stare at me, and I can't help but smile down at her lovely face.
Today, she would also be crowned a Princess....my Princess. It was enough to make her nervous and agitated. But what's more, my parents don't know about this. It seems Bella has decided for it to be a 'surprise' to everyone. Logan is, however, also aware as Bella can't make this final decision without the consent of the king.
Ellie still looks jittery as she picks at the fabric of her dress. She has on a beautiful pale turquoise gown with a halter strap neck that gives a sexy and dangerous show. Though, I would love to be the only audience. There are silver intricate designs on the bodice, and she has silver chandelier earrings to match.
Her full brown hair falls in waves around her, framing her face, and her makeup is done light. I felt the breath being knocked out of me when I first saw her this morning. And I would have preferred to remain locked up in our room and worship her body with my hands and tongue, but I don't think my parents will be too happy with me delaying the ceremony. And it was a special day for my Princess.
I have on a pale turquoise suit to match Ellie's dress. And even though it's not a manly color, it still looks good on me. I would have been caught dead than be in this color, but Ellie had been adamant that she wanted to put on this particular dress. And what the lady wants, the lady gets. But I do love how much the dress fits her perfectly for the occasion. The moon goddess was probably dying with jealousy at the beauty she exhibits. And she looks even cuter with the worried look on her face.
I reach out to take a hold of her hand so she would stop fidgeting with it and calm down. I interlock our fingers and bring them up to place a kiss on her knuckles. She sighs beside me, and I can feel her already relaxing into my touch as I surround her with my aura. I can hear the head council praying to the moon goddess to guide the new sovereigns as he anoints them. But I drown out his voice and focus back on my mate.
Ellie's crystal blue eyes blink up at me with her plump lips pulling out in a pout. I'm tempted to forget my manners and suck on those beauties in front of everyone, but I refrain right away and recall what I had to say.
"I'm here with you. Just like I've always been and will always be. You're not walking down that aisle alone." I assure her and lean in to place a kiss on her forehead.
"Thank you." She whispers when I move back.
I arch an eyebrow at her, "For what?"
She smiles, "For being the light in the dark. For making me happy. For everything." I understand her words perfectly. When she had been rejected and tossed aside, I had come along just at the right time. Not everyone could be that lucky. But if anything, I am luckier to meet her. Most Lycans spend eternity without finding their mates. My parents are the same. They're not fated by the moon but had their mating ceremony arranged. It was one of the reasons why their bond wasn't all that strong. They are mostly engaged in arguments and disagreements when found in the same room.
The sound of the trumpets signals everyone to be on their feet as the new couples are about to take the crown. I don't let go of Ellie's hand as we also stand to our feet in a sign of respect. The hall is filled up with noble Lycans not wanting to miss the occasion. We, the royal family, occupy the front seats with the rest following behind. I have my cousins and other relatives in overly expensive dresses and suits beside and behind me.
Logan is first to kneel in front of the head council to receive his crown. His crown is raised up for all to see before slowly descended on his head. Bella follows next, and the same procedure is taken. They then rise up, bow to the previous King and Queen beside them before taking a step up and standing where the head council once was. My father and mother step down then, walking towards where we, the other royal family members sit as they have renounced their titles.
Howls fill the hall from guards stationed at different angles while a round of applause from everyone follows. We applaud the new couple that has taken up the sovereign title of the beast kingdom while they wave to us in appreciation. Thereafter, we take our seats and they give short speeches emphasizing how much they would take their new duties seriously.
I can feel Ellie's grip tighten as she understands that her turn was coming very soon. Her heart's beat spikes up every once in a while, and her skin breaks out in sweats And when Bella's eyes meet ours as she and Logan move forward, we already know what she's about to announce.
"We have a special announcement to make." Logan started for everyone to keep shut and focus their eyes on them. He pauses for a few seconds until he made sure he had gotten everyone's attention before continuing.
"Today marks the beginning of a new era. As a King, I cannot rule without my Queen." His eyes drift to Bella for a second. It's funny how he has turned all mushy for his mate. The Logan I knew was a cold-hearted self-centered player, but Bella had brought the best in him.
"And just as I can't be without my Queen, a Prince shouldn't be without a Princess. That is why our first pronouncement as your new sovereigns is to give my brother, Reagan Aldrich, a Princess."
"Ellie Aldrich, please step forward." Bella was the one to speak up this time. Noticing how hesitant she became beside me, I stood up with her hand in mine, making her follow my lead. Everyone's gazes are already on us, some lost while some had already caught on. My father beside me already caught on, and a dark look crosses his features. He doesn't seem too happy, as his glare is fixated on Ellie and me, but I ignore him and move forward with my mate.
We make it to the front, hand in hand, and only stop until we're in front of our new King and Queen. A council member steps forward with another crown on a cushion, smaller than that of the King and Queen.
The head council only conducts a coronation ceremony for the King and Queen. As for a Prince or Princess, it was a duty of the monarch; that was why my mate hasn't been crowned yet. It was because my father, the monarch then, didn't want to. But now, I can see the excitement swelling in my mate's eyes even though she looks agitated. I send a nod of appreciation to Logan as this couldn't have been possible without him. And I also smile a little at Bella, who only returns it with a wink.
Ellie is asked to kneel beside me before her coronation begins, and I watch in adoration as her crown is placed on her head. I'm already wearing mine as I stand supportingly beside her. And when she is asked to rise, I help her up before turning around to face the congregation.
Everyone stands up with rounds of applause filling the room. I couldn't contain my smile of satisfaction when I see the look of annoyance on my father's face, but he has no choice but to stand up and also clap with the rest. I had been dying to see that look on his face shame and helplessness. My mum beside him is the opposite as she claps with a big smile on her face.
With Logan and Bella behind us, Elie and I wave towards the crowd, and it takes me a while to notice the tears in my mate's eyes. It seems as if she was finding it hard to contain them, but I knew they weren't of sorrow.
It's hard to believe that one person could make my heart wrench in my chest due to their mood. I had never thought I would find my mate one day, but here I am - the luckiest beast alive. And staring into my mate's eyes right now is enough to let me forget that there is a world out there waiting for us to make changes. Because the only thing I want to do right now and forever is to hold on to my Ellie - my little wolf, till eternity. The End.