99: Ada's POV

The ball was a flurry of movement, loud voices, raucous laughter, and staggering whispers. One of the Alpha Kings (which did feel both weird and right to call them) stayed by my side constantly. We started the celebration with food and drinks. They’d decided to do it buffet style, with entire tables dedicated to the main course and desserts. Every single one of Nik’s, Darius’s, and Phoenix’s favorites was present.

Decor lined the banquet hall. Bouquets of emerald, navy, and black flowers were on each table— and were surprisingly beautiful. There were several tables dedicated as seating areas, each with a different colored tablecloth and centerpiece. It was stunning.

Members of the court had also dressed to dazzle. Most women and their husbands dressed in coordinated ensembles, some dressed in colors to represent each of the new Kings, and others dressed as if they were attending a wedding. Quartet music played through the hall, loud enough for people to dance to but not loud enough to overpower conversation.

About two hours into the celebration, Phoenix stood and offered me a hand. I smiled up at him and took it. He whisked me away to the dance floor, leading me into a flowing waltz. Several couples joined us, keeping perfect time with the dance. Others stood, watched, and whispered. I’d heard Elizabeth’s name pop up several times as we floated by people, and a part of me did wonder what had become of her. I was afraid to ask any of my mates because I was there when she was stripped of her titles. I knew what the plan was, but I didn’t know if it was being executed.

She didn’t strike me as the type of woman to go quietly into the night. That seemed to be just about everyone’s sentiment, and the rumor mill was working fast. It seemed most had jumped to the conclusion that the new Kings had executed her despite her admission of being pregnant. How else could Darius, who had married her, get the Elders to agree to let him be with me? After all, I was a lowly, partially exiled wolf from a pack that was widely known to be forming a rebellion against the Ashford family. Elizabeth was a Lady of the Court who had fallen hard and fast from the grace of her own family.

Phoenix leaned down, his breath hot on my ear, “Try not to let the whispers of Court members weigh on you.” I felt his lips curve into a smile as he pressed a tender kiss on my neck, “She is safe in her quarters, like we told her she would be.”

I relaxed against him, smiling warmly as he pulled back, “Thank you. You know,” I glanced around, looking at the flat faces of all the single shewolves in the room, “I’m going to make some enemies if you keep dancing me like this.”

His peppermint eyes danced with laughter as he chuckled, “Oh, Ada. You already have enemies. It has nothing to do with me dancing with you.”

He spun me out and released my hand. I stumbled a bit, turning to face the direction he’d thrown me in. Darius caught me in his arms, pulling me close to him as the quartet transitioned to a slower melody. It took me a minute to adjust to his different style, which was a lot more rigid than Phoenix’s. If I had to categorize their dancing styles, I’d say that Phoenix hated to dance but was exceptionally good, and Darius was someone who loved to dance but lacked the flow needed to make it look natural. I had such minimal experience with Nik dancing that I didn’t have an opinion.

“You claimed us,” Darius’s voice was peppy, smiling down at me.

I nodded as he led me around the dance floor, catching Nik’s eye as he stepped up to the edge of the dance floor. Darius’s navy suit was well pressed, his swirled crown resting atop his hair perfectly. I rubbed my hand on his bicep, giving it a little gentle squeeze, “I only confirmed what everyone already knew.”

My smell had changed. I was halfway through the mate bond with the three of them. My smell was no longer my own, but intermixed with theirs. It was hard to ignore, and had felt better for me to address. After a quick conversation with the Seer right before the coronation, it was decided.

Darius grinned as he dipped me back, “Well, I’m glad. Time for your twirl around the dance floor with Nik.”

Before I’d had time to process, he’d launched me away from him. Nik caught me, his hand trailing down my spine. I shuddered and moved my feet in time with his. He was always so severe when we were in public— his body rigid, his mouth set in a straight line. But his eyes, which were hard as they roamed over the surrounding crowd, softened when they looked at me.

His hand rested on my waist, “Hello, dove.”

“Hi,” a blush crept up my cheeks, and I fluttered my eyelashes, “Big day for you guys today.”

He chuckled lowly, onyx eyes sparkling, “Big day for you, too.”

Another dip. My hair flowed behind me, brown curls flinging through the air as he dragged me back up. Just as our bodies came back together, the quartet stopped playing. Darius and Phoenix approached Nik and me on the dance floor. Nik released me, all of the life disappearing from his eyes as he turned to face the crowd.

I was caught off guard when Nik opened his mouth, projecting his voice out. Usually, Darius addressed the crowds in these scenarios. Tonight, the plan was different. “Thank you all for joining us to celebrate this evening,” Nik splayed out shadows, sending them dancing across the ground in playful jaunts. The crowd laughed with delight. He rolled his eyes as he looked over at me before continuing, “We hope that you’ll all continue being loyal to the Ashford family for many years to come.”

With another flourish of his hands, more shadows billowed out and put on something akin to a puppet show. The finale was met with a smattering of applause.

Phoenix stepped forward, “We would like to invite all of you who are here to stay at Oberon Castle until your future Luna Queen’s coronation ceremony.”

There was movement on the edge of the crowd, and I shot Mariah a smile as she approached with the Beta, Cade, with her. I hadn’t seen them in months because Everett had sent them away to evaluate potential threats. Apparently, they’d been called back. Phoenix motioned toward the pair, “If you are interested in staying, please speak with Cade to finalize arrangements. Have a good evening.”

Darius, Phoenix, and Nik ushered me out of the banquet hall, and the wicked grins on their faces made my heart skip a beat. What the hell did the three of them have planned?