Chapter 53-

Oriel:
“How do I look?” This is the fifth dress that I’ve tried on this morning. “You look beautiful in everything you put on.” “Well, that is not helpful but thank you. I just want to look like I belong, not like a child playing a part.” “You don’t have to be perfect firecracker and besides you just turned fourteen, you have plenty of time to grow up.” “Okay oh wise one you also just turned fourteen. It’s hard to explain but I want to make a good impression on the council. I want them to be excited about me being queen someday, not actively wishing I were someone different.”
“Impossible princess. Everyone who gets to know you, knows that you will succeed in anything you put your mind to.” “Oh, Rowen…good morning I didn’t see you there.” “Not that it matters, because you look lovely in everything, but I think the blue is sophisticated and looks the most mature. I personally like the green best, but whatever makes you the happiest is what you should wear.” I am for once speechless, seeing Rowen shy and unsure is so strange. I want to both punish him and bask in his praise. He makes me feel so many things at once that it’s hard to sort through my emotions. “I’m assuming that since you are dressing up and not packing that you have decided to stay. I hope that is the case.” I go to speak but Irvin stands up from his spot in front of the fireplace. “She has decided to stay for now but that doesn’t mean she has forgiven you. Oriel is staying to help bring peace between our people but if you try to use or hurt her, I’ll kill you.” “Irvin! That’s enough.” I put my hand on his chest to help him calm down. I can already see his eyes switching between green and black. I lean into him so that only he can hear me. “It’s okay. Thank you for defending me but if this is going to work, we can’t keep fighting each other. I’ll meet you in the hall when I’m ready.” When I see that he has calmed down I take my hand off of his chest and he leaves. It’s only Rowen and I in the room and the tension is awkward. “I’m sorry Rowen Irvin has always been very protective, but I don’t want to fight anymore. He is right I am giving you the chance to fix things. This one and only chance. I truly do want peace and I want a better life for my pack. This is our opportunity to do something great, I don’t want to ruin it because we can’t get along. I will do my best in your absence to learn everything I can about your people and how the kingdom is run. I want to help you.” Rowen smiles and when I see how it transforms his handsome face, I melt a little. “Princess you will surely be an amazing queen. While you are filling your head with knowledge I will go out and spread our message of equality and make myself worthy of you.” My cheeks heat when he caresses the side of my face. I can’t help but lean into his hand a little and smile. When he leaves my room, I go back to the wardrobe and pull out the green dress.
Rowen:
My breath catches when she comes downstairs with Irvin in a floor length green velvet dress. The Gold belt and trim around the neckline brings out the streaks of gold in her hair. She is lovely and looks every bit the queen I know she will be. She wears a thin golden crown across her forehead with little crescent moons intertwined in the design, her red hair flows freely down her back, and she holds her head high. I am proud to tell everyone she is mine. She smiles at me when I hold out my hand “Are you ready princess?”
“Good morning.” I tell everyone as we walk into the receiving room. The men all look at me with questions in their eyes when they see Oriel’s hand in mine. Still, they stand and bow as I lead Oriel over to my chair at the head of the table. “Please bring me another chair.” Soren a council member who is a few years younger than me and went to school with Darius and I is the first one to get up and grab me a chair. “I have some exciting news to share with you all today. This is my mate and your future queen, Oriel of the black moon pack. As you can see, she not yet of age to be claimed, but we have set the date of our mating ceremony and her coronation to her twentieth year. During the space between now and that time I have decided to close the castle to all but her guard, the staff, and a small group of teachers to prepare her majesty, her advisor Irvin and my niece Ayla for court life. The council will meet only once a month and you will do so here, every person entering the castle will be stripped of weapons and searched. Her majesty princess Oriel and my advisor Darius will stand in my place on the council.” “But your majesty will you yourself not be at the council meetings?” “No, I am leaving on an extended trip to visit all the noble families in our coven and gauge where their loyalties lie. I wish to be closer to my people and share the happy news of bringing my mate home. You are to bring all requests and issues to Darius and Princess Oriel in my absence. They both have my full support and trust with all things.”
To say the council members where shocked would be an understatement. I have never been gone long from my family home and have been involved in every decision that comes through the council. This is my way of showing Oriel that I’m serious about our relationship and I have Darius here to help her and keep everything on track. I trust him with my life. After answering endless questions, including why I had thought to conceal her relationship with me only to then announce her not only as my mate but as a sovereign of our coven. I know not everyone is happy with my decision and there are still many who think us to be superior to the wolf shifters, that we should rule them not the other way around. I am hoping when they see how well Oriel does as their ruler that she will change their hearts and minds. I just hope she is up to the hard task ahead of her.
After I finish packing and giving all my notes to the staff and select Oriels guard, Darius walks into my study. “Well, you sure shocked the council. You have given everyone something to talk about around the diner table for the foreseeable future. Oriel did well, and you two behaved and didn’t fight one time today. I am impressed.” “Very funny. I can be charming when I put my mind to it. Speaking of being incredibly charming and getting Oriel to not actively despise me I have something I need you to put together for me. I want to do something to show Oriel how serious I am about making this work and how happy I am that she decided to stay.” “Anything you need Rowen. I want you to be happy more than anything.”
Oriel:
My heart was pounding all day yesterday. The excitement and nervousness I felt was unbelievable when Rowen introduced me to the council and then placed Darius and I in charge of his kingdom while he’s gone. It felt right and I could see my future so clearly. I may not have the kind of life changing love that my parents have found but I will do something important with my life. Something that will better my race, something that will matter long after I’m dead. I noticed the little looks of disapproval that were given to me yesterday, no matter what it takes I will prove them wrong. I will make use of this time and become the best queen I can be. I wasn’t all alone, I always have Irvin in my corner and my new friend Ayla, Darius and about half of the council seemed genuinely happy to hear that I was Rowen’s mate and took no issue with me being a shifter. I look out the window and see that the sun has risen, I know Rowen and a small battalion of men are setting off early this morning. Even with all the problems we have been having I want to go see him off. I get dressed quickly in a simple but lovely pale blue dress and knock on Ayla’s door, she will want to say goodbye too. Rowen is the last of her family aside from Irvin and I hope that they can grow close when he returns. She is such a sweet girl and has known so much hostility, I want her to feel free and loved. Ayla grabs onto my hand as we walk downstairs, I am surprised to see Irvin, Darius and Rowen seeming to have a civilized conversation. I smile at the handsome group of men and pull the small pouch from my dress pocket.
“I have a small gift for you before you leave.” I love how shocked he looks that I have given him something. “Thank you, Oriel. It’s lovely should I tie it to my sword handle?” I chuckle when Irvin rolls his eyes and grabs the bracelet from Rowen and helps him tie it to his wrist. “I should have been more clear. I made you a moonstone bracelet. It is common for people in our pack to gift something that you have made with moonstones before someone important goes on a journey. They represent good luck, and intuition to keep you safe from enemies. The light that reflects off of the stones are supposed to be a beacon to help you return home safely.” My mouth hangs open and my face turns bright red when Rowen pulls me into his chest. He hugs me tightly and whispers in my ear. “It’s the perfect gift my princess. I will certainly return home to you.” My eyes fall to the ground when he releases me, the truth is when he called me his it made my heart race. I still feel so unsure when he is close, but I like being the center of his attention.
“I also have a gift for you princess. I want to show my appreciation for you, and I want you to know I care about your happiness.” When we walk together to the stable and I see his beautiful gift, I can’t help the huge smile that fills my face. I run and crash into Rowen squeezing him tight. “She’s so beautiful Rowen!” I pet the sweet little fuzzy, white filly and I instantly love her. Horses have been such a huge part of my life and I was afraid I would have to give that up here. “She’s all yours. She is about eight months old and has recently been weaned. I know how much you love horses and how sad you were to leave your mare back with your pack. This is one of the foals from my late mother’s prized mares. She reminded me of you because of her unique eyes.” She has lovely jewel blue eyes. I don’t think I have ever seen a horse’s eyes be any color other than brown. I smile at him again; he has definitely made me hate him less. “Well princess it’s time for me to go, but please feel free to write me and let me know about your progress with her.” “What is her name?” “I’ve been calling her Luna, but you can call her whatever you like.” “I think I’ll continue to call her Luna. Being named for the moon is good luck.” I say goodbye to Rowen and feel hopeful for our future.