ROYALITY NOW

CHAPTER 56: ROYALTY NOW
~ Gabriel’s POV ~

I looked over the crowd that was gathered in front of me. There were so many people in attendance including my pack. We had to turn people away at the gate and live stream it. Harper was standing next to me. She was nervous, I rubbed the back of her hand with my thumb. I mind linked her.
“It’s ok baby, I am right here with you. I just need you to stand next to me and look pretty.” She looked at me and smiled. I felt her relax against me. All eyes were on me as I prepared to begin.
“Well, let's get this over with Gabriel. I haven’t got all day!” I heard one Alpha say. Harper growled next to me.
“We should cut out his intestines in front of everyone and make an example out of him.” I grinned at Mika’s in agreement. I ignored the comment made by the ass and started to talk.
“Thank you all for coming here today on such short notice. The reason I have called you here is to make you aware of something that is new to our kind.” I started hearing whispers throughout the crowd.
“Well… What is it?” The same asshole yelled at me. My patients were wearing thin. I growled lowly at him. He shuffled backward but quickly regained his composure. He is an Alpha, and not used to bowing to anyone. I don’t even know his name, but I could tell he was an Alpha.
“My mate, Harper is the one that the old folklore spoke of. Her 18th birthday was only a few days ago on the night of the solar eclipse and summer solstice.” Everyone gasped.
“It’s not real. This is crazy.” I heard a female say.
“This is a waste of time.” I heard another.
“Are you ready to come out Mika?” I asked him. He grinned in my head.
“Let’s make them shit themselves!” He said.
“Hell yeah!” I said back as my body began to shift and mold into my Lycan. The crowd started screaming and backing away from the stage. Alphas tried to stand their ground, but they were unsure of what was happening. Chaos erupted and the crowd began to run. They were looking for a way out. I sucked in a deep breath and let out an earth shattering growl that echoed for miles. Everyone froze and all heads bowed to me. I jumped off the stage and began to walk. The crowd made a pathway as I made my way to the center.
“There is an evil rising. He is threatening our families, our packs, our homes, and our futures. We will not stand by idly and let this continue to happen. The Moon Goddess has blessed Harper and I with powers that we have yet to learn and discover. Thane Kago is after that power. He wishes to take my mate, YOUR QUEEN!” Angry growls emanated throughout the crowd. “That will not happen!” Everyone quieted to let me continue. “Because I will kill Thane Kago. He needs to suffer for the things that he has done to innocent packs and families. I have an army right now. Trusted allies of Harmony Moon courageously stepped up. If my army is not enough, I will call on all of you to join the fight! I plan to rip Thane’s still beating heart out of his chest!”

Cheers and applause arose throughout the entire crowd. They roared so loud that it was deafening. I looked at Harper and she was smiling at me. I walked and stood next to the stage. Harper came to stand next to me. One by one Every Alpha and Luna stepped in front of us and bowed. They submitted to us and accepted us as their Lycan King and Queen.
“The live is blowing up with Alphas and Lunas eager to meet you and Harper.” Tanner said to me through our mind link. “You guys are royalty now!”


~ Gabriel’s POV ~
I made my way down the hallway toward the conference room. I decided at the last minute that we needed to start planning our next move. I was expecting many important wolves to be here today. Harper was running late. I tried to tell her that no one would pay attention to the love bites on her neck, but she was still trying to cover them up when I left the room. I laughed thinking about how mad she was at me when she found them. Mika and I are proud of all our love marks on our mate.
“You should have thrown her over your shoulder and not let her cover them.” I rolled my eyes at him
“I can’t do her like that, Mika, she has a right to keep things that happen in our bedroom private.” He was agitated.
“I disagree! We need every male wolf here to know that she is ours and we enjoy her thoroughly!” I bit back a laugh. “You just like killing people, don’t you?” He asked me. “You want to keep the fact that she is our mate hidden so you can brawl every chance you get.” My wolf is on a roll today. I tried but I couldn’t ignore that last comment he made.
“No… I am pretty sure you’re the one who wants to kill people all the time, Mika. It doesn’t matter if you have a good excuse or not.” He was lazily lounging around in my brain. He clicked his teeth and looked up as if deep in thought.
“You’re getting cocky, that's what it is. You don’t think anyone can get the better of us.” What is he talking about! “You know what? You're right! We’re the Lycan king now, we need to flex our stuff!” I couldn’t hold it back any longer. I laughed at Mika. I shut him out because I must concentrate on strategy planning.

I walked into the large conference room. It was filled with high ranked members of my pack and others. More than 10 Alphas were in attendance for the assembly of the werewolf operations briefing. Elders of my pack and others were also there. My mother is excused, she has done her part for this pack, and she has no responsibilities anymore, unless she just wants to be involved. We need all the wisdom that we can get. I found my place at the head of the oval table. An empty seat was to the right of me where Harper would sit once she arrived. Tanner was to my left and Kai was to the left of him. I cleared my throat to get everyone’s attention. The chatter quieted down as everyone’s attention landed on me.
“As always thank you all for coming on such short notice. I know you have many responsibilities to your packs, but this matter is of the utmost importance. Our pack members rely on us for their safety, and I don’t plan on letting them down.” I heard some Alphas agree with me. “The reason for this assembly today is to strategize. We need to discuss plans to prepare for Thane and his army. We also need to discuss the best way to defeat Thane. I don’t know if any of you have seen him lately, but he is no longer just an Alpha wolf. He is a sinister beast.” Tanner decided to throw his two cents in.
“To be more specific he was shit out by the devil himself.” Laughs boomed across the entire room. What the hell am I going to do with my beta?
“Leave the gnat alone Gabriel! I like him!” Mika scolded me, remembering the time he called Tanner a gnat when he kept bugging me. He wanted to know more about mine and Harper’s relationship. It seems that I have to deal with both their ridiculous personalities today.
“Mika, I already blocked you out once and you slipped back through while I wasn’t paying attention! Stop it, this is all important!”
“I know I’ll quit! I’m just giddy from our time with Harper. The last time we mated with her was Ahh…” He said, rolling his eyes to the back of his head and shaking all over like he was melting with pleasure. He then walked back into my mind disappearing from my sight. Finally! Tanner held his hands up to silence everyone.
“You all may think that I am joking, but I am as serious as a heart attack. This guy… thing, killed Alpha Titus. He will not be easy to take down.” Tanner told them. I nodded at my beta. Everyone looked to me for confirmation.
“My beta is right. Thane can heal himself instantly. My father cut Thane’s throat out and Thane didn’t even slow down. Everyone knows that my father was a seasoned fighter. He was well trained and one of the strongest warriors that we have ever had the pleasure of fighting next to. It will take more than just brute strength and skill to defeat Thane.” Everyone looked at me with shock in their eyes. An elder spoke next.
“But what about you? He can’t be a match for you. You’re a Lycan King now!” Everyone agreed with the elder’s statement. I shook my head.
“Thane stands as tall as me. He is as strong as me, some may argue that he is stronger. The Terminal Stone is what gives Thane his power. I am confident in my training and skills. I am ready to face Thane. You have to be ready to face his army.”
“What about the Luna? Is she not part of the battle? Why can’t you both fight him alone?” A different alpha asked. Anger covered my consciousness. How dare he suggest that my mate be involved in battle!
“NO!” I growled. “Harper will NOT be involved! She will be nowhere near Thane Kago! The next one to suggest it will die!”

Everyone in the room bowed their heads to me. They felt my Lycan aura throughout the entire room. I wasn’t even trying to show my authority, it just happened.
“I agree that Harper shouldn’t be in the battle. Our Luna… The Queen will be here, protected. Unless the juggernaut has other plans because I’m not going to be the one to tell her no.” He lowered his voice while saying that last part. “Anyway… You can’t face Thane alone, Alpha Gabriel.” Tanner spoke using my title since we were in the presence of others. “We have to find a way to separate the stone from him first. I am not going to risk losing my Alpha and best friend!” Tanner was looking at me seriously now.
“And how do you suggest we do that?” Another Alpha asked. “The last I heard; he had merged with the stone. It is embedded into his flesh.” I nodded and leaned in placing my elbows on the table and lacing my fingers together. That is a good question… Before anyone else could speak, Harper walked through the door.

“We find the witch.” Everyone looked at her as she walked to my side. I got up to kiss her cheek and sat down with her.
“With all due respect my Luna… Queen. What witch are you referring to? I don’t know of anyone who has knowledge of the Terminal Stone or how to defeat its power.” I was confused by what she said, but I know she has reason behind her suggestion. Harper confidently looked over everyone in the room. She is so beautiful.
“The original witch… the creator of the Terminal Stone itself still lives.” Gasps were heard throughout the entire room. I believe I contributed to the gasps this time. I placed my hand on Harper’s shoulder and looked into her eyes.
“Harper, are you sure about this? It’s been centuries…” She nodded to me.
“This information came from the Moon Goddess herself.” No one could doubt any longer. Everyone knew that the Moon Goddess personally visited her on her 18th birthday. Everything she told me about mating and marking was true. I don’t see why this wouldn’t be either. I smiled and looked over the conference room.
“It seems like we have our next steps then. We must locate the original witch. She is the only one who knows how to defeat Thane and the stone. Kai I need you to contact my father’s friend Mona, the one who placed the spell around our border. See if she can help us locate the witch who created the stone. Alpha’s make sure you double up on training your warriors and securing your borders. Things are going to become more dangerous until Thane is defeated. Tanner, you are entirely responsible for training our warriors now. Choose a second charge if you need one. Harper and I are busy enough with other responsibilities now.” Everyone nodded to me. “Everyone is dismissed. Thank you.”