No Coronation Without My Queen
Williams’ POV
Three days.
That’s how long they had kept me locked up. Three endless days filled with nothing but thoughts of Cleopatra and the life growing inside her. No council meetings. No briefings. Just silence, save for the occasional shuffle of the guards outside the door and the maid that usually serves me food.
Each passing hour gnawed at me like a slow poison. Every moment that I was trapped here, she was out there—vulnerable, hunted, and far from me.
Was she safe? Did Renee or Lucien find her? Is our child safe?
As the door creaked open, signaling my release, I exhaled slowly, calming the storm brewing within me. The guard who stood at attention wouldn’t meet my eyes. He bowed slightly as I exited the room.
I stepped into the hallway, my body tensing with unspent anticipation. My muscles felt stiff from days of confinement, but I didn’t care. The council chamber looked ahead like a predator waiting to strike as I marched forward. I knew they would be waiting for me.
But my mind was sharp, focused on one thing—her. Slowly, Cleopatra has become my obsession. And I didn’t mind. Not at all.
As soon as I walked through the doors of the council chamber, the hum of conversation died out, as they all stood up and bowed slightly. The air was thick with tension as all eyes turned to me.
Renee ran up to me with a look of relief in her eyes. “It seemed like you’ve been gone for months, Alpha. Good to see you,” she said lightly with a wide smile.
“Where is she?” I said, my voice cutting through the room like a blade. I looked straight into Renee’s eyes, hoping—no, praying—for good news.
Her smile disappeared and her eyes fell to the floor, shame casting shadows over her face. “We searched everywhere,” she said softly. “But we couldn’t find her. It’s as if she vanished.”
The anger I had been holding at bay surged to the surface. My fists clenched, nails biting into my palms. “Vanished?” I growled. “How could she just vanish? We have scouts, trackers, a network that spans everywhere!”
Renee flinched at the intensity of my voice, but I didn’t care. My mind was spinning, heart racing. Three days, no sign of Cleopatra? My mate was out there, and they had failed to find her after keeping me locked up? The thought alone made my blood boil.
“I won’t be crowned without my queen,” I snapped, turning my fury towards the council. “I need three more days to find her. If I don’t… then I’ll go ahead with the coronation. But not before. You will give me that.”
Murmurs erupted around the room, the council exchanging glances. The head council member had a hard expression on his face as he leaned forward. “Alpha Williams, the coronation has already been set in motion. Your time for searching…”
“I don’t care about the coronation!” I roared, cutting him off. My voice echoed against the chamber walls, the sheer force of it making some of the council members recoil. “I will not be crowned without Cleopatra by my side. Give me three days.”
Their voices can be heard, protesting and disagreeing with what I said. But no one stood up again to counter me boldly.
“I’m not asking,” I growled slowly and they all kept quiet. “I’m not seeking approval either. Three days,” I repeated, my voice calm but commanding. “The coronation will be postponed until I’m back with my mate.”
They shifted uncomfortably, but none dared to defy me. The moment the council was dismissed, I turned to Renee, who was already at my side. “I’ll be going after Lucien and Rob,” I said. “They must know something that could lead me to her.”
Renee’s eyes were wide with determination. “I’ll make arrangements, so that we can leave,” she replied and turned to leave.
“No, Renee. I’ll be going alone. Has everyone from our pack arrived here safely?” I asked. I had instructed her to move everyone from the Stone Heart pack down to the palace. My pack will be merged into the royal territory. They’ve suffered enough in the past month for me to leave them just because I became the Alpha king.
“Yes, Alpha. They’ve all arrived and have been assigned rooms to stay,” she replied.
“Did you send the message to the Silverfang pack?” I asked, briefly remembering what I had been planning for Kane.
“I did. But there was no response. Williams, are you sure that you want to go alone? It’s not safe for you, especially now that the entire realm is aware of your coronation,” she added, a look of concern in her eyes.
I let out a slow breath, trying to temper my frustration. “Renee,” I said, my voice softer but still carrying an edge of command, “I need you here to prepare my quarters with the finest things for Cleopatra’s return. Make sure everything is ready for her. I want her to feel welcomed, to know she’s home.”
Her lips parted as if she wanted to argue, but then she stopped herself. The tension in her shoulders eased slightly, but the concern remained in her eyes. “Very well,” she finally relented, but her gaze didn’t leave mine. “If you insist on going alone, at least take someone with you. For your safety.”
I was already agitated, eager to leave, and I knew Renee wouldn’t stop unless I gave her something to ease her mind. “Fine,” I muttered. “I’ll take Marcus with me. Satisfied?”
She hesitated for a moment but then nodded. “Yes, Williams. Be careful.”
Without another word, I left the council chamber, summoning Marcus. He arrived quickly, already dressed for travel.
“We’re heading to the White Wolf Clan, to find Cleopatra,” I informed him as we made our way to the garrage. “She is now my queen. Your Luna. You do understand what I’m trying to say, right?” I demanded and he nodded.
As we traveled, I made a call to Lucien. “I’m on my way,” I told him, my voice tight with anticipation. “Give me the directions to your clan.”
Lucien’s voice crackled on the other end of the line, calm but urgent. “When you reach the forest’s edge, someone will be waiting for you. They’ll guide you the rest of the way.”
The call ended, and the rest of the journey was a blur. My thoughts were solely on Cleopatra, on finding her before it was too late.
When we finally reached the entrance to the White Wolf Clan’s territory, a figure stood waiting for us—a young wolf with sharp eyes and a knowing expression. He bowed slightly. “Alpha Williams, welcome. Follow me.”
The forest around us thickened as we ventured deeper into their land. Massive trees loomed above, their branches weaving a canopy that blocked out most of the light, casting an eerie, almost mystical glow over everything. The air felt different here—charged, alive with a kind of energy I hadn’t felt before.
As we crossed into the heart of their territory, I was captivated by the sheer beauty of the White Wolf Clan’s domain. Hidden deep in the forest, their settlement was like something out of legend—ancient stone buildings woven seamlessly into the landscape, waterfalls cascading down from high cliffs.
“This place…” I muttered under my breath, unable to hide my awe. The air was thick with magic, older than anything I had encountered before.
“It’s something, isn’t it?” Marcus remarked, his voice low.
I nodded, my senses on high alert as we continued toward the central building where Lucien waited. But as we approached, something—or rather, someone—caught my attention.
A figure stood on the balcony of one of the stone buildings above us. They were cloaked in shadow, but something about their presence gripped me. My breath caught in my throat, my heart pounding in my chest as I strained to see more clearly.
My wolf stirred inside me, restless and eager, and I knew who it was, even before I could fully process it.
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