77!

BRIANNA

“It's been weeks since Ethan found Thane, whose trail would have gone cold. Ethan can't do everything for you!” Liam yelled at his officer, throwing every piece of paper on the table to the ground.

I flinched as his voice echoed through my bones, bringing goosebumps to my body.

“You shouldn't be here,” I heard Mason's voice and I gasped.

“Damn, Mason. You can't do that,” I said, turning to face him. “Not when we have people rising up from the grave.”

“Thane?” He asked and I nodded.

“Not just Thane. What if the shadow is back?” I asked him.

“You killed that thing, Brianna,” he said, softly. “There is no way that thing is alive.”

“Yeah, we thought the same of Thane,” I sighed, peeping back into the throne room.

“I don't think he would like you seeing him like this,” Mason said and I moved away.

“I haven't seen him since we heard the news. He is working day and night,” I said with concern.

“That's the job of the Highest Alpha King,” he said with pride. “You will get the hang of it, your grace or soon to be your majesty…” he said with a smile.

“Thank you, Mason. It makes me happy you see me in that light,” he nodded behind me and I turned. Tara was behind me.

“Looks like it's time for you to prepare for the final rites,” he said and I nodded.

“See you there,” I said to him and turned towards Tara.

“Tara…”

“Your grace, your dressing has been prepared for the final rites,” she said as we walked towards my chambers.

“Lady Trisha and Layla?” I asked.

“They await you,” she said as we got to the door.

“Thank you, Tara and not just for today,” I nodded and the guards at my chamber door opened it up.

“It's an honor to serve you, your grace,” she said as we both walked in.

“How is he?” Layla asked, taking my hands.

“Mason or Liam?” I asked, unsure how to answer her question.

“Both,” she rolled her eyes.

“Mason is calm but Liam is raveling,” I swallowed hard. “I didn't see Ethan,” I said to Trisha.

“That's okay, we spoke this morning,” she said and I nodded. “Is everything alright though, you look worried,” she gave me a hard stare.

“Get out of my head, Trisha,” I said to her and she snapped out of it.

“Still going to tell me about it?” She asked, trying to sound apologetic.

“I'm just worried about Thane's suddenly being back to the land of the living,” I said to her as I got dressed.

“The shadow?” Layla whispered and I sighed.

“If he is alive, I'm going to need more training than I have,” I said to both of them.

“You are a werewitch, Brianna. You proved that on the battlefield,” Trisha said to me.

“Well, that was months ago. Things have changed,” I voiced.

“For one, you are more in love than you were months ago,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“Hey, so are you,” I joked as well. My dukedom crown was placed on me alone with the light regea I had on.

I turned to the mirror and it was beautiful. The gown was filled with a lot of embroidery and beads, fit for a queen.

“Isn't this too much?” I asked the head designer.

“No, your grace. The late queen wore something close to this during the late King's final rites and she herself was just a betrothed. A lady,” the head designer told us.

“Well, I'm sure they would approve,” Layla said, adjusting my crown. “Your grace,” she bowed slightly.

“Don't do that, you are a princess,” I said to her.

“And you will be queen soon,” Trisha stood up and bowed as well. Everyone bowed as I walked out of my chambers.

“Your grace the chariot is ready along with the bodyguards,” Akire said as she walked towards me dressed just like the royal guards.

“You look really nice, Akire and so do you,” I said to her sister who bowed slightly as well.

“Thank you, your grace. This way,” we got out of the building and she wasn't kidding. A chariot awaits.

“Is this really necessary?” I asked.

“It's tradition Brianna. Just get on,” Trisha whispered to me and I sighed. I never really liked horses even in the human world.

“I hope I'm not going to stay on its back,” I pointed at the horse.

“No, your grace,” I got into the chariot with a shaking heart. Layla and Trisha sat down like there was nothing wrong.

“You have to get over it,” Trish said, laughing at me.

“Why? I'm not going to do this again,” I said, and she and Layla looked at each other, laughing.

“Am I?” I asked, trying not to throw up on my clothes.

“We are here, your grace,” I heard Layla's voice and I opened my eyes.

“Thank goodness,” I breathed out as I got down from the chariot.

“It's the Royal river,” I whispered. What are we doing in the Royal river, Layla?” I asked.

“This is where Liam will perform his last rites,” she said and I exhaled.

We walked towards the river and there were large rocks all over. “We are over there,” Akire said as she led us.

“Your grace, my ladies,” the people greeted and bowed as we walked past them. There are a lot of formalities going on today. This rite has to be pretty important.

We got to our position and from where I stood I could see Liam in the water. Mason and Ethan were with him.

“So what's the rite about?” I asked Layla but she quieted me down.

“We are gathered here today to see our future King embark on his first journey. This rite will prove to us if he is really destined to be our Highest Alpha King,” the priest said and the people cheered.

I'm glad they love Liam, his reign will be more peaceful if they do.

“You must show no emotion,” Layla said to me but it was too late.

“Urg,” I cried out in pain but my voice was silent, by Trisha. I looked up to see Liam in a fight with another man.

“Come on Liam!” Ethan cheered him on. In a matter of minutes he overpowered the man and the people cheered.

“I can't take any more of that,” I said to Layla.

“You have to remain strong for him, Brianna. You are his strength,” she said and I winced in pain.

“How many of this fight is he going to undertake?” I asked her.

“He must defeat ten of the strongest men in the Kingdom or he will have to forfeit the throne. So you need to remain strong,” I was about to respond to her when I felt a surge of darkness around me.

I looked towards Liam and the next man he is about to fight.

“Oh no, he is here to kill Liam.”