81!

BRIANNA

It had been weeks and days of constant planning for Liam's coronation. There is a lot to do with so much little time.

We have a lot of time to do what we need to do, but right now it looks like we don't have enough time.

It's like the closer the date, the more work we need to get done.

I haven't told anyone my encounter with…I don't know what to call what I saw.

The image I saw looks exactly like me, and she calls herself my sister. What the hell is that supposed to mean?

How can she be my sister? I don't have a sister. I'm the only child of my parents. Did they have a child nobody knew of?

“Hey,” I felt Liam's hand wrap around me. I flinched and walked away.

“What's going on?” He asked with a sad expression on his face.

“Nothing, there is just a lot of work to do,” I said as I tried to get past him.

“I stood for about ten minutes watching you, five minutes before that, calling your name,” he said, standing in front of me.

“I must have just been relaxing, it's been a lot of work doing all this, but I'm enjoying it,” I said, smiling.

“You are deflecting, Brianna. Ever since the attack on the palace you have been distant,” he said to me, and I scoffed.

“Really, you mean the time when you told me I was queen. I wonder why?” I said with a hint of sarcasm in my voice.

“No, you can't do that anymore,” he walked towards me. “You can't keep making me feel bad about that when I apologize. I already hate myself for saying that,” he tried to touch me but I moved away.

“But none of that is the real reason for your behavior,” he said, giving me a hard stare.

“There is nothing wrong with my behavior,” I said softly.

“Okay, then let me touch you,” he moved closer, but I took a step back and he sighed heavily.

“It's driving me nuts not touching you,” he said to me. “Why won't you let me touch you?” He placed his hands on the rail.

I can't let him touch me. If he touches me, he will figure out or see what I saw, which will lead to him asking for an explanation I don't know.

“I'm just taking the advice of Beta Chris and you should too,” I said to him and she scoffed.

“That's not the reason, you and I know that,” I could sense him trying to read my mind.

“I want to be a good Queen,” I said.

“Brianna…” he whispered my name, moving closer.

“No,” I stopped him. “Being a good Queen means listening when your Elders speak. That's exactly what I'm doing,” I said.

“You should get ready, our guests are arriving,” I walked away before he could stop me.

I hurried through the hallway and into my chambers to see Layla and Trisha getting my outfit ready.

“You shouldn't be doing that, Layla,” I said as I walked in.

“I know, I'm about to be a Princess, but that doesn't mean I will stop being your lady,” she said, and I smiled.

“Did you talk to Liam about what's bothering you?” Trisha asked me as I got into the bathtub.

“Nothing is bothering me, Trisha,” I said to her.

“I have been your friend for a very long time, Bri. I know when something is eating at you,” she said, and I sighed.

“I'm just stressed out,” I said to her. “I haven't done this much work since my residency days,” I said and she smiled.

“Well, you know I'm always here for you. We are more than friends now. We are sisters.”

The sound of the word sister broke me back to the hallway where I met the shadow who said she is my sister.

I felt my bones go cold, my heart hammering in my chest as the memory replayed in my mind. The hallway had been dimly lit that night, the air filled with an unnatural chill. I had turned a corner, only to see the shadowy figure standing there, looking just like me but with eyes that glowed an eerie blue.

She had smiled, the kind of smile that sent shivers down my spine. "Brianna," she whispered, her voice like an echo from deep within me. "We have much to discuss.”

I had backed away, barely able to breathe as the world seemed to tilt around me. Before I could respond or comprehend, the figure dissolved into thin air, leaving me with only questions and fear that gnawed at my insides.

"Brianna?" Trisha's voice snapped me out of my reverie. She was leaning over the bathtub, her brows furrowed with concern. "Are you okay? You look pale."

I managed a weak smile, though my hands trembled beneath the water. "I’m fine, Trisha. Just tired, that’s all."

She didn’t look convinced, but she nodded slowly. Layla, busy with the final touches on my gown, glanced over with a knowing look. The room seemed stifling, the weight of the unknown pressing down on me.

I got out of the bathtub and started getting ready for Day four of the coronation activities.

Day one to three were a load of fun for the people and their new Highest Alpha King. I stayed indoors because of the many thoughts in my head.

I got fully dressed like a Duchess but more like a future queen with most of my emeralds replaced with some of the late queen.

I walked out of my chambers to meet Beta Chris waiting for me.

“Your grace,” he bowed.

“Beta Chris, something wrong?” I asked.

“Not at all, your grace. Just here to make sure you don't bail on us today,” he said with a smile.

“I wouldn't miss today for any reason,” I said. He nodded, took my hands and led me to the entrance of the palace.

Liam was there already, waiting. We are to greet every guest that has come in for the coronation ball.

Kings, Queens, Dukes, Duchesses, Lords and Ladies, Important dignitaries. We are to greet them all.

I gave out a huge breath as I walked towards Liam. There were a lot of people and my anxiety was reaching its peak.

“Your Highness,” Beta Chris bowed and gave my hands to Liam. He took it and brought me closer by my waist.

“Whatever is weighing you down, you need to let it go,” Liam whispered to me.

“I know,” I said to him.

“These people came to see the couple who defeated Castillo and that's what we are going to show them,” he said and I nodded, nervously.

“Follow my lead and this will be over before you know it,” he held my hands tightly and squeezed it.

I felt a little level of peace flow through me. “Okay,” I nodded.

“Good, here we go.”