Chapter 333

333 Royal Speech

The queen, after going through her short speech of introduction and welcome invited Cole to step up. The throne room took on a different form of silence. The anticipation and excitement in the room were so noticeable they nearly took physical form.

Caden walked onto the raised platform from the other side holding out a red pillow. On it lay a golden ceremonial crown Katie had never got the chance to see in person. ‘I never thought this occasion was this fancy,’ she thought to herself.

‘I would expect nothing less for a king of the werewolf empire,’ Ashley huffed within her mind. The girl felt a tug on her hand and stood along with the future king of Lycaon. As it so happened, Cole was still on edge after hearing what she had said, but her close proximity kept him calm to some extent. With her close by, the prince could relax knowing he could protect his Luna. He squeezed her hand gently, suppressing the raging storm of emotions that now had him on edge.

Knowing there were people in the palace that would attempt to take his mate’s life was not the best thought for someone about to inherit the throne of an empire. His wolf wanted to gut them right where they stood... On the other hand, he wanted to be by his mate’s side. There was the matter he’d spoken to with the Chase hunters that chose this moment to resurface.

There were murmurs through the crowd, but Katie blocked them out and focused on keeping her gait steady even when her legs protested. The flowing dress that she’d donned did not allow her the mobility she was otherwise used to. When Cole was right in front of the queen, he reluctantly let go of the girl, “I’m not going anywhere,” Katie whispered into his mind.

The pigeon on her shoulder pitched in quietly, “The two of you look even cuter together than I had initially fantasized. It’s clear he cares for you more than anything else in the world.”

The girl nodded in response to the bird and faced the audience as Cole took the microphone. ‘Wait... I have a pigeon...’ Katie forced the thought from her mind and decided to play it cool. She had made her entire entrance with the bird by her side. How was this supposed to be any different?

The gazes that she met this time, however, felt like they were drilling holes into her very soul, “You know, if I didn’t know any better, I would say you need me more now than I do,” Cole’s voice chuckled in her mind, “Get over here.”

Distracted by his words, her mind spiralled for a moment before she stepped closer to him. The alpha chuckled and wrapped his hand around her waist, pulling her even closer to him, “Before I get into the speech you all know I spent nights on, I would like to introduce my mate to the pack. This lovely beauty before you is Katie Sirius of the Sirius empire. She will be my... and your Luna and future Queen.”

.....

Katie flashed a nervous smile at the stunned wolves watching them. There was silence before a few claps that slowly increased to a thunderous roar that went through the crowd. The girl had been convinced they would like her. But this reaction set her nerves at ease and allowed her to wave to the crowd at least, “Did you have to do this in public?”

'

“It’s normal for an alpha to demonstrate possessiveness of their mate. Besides, I know you like it. Don’t act like you don’t,” Cole whispered into her ear. The girl’s face went red with embarrassment. ‘How can he say things like that while the entire pack stares at us?’

Her reaction seemed to prolong the claps and introduce a mix of laughter and whistles into the applauding werewolves. Katie found that it was all that had been needed to lower the tension in the room.

Cole seemed just as pleased with the results. His nerves vanished as well as he began his speech, “This speech was well-written, but while I was reading, I figured it would sound well practised and so I threw it in the trash and no, you cannot go fishing for it.

I’ll say what comes to mind because, in the end, that’s what’s important. I don’t consider myself capable of being a king as great as my father was. He was certainly a strong man with no equal. On the other hand, I am much younger and not nearly as experienced as he was. What I do know that I had in common with my father though, is our love for the Lycaon empire. The reason he didn’t buckle when his world was dark was his love for the empire. I may not be as strong as him, but I will, to the best of my abilities uphold the vision that’s been passed down from one king to the other.

To protect the empire with all their being and strive for the prosperity of this kingdom, no matter what the future holds. To let others lean on them while they lean on them for guidance when they are lost. I am not alone in my leadership and if I ever falter, I know I will have someone by my side to set me straight. To a prosperous future,” Cole’s speech was inspiring and captivating that it had the whole room grow quiet while he spoke. His voice started normal, but as he continued to speak, his voice was filled with more and more conviction that entranced the whole audience.

An uproar of applause filled the crowd after they realised he had finished speaking to them. Cole turned around to face the thrones that stood side by side in the throne room. The queen stood to the side of his path to the throne with Caden holding the red cushion hosting the crown. Katie hadn’t noticed Jason approach the podium, but he stood on the other side of the queen with a red cape in hand. No doubt meant for the king.

Cole walked to them with Katie following slightly behind him. She watched with a proud smile as the king accepted the crown that was placed on his head. Jason went around him and set the red cape on his shoulders as he received the crown at the same time. When the king rose to his full height, his whole demeanour was different and it garnered more praise from the audience. Cole continued his walk to the thrones and turned to face the people of the empire that he would rule for years to come.

This was only the beginning...