Long Live the Alpha King

2. Sophie

The emotions crash over me like a tidal wave. The cheers are powerful and consuming. Each shout and howl is a testament to the new life Everett and I have just stepped into. My heart races, the weight of my title weighing on me with a mix of pride and disbelief. Queen. Luna. Two titles that felt as far away as the stars when I was a young girl, but now they are branded on my soul with a fierce, unbreakable bond. Everett’s eyes meet mine, his emerald green eyes softening as our adoration for each other surges through our bond. For a moment, the crowded room fades into a distant blur despite the chaotic celebration happening all around us. It’s just him and me. The intensity of our desire and depth of our love the only things I can see or feel. He squeezes my hand, his thumb rubbing against my thumb, soothing any nerves I might have. It’s a small gesture, but one that means the world. Especially when he pulls me flush to him.

“We did it,” he murmurs against my lips. His mouth curving into that crooked smile I’ve come to love so much before he plants a passionate kiss right on my lips. My chest swells, warmth spreading through me in more ways than one.

“We did,” I whisper back as we break our kiss, my voice thick with emotion. I let my eyes drift over his sharp jawline and the way the candlelight dances over the strong lines of his face. It highlights the fierce determination etched into his features. My king. My mate. My forever.

From somewhere to our right, I hear Elder Zaccheaus’s deep, rumbling voice as he steps forward, his ceremonial robes sweeping the ground as he approaches. He raises his hands, and the crowd slowly quiets down, but their excitement lingers in the air.

“Alpha King Everett and Queen Luna Sophie,” his voice booms, startling me as I look at my mate. “May your reign be strong, your bond unbreakable, and your hearts forever true.”

Everett straightens beside me, his shoulders squared, chin lifted. I can feel the ripple of his pride through our bond and it eases my nerves as I turn to face the crowd. As Elder Zaccheaus steps back, Everett turns his face toward the room of supernaturals, his grip on my hand never wavering. I can feel the anticipation building in the room, every person leaning forward with their eyes locked on their new king. When he finally speaks, his voice is strong and clear. A voice that commands respect and promises protection.

“Thank you,” he says. “For your loyalty to my family, for your strength in keeping the kingdom together, and for the honor of leading you all.” The crowd erupts again and my heart pounds in my chest, the sound of our kingdom's love and loyalty filling me with a sense of belonging I didn't realize I craved so deeply. Everett’s gaze shifts back to me, his eyes darkening with lust. His fingers intertwine with mine as he leans in, his breath hot against my ear. “Dance with me, my queen.”

"Of course, my king."

He pulls me into the center of the room, his hand slipping from mine only to settle on my waist, his other hand capturing my free one in a firm grip. The DJ plays "You are the Reason" by Calum Scott and Leona Lewis, no doubt at the request of my mate. I sing this song to him all the time when he can't sleep. The room seems to melt away again as I focus on Everett’s strong hands, his eyes locked on mine, and the steady pounding of my heart. We move together, our steps perfectly in sync as my skin tingles beneath his fingertips. Soon enough the dance floor fills with other couples swooning over each other to the music. Everett leans down, his beard tickling my neck as he kisses the sensitive skin below my ear. I let my head fall to the side, my eyes slipping closed as I lose myself in the sensation. In this moment I am filled with an unshakable certainty that I am exactly where I am meant to be.

Everett’s grip tightens on my waist, pulling me tight to his chest as the song comes to an end ewhile his lips dance against my skin. As the final notes of the song fade into the air, Everett dips me low, his hand firm at my back with his eyes blazing as they lock onto mine. For a heartbeat, the world stands still and then he pulls me back up, his lips brushing mine in a fiery kiss before he leans his forehead against mine, his breath coming fast, matching the frantic rhythm of my own racing heart.

“I love you, Sophie,” he whispers, his voice filled with so much emotion that it steals the air from my lungs.

“I love you too, Everett,” I breathe, my voice trembling but certain.

And as the room erupts in another wave of cheers, I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that our reign has truly begun.

We spent the rest of the night drinking champagne, dancing, and celebrating ourselves. I don’t know what time we went to bed or how we got to our room, but I know that I am awake right now and happily in my bed next to my mate. I watch him sleep for a few minutes before getting up and moving to the bathroom to shower. I wash my hair and body, trying to distract myself from my title.

They call me Queen Luna now.

The title doesn’t quite feel real yet. It feels like it belongs to someone older and wiser. Someone who didn’t get black out drunk on champagne mere hours after vowing to guide with grace and stand unshaken beside her king.

But here I am, barefoot on the balcony outside our suite, holding the towel I used to dry myself firmly around my body with sunlight flooding in the room. Below me, the Mystic Moon pack is still buzzing with celebration, but they’re just cleaning up the mess now. I can hear their laughter, music, and howls of joy much like I could last night.

I step back into the room and close the doors, deciding to ditch the towel and go back to bed. At least I’m clean now. My chest rises and falls slowly as I lay in the bed, trying to relax and take it all in. I should feel horribly scared and overwhelmed. I am the new Queen Luna of the supernatural world. Maybe I am just a little, but more than anything, I feel anchored by the man asleep beside me.

Everett passed out still fully in his dress clothes when we came to bed apparently. I don’t remember it, but I know that he is currently sprawled sideways across the bed. His crown is on the dresser next to mine, but I’m not sure we were supposed to leave with them. I make a mental note to return them to wherever they are stored, but I can’t stop smiling even if I wanted to.

This kingdom is ours now.

But taking over the crown comes with so much more than just a ceremony and pageantry. We’ll be called to settle disputes, strengthen alliances, crush threats before they take root. I saw the faces of all the species tonight. Wolves, witches, fae, vampires, and everything in between was here. They smiled to our faces, yes, and they celebrated us, but everyone could feel the underlying tension. Not everyone is ready for a new reign and I can’t blame them. My mother and father in law are the most amazing leaders and following in their footsteps is going to be a huge deal.

Maybe it’s me that they’re concerned about. They don’t know my past or maybe they do. Maybe that’s the problem. I’m not sure how everyone feels about me, but I definitely wasn’t like the heartthrob my mate is. I didn’t come from money or high status.

But Everett never looked at me like I was broken or less than. He saw strength where others saw weakness and when he placed that crown on my head, he didn’t just name me Queen Luna. He named me his equal. Something no one else had ever done in my life. I start to feel my eyelids drooping, exhaustion settling in and relieving the tension in my body.

“I hope you’re ready, world,” I whisper as I drift into sleep. “Because I’m not just Everett’s Luna. I’m your Queen. And I plan on making damn sure I’m the best Queen Luna you have ever seen.”