Her Unwanted Mate On The Throne

CHAPTER One The Crown Princess The kingdom of Mooncrest had never looked more beautiful. As the first rays of dawn spilled over the towering mountains, the entire capital awakened beneath a blanket of silver light. The palace stood proudly on the highest hill, its white marble walls glowing beneath the morning sun while banners bearing the royal wolf crest fluttered gracefully in the cool breeze. Every street had been decorated with blue ribbons, fresh flowers, and glowing lanterns that had remained lit throughout the night. Today was no ordinary day. It was Coronation Day. For the first time in over three hundred years, Mooncrest would crown a queen. The city buzzed with excitement as merchants opened their stalls, musicians played lively tunes, and children raced through the streets pretending to be royal guards. Every citizen wanted a glimpse of the woman destined to wear the ancient Moon Crown. But behind the palace walls, joy was replaced with pressure. Servants hurried through endless corridors carrying polished armor, trays of breakfast, expensive jewelry, and ceremonial robes. Noble families from neighboring kingdoms filled the guest chambers while royal guards stood watch at every entrance with their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. Everyone knew this coronation would decide the future of the kingdom. Not everyone wanted it to happen. High above the bustling palace, in the eastern royal chambers, Princess Lyra Ashthorn stood alone before a massive arched window. She watched the city in silence. Thousands of people had gathered below. They cheered her name. They celebrated her future. Yet she felt none of their happiness. Her reflection stared back at her through the glass. Long dark brown hair flowed over her shoulders like silk, framing a face that carried both elegance and authority. Her sharp silver-gray eyes were famous throughout the kingdom. They were the eyes of the Ashthorn bloodline, a family said to have been blessed directly by the Moon Goddess herself. At only twenty-two years old, Lyra had become everything her parents hoped she would be. A fearless warrior. A brilliant strategist. A respected leader. But today... She wasn't sure she was ready. A gentle knock echoed through the room. "Come in." The heavy doors opened slowly. Elina stepped inside carrying a silver tray with a steaming cup of herbal tea and freshly baked bread. Unlike the other servants, Elina never bowed too deeply. She had been with Lyra since childhood. She was more like an older sister than a maid. "You skipped dinner," Elina said as she placed the tray on the table. "I wasn't hungry." "You skipped breakfast yesterday too." "I know." "And you barely slept." Lyra finally turned away from the window. "I had too much on my mind." Elina folded her arms. "You've been preparing for this day your entire life." "Exactly." "So why are you nervous now?" Lyra looked toward the palace gardens. "Because today everything changes." Silence settled between them. After a moment, Lyra spoke again. "My father spent twenty-five years protecting this kingdom." Elina nodded. "My mother spent her entire life teaching me how to become a queen worthy of this crown." Another nod. "And now everyone expects me to be as strong as both of them combined." Her voice became quieter. "What if I disappoint them?" Elina smiled gently. "You won't." "You sound very confident." "I've watched you train until your hands bled." "I've watched you study every kingdom on this continent." "I've watched you defeat knights twice your size." "You've already earned this crown." Lyra managed a faint smile. "I hope the council agrees." Elina sighed. "The council doesn't have to like you." "They only have to accept you." Before Lyra could answer, another knock interrupted them. This one was louder. More formal. "Enter." Captain Rowan stepped inside. Tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in shining silver armor, he carried himself with the confidence of a man who had spent his life protecting the royal family. He lowered himself onto one knee. "Your Highness." "You may rise, Captain." "The nobles have begun gathering inside the Great Hall." "So soon?" "Earlier than expected." Lyra frowned. "That means they intend to speak before the ceremony." "I believe so." "And the Northern delegates?" "They arrived before sunrise." Lyra let out a slow breath. "As expected." The Northern packs had opposed her succession since the day her father announced her as his heir. They believed only a male Alpha deserved the throne. Captain Rowan hesitated before speaking again. "There is something else." "What is it?" "The elders have requested your presence at the Moon Temple before the coronation." Lyra blinked. "The Moon Temple?" "Yes." "Why?" "They refused to explain." A strange feeling settled in her chest. The Moon Temple was only used for sacred ceremonies. No future ruler had been summoned there on coronation day in over a century. "I'll go." Captain Rowan nodded before leaving the room. The heavy doors closed once more. Elina turned toward the wardrobe. "It's time." She carefully lifted the coronation gown from its stand. Lyra stared at it. The dress was breathtaking. Deep midnight-blue silk shimmered beneath the sunlight while silver embroidery twisted across the fabric like moonlight flowing through a river. Tiny diamonds had been sewn into the sleeves, making them sparkle like stars. "My mother designed it." Elina smiled softly. "She spent months drawing every detail." Lyra reached out and touched the fabric. Her fingers trembled. Queen Selene had passed away five years earlier. She never lived long enough to see her daughter crowned. "I wish she were here." Elina gently squeezed her hand. "I think she is." For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Together they dressed Lyra. The silk gown fit perfectly. The sapphire necklace rested elegantly around her neck. Silver bracelets engraved with royal wolves wrapped around her wrists. Finally, Elina placed the royal cape across her shoulders. The weight surprised her. Not because it was heavy. But because it represented everything she was about to become. Elina stepped back. "There." Lyra looked into the enormous mirror. For a brief second she barely recognized herself. The frightened young woman had disappeared. Standing before her was the future Queen of Mooncrest. A woman born to rule. Then... The palace bells rang. Once. Twice. Three times. The sound echoed across the kingdom. Servants hurried through the halls. Guards straightened their armor. Nobles filled the grand staircase. It was time. Lyra drew a deep breath. "No matter what happens today..." She looked at her own reflection. "...I will protect this kingdom." She pushed open the chamber doors. Outside, two rows of royal guards stood waiting. Every one of them bowed as she walked past. "Long live Princess Lyra." She acknowledged them with a nod and continued through the palace corridors. Portraits of former kings lined the walls. Every ruler before her had been a man. Every one. Some had expanded the kingdom. Some had nearly destroyed it. Now history was about to change. As she descended the grand staircase, hundreds of nobles stopped talking. Every eye followed her. Some admired her. Some respected her. Others looked at her with open doubt. Lord Cedric of the Northern Ridge whispered something to another noble before shaking his head. Lyra noticed. She pretended she didn't. Weak rulers reacted to whispers. Strong rulers ignored them. Captain Rowan opened the enormous golden doors leading into the throne hall. The room was magnificent. Massive marble pillars stretched toward the ceiling. Crystal chandeliers reflected sunlight in every direction. Rows of nobles stood on either side of a crimson carpet leading to the ancient Moon Throne. At the far end stood the High Elder dressed in flowing white robes. Beside him rested the Moon Crown. Its silver gems glowed faintly, as if alive. Lyra's heartbeat quickened. She had dreamed about this moment since childhood. Just a few more steps... Just a few more moments... And she would become queen. She walked forward with confidence, unaware that before the sun set, fate itself would shatter everything she believed about her future. The Moon Goddess had already chosen her destiny. And it wasn't the crown. It was the mate she would never want.