The Lycan Queen

A new era

"Luna." A feminine voice drifted through my ears. Pulling me slowly out of my sleep.

"Luna!" My body began to shake as the voice grew more frustrated.

"Queen Luna!!" I woke out of my sleep to see an angry Lilith shaking me. I could hear the clipping of horses' hooves and the rolling of the wagon's wheels.

"Trust you to fall asleep on the way to one of the biggest moments our realm faces!" She scoffed. "Come on wake up, we're almost here!" She laughed at me.

"I'm awake, i'm awake. I must have been tired." I shrugged my shoulders and sat up more, proving my alertness to her. The wagons came to a stop hidden just inside the tree line.

"Show time." Lilith grinned. We exited the wagon and I was relieved to see all my warriors piling out of the wagons.

"It worked." Sapphire trotted around in my mind with excitement. "Quick, Aurora. Stop the wagons. You need to explain." The seriousness of her tone brings me to my senses.

"Stop the wagons!" I ordered. I jumped from my wagon, to see my father pacing to me eagerly.

"What's the matter, Aurora?" he demanded an answer.

"I am signing the truce." I stood firm with my decision. His face fell and his expression turned to anger.

"Have you lost your mind girl?" He growled.

"I need you to trust me on this, Father. Besides, I am the Queen. I make the decisions." I growled with my Luna tone making him surrender to me and bow.

"As you wish, Aurora. But here this, you have some explaining to do." He threatened through gritted teeth.

I took a deep breath and braced myself for a moment, turning to the battlefield and eyeing the tent in my sights.

"This is it, Aurora." Saph's purr drifted through my mind. I began walking towards the tent and, just like it happened once before, the sweet smell of cinnamon and spiced apple drifted through the air. The scent got stronger as I edged my way closer to the tent. I paused outside of the tent's door as I did before and then made my way inside.

"My sweet Aurora." Ajax's voice drifted through the air like music to my ears. I smiled brightly and threw my arms around him, bringing us into a deep kiss.

"Ah, ah, ah, Aurora. We need to handle things appropriately this time." His voice is soft but slightly demanding. He gestured his hand towards a table I hadn't noticed the first time around. On it lay a scroll, a formal truce. He handed me a feather and pointed to a pot of ink on the table. I dipped the feather into the ink and signed my name onto the base of the scroll. I handed him the feather and he signed the scroll next to my name.

"It is final. Our Realms are no longer at war." I stated and we both embraced each other in one last and final kiss. "Come, Aurora. Let us show our people the end of our fight is over." He held his hand out to me and I placed my hand in his. We walked out of the tent together, stopping in view of both sides where our armies lay hidden in the tree lines. We raised our held hands in the air.

"It is done!" we shouted in unison. Our people began emerging from the tree lines slowly towards us. They began gathering into a large crowd around us, chatter filling the air. I let go of Ajax's hand and stepped towards my people.

"I, Aurora Moon. Queen of the Black Wood Realm and Luna of the Silver Crescent Clan, hereby swear, that from this day forward, peace will be shown towards you." I shouted towards the Blood Shadows Clan. Ajax stepped forward, aligning himself by my side.

"I, Ajax Warner. King of the Red Stone Realm, and Leader of the Blood Shadows Clan, hereby swear, that from this day forward, peace will be shown towards you." He shouted out to my people. The crowd erupted in cheers. A monumental moment for our people. The end of a war after so many years. Celebration rejoicing through our realms. My warriors howled up to the full moon above and then ran back to the tree line where they could shift and change back into their clothes. I turned to face Ajax, and he turned to face me. I curtsied to him and he bowed to me and, with that final show, the truce was done. I glanced into Ajax's eyes, sadness flowing through our bond as we knew this was it. This was the moment that we had to part ways.

I turned to take my leave, walking back to the wagons. My heart slowly tore into two with every step I took. I fought my hardest to hold my tears back and tried my best to keep my composure. Once I had made it back to my wagon, I rushed to get inside quickly. My emotions are getting the best of me. I broke down, sobbing in pain. Sapphire whined in my head, she too felt the pain of leaving him. I wiped my tears quickly when I heard someone approaching my wagon. The door opened and in came an exceedingly happy Lilith.

"You did it, Aurora! We are going to know peace at last. I mean I was happy with an ambush but do you know what this means for your people Aurora? The realm will rejoice-" Her voice trailed off as she noticed the state I was in.

"What on Earth is the matter, my Queen?" She immediately asked me and I pushed my mind hard to think of something to say without giving anything away.

"It's over, Lilith. Its finally over. We can live along side one another happily. I'm just overwhelmed with emotion is all. It's a blessed moment in all of our lives." I quickly saved myself from any more questions from her.

"Here, here, my Queen! It's time to celebrate. No more need for battles of war. This moment will go down in history and we have you to thank for that." She bowed before me and held my hand. I smiled at her, it cheered me up a little. She then took her seat next to me.

"Lets go share the news with our people shall we?" Lilith wrapped her arm around my shoulder, pulling me into a half hug. I nodded my head and stomped 3 times on the floor of the wagon. Signalling to the driver that we were ready to go. The crack of whips was heard and the whinnying of the horses. Then the wagons began to pull off into the dark night. We had a long journey ahead of us but at least we had good news to take home.

-

I inhaled a deep breath of that sweet valley air. "Home sweet home." I thought to myself. The sound of the wagon's wheels changed from rolling through mud to rolling on cobbles and I knew I would be home shortly. I peered out the window. The magnificent sight of the waterfall in my view. I smiled to myself. I have missed home but I can't let on that I've been gone for longer than a few hours. The wagon came to a stand still. I waited for a moment so the guards could open the door for me.

"Your highness." Gerald knelt before me as I climbed out of the wagon.

"Stand to your feet Gerald." He followed my order and stood before me.

I smiled at him, "It is done." I whispered and watched as a bright smile stretched across his face. He turned and ran to the castle doors, pulling them open for me before I used my powers. I went to step forward until I heard a throat clear behind me gaining my attention.

"My Queen, if I may-" Ezekiel stood behind me with his hand out for me to take. s**t. Now I know why wolves are so faithful. I reached to place my hand in his, hesitating for a moment but then following through with it and placing my hand into his. His face fell for a moment in confusion but he shook it off and led me towards the castle doors with a cheeky grin spreading across his face. I gave him a half smile in return.

"This is your fault." Sapphire gave me a low growl in my head.

"I'm sorry Saph." I apologized, my tone was sincere.

Ezekiel's eyes glazed over for a moment as he looked at me and his face turned to frown. He inhaled and took a sniff of the air around me, then covered his nose.

"Don't take this the wrong way my Queen, but you stink of vampire." s**t. I thought again. We were mated, our scents would have combined.

"I know Zeek, their wretched smell is so thick it just clung to me from standing so close to one. I'm going to go bathe." I spoke with disgust, for my own scent, trying not to raise suspicion. I headed for the stairs and straight to my bathroom. Once in the bathroom, I shut the door and waited for my breath to catch up to me.

"That was a close one." I linked to Saph.

"No kidding. Run yourself a bath and try to wash off a bit. You will still smell of him a little bit but it will fade over time the longer you are apart." She instructed me.

I stared at the bath and pouted for a minute. With everything that's happened, I forgot to ask if my silly little servant was hiding in Ajax's kingdom. I looked at the empty bath, and then gave a cheeky grin as I had an idea. I raised my hand over the bath, the glow shining in my palm. The bath began to fill in front of me with hot steaming water.

"Don't be so lazy Rory." Saph rolled her eyes at me in my head.

"Come on, it was a great idea and now my bath is ready." I smiled triumphantly. Saph just snorted in my mind before cutting her link off to me.

I dipped my feet into the hot bath, and lay down inside it. This was always a perfect time for me to reflect and think about what I was going to do next. I lay there thinking about the past two days I have had with Ajax. I missed him deeply. Mate bonds can affect a wolf in all kinds of ways when mates are without each other for too long. I thought about being a Lycan and how that was even possible. My reverting back to Ajax again. "Ugh. What a distraction", I scolded myself. I pushed the thought of him back out of my mind and began thinking about how I was going to dig up information about my past. How would I even ask my father such questions? I let out a sigh and washed my hair. Then I washed my body, thoughts of Ajax running his hands all over me began flooding my mind. "Ahh. Christ Aurora! stop it!" I mentally scolded myself again.

I sighed and shook my head, getting out of the bath. I dried my hair and wrapped a towel around me. I got myself dressed in some casual clothes and headed downstairs towards the main hall. The sweet smell of minted lamb drifted towards me. "Mmm" I thought as I followed the beautiful scent. As I neared the main hall doors I could hear singing and loud chatter. I smiled, knowing how happy my people were because of the truce. I opened the doors and once again everyone fell silent to stand attention to me. I waved my hands at them.

"Carry on, Carry on" laughter in my voice.

Everyone resumed their playful chatter and laughter. I smiled brightly watching their happiness resume. Walking over to my throne with almost a waltz in my step. I felt so much lighter and at ease. I lifted myself into a twirl whilst laughing, raising my arms into the air around me. I'd never felt this way before. Ezekiel watched me with amusement and walked over to meet me. He grasped my hand and spun me into his embrace.

"Careful." Saph growled.

" Saph let us celebrate. After all, how harmful is one dance?" I cooed her to calm down.

"You? Dance?" Saph scoffed.

"Yes, Saph. I've never felt so compelled to dance before." I cooed again.

I held Ezekiel's hand in the air, rested my other hand on his shoulder. He wrapped one arm around my waist and guided me into a waltz. Piano music began to play in the room and slowly the chatter fell silent as people watched their Queen in awe as she danced in front of them. We waltzed around the room gracefully. Laughing at each other softly the entire time. Ezekiel spun me into the center of the room, letting go of my hand, and I began to levitate and glow in a spin.

It was like I was in slow motion and I felt incredible. As I spun, my casual clothes began to change into a beautiful blue ball gown covered in diamonds.Beautiful heels formed on my feet to match. People gasped in awe. My hair curled tightly and a beautiful silver crested crown formed on my head. I lowered myself back down to the floor with my arms open wide. I was in such a euphoric state I didn't notice everyone had taken a knee bowing around me.

"Come now all, let us be seated for dinner." a giggle in my words. My people raised from their knees, eyeing me with such admiration in their eyes. I felt like a real Queen for the first time in my life. One who was finally free. I finally walked to my throne and took a seat, my father and Ezekiel taking their seats either side of me.

"Aurora, you look incredible. A true Queen at last." My father complimented me. It puzzled me for a moment. Could he actually be proud of me? I shook my head at the thought.

"Thank you father. I finally feel like one," I replied. He bowed his head at my response.

"Aurora, you look irresistible. I'm not sure I can wait for my mate anymore." Ezekiel joked through our mind link.

My face fell for a moment and I gulped but quickly regained my composure. How was I going to handle this? The kitchen doors swung open, interrupting my thoughts and awarding me a free pass to ignore Ezekiel's link. "Thank you, moon goddess." I silently prayed. The smell of minted lamb filled the main hall and, just like clock work, the staff came piling out of the kitchen in their orderly lines serving us our meals. As soon as the food was placed in front of me, I wasted no time in devouring every last drop.

"You may look like a true Queen Aurora, but you eat like a starved king." My father taunted. His comment would have annoyed me but I was in too much of a good mood. Instead, I laughed, completely shocking him as I knew he expected a sour remark. He quickly got over his shock and laughed with me.

"What has gotten into you, Aurora? You're acting strangely." Saph scolded in my mind.

"Oh shush mutt. That's enough of your comments for one day." I dismissed her and blocked her out.

I admit, I didn't know why I was feeling this way, but it felt good. I have been so serious and tough all my life. My realm finally had its peace. I had accomplished my life's ambitions. Something my father couldn't even do. It felt good and I wanted to enjoy it for as long as I could. After dinner, I joined in on the castle's celebrations. My entire realm was celebrating and this time I wasn't going to miss celebrating with them. I danced in the main hall. Lilith grabbed my hand, pulling me into a dance with her.

"My Luna, you look amazing. I told you you were beautiful." She grinned brightly, admiring my new appearance.

"It took peace for my people for me to finally accept the facts, Lilith." I shot her a wink and a grin. We spent the night dancing and drinking like young girls that had never lived before. That could have been because both of us have never attended celebrations where dancing was involved. We would sooner sleep or prepare for battle, but that wasn't needed anymore. All I needed now was answers and I was planning to get them from my Father.