The Alpha Queen

Chapter 4

Members of surrounding packs would be arranging soon so I made my way over the area where the ceremony would be. There was a field about half a mile from the mansion that we use for funerals. The trees that surrounded the field felt as though the rest of the world was being blocked away so we could honor our dead. 

I was the first to arrive so I stood off to the side, hand behind my back, head held high, and back straight. Soon the other grieving families arrived and came to stand at my side. Then the bodies were carried and placed in front of their respective family. I felt a few tears fall, but I didn't move to wipe them. Royal pack members began to gather, followed by the visiting pack members. 

-Honey, our mate is here.

-What? It had to be today that I meet him!

She didn't say anything more, but I saw her wagging her tail in my mind. She was excited, and rightly so. Meeting one's mate is supposed to be an extremely special time. 

Abrham and Austin came to stand on either side of me, but behind me enough to give me space. I was about to start speaking when I caught our mate's scent. He smelled of freshly cut grass and rain. I don't see him yet though.

"Thank you all for coming. Today we honor the sacrifice of seven wolves. My father, our Alpha King; my mother, our Luna Queen..." I proceeded to name the other five warriors who also gave their lives two days ago. "We will keep their memories alive in our hearts and share them with one another." I pause to take a deep breath. "We will now light the torches."

Several omegas came forward carrying torches and matches. The young woman who handed me my torch and matches had tears running down her face. I took the items and set them at my feet then wiped the girl's tears away. She game me a small smile and went back to her spot. 

"Families, when you're ready." One at a time, the families laid their torches on their loved one. 

I had waited to light mine, I needed another minute. I had my torch made so I had to light two ends, so I could lay one end on each parent. When I got both sides lit, I leaned forward and carefully set one end on my mom and the other on my dad. I stepped back and stood in my previous stance. 

One by one, the other families and pack members left. Eventually it was just me, Abrham, and Austin. When everyone else had left, I fell to me knees and let to tears fall. The boys came forward and hugged me. I didn't leave until the fires were burned out. 

"Guys, my mate is here." We had just started walking to the mansion. 

I felt them look at each other, but Austin spoke first. "How do you feel about that?"

I didn't have time to answer before we heard yelling. We took off and came up to a group surrounding two people in the middle. I hurried forward and let my power out, "Stop!"

Everyone around me were brought to their knees, although most of them struggled to stand. Alex came forward and released even more power. That made them all submit to me. I looked over to the two who were fighting. Wouldn't you know it, one of them was my mate.

Hmmmm....I'm not supposed to be able to make my mate submit. Maybe it's because I'm a white wolf. 

I reigned in my power, but everyone continued to submit. "This day is not for fighting, even if you do not get along. You will honor the dead today." I had steel in my eyes as I looked at every wolf. None of them could keep eye contact for more than a few seconds. "Now, get up."

They did and all looked at me with some chock. 

"I know you all know who I am, but since I haven't been formally introduced to any of you: I am Adeera Joy Francis. Soon to be Alpha Queen. "

They come up to shake my hand and introduce themselves before walking away. We had an area set up with tables and chairs for everyone to have a picnic lunch. I am eventually left with two men who were obviously father and son. 

"I'm Alpha Billy Pierce of The Blue Moon Pack. This is my son, Larze." I get the feeling that Alpha Billy doesn't approve of me. 

I shake his hand, "It's nice to meet you." 

Then I turn to Larze. We lock eyes and he walks close enough to me grab both of my hands. 

"My mate, you are so beautiful." He smiles and I give him a small one back.

"Thank you. Come, let's go sit." I lead them over to the table where Abrham, Austin, and their parents are sitting. I introduce everyone and sit at the head of the table. In my mind, I suppose it symbolized me officially taking my dad's place. 

"Can I get you anything, Beautiful?" I look over at my mate. He is quite handsome with his auburn hair and green eyes. He has an aura of confidence coming from him, and his smell was intoxicating. 

I know I was staring, but I don't feel embarrassed. "Um just some sweet tea, please."

"Coming right up." He leaves and the table feels a little awkward. 

Alpha Billy doesn't even try to make conversation with us. 

I figure now seems to be a good time to try and mind link Abrham and Austin. 

Me: Guys? Can you hear me?

Austin: Yes

Abrham: Loud and clear, what's up?

Me: Thoughts on Alpha Billy and Larze

Silence.

Me: Come on, I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want your opinions.

Abrham: Alpha Billy needs more than just an attitude adjustment 

Austin: My wolf doesn't like him.

Me: And my mate? 

Silence again.

Me: Come on...

Austin: I don't have a good feeling

Abrham: Me either, sorry babe.

Me: Alex is excited, but I just have an uneasy feeling. All I know about him is that he was just in a fight I had to break up. 

Abrham: You handled that well, by the way.

Austin: Yeah, I think you gained brownie points with most of them. 

Me: There were a few that have bruised egos, but they're just going to have to get over it. 

We didn't have time to talk more before Larze came back. He had two glasses and two plates full of food. He place a drink and plate in front of me and the other drink and plate at his place. 

"I figured you might get hungry while we're all visiting." He smiled and leaned down to kiss my head before sitting. 

"Thank you." It was nice, and I probably should try to eat something. 

Our table goes back to awkward silence. 

"Beautiful, when will you have your coronation ceremony?" Logical question.

"We're having it on Friday. Invites will go out tomorrow at some point to all the packs."

"Great, then I'll just stay here and visit with you." He grins and eats his food.

"Since your mates, perhaps it should be a double ceremony." Alpha Billy chimes in. 

"I will discus that with my team tomorrow. Today is about remembering our dead, not my coronation." I need some air, there is something about Alpha Billy that really gets on my nerves. "I'm going for a walk."

"I'll come with you." Larze gets up and grabs my hand. 

Mom would tell me about the sparks between mates, but I didn't really believe that they would actually feel this good. They comfort me and is helping me control my temper. 

"How are you?" He asks me.

"I'm trying to take one step at a time, just doing whatever the next thing is. I still haven't really processed the fact that they're gone. I thought it would be a long time before I would have to live without them."

"My mom passed a couple years ago, the grief doesn't seem to ever leave. It lessens over time though."

I nodded and we walked in silence again.

A tree in front of us catches my attention, I feel drawn to it for some reason. There isn't anything I can see, but as I was about to walk closer to it Larze turns us around to go back. I let him, but something is making me feel unsettled. 

Me: Guys? Patrol doing alright?

Abrham: Yeah. Why?"

Me: Nothing, don't worry about it. My nerves are just on edge today.

Austin: You sure? Do you want us to check out an area?

Me: No, everything is fine.

Austin: Alright, babe. Whatever you say.

When we got back to where everyone was, the omegas were starting to clean up the area. I went over to help and was picking up some empty food dishes when I heard some of the alphas talking.

"Hahaha, no true leader would ever clean up after others!"

"She's a woman, she's can't be a leader of an entire kingdom!"

That did it! I turned around to face them and my aura exploded, everyone present was forced to their knees. I then as calmly as possible turned and put the dishes down. I walked over to the alphas who were mouthing off. 

"What exactly does make a leader then if not one who helps his or her people?"

I reigned in just enough of my aura to allow the wolf to speak.

"A leader has to tough and strong, not doing the dishes." The second man spoke first.

The other one I guess was also brave enough to speak, "A woman isn't able to lead a kingdom full of male leaders."

I looked around, "As I see it, every alpha present is down on his knees. If you don't think I can lead this kingdom, then challenge me."

Both wolves in front of me seemed shocked I would be so open to being challenged. I heard several of my pack members gasp in response. 

"Well?"

They both were quiet for a few moments and then shook their heads. I turned and looked at the other alpha's present.

"Is there anyone here who wishes to challenge me?"

Nobody responded. 

"After my coronation, I will call an alpha meeting. There we will discuss me being Alpha Queen and any issues that need to be addressed for each pack. Am I understood?"

Everyone responds with, "Yes, your Highness." 

I nod and reign in the rest of my power, then I go back to helping the omegas.