QUEEN OF ROGUES BECOMES THE PROPHESIED LUNA

UNEXPECTED GUEST

LEXIE'S POV

The car Paul sent arrives at midday. Rowan, Mara and I are ready to leave.

Rowan takes the front seat next to the driver while Mara and I take the back seats.

I am leaving Dark Forest peacefully, not as a prisoner of war like the last time. My people bid me goodbye as the doors close and the journey starts.

“I will go down in history as the leader who led this pack for the shortest time.” I say to Mara as the car goes past the main gate.

“You obviously don't know what fate is. Everything happens for a reason. Your rise to the top was not in vain. Look, Alpha Paul now has a mate.” Mara tells me.

“Maybe I should have let you win that battle for the queen's position.”

“I wouldn't have accepted the result. You won fair and square, remember?”

Rowan breaks his silence.

“We are going to hold another contest soon when queen Lexie finally relinquishes her position. And tell you what guys? I am interested.”

“You have my backing.” Mara says.

“Mine too. The pack would be in good hands.” I add.

The car goes down the winding road, through the dense woods, and joins the tarmac road that leads to Stormridge. For a moment I stop thinking about Dark Forest, the dreams and the mysterious prophet.

Throughout the journey we discuss various issues therefore we don't notice how time flies because we are soon at the huge gates of Stormridge pack.

Uniformed guards open the gates and the car enters a huge swathe of properly kept grounds.

I can already see decorations hanging everywhere. The compound looks completely different from the last time I was here.

Flowers line the entrance and strings of lights hang between buildings. The pack is in celebratory mood.

I also notice that several members of the pack are dressed in their finest clothes. Also, music fills the air.

I take a deep breath.

"So this is it?" I ask.

Mara squeezes my hand.

"This is it my dear."

The moment we step out of the car, several people turn toward us, singing and dancing. I assume that this is the courtesy they're according every guest who arrives. I walk slowly, acknowledging everyone.

Then I see them, standing together, holding hands.

My parents.

A shiver runs down my spine and I can't hold back the flood of emotions that come with it. Memories of us come flooding, and for a fleeting moment I feel that I did wrong to leave them in anguish, wondering where I went. It must have hurt them.

But just as Mara put it earlier, it's fate.

I run towards them and hug my mom tightly. She hugs me back and we hold on to each other for what looks like eternity.

“Lexie, you can't imagine our joy when we heard that you were alive. We came here to take you home.” Dad says as I hug him too. I don't know how Paul managed to invite them. Them being here complicates the situation. But that doesn't erase the fact that I missed them too.

“My daughter, I knew you were alive.” Tears fall freely from Mom's eyes.

“I bet Andrew is fine......” I ask, but then I notice Mara.

“I think I should leave you guys alone. You need to catch up.” Mara says as she looks at us, awkwardly wondering what to say.

“Mara, I am sorry. Come and greet my parents.” I say. Trying to hide the tears in my eyes I introduce her to my parents as my best friend.

“She is part of the family that took care of me when I ran away from home.”

“Well, I can see that they have taken good care of you.” Mom says, but I can see that she keeps on looking at my scar.

“Well, Dad, Mom, I better get going. We will catch up later after this is done with. I need to see my mate.” I whisper the last part as I wink at them. Mom smiles and it melts my heart.

“See you later Lexie. We have a lot to discuss.” Dad says.

Mara and I walk into the hall and Paul sees us. He is talking with important looking guests, but he leaves them and walks towards us.

“Look how stunning you look?” He says as he holds me in a tight embrace.

“Thanks. This is my friend...”

“Mara. I know her. Welcome to stormridge.” Mara looks shocked. She definitely didn't expect Paul to know her. Me too. He will have to explain this later.

“I didn't become Alpha by fluke you know. This way. I need to introduce you to my guests.” He leads us towards the direction of the guests he was talking to when we came in.

Some are elderly while others are in their prime and a few youthful ones. They are all Alphas.

“Gentlemen, let me introduce you to my mate Lexie Hale. Even though I will be introducing her to the pack later, as my peers you can get a sneak preview.” He jokes.

Paul introduces each of them and their respective packs. Some of them are guys I have heard about while others have tried to invade our pack. Of course it has never ended well for them. I wonder what they're thinking now, looking as the leader of the rogues gets recognition from a top ranking Alpha.

I know most of them came to see this famous queen and by the way they look at me, I don't match what they have heard. My reputation is way bigger than me.

Then he gets to a heavily built gentleman who is a bit older than him. By the way Paul reacts to him I can tell that the relationship is tight.

“.... and this here is Alpha Nathan of the Blue Moon pack. When rogues killed my parents that's where I sought refuge.”

“You are so kind Alpha Nathan.” I say.

“If the same thing happened to me, I know where to run to.” He replies as he shakes my hand.

“Of course nothing of that sort will happen to you Nathan.” Paul quips.

“Of course.”

I look at the other guests seated at the tables and my eyes zero in on Rowan. He is chatting animatedly with Alfred, the Beta of Paul's pack. They just laughed out loud and I wonder how fast they have become friends.

Paul calls me aside and briefs me on what to do.

I am going to be taken to a room inside when the time for introduction comes. Then they will tell the audience that the Alpha has a mate and at that point I will walk towards the podium and be welcomed by the Alpha.

It sounds like a great plan. I just hope that I won't be nervous. But then there won't be a speech from me so I just need to be me.

Meanwhile, food is served and Mara sits next to me. She will be going into that room with me because when we promised each other that we'll be at each other's side, this was it.

I keep on looking around and every time I look I see people pointing at me and I am not surprised.

I know only too well that the Dark Forest pack has a giant reputation, we don't mingle with others. They must be wondering what changed.

Then the time for going into the room comes and two ladies come for me.

Mara and I follow behind them as the guests are being served with drinks.

Inside the room the two ladies insist on remaking my hair and nails and I don't object. However when it comes to makeup I resist because I don't want to conceal my scar. It has now become part of me, my trademark.

“Everyone knows me because of this scar. I can't do away with it.” I protest, and they leave it.

I put on a beautiful gown, no doubt provided by Paul, and a tiara on my head. Looking at myself at the mirror, I look great. Mara thinks so too.

“You look awesome. Breathtaking.” She tells me.

We can still hear what is happening at the the hall and now someone has called the meeting to order. A musician has started singing a song in praise of the pack. Soon I will be walking into the stage.

Then there is a knock on the door and I assume that it's someone coming to tell us that the time for me to walk in is near. That we should wind up quickly.

But when the door opens I open my mouth in disbelief, unable to believe the evidence of my eyes.

There at the door is the man who betrayed me, rejected me.

Nate Rivers.