“You saved me,” he says in that deep masculine voice that always gives me goosebumps. “If it weren’t for you, I would have lost my crown.”
“I guess we make a good team,” I say, sliding my hand into his.
He grips it tight. “We do. Now come, I have to introduce you to my people.”
“What?”
I’m in shock as he pulls me to the edge of the dais where there’s an ocean of faces watching us.
I’ve thought about being queen, but now that I have a whole pack in front of me, it’s hitting different. Will they accept a human as their queen? Will they all rush up here and tear me to pieces? I couldn’t bear to disappoint Kieran in that way. What will I do if they don’t accept me?
“My pack,” he hollers to the crowd. “You have not only gained a new king on this fine full moon night. You have also gained a queen.”
He pulls me forward, proudly presenting me to his people.
“This is she,” he shouts louder than before. “Your formidable Queen Calista.”
I feel the roar of excitement as the crowd cheers so loudly my ears hurt. The high priest steps up behind me and places the queen’s crown—mycrown—on my head.
The roars are deafening.
I wave to them, to my new people, and vow to be the best queen this kingdom has ever seen. They won’t regret this. Kieran will be happy the universe chose me to be his mate. I’ll make sure of it.
“Now let’s get to that Lunaris Vinculum,” Kieran says like he can’t wait another second. “Where are the soon-to-be mates?”
The couples cheer as they emerge from the crowd, looking as excited as I feel. They’ve all been waiting for this night, curbing their carnal desires and fighting back lust. I feel their pain. I know what they’ve been going through.
Luckily, we’re the first couple to go.
Being a queen definitely has its perks.
With thousands of shifters watching closely under the full moon, and with dozens of couples waiting in line behind us fortheir turn, we stand before the high priest, waiting to be bound forever.
It’s hard to think that I was fishing for silverbacks only two weeks ago. How did I end up here?
The high priest starts the ceremony, but my head is spinning and I can barely focus on the words. Making my concentration even worse is having Kieran standing in front of me in his royal cloak with the crown sitting straight on his head, looking at me like I am the most important thing in the kingdom. It’s like I’m the only one here. The only one who matters.
That possessive look in his eyes makes me want to get him all alone. I can’t wait to start the mating ritual in the royal bedroom. I’ve heard that some couples will spend days or even weeks mating after the Lunaris Vinculum.
“Before the moon, the pack, and the crown,” the high priest says, holding our hands, “you stand to bind yourselves. Do you claim this woman as your mate, to guard her with your life, to honor her above all others, and to stand by her side for as long as your wolf draws breath?”
“I do,” Kieran says without hesitation.
My heart aches as I watch him. How am I so lucky to end up with him?
The high priest turns to me and the whole pack seems to lean in at once.
“Do you accept this man as your mate, to walk beside him in strength and in struggle, to share your lives, your bond, and your fate, and to choose each other for all your days?”
I look up at Kieran.
There’s no doubt in my mind. I’d give everything for him.
“I do.”
The pack erupts and then quiets again as the high priest raises his hand.
“Then bare your throats,” he says. “And be bound.”
