I felt a cold, hard slap on my right cheek, making my head recoil slightly.
I snapped my eyes open with intense annoyance mixed with immediate rage, only to find Nate standing directly in front of me.
His deep grey eyes were looking at me with clear confusion, and a slight hint of worry broke through his usual coldness.
I placed my left hand on my cheek, which was still throbbing with rising heat, and said in an angry, slightly raspy voice:
"Have you gone mad? Or what?"
He didn't answer immediately; instead, he just crossed his arms over his chest with increasing irritation, darting a sharp look at me before saying with forced coldness:
"Were you sleeping or were you dead?"
I furrowed my eyebrows in shock and bewilderment; the joking had crossed the line this time:
"Whaaat?!"
He replied stolidly:
"It's four in the afternoon."
I bolted upright on the bed with lightning speed, the sheets sliding down around me, my eyes wide with genuine shock:
"Whaaat?! You're joking, right?!"
He didn't answer. He showed no reaction, just kept staring at me with total coldness as if my shock was expected.
I pushed my anger aside and replaced it with panic:
"Why the hell did no one wake me up?!"
At that moment, we heard soft, polite knocks on the door.
Nate allowed the knocker to enter without raising his voice.
I saw six girls stepping forward in synchronized steps, carrying elegant boxes and silk bags filled with what appeared to be precious items.
I looked at Nate, pointing at them with a slightly trembling hand, and said in a faint, disbelieving voice:
"What is this, Nate?"
Finally, Nate sighed with lack of patience and said with clear indifference, as if he were talking about the day's weather:
"They are for your preparation."
I lightly slapped my forehead with my hand, and my expression suddenly shifted to real anxiety:
"Damn it, I forgot! Today is the inauguration day! Oh my god, there isn't enough time!"
I stared at the six girls standing before me after Nate hurried out of the room, leaving behind a door open to the chaos of an unexpected day.
I looked at them with a serious gaze and pointed my hand toward the bathroom, saying with feigned firmness:
"Let's go, time is running out."
I rushed to the bathroom and locked the door behind me to shower in record time.
The hot water helped me regain my focus and drive away the last bits of sleepiness.
As soon as I stepped out wrapped in a soft towel, the girls had already set up a complete "beauty station" in the middle of the room.
Time passed with incredible speed, as if the clock hands had decided to defy gravity.
Their hands moved with amazing lightness and skill. They started with my hair, lifting it with extreme care into an elegant, tight bun, leaving some front strands to fall softly and frame my face.
They pinned a delicate royal crown of gold atop it, encrusted with small stones that sparkled with every movement.
After that, they applied very light makeup that highlighted my natural features without changing them. Touches of mascara, light eyeliner, and a natural pink lip balm.
Then came the turn for the dress.
They helped me put it on. It was a long black gown with an elegant, simple royal cut, draping over my body as if it were designed specifically for me.
It had a long royal cape made of the same dark velvet fabric, adding luxury and prestige to it.
I looked at myself in the large mirror; I was truly enchanting. The look in my eyes had changed, and my posture became more upright and confident.
I felt a great thrill to see Nate's reaction.
I smiled to myself; I think he will lose his mind when he sees me.
I laughed softly while imagining his grim facial expressions and thanked the girls for their monumental effort.
Before leaving, my eyes caught an elegant perfume bottle on the dressing table. I took it and sprayed a little on my wrists and neck.
The scent was very distinctive—it was my scent, a unique blend of refreshing lavender and warm honey, a calm and luxurious fragrance.
I paused and looked at the bottle in wonder; could it be that he was the one who brought it for me?
A question that puzzled me for moments before I made the final touches, preparing to face my destiny on this inauguration day.
The air in the hallway was light and accessible, carrying the scent of flowers and joy when Julia and Lauren appeared.
Julia was wearing a white dress with royal gold patterns that shimmered under the dim lights, with a glowing brooch adorning her wavy black hair that fell softly over her shoulders. Her light makeup gave her a natural yet charming look.
As for Lauren, she was an icon of elegance in her silver dress with a slight sheen and sheer sleeves that added a touch of delicacy and femininity.
Her hair, elegantly pinned up with a few strands falling on the sides of her face, highlighted the beauty of her hazel eyes, which sparkled with the prominent makeup.
They were extremely beautiful, shining like two princesses in a fairy-tale palace.
The moment they saw me, they froze in their tracks from shock and admiration. Julia's eyes widened, and she shouted in awe:
"Waaaaooowww!"
Lauren added in a stunned tone:
"You are truly a queen!"
I laughed shyly, a light blush creeping onto my cheeks, and replied:
"Don't exaggerate, girls."
Julia approached me with a playful smile on her face:
"My poor brother, I don't think he'll be able to handle all this beauty at once."
Lauren chuckled, enthusiastically agreeing with her words.
I slapped her shoulder lightly with feigned shyness and said:
"Enough! By the way, you two are truly hot!"
They both laughed together in a soft voice.
I quickly continued, trying to end the awkward situation and change the subject:
"Have they arrived? I mean, my family?"
Lauren nodded in affirmation, her tone turning slightly serious:
"Everyone is here, and the main hall is teeming with guests waiting for the King and Queen."
I smiled, taking a deep breath in an attempt to calm my rising tension; the big moment had arrived.
While I was trying to steady my racing breath and control my tension, I heard the sound of steady, powerful footsteps coming toward us.
I looked eagerly toward the entrance, and the moment he walked in, I was completely lost in him.
"Hot and handsome as hell,"
my inner wolf whispered with sharp admiration.
He was wearing his elegant black formal suit that perfectly matched my dress, making us look like a perfect couple.
His black hair was styled with extreme care as a final touch to his charming look.
His eyes finally fell on me.
At that moment, he froze completely in his place; even his breath hitched for a second, and his eyes widened with shock and wild admiration.
I felt my heart about to jump out of my chest from the rapid pounding.
He approached me very slowly, the looks of admiration and awe still covering his handsome face.
I was staring at him with extreme confusion, to the point that breathing became difficult for me.
I glanced quickly at Julia and Lauren and saw them laughing quietly and whispering to each other excitedly, as if they were watching a suspenseful romantic movie.
I turned my gaze back to him. He was very close to me now, so close that I could feel the heat of his breath.
I blinked several times, trying to process the situation, and said in a faint, confused voice:
"What is it, Nate?"
He said in total distraction, his eyes never leaving my face:
"My God, I have never seen such beauty as yours."
My eyes widened in extreme shock and profound embarrassment.
"Haaa? Has he lost his mind?"
Nate Winter is flirting with me for the second time!
"My God, my little heart can't take this."
Upon seeing my stunned and flushed features, he coughed quietly and cleared his throat, saying in a tone that regained some of his composure:
"Let's go, everyone is waiting for us."
I nodded dazedly, still unable to believe what had happened, feeling like I was dealing with an eccentric alien being.
I took his hand, which was warm and steady, as we moved forward together toward the massive main hall door, with Julia and Lauren following us with wide smiles and prying eyes.
We exchanged one last look—a deep look loaded with mixed emotions—before the massive wooden door opened slowly and heavily.
The doors swung wide to reveal the luxurious main hall, which was teeming with hundreds of guests. All eyes in the hall immediately turned toward us, and we became the center of everyone's attention.
As we walked down the long aisle, I was clinging to Nate's arm tightly, trying to control the trembling of my hands.
We finally reached the elevated coronation platform amidst various gazes: looks of admiration and curiosity, and looks of scrutinizing spite and hatred that followed our every step.
We stood before the majestic priest, who began the ceremony in a powerful, booming voice:
"In the presence of King Nate Winter and Queen Sera Walker, we shall begin the sacred coronation ceremony."
The priest gave a small, golden knife to Nate first and said:
"Cut your hand and let the blood flow into the vessel."
Nate did so with skill and calmness. Then he gave me the knife, and I cut my hand calmly as well, letting our blood flow together into the designated vessel, blending and intertwining.
We shook hands, and our blood mixed further as a symbol of eternal union.
The priest continued:
"And now, let each of you drink from the blood until it is finished."
We did the same, and at that moment, I felt a new and strange sensation flooding over me—a sense of strong bond and deep belonging to this kingdom and its people.
I looked at Nate with a calm, warm smile, and he returned it with a similar one. The priest began to recite:
"The vow between the spouses."
We repeated every sentence after him with focus and reverence.
Finally, the priest spoke the long-awaited words:
"You may kiss her."
I looked at him with great confusion, feeling the heat coloring my cheeks.
He approached me calmly, holding my head with tenderness and gentleness.
He drew very close, his eyes fixed directly on mine. My breath hitched completely, and rapid thoughts raced through my head:
"Is he going to do it? Is he going to kiss me here, now, in front of everyone? Damn it!"
My face flushed deeper and deeper, and I squeezed my eyes shut, preparing for the kiss. Curse it! I felt his moist lips land softly only on my forehead.
I exhaled in relief and opened my eyes, only to find him wearing a sly side-smirk while looking at me.
He caught me! He knew I was expecting something else. I felt intense embarrassment and wished I could vanish from existence at that very moment.
Once the rituals were complete and the faint whispering of the crowd faded, an air of light anticipation prevailed as everyone took their designated seats.
I began searching with my eyes among the faces for my brother Jack and my mother. It wasn't long before I spotted them approaching us calmly.
I stood up quickly, rushed toward them, and hugged my mother with overwhelming longing.
Then I moved to my brother Jack, embracing him with the same intensity.
I whispered eagerly:
"What's the news? Is everything okay? You guys are fine, right?"
My mother replied in a calm, affectionate voice:
"We are fine, my little girl. Don't worry about us, just enjoy the moment."
She winked at me with a smile, and I couldn't help but laugh shyly at her teasing words.
Jack was about to add something, but he stopped abruptly.
He took a deep, audible breath, his eyes snapped wide open, and he turned slowly toward the person standing directly behind him.
His eyes widened in unbelievable shock, and he let out a powerful, sudden growl that silenced everyone in the hall. The only word that escaped his mouth was:
"Mate!"
It was Julia. Julia, my brother Jack's lost mate.
I looked on in utter shock.
Julia was frozen in place, her eyes wide, looking at him with a daze and astonishment no less than his own.
She began to step toward him with slow, hesitant steps, staring deep into his eyes as if confirming he was real.
Meanwhile, I glanced at Nate quickly.
His features were grim, tight with anger and protectiveness.
He began to step toward them, intent on intervening, had I not stopped him halfway, grabbing both his hands firmly to pull him back slightly.
I turned my gaze back to them; they were embracing tightly, unable to believe they were finally reunited after all this separation.
Thoughts raced through my head:
"My God, how will I handle Nate now?"
Julia is the last of his family, and he won't let her go easily; I'm certain of that.
The two of them, Jack and Julia, were extremely happy, especially Jack, who looked like someone who couldn't believe his luck in finally finding his mate.
The emotions in the hall were explosive—a mix of joy, shock, and suppressed tension.
I whispered to Nate, trying to soothe the rising tension in his taut muscles:
"You have to calm down."
He was shooting me a harsh look, his features not changing an inch. I added quickly, emphasizing every word:
"Now is not the right time, please calm down."
Nate closed his eyes tightly, clenching his jaw and his hands until his knuckles turned white as he tightened his grip.
We remained in that tense state, watching the happy Jack and Julia, while a fragile silence dominated the hall.
Suddenly, a piercing laugh cut through the place—a mad, loud, and evil laugh that broke the silence.
"Damn it, he's here! What brought him?"
I muttered to myself in panic.
Before we could catch our breath, a thick black smoke filled the area, spreading rapidly and obscuring vision for moments.
From within this smoke, that man stepped forward.
I froze in my place, shocked. I couldn't believe the sight before me.
He was an exact replica of Nate—his "twin." The same sharp features, the same cold eyes, but with a darker and more evil gaze.
Before I could process the shock, Nate pulled me behind him quickly and forcefully, trying to protect me from the new threat that had suddenly emerged from the past.
"Damn! How did he get in?"
I muttered to myself angrily, my eyes fixed on the newcomer.
"Or rather, how did he know the date of the inauguration?"
There was only one possible explanation, which we said to each other via telepathy at the same moment:
"There is a spy."
I tried to pull my hand from Nate's iron grip, but he was holding it firmly, indifferent to his brother's presence.
I breathed heavily, trying to calm my growing anger at the situation and at him as well.
"He's even blocking my view, this giant!"
I thought in annoyance.
Nate's twin stood before us, sending a biting look of mockery toward Nate. He said with provocative coldness:
"Ah, Nate, are you trying to protect a mate that is no longer yours?"
Nate didn't say a word; instead, he increased the strength of his grip on my hand in a silent and intense reaction.
I had truly reached my limit with his disregard for me and his overbearing behavior.
I pulled my hand back with all my might in one go; for a moment, I felt as if it would be wrenched out of place from the resistance, but I finally succeeded in freeing it.
I stepped up beside him, overwhelming anger filling my being. Nate looked at me sharply and said through the mental bond that connects us:
"What the hell are you doing?"
I didn't answer him. I shut my mind completely, preventing him from communicating with me or knowing what I was planning.
I turned my gaze toward this despicable so-called brother of his, who had ruined my evening and my inauguration with an unwanted dramatic moment.
I gave him a vengeful look, determined to make him regret this unexpected appearance.
He was looking at me with a wicked smile, raising an eyebrow in clear mockery, and said in a taunting voice:
"Ooh, look who's here! Is Sera finally stepping forward to welcome me?"
I met his smile with a similar one—a wide smile hiding a storm of rage behind it.
I replied with deadly coldness:
"You have truly brought this upon yourself, you stinking brat."
I saw his features darken with rage; his smile turned into a harsh scowl as he roared:
"I'll show you what this 'brat' will do to you!"
In the blink of an eye, he released his shadows, and with lightning speed, those shadows entered me, taking over my body.
I felt myself being pulled into total darkness, becoming a mere spectator inside my own mind, watching a strange entity control every movement of my body.
My controlled body stepped toward him, toward
"that stinking one."
But Nate was faster; he grabbed me, stopping me in my place.
I fixed my gaze on him through the eyes of my possessed body, and I saw signs of shock and fear on his stunning features.
I saw my reflection in his eyes: my eyes were pitch black, and my face was as pale as a walking corpse.
This sight truly horrified me, and I realized I had to do something.
"Damn it, damn it!"
With a quick and sudden movement, my body moved, extending my sharp claws, and I dug them into his hand forcefully.
But he didn't let go; he didn't even blink from the pain. I was screaming internally, hoping he could hear me:
"Curse of all curses! I swear I will kill you, you stinking bastard!"
I pulled my hand back forcefully, finally freeing it from his grip, to stand beside that wretch, looking at Nate with deadly coldness, while the internal struggle raged within me.
He grabbed me by the waist with brute force, pulling me close to him in a quick and sudden move, while a wicked, triumphant smile appeared on his lips.
In response, Nate let out a deafening roar; its power nearly burst my eardrums.
I felt his dense aura rising violently, and black smoke began to swirl around him like an oncoming storm.
He stepped toward us slowly and threateningly, sparks flying from his eyes, which had turned into two embers of wild rage.
At that critical moment, "that bastard" made a hideous move: he dug his sharp claws into my stomach and pressed his other claws firmly over my neck.
I felt a burning pain, and blood began to flow from the wounds immediately.
Nate stopped in his tracks like a statue of shock, frozen by the horror of the situation.
He stared at me with terror mixed with indescribable rage. But I didn't move.
I showed no external physical reaction; I was completely submissive to the control of the entity that had possessed my body.
Inside, I was screaming from the excruciating pain invading every inch of me.
The twin spoke with absolute coldness, directing his words to Nate, who was paralyzed by the horror of me being held hostage:
"If you take one step forward, I won't hesitate to slit her throat."
His tone carried a real threat that left no room for doubt.
I tried to regain control of my body with all the strength I could muster, but to no avail.
The shadow entity was powerful and completely dominant. In the midst of my despair, a crazy idea occurred to me—an idea that had to succeed at any cost.
"That bastard" said with an evil smile, giving his orders to the possessed body:
"Come on, darling, kill him."
He loosened his grip on my waist and neck slightly so that I could move and attack.
I stared at Nate with my terrifying black eyes, extending my sharp claws, ready to attack him at any moment. Inside, I was screaming:
"Damn it! No! Noooo!"
I closed my eyes tightly for a few seconds, concentrating all my latent fire power within me.
I began to burn that shadow entity slowly from the inside, gradually regaining control of my body. It was a bitter and painful struggle.
Just inches before I lunged at Nate, and with a sudden, swift movement where I regained control for moments, I landed a powerful stab into that brat with my glowing fire-claws, while a wicked smile of triumphant evil appeared on my face.
I quickly retreated two steps, and before he could process the shock of my stab, I created a circular barrier of blazing fire around him, preventing him from escaping.
I began to pull and burn his smoke and shadows that surrounded us, weakening him significantly and forcing him to retreat inside the barrier.
I looked at Nate with a calm smile of victory. He was completely unable to comprehend that I had returned to him—returned from the grip of darkness.
He rushed toward me, pulling me to his chest with power and immense worry, and said in a breathless voice:
"Are you okay, Sera?"
I nodded my head in agreement, but I was lying. I wasn't okay at all.
Pain was still ravaging my body from the inside and out, and I knew the battle wasn't over yet.
The fire barrier around him began to waver and weaken significantly, evidence of my bleeding body's weakness and my extreme exhaustion.
I tried to focus all my remaining strength on it before it collapsed entirely.
From within, the twin was screaming violently and thrashing madly in a desperate attempt to escape his fiery prison.
Suddenly, I saw thick black shadows surrounding him and binding him in place with ruthless force.
I knew immediately that Nate was finally intervening to ensure he wouldn't escape.
At that moment, my barrier collapsed completely, signaling the total depletion of my fire power.
I was panting heavily, and I felt frustration creeping into my soul. I tried to regulate my racing breath with difficulty, staring at my mate's twin.
He was semi-conscious, and before he lost consciousness entirely, I heard him mutter:
"Damn you, you cursed bitch."
He surrendered to the failure of his evil plans.
Suddenly, I felt myself improving significantly and unexpectedly.
My wolf, Seran, was providing me with her healing energy.
The wound healed with amazing speed, restoring my physical well-being, but I still felt extreme exhaustion and fatigue taking over every cell in my body as a result of the internal and external struggle.
He was quickly taken to the cell designated for power suppression. Thanks to the strict measures there, he would become like any ordinary human, stripped of his abilities and threat.
Only now did I notice that the hall was completely empty.
"When did he order them to evacuate?"
I wondered in surprise. "I hope everyone is okay."
I sighed with heavy weariness, barely able to stand after my energy was drained.
I saw him heading toward me, his features a mix of intense anger and worry.
I looked at his hands covered in blood, but there was no trace of a wound on him; his wound had already healed thanks to Dark.
I felt immense relief seeing him safe.
Before I could utter a single word, he leaned down and picked me up in his arms like a bride in one smooth motion.
In a second, I was in our private room, using his super speed. "Wow, that's amazing!" I whispered to myself.
"Damn, he's angry with me now," I realized from his sharp, silent gaze as he placed me gently on the bed.
The room was prepared in a romantic way beyond description; candles everywhere, casting a soft, warm light, and red roses scattered in abundance on the bed.
"My God," I muttered shyly, my face turning like a tomato as I avoided looking at him.
He placed me gently on the bed, staring at me with sharpness and anger. I was looking at anything but him, which clearly intensified his anger.
He reached out quickly, grabbed my chin, and lifted my face to face his forcefully. My tired eyes met his angry ones, and he said, gritting his teeth:
"How could you do this? Haaa?!"
He screamed the last part.
I furrowed my eyebrows in extreme annoyance at his sudden shouting.
I pushed away his hand that had tightened on my chin and replied coldly:
"Stop this nonsense, Nate. I won't stand idly by while he toys with us."
I closed my eyes in extreme weariness as I said:
"I'm tired, very exhausted."
I said it heavily, lying on the bed in my blood-soaked clothes. I didn't have the strength to change them; I just wanted to sleep.
I stared at the ceiling blankly.
I felt him approach me and sit on the edge of the bed. I looked at him with difficulty, barely opening my eyes.
Worry and fear were eating away at his handsome features as he said things that were incomprehensible to me.
He placed his large hand on my cheek, patting it lightly and tenderly.
I slowly raised my hand, holding his, and sank into the darkness, surrendering to the long-awaited deep sleep.