The Lunar Queen Chapter 10

Cole Blackwood – Alpha King

I’ve been trying to figure out ways to avoid attending this mating ball at MoonVeil Pack, pushing it off longer than I should because every time has been the same—empty, disappointing, wrong. Every ball we’ve attended since I turned 18 has been the same.

When I received the invitation last month, I had no plans to go. Of course, my brothers and Beta convinced me otherwise. All three of them are unmated. The only one who has found their mate is my Gamma, Caleb.

I’m waiting for the day I see those beautiful green eyes that have haunted my dreams my whole life, the only thing that’s ever felt certain in all of this. I don’t know what she looks like, but those eyes are embedded in my mind.

When I was a pup, I was almost killed by a family member, and Selene saved my life, blessed me, and told my parents I was meant for much more.

Since then, I’ve been dreaming of those green eyes Selene said belong to my mate—whoever she may be, like a promise I’ve been waiting to collect.

A knock at my office door pulls me from my thoughts.

“come in,” I say.

My beta Dominic walks in.

“Hey alpha, what is the name of the pack hosting the ball this weekend?” he asks.

“MoonVeil Pack, why?” I ask.

“Well, we just got two applications for the Royal Warrior Program last night, and both of the she-wolves are from that pack, with the same last name as their alpha and beta,” he explains.

“Why would the alpha and beta’s daughters want to be Royal guards?” I ask aloud, already reaching for the folders before he even answers.

I hold out my hand for the folders, and when I look at the application on top, which is for the beta’s daughter, I freeze.

Everything stops.

“Mate, Mate, mate,” Zeus howls in my head.

“We found her,” he yips in excitement.

“Lyric,” I try the name on my tongue, and it tastes like silk.

Like something I’ve been missing finally falling into place.

Those eyes—looking like they’re staring into my soul.

I’ve finally put a face and name to those eyes, and she wants to be a guard.

“Do you know them?” Dominic asks.

As he looks at the girl in the picture provided, he examines it then looks back at me.

“Wait, is that her?” he asks.

“Yes,” I reply breathlessly.

Not a doubt in my mind. Not a second of hesitation.

“Are you sure?” he presses.

I glare at him.

“I’ve seen those eyes every night in my dreams for almost 19 years. I’m sure,” I say, staring at the picture.

And now that I’ve seen her… there’s no going back.

She’s beautiful, a goddess in her own right. Those eyes and that wild red hair. She’s only 5’0”—I can’t wait to meet her in person.

Finally.

“It says she’s only 16, Alpha,” Dominic points out.

“I’ve waited my whole life for her. I can wait another year,” I tell him.

Even if every instinct in me says go now.

“Well, I guess congratulations are in order. You’ve finally found our Queen. Your parents will be happy,” he says.

“Oh shit, Cole, you found your mate,” my youngest brother Xavier says, walking into my office.

“Is she here in the pack?” he asks.

“No, she’s a she-wolf at MoonVeil who applied for the Royal Warrior Program,” Dominic replies.

“Make sure we accept both girls into the program,” I command.

No hesitation. No debate.

“How do we know they’re capable?” he inquires.

Zeus steps forward and growls low.

“My mate is a Queen. She is capable,” he states.

“I’m sorry, Alpha,” Dominic says, bowing his head.

“We’re going to MoonVeil tomorrow. I don’t want to wait until Friday,” I declare, standing up.

Waiting suddenly feels impossible.

“Shouldn’t you let their alpha know?” Dominic asks.

“I’m the king. I do what I want. But if you’d like to notify him, you can,” I say, walking out of my office.

I can’t believe I’ve finally found her.

After all this time.

“Not yet, my child. She is not yet ready for you,” I hear Selene’s voice in my head.

Everything in me stills.

“What do you mean?”

Lyric POV

The next morning, I lie in my bed, trying to shake the feeling of dread that hasn’t left me since yesterday, like something is building and I can’t see it yet.

I know Summer is plotting, and since Mason is my mate, I know I need to watch my back.

This won’t stay a secret for long.

It never does.

“Maybe she won’t do anything,” Nova says.

“Don’t be naïve, Nova. She’s been making sure I know my place my whole life,” I reply.

“She’s planning,” I tell her.

She always is.

I get a link from Jace.

“Hey, lil bit, want to have breakfast with Logan and me? We know you can’t train, so we’re skipping for you,” he says.

“Sure, just give me 30 minutes,” I reply.

I roll out of bed and head for the shower.

“Lyric, can we talk?” Mason links me.

I don’t even answer him and just shut him out.

It’s easier this way. Safer.

“He is our mate, he can’t leave us alone,” Nova says.

“I know, but it’s not safe right now. Everyone is paying me too much attention. She’s losing the spotlight,” I reply.

“This is bad for me,” I add.

Bad doesn’t even begin to cover it.

After my shower, I throw on a pair of pink cargo shorts and a white bralette. I debate between my pink platform gladiator sandals or sneakers.

“Go for the sandals,” Nova suggests.

I redo my two braids and head downstairs.

When I get downstairs, the omegas are running around the pack house in a hurry.

Something’s different. Faster. More urgent.

I step into the dining room, grab my food, and walk over to where Jace and Logan are sitting.

“What’s going on? The ball isn’t for two more days,” I say, sitting down.

“Dad said the King is coming today instead of Friday for the meet and greet,” Jace says.

Today?

“Oh, that should be interesting,” I reply, even though something about that doesn’t sit right either.

“Lyric, can we talk?” Mason says, walking up behind me.

I freeze.

Too close. Too sudden.

I thought he was still at training.

“Please, just a few minutes,” he pleads.

I roll my eyes.

“Fine, two minutes,” I say, standing up.

We walk out of the dining room into the game room.

As we step inside, we both stand there, looking at each other.

The silence stretches longer than it should. He doesn’t look away. Neither do I.

“Are you going to speak?” I ask.

“I just want to know why you won’t talk to me, sunflower,” he says, walking closer.

“Mason,” I say, breathless.

Too close already.

“You know, don’t you?” he asks.

“Know what?” I reply.

“That you are my mate,” he says, stepping closer.

I take a step back, and he moves one closer to me.

Soon, my back is pressed against a wall, and he’s standing too close for comfort.

Not enough space to think. Not enough space to breathe.

Nova purrs in my mind at him being this close.

“Mason, what are you doing?” I ask, trying not to look into his eyes.

“You didn’t answer my question,” he says.

“Yes, I know,” I reply, breathless.

“Lyric, I’m struggling to stay away from you,” he whispers in my ear, causing me to shiver.

And that scares me more than anything else.

“Tell me to stop,” he says, moving closer.

I’m so stuck with how close he is that the words won’t leave my mouth.

I should push him away. I don’t.

Before I can even think, his lips are on mine—soft and full.

And for a second… I forget why I shouldn’t let this happen.

He bites my bottom lip, causing me to moan. He uses that to stick his tongue in my mouth. I wrap my arms around his neck, and he lifts me up. Out of reflex, I wrap my legs around his waist.

“Mason,” I hear Summer’s voice.

Everything shatters.

“Fuck,” he mutters.

Because the second Summer saw us…

I knew one thing for sure—

whatever she had planned before…

just got a whole lot worse.