The Lunar Queen Chapter 63

Hunter POV

Driving to the palace for Lyric’s coronation feels bittersweet, a mix of pride and sorrow that weighs heavily on me. It sits in my chest like something unfinished—like I’m stepping into a moment that’s missing pieces that should be here. I know my parents would have loved to be here, even with the strained relationship they had with her.

Felicity reaches over and gently places her hand on my thigh, her touch soothing. “It’s going to be okay, baby,” she says softly.

I nod slowly in response. “I know, I just wish they were here for this moment,” I reply, placing my hand over hers to let the sparks of her touch calm my nerves a little. Even that barely steadies me. It just dulls the edge—it doesn’t take it away.

I decided to drive my own car instead of riding with Mason and the others. I thought whatever Lyric did to him would make things better, considering they’re no longer mates. But honestly, it seems to have made him worse, and it’s becoming exhausting to manage his outbursts and help him run the pack. Every conversation with him feels like walking a line that’s about to snap.

Felicity mentioned Aria is struggling to keep his focus amidst all this chaos. I don’t believe coming today was a good idea for him, but convincing him otherwise would have been nearly impossible. He’s too far gone in whatever this is—too locked into it.

I don’t know what Lyric saw to provoke such a drastic action, but I hope she can find a way to fix him. He’s obsessing over this, and I fear he might destroy the pack.

When we arrive at the gates of the Hidden Moon pack, I’m struck by the unprecedented number of guards standing watch. Too many. Not ceremonial—defensive. Ready.

After the Alpha and Luna declare our identities and the pack name at the front of the formation, the heavy iron gates creak open with a loud, grinding noise, revealing the lush grounds beyond. The sound drags—slow, heavy—like something bigger than a welcome.

We drive the scenic 15-minute route to the palace, passing through sprawling trees and well-maintained gardens. Everything looks perfect. Too perfect for how tense the air feels.

Lyric, Cole, Dominic, Winter, and a guy I don’t recognize, along with Julie, Micah’s sister, stand outside the palace.

Cole speaks warmly, “Welcome, Moonveil. We’re glad you could attend, all things considered.”

His gaze flicks to me. “Hunter, I’m sorry for your loss,” he says softly.

I nod in acknowledgment. “Thank you,” I reply quietly. The words feel hollow. There’s nothing to say to that kind of loss.

Lyric then walks over and moves into my arms, and I wrap both arms around her, holding her close.

“I’m sorry, Hunter,” she whispers, voice shaking.

I look down at her, concern evident in my eyes. “For what?” I ask gently.

“For getting Mom and Dad killed,” she whispers, voice cracking under the weight of her grief.

I shake my head firmly and gently grab her shoulders, pulling her back so she can see my face.

“This is not your fault, Lyric. It’s the rogue king’s fault, the bears’, the witches’. It’s everyone working against you—except you,” I say, tears streaming down my face.

“Don’t ever blame yourself for that. I know you didn’t have a great relationship with them, but they loved you deeply, and they truly regretted what they did to you. They wanted nothing more than to be here today to watch you crowned the queen you deserve to be,” I add softly, cupping her cheeks.

“Today should be a celebration, a good day. Stop crying,” I say, wiping her tears gently. Even as I say it, it feels like I’m trying to force something that doesn’t fit anymore.

I then send her a mindlink. “We need to talk about Mason,” I say softly.

Her face scrunches in confusion. “What about him?” she responds.

“He’s spiraling differently now, obsessed with what you took from him,” I explain. “He keeps saying it was important and that he can feel it,” I add.

And that part… that part doesn’t sit right with me.

Her face tightens, and she responds through the link, “Okay, later, before the ceremony.”

Then she turns her attention back to Cole.

Winter speaks warmly, “Okay, we will show you to your rooms.”

We follow them into the palace, which is massive, with grand halls and ornate decorations that speak of long-standing tradition and wealth. But all I can think is—if something goes wrong here… there’s nowhere to hide.

Lyric POV

This morning, I woke up with an overwhelming sense of dread. Not fear—something deeper. Like something already set in motion that I can’t stop. It felt like something terrible was imminent.

My thoughts drift back to the vision of Cole—I wonder if today is the day. If so, what triggers it? Most pressing of all, whose bodies lie on the floor, especially the one at his feet? That image won’t leave me. It’s stuck—like it already happened somewhere.

Cole gently squeezes my hand, pulling me from my dark musings.

“Are you okay, my queen?” he asks

I look at him and offer a soft smile. “Yes, love, but there’s this lingering sense of dread,” I confess.

And it’s getting worse, not better.

“Nothing will happen. You’ll join the Hidden Moon Pack and be crowned my queen" he reassures me.

I nod silently, not responding. Because I don’t believe that—not fully. Not today.

We accompany my old pack to where they would be staying, then I walk off with Winter toward my office for the gown fitting.

“Are you nervous about today?” she asked softly.

I shrugged. “I’ve never been in charge of anything before, let alone an entire kingdom and a pack of my own—responsible for so many lives. I felt the loss of those two packs before I was even officially queen,” I admit.

And it nearly broke me.

“Imagine how I’ll feel once I am. I’ll truly mourn every wolf we lose in this battle with David. I don’t know if I’m ready for that. I’ve been eighteen for only weeks, I’ve spent most of my life trying to stay invisible. Now, I’ll be one of the most watched wolves, especially considering who I am,” I add as we enter my office.

Inside, Mira, Aria, Iris, Felicity, and Julie were already waiting.

I embrace Aria and Felicity. “It’s good to see you two again,” I say.

“Lyric, how are you showing already?” she asks. “I was hesitating to ask downstairs because of Mason,” she adds.

“A witch tricked someone into giving me a potion to speed up my pregnancy,” I explain.

Even saying it out loud still feels unreal. Wrong.

Her and Felicity gasp.

“How are you so calm about this?” Aria asks

“I’m not. But I know we’re at war, and unfortunately, there are enemies within the palace,” I reply

And they’re getting closer. I can feel it.

Then I ask, “But back to Mason—why would he care about me being further along?”

They exchange glances.

“Aria, what’s going on with Mason?” I press.

“He’s just been distracted,” she says.

Felicity’s eyes sharpen. “He’s been too caught up in what you did—like you took something from him,” she said, tears threatening to spill.

I immediately pull her into a hug. “You should have told me, I would have gone to the pack to kick his ass,” I say, hugging her tightly.

“I did take something from him—his love for me, his memories of loving me,” I admit.

And now it’s coming back to haunt us.

“I’m sorry, Aria. I didn’t think about what would happen when i did it, just what could happen if i didn't, but I didn’t see this coming either,” I add.

“I don’t know if I can fix it, but I’ll try,” I promise.

“You don’t deserve this, Aria, and Mason isn’t always the villain. He can be a good mate,” I reassure her.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," I call.

Leah enters, holding a garment bag.

"Ready to try the dress?" she asks.

"Yes, I am," I reply

I step into the bathroom and slip into a pale blue, off-the-shoulder gown with long sleeves and a plunging back, hugging my curves and fitting perfectly over my now prominent bump.

When I step out, the girls gasp, covering their mouths.

"Oh my dear, you look stunning," Leah says.

I smile and hug her. "Thank you, Mom," I whisper.

She smiles brightly. "I’m honored," she replies.

"Sit down so we can get your hair done," Winter orders

"Good, because Cole and I have a council meeting at 3, and I’m starving," I say glancing at Aria.

"And I need to talk to Mason—i promised Hunter I would before the ceremony," I add.

"Something's going to happen today," Nova predicts

“I know, but I just wish I knew what," I admit.

Because whatever it is… it’s already started.

And I have a feeling—by the time this coronation ends…someone isn’t walking out alive.