The Lunar Queen Chapter 66

Lyric POV

As the guards swing open the doors, all conversations immediately hush, and the room’s eyes turn toward us. The silence presses in, thick and expectant, like the entire room is holding its breath for me.

Cole strides over with confidence. “Ladies, I’ve got this from here,” he says, taking my hand, sparks flickering across my skin. The bond flares instantly—steady, grounding, mine.

“You look stunning, my queen,” he whispers softly in my ear. His voice anchors me when everything else feels too loud.

Heat rushes up my neck. “Thank you,” I reply, studying him. He’s dressed in a dark grey three-piece suit, the top three buttons of his shirt undone, his tall, broad frame nearly bursting out of it. Gods, he’s absolutely gorgeous.

Strong. Untouchable. Exactly what I need right now.

“Like what you see, mate?” he teases with a smirk.

“Oh, very much so, Your Majesty,” I shoot back.

“Are you ready?” he asks, eyes earnest.

I take a deep breath and nod. “Yes, I’m ready,” I say, rolling my shoulders to gather courage.

My chest tightens anyway, like something in me knows this moment isn’t going to stay perfect.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” Dominic announces. “Now that the king’s mate has arrived, we ask everyone to proceed to the throne room.”

Cole and I lead the way, flanked by two guards.

We step onto the platform bearing the thrones. Before us, a table holds a dagger and a chalice. The high priestess stands to the side, waiting silently.

Nova goes still in my head—not calm, alert. Watching.

Cole gently squeezes my hand as we take our seats on the thrones, the murmurs of the crowd filling the air while we wait for everyone else to settle.

Nova stirs restlessly in my mind, amplifying my nerves. She doesn’t like this. Not the crowd. Not the energy.

Cole rubs his thumb soothingly across the back of my hand.

“You will do fine, my love,” he whispers through our bond.

“I know. It’s just… so many people,” I admit.

“These are your people, here to see you ascend to your rightful place—by my side,” he reassures me.

By his side. Not alone. I cling to that.

“This is new to me,” I confess, nerves tingling.

Sybil’s voice rings clear. “Thank you all for gathering to witness the coronation of our queen. We are honored to welcome such a remarkable wolf—our Luna, our Queen. Daughter of the moon.”

She gestures gracefully. “Please, your highness, step forward.”

I glance at Cole; he nods softly.

I step toward the table. Every step feels heavier, like the ground itself is marking this moment.

“Lyric Cassidy, daughter of the moon, spirit guide of Eloise, do you swear to protect the wolves of this pack, no matter the cost?” Sybil asks.

“I swear it,” I answer firmly.

“Do you vow to uphold the laws of the kingdom at all times, placing nothing above them, including yourself?” she continues.

“I swear it,” I say.

“Will you prioritize the safety of the pack and kingdom above all else?” she inquires.

“I do,” I respond.

She reaches for the dagger and chalice. “Give me your hand,” she commands, taking both.

Cole steps forward, taking my hand in his.

She makes a gentle slice across my palm; I wince, blood dripping into the chalice as the wound closes swiftly.

The sting is sharp, but the bond with Cole burns hotter—stronger.

She then cuts Cole’s hand, blood mingling in the chalice.

With a final cut in both our palms, she joins our hands together, our eyes glowing as the magic flows.

The crowd gasps in awe.

The power floods fast—too fast—like it recognizes me before I can steady myself.

“Ah, such a blessed union,” Sybil smiles warmly.

“Drink from the chalice, my queen,” she says, offering me the vessel.

I take a hesitant sip.

“More,” she insists.

I drain the blood from the chalice.

As I finish, an inexplicable wind gusts through the room, and suddenly my eyes glow purple, causing everyone to bow before me.

The room bends—submits—and Nova lifts her head, ready to defend what’s ours.

“Bow for our Lunar Queen, Mother Moon, our Savior,” Sybil declares, bowing deeply.

She rises, picks up the crown from the table, and places it on my head.

“My Queen,” she whispers, bowing again.

“I present to you Queen Lyric Cassidy,” she continues before stepping back.

Just as chaos erupts—

An explosion rocks the throne room’s rear.

The impact rattles through my bones—too targeted to be random.

Screams echo as people scatter in terror.

Another blast at the ballroom entrance sends guards flying.

Cole growls ominously, grabbing my arm, trying to escort me toward the council chambers.

But another explosion erupts behind the door, flinging guards aside.

Rogues surge through the hole in the wall, chaos erupting everywhere.

Guards and guests scramble to regain control.

“Lyric, I need to get you out of here,” Cole snarls, pulling me back.

A rogue approaches from our right; Cole swiftly snaps his neck.

“Shift,” I yell desperately.

“I can’t leave you alone,” Cole retorts, kicking away an attacking rogue.

His focus is split—and that makes my chest tighten.

Amid the chaos, Caleb suddenly appears, running up and locking eyes with me.

“I’ll get her out,” he states firmly.

His scent hits me—flat. Controlled. No urgency.

“Come back to me, my king,” I whisper as I follow Caleb behind the thrones.

He presses a hidden button behind Cole’s throne; a door opens to a tunnel.

“This way, Luna,” Caleb says urgently.

But a strange, ominous feeling weighs on me—something’s terribly wrong.

“Something’s off,” Nova warns.

Her voice is sharp now—ready to strike.

I turn to Caleb with doubt. “Where are we going?” I ask.

“It’s an exit from the palace, it’s fine,” he responds flatly.

Too calm. Too rehearsed.

Nova’s hackles rise.

Suddenly, a powder is blown into my face; I breathe it in instinctively.

Almost immediately, I can’t feel Nova’s connection.

She’s just—gone. No warning. No pull. Just silence.

I try to reach out with my powers, but nothing responds.

Empty. Completely empty.

“We’ve blocked your link to your wolf and your abilities,” Caleb’s voice echoes behind me.

Tears stream down my face as I spin around.

“Why? You were his closest friend,” I choke out.

This isn’t just betrayal—it’s a break in the pack itself.

“No,” he snaps, “Dominic was his best friend. I wasn’t even supposed to be gamma. But when our real gamma died—and when we found you—I knew who you were from the moment I saw your picture. David promised me power,” he explains coldly.

“And Julie?” I ask desperately.

“She’ll get over it. She’s my mate; she’ll do what I say,” Caleb replies, snapping silver cuffs onto my wrists.

The metal bites—cold and heavy, shutting everything down even further.

“Now, walk,” he commands, pushing me down the tunnel.

We walk what feels like endless miles until strange light appears.

Standing right outside is none other than David, wearing a sickening smile.

Like he’s been waiting for this exact moment.

“Oh, you look absolutely gorgeous, my queen,” he says, reaching out to touch my cheek.

I turn my face away, but he grips my jaw tightly.

Possessive. Claiming.

“Fight all you want,” he whispers darkly. “Soon, it won’t matter. You’re mine now, Lyric.”

With that, he blows more powder into my face—and darkness overtakes me instantly.

Right before everything goes black—

I feel the bond surge—

his panic slamming into mine—

and then it’s gone.