FULL NOVELXO Chapter 17~ Fingers Crossed !
Third person POV~
The day has arrived. It has been a crazy, loud.. hectic day. It was just the original kingdom and pack members, because they want to keep everything under wraps, until after the fact. The roll of energy that will be felt throughout the werewolf realm should remain a puzzle, for the most part.. but Damien is expecting the council to know what it is. And they are expecting them to try and gain entry as early as tomorrow. That isn’t going to happen, of course.. and contingencies are in place to divert their attention, temporarily.
Damien’s temper has gotten the better of him… twice.. so far. They haven’t allowed him near Lynette and Demon is feeling it. I will bite you, Damien! I want Lacey! If you don’t do something, I am licking toilet seats for a week! 🐺 Hairball! Mom and Colette won’t let me near her! How about You threaten to bite Mom?! Huh, brave boy?! Tell Mom you will bite her! See if she doesn’t smack your nose with a rolled up newspaper! 🐺 We are not a dog, dumbass! Newspapers don’t scare us! 🐺 Ohh.. okay! I will be sure and let her know that little tidbit! I’m sure she’ll just stop threatening us with it! Let’s test that theory.. want to? 🐺 You are an asshole! 🐺 And you are me! Making you the asshole! 🐺 You literally miss the entire point of that insult! YOU are the asshole! I am a wolf! 🐺 and YOU are a wolfy asshole! 🐺 Fuck! And that’s how the morning was spent.. as well as how Blaze ended up with a black eye! Simply because he asked if Demon was being an asshole.
Lynette was already tired! The mothers had prepped and prodded and preened, until she was ready to scream! She wanted Damien! She needed her calm place. Instead, she settled for buckets of coffee, and arguing about shoes! She wanted to wear sandals.. or at most, fancy flats. But the mothers told her only heels were appropriate. She wanted her hair straightened and down.. but the mothers told her she needed at least a half up-do to support the crown. Every suggestion she had.. they had a reason it wasn’t feasible. Now, she is sitting here… trying to devise a plan to elope. But every scenario she runs through her brain has never heard of a coronating elopement. So, now, she was sitting in a “brain hurt” situation and needing this shit to be over!
The only bright spot in her day was finding out Liam and Blaze had to both swallow hers and Damien’s blood to be able to have their bodies accept the added strength and growth they will experience, as royals. So.. that should be fun! She imagines Blaze turning green.. but she knows Liam will just say “fuck it” and drink it down! Still… going to be funny! Even Paul has to drink their blood.. needing the added power as advisor to the king. After the coronation, it will be up to Damien who he shares his blood with.. since it will increase the strength of that person.. but for right now, today.. it is just the three of them who are entitled to the added strength. The power increases will allow even Blaze the strength to submit even the strongest Alpha. Both she and Damien decided not to tell them about it… until after the fact. Which, in turn, will be fun, too!
The time has finally come. Paul and Lydia will perform the ascension ceremony for Alpha and Luna of BlueRidge Pack..then…Elder Walter has agreed to read from the Book of Royals, to perform the ceremony for King and Queen. Then, Damien must perform the rituals for Senior Advisor.. Beta and Gamma.
Damien stands on the stage in the back garden with his parents, as he waits for his mate to appear. They will mark each other as mates in this ceremony. At the coronation, they will mark each other as wolves, allowing Lacey and Demon to come forth, while maintaining their human forms. They decided to hold off mating until after the reception.. as they know they will fall unconscious for three days!
Lynette stands at the open doors… dressed in an emerald green strapless high-low gown.. her hair half up in a messy bun, with curls framing her face. The gown is edged in silver detail.. an embroidered hem in the wild passionflower motif of the pack’s emblem, while wearing pack colors..
Reaching the stage, Damien kissed her and Paul told him that was for after the ceremony.. to which he replied “Bullshit! Y’all are lucky the castle even still has a roof, after today!” The ceremony was ending.. palms were sliced.. first for Damien and Paul to clasp hands. Next, was for Lydia and Lynette to clasp theirs. Then, finally for Lynette and Damien to clasp their palms together. They turned toward each other and he whispered “together “ and she nodded…as their canines pierced each other’s necks. The entire pack felt the connection to their new Alpha and Luna!
For an hour, the crowd enjoyed hors d’ourvres and cocktails.. then made their way over to the temple for the coronation. Everyone eagerly anticipating whether the Goddess blessed this union.. or if they were imposters to the throne. Elder Walter stood at the dais.. Paul, Blaze and Liam stood to his right.. awaiting Damien’s entrance. When he appeared, he wore a black tuxedo.. with a white shirt, red tie and gold cumberbund. Epaulets of red and gold adorned his shoulders and a red velvet cape lined in gold hung off his left shoulder. Lynette’s gown was a red velvet… edged in gold cording around a scooped, off shoulder neckline.. long sleeves held in place by thumb holes.. reaching the floor in a simple a-line with a solid gold chain hanging around her hips.
Walter began reading the ceremony.. having them each repeat their obligation and promise to the entire werewolf species..and the realm.. their palms were sliced once again and this time, their fists clenched tightly over the ceremonial chalice until their blood mingled together.. allowing first Liam.. Then Blaze.. and finally Paul to sip from. All three men hit their knees.. bracing against the rush of power. The crowns sat majestically on Damien’s and Lynette’s heads and when Walter wrapped the royal sash around their clasped hands.. Mother Moon shined her light directly on it and it burst into flame.. never burning them. A blessed and sacred union.. ordained by the Goddess herself. Lacey and Demon came forward and they marked each other a second time. And everyone felt their links connect that time. Which meant every werewolf in the realm felt that connection. Though not all would know why!
The reception was wonderful. Everyone was laughing. Reveling in the new monarchy.. Liam walks over to Damien and Lynette “Thought it was funny!? Gives new fucking meaning to blood brother.. doesn’t it! But I reckon that makes you my actual blood sister now. Though, if I’m honest… your blood didn’t taste royal at all. Actually, it tasted like shit! And what the fuck! It felt like my entire body was on fire and I was swelling! Yeah! Let’s not do that again.. MmmKay? Zero to Ten! Do not recommend!” They all laughed and hugged each other.
Lynette and Damien said their good nights and headed to their chambers. He slowly removed her clothing.. kissing every inch of skin he exposed.. they made slow passionate love for hours.. he was a meticulous, thorough lover.. bringing her over the edge a half dozen times before he allowed himself to ride her final wave with her. And they felt the final piece of their souls lock together..an immense flow of energy flooded the realm. He rolled onto his back, pulling his heart and soul into his arms… they fell into a deep sleep!
What no one knew.. nor expected.. was that Liam, Blaze, and Paul would all go under! Their sleep as deep as the monarchs! Nothing was said in the books about it.. The second day Aaron found it! The three day sleep will happen to anyone being accepted into the monarchy’s inner circle.. although there is no documented situation of the ceremonies all happening at the same time. Lydia remarks “Well! That would have been a handy bit of information to be aware of! We do not respond to any inquiries! We do not allow entry to our borders! And we certainly do not acknowledge the werewolf council! Not until our leaders are conscious again!” And Aaron readily agreed. He asked Colette to check the wards and make sure they are holding. Then he tripled his border patrols.. as well as doubling the techs monitoring security! Praying to the Goddess it would be enough! He wasn’t sure keeping his fingers crossed the next 48 hours would do the trick!