Chapter 21 Luna Aquamarine's POV My heart sank as panic clawed my chest . My eyes went wide as I stared at Alexander . My hands trembled as I gripped the staff tightly . " Breathe woman , " he murmured , low enough that only I could hear . " You lifted it with ease so no worries . " No worries ? What sort of barbaric act are they practising here ? I didn't know if I should be grateful or not that I could lift it . But it still didn't change anything with the scroll still missing ! " I still have 5 days left , " I whispered , earning a low chuckle from him and I glared at him . " You're enjoying this aren't you ? " " Don't act weak , my little mate . " His eyes travelled over my face , and something almost like approval flickered there . " Though I must admit , you're stunning when you're trying to look regal . " His grip on my waist tightened and he growled . " If you're not careful I would dismiss everyone here and have my way with you . " Despite everything , heat crept up my neck and my wolf stirred within me . I definitely shouldn't be liking this , but the way he said it did things to me . He leaned closer , his breath warm against my ear . " The mark is supposed to be showcased for all to see the Primus's claim , " he whispered . His fingers brushed against my skin as he pushed my hair to the side . I rolled my eyes , despite the flutter in my chest and pushed him away slightly , " Let's get this over with , " I said , my voice barely above a whisper . The moment I stepped on the stairs leading to the throne , a strange restlessness began building in my chest . I glanced at Alexander . His aura had shifted slightly , becoming more alert , more predatory . The eider began his speech , his voice carrying across the silent hall as he spoke of traditions , of power , of the sacred bond between Primus and Luna . But his words seemed to fade into the background noise as the restlessness in my chest grew stronger . I glanced at the staff in my hand . Could it be because of this ? Or the mark Alexander gave me minutes earlier ? Then came the part I had been dreading . The acceptance of fealty . One by one , creatures approached to kneel and kiss my hand just like Juliet had told me . " Vampires , " Alexander murmured as a group of pale , beautiful beings approached . " The tall one is Count Vlad Luke - he's older than dirt and twice as dangerous ." Older than dirt ? When he looks like a 35 - year - old ? That's impossible . But if they're really vampires , shouldn't they burn in the sun ? My eyes lingered on Count Vlad , his pale glowing skin , pointy straight nose and red blood- Ahand gripped my waist and pulled me backwards , " don't look them in the eyes . " Alexander whispered harshly , bringing me out of my thoughts . I blinked multiple times then switched my gaze to Count Vlad's crown instead , but he chuckled , kissed my hand and smirked at me My cheeks heated up a little , which earned a low grunt from Alexander . " Fac , " he continued as shimmering beings that seemed to change appearance with every step came forward . " Never trust a word they 1/3 Chapter 21 say , but they're useful allies . " Despite my anxiety , I found myself fascinated by his commentary . I had soo much to ask him and I just hoped he would answer without threatening me . For all his faults , Alexander was clearly well - versed in the politics of this supernatural world I was only beginning to understand . " Eagles , " he said as the winged figures approached . " They're proud but honourable . Show them respect and they'll die for you . " Finally , the moment arrived . The elder approached with a crown that seemed to pulse with its own inner light , diamond work set with stones that looked like trapped flames . " With this crown , " the Elder lifted the crown , " I Derek , 4th member of The Order , name thee Luna Aquamarine of Theriakon Pack , protector of the realm , keeper of the ancient ways and Primus Alexander's fated mate . " The crown settled on my head , and immediately I felt a rush of something within me , just like when I touched the staff earlier , but this time , I felt fire flow from the tip of my hair to the sole of my feet . T The crown was heavy but at the same time , I felt like I was floating ….. Or falu im po Then , the world exploded into chaos . Then , falling ? 64 - Windows shattered with deafening crashes as thick , thorny vines burst through the openings . Fear spiked through me , my heart racing like a wild animal . The vines were back ! Angrier than before . Screams filled the air as creatures scrambled for safety , some shifting into their true forms in panic . " Stay behind me ! " Alexander roared , his body already beginning to shift , muscles expanding . But the vines were already forming that terrible face I remembered from before . Ugly and utterly inhuman . When those hollow eyes fixed on me , time seemed to stop again . Everything moved as if underwater . I could see Alexander lunging toward it , I could see Levi shouting orders that sounded distorted and far away . The guests seemed frozen mid - flight . The elves , with their bows . The Eagles with their swords , the lions with their claws and the one that put me off . The ones I underestimated , those one - eyed people , their eyes glowed red with heat as red flames burst out . Then the vines wrapped around me , lifting me from the ground roughly . Panic set in , my breath catching in my lungs as the face leaned closer . " How dare you wear that crown ? !! " its voice resonated inside my skull rather than through my ears . My fear turned to desperation as I struggled against the vines ' grip . I didn't have time in my hands to hear its disturbing screams ; I raised the staff high above my head , but before I could stab it with the sharp pointy end , something happened . There was a powerful tug from below , disorienting me and the staff almost slipped from my hands . I let out a scream . Somehow , the thought of the staff falling to the ground and the pack members killing me feared me more than the vines Alexander's growl cut through the supernatural stillness , I looked down to see him tugging the vines attached to the face , bringing it close to his level . But something inside me snapped , and a rush of adrenaline coursed through my veins . I took that opportunity . With my heart pounding in my chest and my hands trembling with fear , I stabbed the vine wrapped around my waist . Immediately , it made that connection ; it screeched like a possessed beast and let go of me instantly . Alexander caught me just before I hit the ground , his arms wrapping me like a shield . The vines recovered a little and moved withi 2/3 Chapter 21 lightning speed towards us . But instead of Alexander moving away from its path , the madman ran towards it . With me screaming in his arms . He launched himself at the massive tangle of vines . His fist connected with the vines in one thunderous punch that sent shockwaves through the air . The impact broke whatever spell had slowed time . The hall was instantly filled with that Purple icy flame again . Especially where Alexander had hit the disturbing face . It might have been the creature's core because it crashed hard into one of the sculpted pieces . I let out a shaky breath as I gripped the staff against my chest . My heart was about to burst out from my ribcage . The vines began to wither and fall away , crumbling to ash as they hit the ground . But as the last of them withered , they revealed something that made my blood turn to ice . A woman stood in the centre of where the creature had been . She was beautiful in an otherworldly way , with waist - length curly brown hair , brow sunkissed skin and eyes like green firé . She wore robes that seemed to be made of living plants which hugged all her curves . Power radiated from her in waves that made the earth beneath us tremble . She glared at Alexander , then at me , then at Alexander again . Then her brows creased and she clenched her fists by her sides , " Alex ! Reject her now ! "