Chapter 22 Luna Aquamarine's POV What did I just hear ? Reject me ? " Alex ! Reject her ! " the woman's voice rang out again , her green fire eyes shooting daggers at me . The venom in her tone made my skin crawl . I was speechless . THE I stared at her in confusion before Alexander's arms tightened around me , his grip almost … protective ? He glared at the woman , his nose flared and his mouth pressed to a thin line . His jaw clenched so hard I could see the muscle ticking beneath his skin . I could tell he was angry . Very angry . The air around us crackled with his barely restrained fury . S " Alexander , you can drop me now ," I whispered , suddenly aware of how exposed I felt in his arms with everyone watching , but he just shot me a look . As if he was telling me to shut up . And I did . Something in his eyes warned me this wasn't the time to argue . " You shouldn't be here Gaia , " he said , his voice low and rough , each word dripping with controlled rage . " How dare you step foot into my kingdom and destroy my Luna's Coronation ? " Gaia ? So , that's the vine wielder's name , And Alexander knows her , that much is clear . He knows the person who attempted to kill me , thrice ! The realization sent ice through my veins . " I don't care ! You seem to have forgotten I have eyes everywhere ! " Gaia stomped her foot on the ground like a petulant child denied her favourite toy . " I leave you for 2 months and come back to see you bringing and then crowning a bi- ?! " " Gaia ! " he growled , cutting her off before she could finish whatever insult she was about to hurl at me . His voice was so loud that it sent the foundation of the earth - shaking . I swallowed hard and looked up at him , his eyes were closed , like he was trying to contain himself . Power radiated from him in waves that made my bones vibrate . My gaze went to Gaia , her eyes went wide and her mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air , then she looked away . For a moment , the fierce woman who had burst into my coronation looked almost … small . Fear ? Anger ? Annoyance ? I could not tell but she had this vibe to her that I didn't like . Like a spoiled , bratty child who had never been told no . The atmosphere was tense and completely quiet . But I could still feel the presence of others watching the exchange , their collective breath held I looked around other creatures were trembling slightly , while some were even cowering in fear at Alexander's tone . Some had even begun backing toward the exits , their survival instincts overriding ceremony etiquette . 1 tugged his robe , " Alexander , the guests , " I whispered , not wanting this confrontation to traumatize everyone who had come to witness what should have been a celebration . " I apologise for this commotion but this ceremony is over ." Levi's voice echoed through the hall , smooth and commanding despite the chaos , and that was it . The cue to leave . One by one , every creature present in the hall started leaving bowing slightly but still having their guards up . Their movements were hurried , whispered conversations already beginning as they fled the tension . The only people left were 1. Alexander , Gata , Elders from The Order , Levi and some other shifters from our pack . The vast hall suddenly felt intimate and dangerous . " Juliet ! Aaron " Alexander called out , his voice still carrying that edge of barely controlled power . " Take the tuna and Katherine to their chambers " Almost immediately . Juliet and Katherine appeared at my side , along with another tall dark skinned man with grey eyes that seemned to miss nothing . 1/3 Chapter 22 Aaron , I believe . As we walked away from the chaos , I took one last glance at Alexander , Gaia and the Elders who were walking towards them with grim expressions . Alexander's posture was rigid , like a predator ready to strike . I couldn't help but feel so disturbed . What did Gaia mean by her outburst ? Reject me ? Why would she demand such a thing ? And more importantly , why did she think she had the right to make such demands ? The way Alexander had reacted to her presence , the way his voice had boomed through the hall … it was clear that there was something between them . Something that went deeper than a simple acquaintance . I wanted to go back and hear their discussions so badly , my curiosity gnawing at me , but Alexander had already given his command . And something told me disobeying him right now would be unwise . Juliet and Katherine walked by my sides . Katherine's arm was wrapped firmly around my waist . I could feel her fear and discomfort in her creased brows , the way her eyes darted nervously . Juliet's eyes were hard and so was her face . Her eyes kept darting left and right as if checking for something or rather keeping watch . Every shadow seemed to hold a potential threat . I could sense her aura shifting slightly , becoming more protective , more alert . Aaron walked ahead , his presence clearing a path through any lingering stragglers . 100 As we reached the chambers , he pushed the door open and ushered for us to enter . " I'll stand guard outside , " he said , his voice deep and gravelly . " No one gets past me ." Juliet and Katherine followed me into the room . The familiar space felt soo peaceful after the chaos of the interrupted ceremony . " Don't worry about the disturbance Luna ," Juliet said , her voice gentle despite the hardness still lingering in her eyes . " Let's get you out of that crown and gown first . It looks heavy , and you've been through enough tonight . " I nodded gratefully , placed the staff carefully on the table and carefully lifted the crown off my head . The weight had been more than physical - it carried expectations I wasn't sure I was ready for . Juliet handled the rest easily . Carefully removing the jewelleries piece by piece and loosening the gown . I finally felt like I could breathe again . I released a long breath and sat in the chair in front of the mirror , staring at my own reflection . I looked pale , shaken , but somehow different . The coronation had changed something in me , even if it had been cut short , " Who is she ? " I finally whispered to Juliet , the weight of the question heavy on my tongue . " Gaia . " " She's the Queen of Naturellia Kingdom , " Juliet replied , her voice carefully neutral . Naturellia ? Isn't that the same Kingdom I overheard Alexander and Levi talking about ? The pieces were starting to form a picture I didn't like . " She and Alexander had some dealings in the past ." " Dealings ? " I pressed , though part of me didn't want to know the answer . " Political … Juliet paused as if weighing her words carefully . Just that ? The hesitation in her voice suggested otherwise . " And romantic . At least that's what she called it . She was his last mistress . The words came out like she was ripping off a bandage Oh , another one . I felt a pang in my chest but I ignored it , pushing down the unexpected surge of what ? Jealousy ? That was ridiculous : " The craziest of all , " Juliet added with a grimace 2/3 Chapter 22 " Is he still seeing her ? She said she left for 2 months , " Katherine asked , her curiosity getting the better of her discretion . I had forgotten that she was here , listening to every word . Juliet twisted her face in disgust . " No , they broke up years ago but that bitch isn't the type of person that takes no for an answer . She's been trying to worm her way back into his life ever since . " She answered and I unknowingly let out a sigh of what felt suspiciously like relief . Why I did that , I couldn't tell . Because there's no way I'm jealous , right ? I don't care about his mistresses . 3/3