Forbidden Queen
Chapter Fifty-Seven – Recovering from our Losses

Katy

The days straight after the attack by the Black Moon Pack were hectic and passed in a blur. Wolves come to congratulate me, to swear their allegiance to their queen and show their gratitude that I had killed our common enemy. The wolf that all packs feared. It seems that the fact that I personally killed Lucius has removed any doubts that a young girl like me is capable of ruling as queen.

In fact, many of the packs, have expressed an interest in being more than just our allies, they want to return to the old ways, for me to be their monarch, and they, my subjects. I am surprised that the Alphas would be prepared to give up their power, but Alex says that it makes sense. The royals have never interfered with the day to day running of the packs that has always been the responsibility of the pack Alpha.

Instead, they gain the support of our army in times of war, and our help in times of famine. Wolves will journey to our capital where they will be able to learn from experts about healing and government; they will train as warriors with the royal guard; and there will be trade between the packs. All benefits they had lost since the war with Lucius began.

It makes sense and can only make us stronger and more secure, so I have asked Ruth to start making the arrangements for the Alphas to formally swear their allegiance to me.

With Joseph gone, Alex has taken over responsibility for the royal guard. Since we left the Lunar Eclipse Pack, he has been helping Joseph train and command the warriors, so it made sense that he was the wolf chosen to be his replacement.

Ten of our wolves, including Joseph died in the battle. I have visited the families of each one to express my sorrow at their death, and my gratitude for the sacrifice they made in order to defeat Lucius. They will all be taken care of, but it won’t replace the loss of their loved ones.

With Lucius gone, the Black Moon pack is in disarray. We have had to move quickly to ensure that they do not form a threat going forward. Alex argued that we should disband the pack and make all of its members rogues.

I have decided against this. Anna and her uncle are both good wolves and they came from the Black Moon pack. I can’t believe that every wolf in the pack is as evil as Lucius was. For this reason, I am sending Anna and Daniel to take over the pack. The Black Moon pack will be absorbed into the royal kingdom, and they will rule as joint Alphas. Philip has agreed to release Anna’s uncle Thomas from his role as the northern territory healer so that he can help and support them.

The ranking wolves, and senior warriors that served under Lucius will not be so lucky. Alex is arranging for them to be tried, and if they are found guilty, they will be executed.

Euan and Lily returned to the Lunar Eclipse pack. Alex’s role as the commander of the Royal Pack means that he will never be able to take up his role as full time alpha there again. Instead, Euan will rule in his place as the alpha regent.

I have asked Alex if he minds that he will not be able to rule the Lunar Eclipse Pack as their Alpha. If he resents losing his birth right. He says not; that being the commander of the Royal Guard is a far more powerful role. That he could never leave me here to rule alone. Besides he isn’t giving up his birth right completely. Euan will only run the pack until Alex, and I have a child who will take over.

Emma recovered quickly from the turmoil of the battle, I had worried that she would be traumatised by the experience, but because none of the wolves that she knew and loved were killed or badly injured she has managed to move on from it. She is loving school and living at the palace. Mrs Wilson has agreed to stay with us permanently and is always on hand to look after Emma.

We didn’t see Kirsty for a week after the coronation. As soon as I heard that she had returned I went to visit her. I was determined to get answers, to replace out what had really happened at the coronation.

As usual with Kirsty that was easier said than done. She just smiled at me when I asked her to explain what happened at my coronation. What the sign from the moon goddess had really meant.

All she was prepared to say was that the moon goddess had made it clear that I had won her favour and approval, without which I would have been unable to defeat Lucius. She hinted that she knew more that she had spoken with the moon goddess at great length but was not prepared to share any of these conversations with me.

….

Now that things have calmed down, I have managed to organise a quiet dinner in our rooms as a surprise for Alex. We will be alone for the first time in weeks. It was difficult to arrange, we both have so many official duties that take up most of our time. I have however important news that I need to share with him privately.

Martha has set up a small dining table and two chairs in our room. A white lace tablecloth covers the table, and candles have been lit. She has opened a bottle of red wine which sits on the table, next to a single wine glass.

When Alex enters our room, he stops, surprise obvious on his face. I am dressed in a long blue dress that fits tightly around the bodice and pools out gently to my ankles. Martha has styled my hair, and my make-up has been subtly applied to emphasise my blue eyes.

“You look beautiful Katy, what have I done to deserve all this?”

“I have something important to tell you, let’s sit down and enjoy our meal together.”

“OK” he says. He takes a seat, and I sit down across from him. He lifts the wine bottle to pour us both a glass of wine, and then he notices that there is only one glass.

“Where is your glass? Are you not drinking?” he asks.

“No. I won’t be drinking. Not tonight. Not for another seven months” I tell him smiling,

“Your pregnant” he guesses.

I nod my head.

His face brightens, his lips turn up into a beaming smile. He jumps up and rushes round to my side of the table. He pulls me into his arms and crushes his lips to mine. I savour the kiss. Before he pulls away from me slightly.

“I am so lucky to have you” he tells me. “You have already made me so happy, but now with this news, everything is perfect.

The End