Next day, when I took a quick stroll through the castle, I saw how the place was buzzing with activity. Ivy and blooming flowers decorated the walls and expansive courtyards. The castle’s great hall was the centerpiece of all the preparations. The space was adorned with shimmering tapestries, garlands of wildflowers, the chandeliers were draped with floral vines and by the time it was night, candles were placed in every nook and cranny, casting a warm glow around.
Kylie helped me dress in my wedding gown. She did minimal makeup on me, saying that I looked better without it. As the time for the marriage drew near, Logan and Kylie took me with them in the car to the Moon Temple, that was on the premises of the castle.
I saw that a huge crowd of the pack members had gathered around it. As soon as I got out of the car, the place was filled with a hushed anticipation and the sounds of clothes rustling and soft murmurs.
Through the veil, I saw Alpha Ace standing at the end of the long aisle, flanked by the council members and King Soren.
Kylie stopped at the entrance of the temple while Logan took me all the way inside to the main sanctum. I couldn’t help but bask in my Alpha’s commanding and regal presence. When I reached him, Logan left me, and Ace took my hand to help me stand in front of him. “You look mesmerizing,” he said in a low voice, making me blush.
The Shaman started with the ceremony. After we exchanged rings, he asked for us to give our hands to him. Using the scared knife, he made cuts in the center of our palms and joined our hands. “Alpha Ace, do you take Katy Hanks as your wife and Luna?”
“I do,” he said without removing his eyes from me.
“Katy Hanks, do you take Ace Norton as your husband and your Alpha from now on?”
“I do,” I replied eagerly.
The Shaman lifted our hands and declared. “I now announce you as husband and wife.” He left our hands. “You may kiss your bride, Alpha Ace.”
And Alpha Ace lifted my veil impatiently. As soon as he threw it over my head, he cupped my face and kissed me urgently, like he couldn’t wait to marry me.
Katy POV
A minute passed and then two, but Ace and I kept on kissing. I think I heard people coughing in the background, but I disregarded it.
“Ace!” someone called him.
Another minute or two or maybe five passed, and we still continued to kiss. Coughing increased and so did giggles. “Ace!” This time it was Logan’s growl that made me snap out of my reverie. “Get a room, will you?” Logan hissed.
I pulled away from him and his chest vibrated with a dangerous growl like he hated my action.
“Ace, you’ll have all the time in the world, wolf!” Logan growled as all others around us let out a silent laugh.
Ace shot a glare at his best friend and scowled. I flushed a deep crimson and pursed my lips in embarrassment.
King Soren was looking at both of us with pure adoration. He came to us and held our hands. “I couldn’t have been prouder of you son,” he said to Ace. Some sentences in this chapter require you to read the complete chapters on J o b n i b.com to avoid an incomplete reading experience. “You’ve married the best bride according to the Selection and she’s your mate, which turns out to be a bonus point.” He turned his face to me. “When your name came up in the register, I knew you were a wild entry and that it was Ace who entered your name. Honestly, I was happy to see your name.”
My heart warmed by his words.
“Come on, I have to make another announcement to the pack members!” King Soren added. “Let’s go out.”
He gave Ace and me a big hug, then walked in between us, holding our hands. When we reached out, he raised our hands and announced, “I present to you the Alpha and the Luna of the Viking pack.”
As cheers erupted from the crowd, I gasped and whipped my head to look at King Soren with wide eyes. Alpha and the Luna? What did he mean?
King Soren continued with his announcement, “In one month’s time, my son Alpha Ace will be crowned and take his rightful place as the ruler of the Viking pack!”
And this time, a hush fell on the crowd. Soren scanned all of them silently, his chest rising and falling. “It is time that my son, Ace and his wife, Katy, ascend the throne. It is time for the order to change. I am getting old and I want to spend time in peace and, of course, with my grand pups.”
Realization crashed in me. King Soren didn’t want to rule the pack without his Luna. I understood that. The pack members valued the throne and the ruler when he was with his mate. The king was making a dignified exit. I think he hurried on marrying us only so that he could declare his retirement.
I took a ragged breath in to stop the tears from rolling out and stood proudly along with my father-in-law and husband.
“I expect all of you to be present at the coronation ceremony of your new king and queen!” he said.
The crowd went berserk as they cheered and clapped for all of us. Ace turned to his father and wrapped him in his bear hug. “Why so soon, father?” he murmured.
“Because it is high time, you take up your duties as the Alpha of the pack, Ace,” he replied, patting his son’s back.
It was an emotional moment for all of us. When Ace pulled away from the king, he took my hand and lifted it up, beaming with happiness. I couldn’t help giggling.
We all came back in the cars to the main hall of the castle, where a feast was waiting for all the pack members.
The hall was illuminated by the soft glow of hundreds of candles, casting a warm golden light over the festivities. In the center of the hall was a long, exquisitely carved wooden table. It was draped in fine tablecloths that were embroidered with gold and silver threads. At the head of the table sat King Soren. On his right, the chair where Queen Cassie would’ve been was left empty, reminding everyone of the reason for her absence. I sat on his left just after Ace, while Logan and Kylie sat opposite us.
